NAFCM - 2008 Reservist Reintegration and Transitions Program Overview and History

NAFCM - 2008

Reservist Reintegration and Transitions

Program Overview and History

NAFCM - 2008

Program Vision

The RRTP vision is to see an increase in effective capacity within communities to support and re-establish healthy relationships among Military personnel, their families, and the community at large.

NAFCM - 2008

Program GoalsAlthough families and veterans often receive advice on the

importance of using healthy communication to resolve transition-related issues, little has been done to help our communities actually learn how to do this.

The RRTP seeks to: inform and educate individuals, groups, and agencies about community mediation services; build local capacity through training opportunities and referral networks, and; learn from the experiences of helping families move forward constructively through deployment and reintegration.

NAFCM - 2008

Course of Action Professional-level skills training for the National Guard

and Reserves, families, community leaders, etc;

Connecting with and educating State and local resources about community mediation so as to compliment family and veteran services with the tools and information about the mediation process;

Enhancing community mediation center services to help them meet unique community needs, and to expand civilian-military mediation programs nationwide.

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Program Timeline 2007 - 20082007 – Pilot Planning StagesFebruary – Program ConceptionJune – Funding from the JAMS FoundationAugust – Strategic-Design MeetingNovember – Curriculum Design Begins

2008 – Pilot Implementation StepsJanuary – Curriculum Review BoardFebruary – Pilot Plans in Cleveland FinalizedMarch – Training Begins!

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A Trifecta of Program SuccessOutreach and Education

Capacity Building Input and Support

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OutreachOutreach is being conducted with:

National Guard and Reservists, Active Military, Chaplains Family Readiness Support Initiatives Military foundations “Welcome Home” and Veteran services Health Care and Social Service providers

NAFCM has presented at conferences and created relationships through formal and informal relationships in VT, OH, VA, MD, IL, MD, DC, and more.

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Capacity Building Volunteer Mediators

The Military Community Context

Cultural Competency

Sustainability of Program/Growth of Services

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Community Input and Support Creating the Conditions for Success

Resources for Resolution

Prevention of Conflict - Referrals

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Next Steps: 2008 – 2??? Complete Initial Training Sessions Continue Outreach and Education Develop Models by State composition Connect Donors & Agencies to Local CMCs Develop Program to Accommodate

Community Needs

NAFCM - 2008NAFCM - 2008

Mediation and the Mediation and the MilitaryMilitary

Program Rationale and Program Rationale and Orientation to Civilian-Military Orientation to Civilian-Military

ConflictConflict


Conflicts: Presenting and BeyondConflicts: Presenting and Beyond

Conflicts resulting from the transition or Conflicts resulting from the transition or reintegration context do not stand alonereintegration context do not stand alone

Larger patterns accompany any one “incident”Larger patterns accompany any one “incident”

Effectively addressing many of the challenging Effectively addressing many of the challenging issues requires a change in the way we issues requires a change in the way we perceive a situation and interact with othersperceive a situation and interact with others

Mediation services are a mechanism which Mediation services are a mechanism which engage both “relational” and “substantive” engage both “relational” and “substantive” challengeschallenges


What We Know: What We Know: Old NewsOld News

Unexpected and lengthy deployments are a Unexpected and lengthy deployments are a reality in many statesreality in many states

The impact of deployment is difficult on allThe impact of deployment is difficult on all

Families and Military Personnel experience Families and Military Personnel experience unanticipated challenges at home, in the unanticipated challenges at home, in the workplace and in the communityworkplace and in the community

Relationships suffer as conflicts ariseRelationships suffer as conflicts arise

Needs on many levels are unmet due to Needs on many levels are unmet due to inadequate resources and unfocused capacityinadequate resources and unfocused capacity


What is Unknown: What is Unknown: Bad NewsBad News

Mediation Centers are not well known or Mediation Centers are not well known or advertised. Even mediators don’t know advertised. Even mediators don’t know about them! about them!

Social Services and Health Care Providers Social Services and Health Care Providers are unaware of mediation programsare unaware of mediation programs

Mediation is not a household word, and is Mediation is not a household word, and is often confused with therapy or counsellingoften confused with therapy or counselling


The RRTP: The RRTP: Good NewsGood News!!

This program is community based and provides This program is community based and provides access for all!access for all!

Services provide a place where families or Services provide a place where families or individuals can have the necessary and difficult individuals can have the necessary and difficult conversations re: transition issuesconversations re: transition issues

Processes are designed with the military Processes are designed with the military community, by the military community, and for community, by the military community, and for the military communitythe military community


Addressing Conflict in the Addressing Conflict in the Civilian-Military CommunityCivilian-Military Community

Traditional MethodsTraditional Methods


Community Mediation and Community Mediation and MilitaryMilitary

The deployment cycle creates tough conditions for maintaining healthy relationships:

Distance and MistrustThe need to “get back to normal”Lack of communication, cultural transitionRealities of war: casualties, guilt, loss,

challenges in relationships and adaptation


Traditional Resources for Conflict Traditional Resources for Conflict

Formal Methods

Counseling or

Family therapyMilitary Justice SystemLocal or State CourtsAttorneysEtc.

Informal Methods

Civilian Friends/FamilyPeers in UnitChaplain corpsUnit Leadership


Obstacles faced by Military Obstacles faced by Military Personnel & FamiliesPersonnel & Families

Access: centralized services, urban vs. rural access

Misinformation and Stigma about seeking care

Appropriate Issues/Treatment: Mental health counseling/care, family therapy, treatment of physical and other disabilities

Insurance provision and/or working with “new” issues (TBI, VA services/Vet Services for Personnel only)


Mediation ProvidesMediation Provides

Access (in time and $) for families and beyond

A confidential and safe space to discuss many things, from communication to proper avenues of care

A parallel process for effective care and strategies for “getting back to normal”

Inclusion of health professionals in therapy, education, health, and other areas (family conferencing model)


Presenting ConflictsPresenting Conflicts

Role

MONEY

Intimate Relationships

Children


Children: Affected RelationshipsChildren: Affected Relationships

Two Way Relationships Parent to Child Caregiver to Child Student to Student Teacher to Student Student to Caregiver Parent to Teacher Parent to Caregiver Parent to Parent

Triangulated Relationships Parent-Caregiver-Child Caregiver-Child-Teacher Parent-Child-Parent Student-Teacher-Student Etc.


Presenting Issues Regarding ChildrenPresenting Issues Regarding Children

Situational CircumstancesCare-taking environmentTruancy, School IssuesVisitation, Care, Support issues, HomesicknessFamily stakeholder status or decision-making powers

Emotional Distress Anger (Secondary Emotion) Respect or Reward issues Developmental Growth Issues Loss or detachment/attachment issues Coping and grief behaviors Anticipation or estrangement from parents/friends


Intimate/Sexual RelationshipsIntimate/Sexual Relationships

Intimate equation = emotional + physical connection

Conflicts require room for open dialogue and communication

Space for consideration of therapy or other services for sexual relationships

Mediation offers: 1) A neutral, non-judgmental forum2) A safe and protected, confidential environment, and; 3) Acceptable ground rules, mutual empowerment and

recognition


Presenting IssuesPresenting Issues

Physical/Behavioral Disabilities Aggression Estrangement Addictions or

substance abuse Infidelity, marriage or

multiple partners Online sex addictions

Emotional/Connective Sexual tension Negotiation of issues

related to sex Exploring avenues to

other help or therapy Physical or emotional

support


Presenting Issues Presenting Issues Money and FinancesMoney and Finances

Financial Planning Allocations/Allowances Family/Individual Priority Long term planning

needs or expectations (college, retirement, home, etc.),

Bonus Money/Promise Legal issues (custody,

alimony) Homelessness

(estrangement, job loss)

Behavioral Changes Value shifts in spending

Instant gratification spending

Gambling

Online abuse/addiction

Abuse of trust/responsibility


Presenting Conflicts: RolesPresenting Conflicts: Roles

During a time of separation or transition, traditional, socialized, or “expected” roles of individuals within families/groups may change

Some role changes may reflect positive growth in individuals who are working effectively under new circumstances and conditions

Role changes may also provoke power struggles, emotional estrangement or other uncertainties. If not handled properly, the shifting of roles may cause serious conflict upon reunification of family members or redefinition of traditional roles


Role RelationshipsRole Relationships

Inside the Home Spouse to Spouse Step/Other Spouse to Child

(0-12), (13+) Parent to Child (0-12), (13+) Grandparent to Child Child to Child Parent 1 to Parent 2 Soldier to Parent

Outside the Home Employer/Manager to

Returnee Soldier as Employee

Employee to Returnee Soldier as Co-worker

Parental Team/Unit to: Child, Caregiver, or School

Soldier to School/University Soldier to Court


Role related to Court decisions Role related to Court decisions

Court decision w/ regard to best interest of child

Appeals of decisions upon return of deployed personnel/parent

Temporary visitation schedulingAbandonment Implied impairment from dutySensitivity to schedule changesChange in financial support or job status


The BattlemindThe Battlemind The Transition fromThe Transition from Combat Zone Combat Zone

to to Home ZoneHome Zone


The Battlemind is…The Battlemind is…

The The Combat SkillsCombat Skills and and MindsetMindset which sustain which sustain survival of a soldier in a combat zonesurvival of a soldier in a combat zone

HOWEVER…HOWEVER…

What is effective in Battlemind thinking in a combat What is effective in Battlemind thinking in a combat zone may be hazardous to social and behavioral zone may be hazardous to social and behavioral health at homehealth at home


Coming Home is Easy, Right?!Coming Home is Easy, Right?!

Dynamics of expectations and actions during Dynamics of expectations and actions during reintegration create misunderstandings, reintegration create misunderstandings, estrangement, and interruptions in otherwise estrangement, and interruptions in otherwise healthy relationship patternshealthy relationship patterns

The transition fromThe transition from BaghdadBaghdad oror Kabul Kabul to to Cleveland Cleveland or or ChicagoChicago is an extreme cultural shift is an extreme cultural shift which, if not handled and understood through which, if not handled and understood through proper lenses, can create more harm than goodproper lenses, can create more harm than good


A Word on CultureA Word on Culture

““Culture is a learned system of meanings that Culture is a learned system of meanings that fosters a particular sense of shared identity and fosters a particular sense of shared identity and community among group members... [People] community among group members... [People] learn the meanings or interpretations of what learn the meanings or interpretations of what constitute proper and improper conflict constitute proper and improper conflict behaviors by adhering to or deviating from such behaviors by adhering to or deviating from such behaviors in a particular community.”behaviors in a particular community.”

- Ting Toomey & Oetzel (2001)- Ting Toomey & Oetzel (2001)


Why should Mediators know this? Why should Mediators know this?

Battlemind Battlemind materials provide a lens through materials provide a lens through which we can better understand how which we can better understand how normal behaviors and reactions normal behaviors and reactions somewhere somewhere might realistically impact the might realistically impact the way in which individuals behave and/or way in which individuals behave and/or communicate communicate elsewhere.elsewhere.

NAFCM - 2008

The The BattlemindBattlemind of the of the SoldierSoldier

This presentation was adapted from the Walter Reed Army Institute This presentation was adapted from the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research and US Army Medical Research and Material Commandof Research and US Army Medical Research and Material Command


Successful Transition MeansSuccessful Transition Means

Every Soldier will transition in their Every Soldier will transition in their own wayown way

Building on proven strengthsBuilding on proven strengths

Transferring Transferring the valuethe value of combat of combat skills into skills to be used for skills into skills to be used for effective roles and relationships at effective roles and relationships at homehome


Buddies (cohesion)Buddies (cohesion) vs. Withdrawalvs. Withdrawal

Accountability Accountability vs. Controllingvs. Controlling

Targeted AggressionTargeted Aggression vs. Inappropriate Aggressionvs. Inappropriate Aggression

Tactical AwarenessTactical Awareness vs. Hypervigilancevs. Hypervigilance

Lethally ArmedLethally Armed vs. “Locked and loaded”vs. “Locked and loaded”

Emotional ControlEmotional Control vs. Detachmentvs. Detachment

Mission Operational SecurityMission Operational Security vs. Secretivenessvs. Secretiveness

Individual ResponsibilityIndividual Responsibility vs. Guiltvs. Guilt

Combat DrivingCombat Driving vs. Aggressive Driving vs. Aggressive Driving

Discipline and OrderingDiscipline and Ordering vs. Conflictvs. Conflict

Combat BehaviorCombat Behavior ContrastContrast


Buddy/Cohesion vs.Buddy/Cohesion vs. WithdrawalWithdrawal

Experiences in Experiences in combat are combat are understood only by understood only by those who were those who were therethere. .

Re-establishing Re-establishing bonds with friends bonds with friends and family at home and family at home takes timetakes time

Feeling Alone, Feeling Alone, Feeling Feeling DisconnectedDisconnected

Avoid speaking to Avoid speaking to family or anyone. family or anyone.

Prefer to hang out Prefer to hang out with battle buddieswith battle buddies


Accountability vs.Accountability vs. ControllingControlling

Control of gear or Control of gear or equipment, etc. equipment, etc.

Small details are Small details are very necessaryvery necessary

There is a right way There is a right way and a wrong way and a wrong way to handle thingsto handle things

Nobody cares about Nobody cares about doing things rightdoing things right

People “mess with your People “mess with your stuff”, over reaction to stuff”, over reaction to minor eventsminor events

Controlling, when Controlling, when decision making is not decision making is not a shared processa shared process


Targeted vs.Targeted vs. Non-App.Non-App. AggressionAggression

Survival demands Survival demands split second split second decisions, lethal decisions, lethal actionaction

Adrenaline keeps you Adrenaline keeps you alivealive

Highly Ambiguous Highly Ambiguous environmentsenvironments

Overreaction to Overreaction to minor insultsminor insults

““Snapping” at family Snapping” at family members or NCOmembers or NCO

No “enemy” target at No “enemy” target at homehome

Avoidance of people?Avoidance of people?


Tactical Awareness vs.Tactical Awareness vs. Hyper vigilanceHyper vigilance

Survival demands Survival demands awareness and awareness and immediate reactionimmediate reaction

Alertness and sustained Alertness and sustained attention to attention to surroundingssurroundings

Keen on sudden changes Keen on sudden changes and detailsand details

Feeling “keyed up” or Feeling “keyed up” or “revved up” “revved up”

Difficult among large Difficult among large groups or confined groups or confined situationssituations

Trouble sleepingTrouble sleeping

Substance abuse to Substance abuse to “calm down”“calm down”


Lethally Armed vs.Lethally Armed vs. Locked and LoadedLocked and Loaded

Weapons/Equipment Weapons/Equipment was mandatory and was mandatory and necessary necessary

Threats are unknownThreats are unknown

Preparation and Preparation and awareness is keyawareness is key

Not feeling safe without Not feeling safe without weaponweapon

Dangerous to be armed Dangerous to be armed at homeat home

Carrying weapons? Carrying weapons? Threatened someone? Threatened someone? Unsecured weapon at Unsecured weapon at home?home?


Emotional Control vs.Emotional Control vs. DetachmentDetachment

Emotion control in Emotion control in combat is combat is necessarynecessary

Mission success Mission success depends on controldepends on control

Emotional control = Emotional control = professional professional successsuccess

Limiting emotions Limiting emotions can cause can cause relationship failurerelationship failure

Only showing anger Only showing anger will hurt otherswill hurt others

Numbness is a sign Numbness is a sign to get on a healthy to get on a healthy tracktrack


Mission OpSec vs.Mission OpSec vs. SecretivenessSecretiveness

Mission details are on a Mission details are on a “need to know” basis“need to know” basis

Combat details only Combat details only spoken about with unit spoken about with unit membersmembers

Avoidance talking about Avoidance talking about “any” details with “any” details with family/spousefamily/spouse

Negative reaction Negative reaction when people ask when people ask about detailsabout details

Other kinds of “need to Other kinds of “need to know” information know” information with family is with family is necessarynecessary


Ind. Responsibility vs.Ind. Responsibility vs. GuiltGuilt

Survival is FirstSurvival is First

Help your buddies Help your buddies survivesurvive

Life or death Life or death decisions have to decisions have to be made in the be made in the heat of combatheat of combat

Bothered by Bothered by memories of memories of decisions madedecisions made

Second guessing Second guessing small decisionssmall decisions

Guilt about having Guilt about having made decisionsmade decisions


Combat Driving vsCombat Driving vs. Aggressive Driving. Aggressive Driving

Abnormal and Abnormal and unpredictable unpredictable maneuvers to maneuvers to avoid IEDs, VBIEDsavoid IEDs, VBIEDs

Rapid lane changes Rapid lane changes

Keeping other Keeping other vehicles at a vehicles at a distancedistance

Aggressive Driving Aggressive Driving leads to tickets, leads to tickets, accidents, injury, accidents, injury, fatalitiesfatalities

Chasing adrenaline Chasing adrenaline highshighs

Easily angered while Easily angered while drivingdriving


Discipline/Ordering vs.Discipline/Ordering vs. ConflictConflict

Survival depends on Survival depends on obeying ordersobeying orders

Clear chain of commandClear chain of command

Emotions do not Emotions do not interfereinterfere

Inflexible interactions Inflexible interactions with family leads to with family leads to conflictconflict

Demanding behaviors Demanding behaviors and ordering with no and ordering with no chain of commandchain of command

Conflicts over decisions Conflicts over decisions and power struggleand power struggle


The Spouse’s The Spouse’s BattlemindBattlemind

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Successful Spouse TransitionSuccessful Spouse Transition

► Should face deployments with resilience and Should face deployments with resilience and strengthstrength

► Allow easier separations and smoother reunionsAllow easier separations and smoother reunions

► Independence means having capabilities and Independence means having capabilities and fulfilling a meaningful life in a military familyfulfilling a meaningful life in a military family

► Resilience is the ability to overcome setbacks Resilience is the ability to overcome setbacks and obstacles and to maintain positive thoughts and obstacles and to maintain positive thoughts during times of adversityduring times of adversity

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Spouses’ Situation vs.Spouses’ Situation vs. Potential Potential ConflictsConflicts

► Buddies (Social Support) Buddies (Social Support) ► Adding/Subtracting Family RolesAdding/Subtracting Family Roles► Taking ControlTaking Control► Talking it OutTalking it Out► Loyalty and CommitmentLoyalty and Commitment► Emotional Balance Emotional Balance ► Mental Health and Readiness Mental Health and Readiness ► IndependenceIndependence► Navigating the System Navigating the System ► Denial of Self (Self-Sacrifice)Denial of Self (Self-Sacrifice)

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Buddies (Social Support)Buddies (Social Support)

Spouses may have Spouses may have developed new developed new relationshipsrelationships

Newly strengthened or Newly strengthened or lost relationships at lost relationships at homehome

Participation in new Participation in new activitiesactivities

Soldier may want to Soldier may want to spend more time with spend more time with buddiesbuddies

Mistrust or lack of Mistrust or lack of information information

New activities or friends New activities or friends may feel threateningmay feel threatening

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Adding/Subtracting Family RolesAdding/Subtracting Family Roles

Performed Roles that Performed Roles that would otherwise be would otherwise be sharedshared

Kept up to date Kept up to date with/experienced with/experienced important family important family eventsevents

Resistance to Resistance to resuming resuming roles/sharing roleroles/sharing role

Active or inactive Active or inactive family membersfamily members

Guilt or loss in Guilt or loss in absence of family absence of family eventsevents

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Taking ControlTaking Control

Head of HouseholdHead of Household

Practices, plans, and Practices, plans, and priorities for family priorities for family “business” and “business” and behaviorbehavior

Routines and Routines and predictability for predictability for childrenchildren

Need for order and Need for order and control of resourcescontrol of resources

Need to know Need to know information/unfamiliar information/unfamiliar behavior or routinesbehavior or routines

Priorities adjustments and Priorities adjustments and need for detailneed for detail

Treating family like Treating family like subordinates subordinates

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Talking it OutTalking it Out

Limited ability to Limited ability to communicate overseascommunicate overseas

Certain information Certain information unobtainable due to unobtainable due to mission demandsmission demands

Difficult in talking with Difficult in talking with children about children about deployment realitydeployment reality

Effects of deployment on Effects of deployment on each individual are each individual are unknownunknown

Preparation to listen, Preparation to listen, demands to knowdemands to know

Inability for family to Inability for family to understand combat or understand combat or deployment experiencedeployment experience

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Loyalty and CommitmentLoyalty and Commitment

Need to know a loved Need to know a loved one was committed one was committed to youto you

Other relationship Other relationship concernsconcerns

Inability to Inability to communicatecommunicate

regularlyregularly

Level of commitment Level of commitment or trustor trust

Jealousy of new Jealousy of new relationshipsrelationships

Practice of regular, Practice of regular, healthy healthy communicationcommunication

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Emotional BalanceEmotional Balance

Emotional imbalance and Emotional imbalance and fearfear

Working with a child’s Working with a child’s emotionsemotions

Physical and emotional Physical and emotional detachment from detachment from deployed persondeployed person

Emotional detachmentEmotional detachment

Connecting physically Connecting physically and emotionallyand emotionally

Intimacy/SexIntimacy/Sex

Individual Connections Individual Connections with family and friendswith family and friends

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Mental Health and ReadinessMental Health and Readiness

Maintenance of individual Maintenance of individual well beingwell being

Care for other family Care for other family membersmembers

Knowledge of resources Knowledge of resources and ind. capacity to and ind. capacity to helphelp

New behaviors cause New behaviors cause alarmalarm

Children adversely Children adversely affectedaffected

Decline in communicationDecline in communication

Lack of knowledge about Lack of knowledge about resources for helpresources for help

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IndependenceIndependence

Functioned alone or as Functioned alone or as single parent/caretakersingle parent/caretaker

Decision making was Decision making was done alonedone alone

High level of High level of independenceindependence

Possible resentment of Possible resentment of losing supportlosing support

Unease or estrangement Unease or estrangement with role shiftwith role shift

Feeling left out of familyFeeling left out of family

Changing household Changing household decisionsdecisions

Style of decision making Style of decision making and control of decisionsand control of decisions

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Navigating the SystemNavigating the System

Navigated Military Navigated Military System and Support System and Support CommunityCommunity

Utilized unfamiliar Utilized unfamiliar methods of methods of communicationcommunication

Learned skills and Learned skills and patience for effectively patience for effectively handling home and/or handling home and/or professional lifeprofessional life

Challenges dealing with Challenges dealing with bureaucracy post-bureaucracy post-deploymentdeployment

Lack of assistance or Lack of assistance or support from deployed support from deployed family memberfamily member

Lack of information or Lack of information or sharing of info.sharing of info.

Frustration of deployed Frustration of deployed family memberfamily member

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Denial of Self/SacrificeDenial of Self/Sacrifice

Sacrificed needs and/or Sacrificed needs and/or desiresdesires

Professional life/goals put Professional life/goals put on holdon hold

Distance from Distance from family/friendsfamily/friends

All of these reflected by All of these reflected by deployed family deployed family membermember

Inability to talk about Inability to talk about important needsimportant needs

Mutual support for finding Mutual support for finding a new normala new normal


Myth Busters on Mental HealthMyth Busters on Mental Health

Only weak soldiers Only weak soldiers have “mental” have “mental” problems problems

If a soldier has a If a soldier has a problem, s/he will get problem, s/he will get helphelp

A fellow soldier’s A fellow soldier’s health problems are health problems are none of my businessnone of my business

Everyone is affected Everyone is affected by combat by combat

Most don’t seek help Most don’t seek help due to stigmadue to stigma

Leaders and other Leaders and other soldiers can be very soldiers can be very helpful and most often helpful and most often turned to for helpturned to for help

MYTH FACT


Myth Busters on Mental HealthMyth Busters on Mental Health

The Military doesn’t The Military doesn’t support soldiers with support soldiers with mental health mental health problemsproblems

No one can help a No one can help a military personnel military personnel member with mental member with mental health problemshealth problems

There are multiple There are multiple ways to get help ways to get help

Professional Professional treatment can help, treatment can help, the earlier the betterthe earlier the better

MYTH FACT

Documents

NAFCM - 2008 Reservist Reintegration and Transitions Program Overview and History