Veterans Special Populations Presentation

Therese Credle, Maggie Heier, Hayley Henry, and Megan Kijewski

COUN 512: Lifespan Career DevelopmentOctober 31, 2012

Introduction to Veterans • Defining veterans • Snapshot of veterans • Understanding veterans and useful resources

through four lenses: ▫Adult learning▫Education▫Post-traumatic stress disorder ▫Career needs

• Connections to theory • Conclusion

Snapshot #1

Snapshot #2 - Veteran Population Projections: FY2000 to FY2036

Source: National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics

ADULT LEARNERS • Non-traditional students make up majority of

higher education students▫92 million adults (46% of US adult pop.)

participates in some form of adult education• Online learning is an opportunity to balance

demands of life• Learner-centered approach

▫Student is proactive in education. Educator is facilitator.

Veteran Students• Large number of veterans expected to enter

post-secondary education ▫Benefits ▫ Economy

• Veteran students▫Unique experience and skill set

• Veterans as adult learners▫Combination of instructor-centered and

learner-centered approach

Best Practices• As a counselor/educator:

▫ Be aware of personal belief system, assumptions, biases of war and veterans

▫ Be veteran culturally competent

▫ Provide community resources and network

▫ Invisible and visible war wounds

▫ Understand how their military service can enhance their success as a student and professional

▫ Be patient

• Considerations:▫ The lack of structure and

goals of civilian life compared to military life

▫ They may miss the adrenaline of physical and life-challenging situations

▫ Worry about finances▫ Strive to be perfect in

work and other areas of life

▫ Become annoyed with others who seem more easy-going or less detail-oriented

▫ Feel isolated and alone, as if no one understands

Additional options Additional options Assessments

Vocational training Hiring Heroes

Business technical Distance learning Apprenticeship

Helmets to Hardhats Veterans in Piping

Licensing and certification exams

Needs assessment Clarify problems and

identify appropriate interventions

Strong Interest Inventory (interests)

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (personality)

the World of Work Inventory (skills)

PDRI Career Discovery Tool Holistic view

EDUCATIONVeteran Success in Higher Education:• “Veterans are, by definition, nontraditional

students. They are typically older and many are technically considered transfer students because they often bring with them credit earned through college courses they completed while in the military…” (O’Herrin,2011, p.15).

Current Veteran Educational Benefits:•  Post 9/11 GI Bill• Yellow Ribbon Program

Veterans in Higher Education• President Obama’s Weekly Address (April, 28th

, 2012)

Best Practices: Enhancing Veteran Student Education

1. Listen to veterans2. Assess your institutions

strengths and weaknesses3. Start a student veteran group4. Design gathering space

(Veteran Specific Learning Communities)

5. Establish a point of contact

6. Re-orient student orientation

7. Build programs and accessible strengths

8. Educate faculty, staff, and students

9. Partner with other organizations

10. Engage Community

According to the American Council on Education (2008)Retrieved from: American Council on Education. (November, 2008). Serving those who serve: Higher education and america’s veterans. Retrieved March 5, 2009, from http://www.acenet.edu/Content/NavigationMenu/ProgramsServices/MilitaryPrograms/serving/Veterans_Issue_Brief_1108.pdf

 10 Best Practices to best serve veteran students:

Resources Available for Veterans:

 Post 9/11 GI Bill: • http://www.gibill.va.gov/documents/pamphlets/ch33_pamphlet.pdf

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: Know Before You Owe Sheet: Helps students calculate how much it will cost each year to go back to school, what your loan and work

study options might be, how much you will owe after graduation, and how your cost compares with other options.

• http://collegecost.ed.gov/shopping_sheet.pdf Post 9/11 GI Bill Transferability: • http://www.gibill.va.gov/documents/factsheets/Transferability_Factsheet.pdf Yellow Ribbon Program:• http://www.gibill.va.gov/documents/factsheets/2012_Yellow_Ribbon_Student_FAQs.pdf

Washington Career Bridge:• http://www.careerbridge.wa.gov/

O'Herrin, E. (2011). Enhancing veteran success in higher education. Peer Review, 13(1), 15-18. • Retrieved from:

http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ehh&AN=60071933&site=ehost-live

POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDERWhat is PTSD? Post-traumatic stress disorder is a mental health

condition that's triggered by a terrifying event. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event.

It is also important to note that many PTSD diagnoses are due to MTS (Military Sexual Trauma):

Approximately 23% of women is military service have been victim to sexual assault.

Sources: Mayo Clinic:  http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/post-traumatic-stress-disorder/DS00246 , and http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/pages/how-common-is-ptsd.asp

What percentage of veterans suffer from PTSD?

Experts think PTSD occurs:

• In about 11-20% of veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars (Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom), or in 11-20 veterans out of 100.

• In as many as 10% of Gulf War (Desert Storm) Veterans, or in 10 veterans out of 100.

• In about 30% of Vietnam Veterans, or about 30 out of 100 Vietnam Veterans.

Source: The United States Department of Veterans Affairs

Resources available for PTSD treatment and counseling:WDVA PTSD Counseling:

▫ Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs - Outpatient services for counseling; assists with readjustment and PTSD treatment. 30 licensed mental health professionals in Washington state.

▫ Visit: www.dva.wa.gov, or call 1-800-562-2308.

Seattle Vet Center: ▫ Resources available to veterans and dependents. Services include referrals

to PTSD counseling and support groups throughout the Northwest. ▫ Phone: 206-553-2706.

University of Washington Programs for Trauma Survivor, Department of Psychology, University of Washington: 206-685-3617. ▫ Research and treatment program focused on supporting and diagnosing

PTSD. Free, no cost services for members of the community dealing with a trauma.

VETERAN CAREER NEEDS Many services are available, but often at a very stressful time

which can result in underutilization of resources and confusion.

Factors for career counselors to consider: 1. Culture shock and transition planning (Bridges)

▫ Grieving, loss of identity 2. Identifying transferable skills 3. Serving as occupational translators (language) 4. Exploring the market together (resources on next slide, O*NET, etc). 5. Using existing resources such as:

▫ “DD Form 2648 Pre-separation Counseling Checklist” – documents topics covered in prior related discussions.

▫ “DD Form 2586: Verification Document”– describes experience & training. 6. Building self-marketing strategies – resumes, cover letters, interviewing,

networking. Source: National Career Development Association:

http://associationdatabase.com/aws/NCDA/pt/sd/news_article/5499/_PARENT/layout_details_cc/false

Career resources for veterans American Corporate Partners (ACP): www.acp-usa.org • Free nationwide, in-person or e-mentoring, career counseling and networking with professionals

for long-term career development for veterans.

Credentialing Opportunities On-Line (COOL): https://www.cool.army.mil/ or https://www.cool.navy.mil/

• Searchable database of civilian credentials related to training and experience gained from serving in the US Navy or US Army. Links to O*NET data.

Washington Director for Veterans' Employment and Training (DVET): Gregory Mercer – Phone: (360) 570-6970, email: mercer.gregory@dol.gov

Washington State Veteran Employment Services: http://www.esd.wa.gov/findajob/specialprograms/veterans-services.php

US Department of Labor Disability Program Navigator Initiative (WA): Toby Olson: P.O. Box 9046, Olympia, Washington 98507-9046 Phone: (360) 486-5891 , email: tolson2@esd.wa.gov

Source: National Career Development Association: http://associationdatabase.com/aws/NCDA/pt/sd/news_article/37347/_PARENT/layout_details_cc/false and also http://www.dol.gov/elaws/vets/realifelines/stateinfo.htm?state=WA

Best Practice Career Examples • Credentialing Opportunities On-Line (COOL)

websites

• Upcoming NCDA webinar!

Veterans Career & Employment Issues: The role of career development in military to

civilian transitions Wednesday, November 14, 2012 – 1-2 p.m. EST

Register on the NCDA website: http://associationdatabase.com/aws/NCDA/pt/sd/news_article/63296/_PARENT/layout_details/false

Save the date!

Connections to Theory A range of theories may be useful with veterans, including:

• Trait/Factor (Parsons, 1909)

▫ Matching traits of veterans to factors of civilian occupations• Super's Lifespan Development Theory (Super, 1953)

▫ Developmental, acknowledges changing roles veterans are dealing with • Theory of Vocational Personalities and Environments (Holland,

1960s/70s)▫ Tested with veterans; Helpful in identifying fit between personality and

environment. Direct connection to occupations to consider. • Feminist Career Counseling and Gender Aware Therapy

▫ Increasing number s of veterans are female; Military stereotypes abound• Narrative Career Counseling (Brott, Cochran, Young, & Collin, 1990s)

▫ Social constructivist; Focus on systems framework (individual, social, environmental). Would also create space for veterans to tell their own stories and make meaning about their transition to civilian life.

Conclusion• More veterans transitioning to workforce and higher education• Employment issues:

▫ PTSD▫ Adjustment difficulties▫ Lack of education and work experience▫ Difficulty translating military experience to civilian life and

work • Best Approaches

• There is a vast amount of government and private resources available to assist veterans with their military to civilian transition, including a focus on higher education, benefits/financial aid, career counseling, emotional counseling, and vocational training.

Thank you!