OPERATION H.U.M.V.E.E

(HELPING UNDERSTAND MEN & WOMEN VETERANS ENTERING INTO EDUCATION)

"Pain is temporary, pride is forever"

Why Did I Feel This Was Important on Our Campus?

Multiple Perspectives Conference

Military Credentials on Campus

Helping Students in Need

Troop Statisticsfrom the Department of Defense

Approximately 1.8 million troops

36,000 U.S. troops “wounded-in-action”

Another 43,000 U.S. troops have “non-hostile injuries” (accidents, illnesses, mental breakdowns)

How does this apply to UNOH

UNOH is a nationally recognized Yellow Ribbon School

UNOH is also recognized as a Military Friendly School for 2011 by G.I. Jobs

Expecting a 30% jump in Wounded Warriors on campuses across the country

Since August 2009 over 500,000 service members have enrolled in school under the GI Bill across the country

Current UNOH Statistics

186 Veterans on campus

22 students taking VC courses

6 students currently deployed

Who are Wounded Warriors?

12-16% are females

84-88% are males

24 – average age of a wounded warrior

Often a more mature group of students who need refresher courses and help advocating for themselves

Types of Injuries

Visible injuries – spinal cord injuries, amputees, disfigurements, etc.

Invisible injuries – Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): The focus of today’s presentation

POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD)

“An anxiety disorder resulting from exposure to an experience involving direct or indirect threat of serious harm or death; may be experienced alone (rape/assault) or in the company of others (military combat)”

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Damage to the brain triggered by externally acting forces such as a blast

“Barotrauma” – pressure wave, blast wave (69%) – also important to auditory injuries

Penetrating objects put in motion (5%)

Individuals put in motion (remainder not as likely blast related – e.g. vehicular collision)

As Educators, What Can We Do To Help These Students?

Be patient– this is really important when working with individuals with TBI & PTSD. Thought processes, cognition, & physical capabilities may be altered

Be willing to make adaptations in the classroom – A student may need to sit in a particular spot in the classroom, may need a timeline for class events, or just a simple warning to the class that there may be graphic points to a video clip or loud noises in shop

Educator Help Continued

Put own feelings and opinions aside – avoid making comments that reflect personal stance on OEF and/or OIF or previous wars

Recommend they speak with someone for help – often the individuals do not realize they need extra help or do not know where they can turn for the help (list on last page)

Affected Family Members

We may come in contact with many of the following family members of our Veterans:

Spouse Children Siblings Parents

Be supportive – listen, introduce to others in the same predicament, etc.

Guide them to one of the task force members for assistance

What Are We Doing At UNOH To Help Veterans?

Campus wide In-Service

Local Agency Information

Campus Task Force

Open Mind about Accommodations

Who Can These Students Turn To On Campus?

Veteran Task Force Randy Gonzalez (100 building) Robyn King (100 building) Cindy Preston (100 building) Jason Wagner (100 building) Bob Elsass (200 building) Terry Miller (200 building) Dorothy Schroeder (200 building) Tom Grothous (300 building) Gary Tinnel (300 building) Danielle McClure (500 building) Randy Lucius (600 building)