Dr. Katherine Selber, Professor, School of Social Work &

Texas State Veterans Advisory CouncilContact info: ks15@txstate.edu

University of LouisvilleFebruary 2011

Developing Veteran-Centered Support ServicesDeveloping Veteran-Centered Support Services

Presentation OverviewPresentation Overview• Background on Texas State’s Veterans Initiative.• Needs assessment study. • Veterans support services @ Texas State University.• Emphasize Health & Behavioral Health Support Services• Lessons Learned on program development.

Texas: Home to Many Veterans Texas: Home to Many Veterans & Dependents& Dependents

• Texas has over 1.7 million Veterans• Ranks 3rd in number of veterans• Ranks 2nd in female veterans 2009

(160,000)• Has 16 military installations• Ft. Hood has deployed more troops

than any other installation in the U.S. some have deployed 6 and 7 times

• Has been home to more Military Widows that any other city in the country

• Large concentrations of Guard & Reserve

Sources: http://www.texvet.com/facts.asp &http://www.tvc.state.tx.us/& Grace After Fire

www.governor.state.tx.us/divisions/tmpc

Map of Military Bases in Texas

Texas State University- San MarcosTexas State University- San Marcos• Located in San Marcos- central Texas between

Ft. Hood & Ft. Sam Houston/ Lackland AFB• 32,000 students• 35% are ethnic minorities• Is a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) (25%)• Has tradition of two ROTC units• Our most famous alum-

President Lyndon BainesJohnson

This Generation of Student Veterans@ Texas State This Generation of Student Veterans@ Texas State • 1745 veterans & dependents •90% vets/ 10%Guard/Res • 10% Graduate/ 90% Undergraduate •70% male/ 30% female• Most are full time students •65%Anglo /35% ethnic minority• 2nd largest vet enrollment of 4 year colleges in Texas

Texas State’s Philosophy & Key Steps in Developing Texas State’s Philosophy & Key Steps in Developing a Model Since 2008a Model Since 2008

Keeping Us Veteran-CenteredKeeping Us Veteran-Centered Focus Groups- yearly

Individual Interviews with Vets-Each semester 30 interviews

Needs Assessment on-line

Veteran participation & input in all events & activitiesDominque LaVista ©

Needs Assessment March 2010On-line needs assessment March 2010

N=338 (26.7% response rate) (1252 total distribution)

Process for Developing instrument

Topics: adjustment, health, educational, financial, and career issues, military background, demographics

Time: 20-30 minutes to complete

Student Veterans Reported Unmet Health NeedsStudent Veterans Reported Unmet Health Needs

Job& Career Concerns of Student Veterans

• Major or Moderate Concerns about all aspects of their futures:– Finding a job (64%)– Being happy with a job (61%)– Sustaining certainty in career plans (55%)– Maintaining confidence about job search (49%)

• About 1/3 needed part-time work

• Student Veterans see a university degree differently than traditional students

Texas State Student Veterans are At-RiskTexas State Student Veterans are At-Risk• Multiple deployments (71%)• To combat zones (94% Iraq) (17% Afghanistan)• Wounded, injured or physically hurt during military service (41%)• Still having trouble with injuries (44%)• Having health problem related to deployment other than wound or

physical injury (38%)

Dominque LaVista ©

Risks of Dropping Out

• 21% stated they were experiencing difficulties that may make them drop out;– 69% of those said it was due to financial difficulties

– 39% said due to educational challenges

– 33% due to health issues

– 38% due to personal issues

Overview of Support Services Overview of Support Services @ Texas State @ Texas State

• Orientation &Academic Support

• Health & Behavioral Health Support

• Career & Employment Services

• Campus Training & Awareness

Orientation & Academic SupportOrientation & Academic Support

• Veteran only orientation services semester prior to enrollment & first week by vets

• Occupational Education major withhigh flexibility uses portfolio approach forgranting credit

One-Hour Required Freshman Seminar, Peer Speakers• Vets Only Sections• Topics: Campus & Community Services; Financial Aid;

Employment; Career Advising; Self Care; Stress Management; Relaxation & Sleep Needs; Relationships

• Assignments- vet resource fair, journals, transition paper

Orientation & Academic Support Services

Dominque LaVista ©Dominque LaVista ©Dominque LaVista ©

Health & Behavioral Health SupportHealth & Behavioral Health Support• Individual & Group Counseling Services by Vets- our

staff & Vet Center staff

• Initial agreements to have VA sign up vets for health care

Health & Behavioral Health SupportHealth & Behavioral Health Support Veterans Alliance @ TxStateOver 400 membersMonthly luncheons, brief speakers-

100 + attendEvents- 5k race, Veterans Day, Intra-

mural SportsMonthly socialsStudent Veterans of America chapt. Training in State Peer-to Peer Model

Dominque LaVista ©

Health & Behavioral Health SupportHealth & Behavioral Health Support Family & Friends of the

Military @ TxStateFor spouses, significant others,

siblings, parents, friendsHelp Support Veteran eventsMonthly socialsTraining in Family Resiliency

ModelsDominque LaVista ©

Health & Behavioral Health SupportHealth & Behavioral Health Support Sleep Study with Respiratory

Care Department*Outreach for Pilot Sample*Actigraph Watches*Preliminary Results*Refer to Sleep Clinic*Refer to VA or Private Practice*Meditation Group Starting-

Mindfulness MeditationDominque LaVista ©

Health & Behavioral HealthHealth & Behavioral HealthCase Management: Assessment, Referral,

Linkage, Follow-up– Social Work Masters Interns Assigned to

Veterans Initiative– Faculty Supervised– Called Veterans Interns– Outreach to vets

• From Veterans Affairs Office• Calls for those on Alert List due to low GPA• Self referrals• Referrals from faculty, staff- disability services• Voluntary

– Focus on first year vets

Health & Behavioral Health SupportHealth & Behavioral Health Support Wounded Warrior

Alternative Scuba Diving *Partnership with Center for

the Intrepid Ft. Sam Houston

*Texas State Aquarena*Outreach to recruit to

campus as students*Veterans Alliance gives back

Dominque LaVista ©

Career & Employment*Partner with Texas Workforce Commission

Veterans Leadership Project*Partner with Goodwill Industries to bring their

employment team to campus via Texas Veterans Commission Texas Lottery funding

*PACE center opens 2012- electronic portfolios*Use of Social Work Interns for job assists

Campus Training & AwarenessCampus Training & Awareness

Campus-Wide Training for Faculty & Staff : Helping Veterans Succeed: who are vets, where have they been, challenges, tips for working with, campus resourcesWorkshop format 1 ½ to 3 hours Twice a semester & by special requestTied into Veteran Friendly Office Program Award Plaque

Started with Academic advisors

Campus TrainingCampus Training

• Social Work Elective Course/Next Step Certificate– Train social work and others to work with troops/vets– Student Vet Interviews & Team Projects

Dominque LaVista ©

Lessons Learned Lessons Learned

1. Vet-Centered/ Peer-to-Peer Models

2. Ask Veterans What They Want/Need

3. Develop Partnerships: Inside & Outside

Best Practices & Lessons LearnedBest Practices & Lessons Learned

4. Start Small: Pilot & Test

5. Must Get Faculty Involved

6. Active Outreach is Essential

CreditsCredits

• Thanks to Dominque LaVista for communication design work on photos

• Thanks to my son for his photos from his combat deployments and for his service and sacrifice.

• Thanks to all the troops and student veterans for what they teach me every day.

It is an honor to serve them.