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The Office Of Warrior Care Policy

Education & Employment Initiative (E2I)Operation Warfighter (OWF)

Caregiver Support Program (CSP)Military Adaptive Sports Program

(MASP)

July 2017

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Mission and Vision

• Mission: proactively support wounded, ill and injured (WII) Service members in recovery and reintegration or transition

• Vision: ensure nation’s WII Service members, their families, and caregivers are not forgotten

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DoD’s Internship, Education and Employment Initiatives

• Mission and Vision – Office of Warrior Care Policy (OWCP)

• Wellness to Wholeness of Recovering Service Members (RSMs)

• Operation Warfighter (OWF)

• Education and Employment Initiative (E2I)

• E2I and OWF Regional Coordinators (RCs)

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Education and Employment Initiative (E2I) and Operation Warfighter (OWF)

Authority: USC Title 10, Section 1142 -1144Governed by: DoDI 1300.25 “Guidance for the Education and Employment Initiative (E2I) and Operation WARFIGHTER (OWF)” – March 2013 E2I:

Assists WII Service members begin seeking new career opportunity beyond military Works with VR&E counselors who assess and identify new skills Reinforces using skills by finding certifications and training for no cost; aids in use of available

resources for furthering education needs Coaches and mentors for employment and assists in finding employment opportunities

OWF: Federal internship program for WII Service members Maximizes recovery time, provides valuable work experience in a non-military environment, and assists

with developing new skills Provides benefit of career preparedness upon transition to civilian life Connects identified Federal agency internships with interested WII Service members

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Why We Do It…

The Education and Employment Initiative (E2I) and Operation Warfighter (OWF) Programs:

Enhance recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration for WII Service members assigned to Warrior Transition Units or enrolled in the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES)

Promote wellness to wholeness as part of comprehensive recovery plan by proactively and timely engaging the WII Service member

Strengthen Services’ management of WII Service member’s wellness to wholeness goals

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OSD E2I and OWF Partners/Resources

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)• E2I refers WII Service members to Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) services• VR&E counselors help Service members and Veterans early in recovery process and pre-

military transition• VR&E counselors located on most military installations

Department of Labor (DOL)• OWF Internships • Referrals to America Job Centers (AJCs)• Regional Coordinators (RC) work with Disabled Veteran Outreach Program (DVOP) Specialists,

Local Veteran Employment Representatives (LVERS), and other resources available through DOL VETS office

*Resources offered by VA and DOL continues after the member transitions from military

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Operation Warfighter (OWF)

Program Highlights: • 900+ Federal agencies and offices participating • Over the last 12 months, 81% of OWF participants have

been assigned to one of 13 Cabinet agencies or Congressional offices

• In last 12 months, 206 outreach events hosted • Key partnerships with Chief Human Capital Officers (CHCO)

Council, Executive Federal Board, and Civilian Personnel Advisory Group to expand internships

Continuing Imperatives: • Increase awareness among Federal agencies • Expose RSMs to a variety of internship opportunities• Promote career preparedness and employability• Collaborate with VA to reduce joblessness and homelessness

9,100 wounded, ill, and injured Service members placed into Federal agencies since 2009

“My internship gave me the opportunity to explore some options and continue to serve my country. It was a godsend.”

~ FBI Operation Warfighter intern Debra Gipson

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Partnering Agencies (900+)

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Approval to Participate in OWF• Internships WILL NOT interfere with medical profile or adversely affect recuperation• Must be approved by medical and command representatives

A medical evaluation concludes the Service member is medically, physically, and emotionally ready to participate while continuing medical treatment

Command evaluation concludes the Service member demonstrates initiative and self-discipline to participate E2I / OWF

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OWF: Approval to Participate

3 Signatures

* WII SM* Medical Approval* Command Approval

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Complete Package

*Signed Form*Quality Resume

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OWF Process

• Agency submits Intern Request Form– Use existing job description– National office submits to E2I/OWF Program Office– Local office submits to appropriate Regional Coordinator (RC)

• RC reviews existing resumes; advertises to population approved to participate• Resume(s) submitted for review to National and local offices• SMs Interviewed

– Limitations, security clearance, and transportation requirements• Upon selection, OWF Placement Form signed by agency representative, SM, and SMs

command• Intern Development Plan completed and submitted• Evaluation: Monthly and Final

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Education and Employment Initiative (E2I)

Program Highlights:• Prepares SM for a successful mil-civ transition• Over 2,000 Vet-ready private sector employers and

education providers• VR&E and DOL support; education and/or

employment opportunitiesImperatives: • Increase outreach to Commanders to foster

awareness and support of program • Encourage participation in education/employment

as early as possible in recovery process• Emphasize focus on preparing for a competitive job

market (e.g., quality resumes, interview techniques)

10,200 WII Service members connected with education and employment opportunities since 2012

E2I and NAVSEA’s Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) Command University Lean Six Sigma Green Belt training at Portsmouth Naval Hospital. Twenty-one recovering Service members were introduced to the world of business process improvement making these transitioning Warriors more competitive for their transitions into the 21st century workforce.

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E2I Partners (1000+)

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E2I Process

• Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) Assessment Completed

• Signed E2I form from Service Member (SM) – authority to distribute resume

• Resume – Certifications and Formal Training

• Potential Employment Interests & Locations• Goal is to match SM with opportunities prior to separation

– Education (Resume not required)– Employment

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Application

• Key data points SM lists on form:– Desired Employment Organizations– Jobs Prefer to Avoid– Desired Jobs– Job Location Preferences

• Two signatures– Servicemember (SM)– E2I/OWF Coordinator

• Resume required• Employment post-transition

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E2I/OWF Regional Coordinators

= Location of Regional Coordinators

# = Region Number

REGION 6 (South)Lance Dowd, E2Ildowd@deloitte.com210-717-4624

Erasmo Valles, OWFevalles@deloitte.com210-452-5125

REGION 7 (Mid-West)Ned Hall, E2I/OWFnhall@manconinc.com270- 498-6911

REGION 8 (Great Plains/Rocky Mt.)Craig Whiting, E2I/OWF cwhiting@manconinc.com719-524-0540

REGION 9 (Northwest)Ronald Metternich, E2Ironald.j.metternich.ctr@mail.mil253-970-1936

Craig Guffey, OWFcguffey@afsc.com253-302-9291

REGION 10 (Southwest)Christopher Graham, E2Icgraham@manconinc.com619-977-5224

Julie Rodriguez, OWF jrodriguez@afsc.com 858-888-5316

REGION 1 (Northeast)Vacant

REGION 2 (NCR)Stephanie Williams, E2IStephanie.e.williams22.ctr@mail.mil571-722-8217

Chris Daleske, OWFchristopher.r.daleske.ctr@mail.mil571-232-3987

REGION 3 (Mid-Atlantic) Albert Welcher, E2I/OWFFort Braggalbert.d.welcher2.ctr@mail.mil757-339-4750

William Oldenburg, E2I/OWFCamp Lejeunewilliam.h.oldenburg.ctr@mail.mil850-602-0440

REGION 4 (Southeast)Lisa Goenen, E2I/OWFFort Stewartlisa.g.goenen.ctr@mail.mil520-234-1160

Biff Hadden, E2I/OWFFort Benningmhadden@afsc.com706-615-2455

REGION 5 (South Central)William May, E2Iwmay@manconinc.com682-216-5896

Eric Gehring, OWFegehring@afsc.com254-226-4405

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Military Caregiver Support Objectives

Describe why support for military caregivers is a national concern, and identify key challenges that military caregivers face when caring for their wounded, ill, and injured service members.

Describe how the Military Caregiver PEER Forum Initiative is designed to address the challenges that military caregivers face on a daily basis.

Describe how, in your role as an RCC, you are connected and can provide additional support to military caregivers.

Identify available resources that address a plethora of military caregiver needs

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RAND Study on Caregivers

RAND released the most comprehensive study of America's Military caregivers to date. Sponsored by the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, the report quantifies military caregiving in the United States, including how it affects individuals, their families, and society.

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RAND Study: Key Findings

• There are an estimated 5.5 million military caregivers in the United States. Of these, 1.1 million are caring for post-9/11 Veterans.

• Post-9/11 military caregivers tend to be younger, caring for a younger individual with a mental health or substance use condition, employed, and not connected to a support network.

• Military caregivers consistently experience worse health outcomes, greater strains in family relationships, and more workplace problems than non-caregivers, and post-9/11 military caregivers fare worst in these areas.

• Twelve percent of post 9/11 military caregivers and 10 percent of pre 9/11 military caregivers reported spending more than 40 hours per weekproviding care.

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• Recovery Care Coordinator

• Military Family Life Counselor

• Peer Support

Caregiver Support Gaps

WoundedWarrior

Caregiver

Care Management Team

Military Caregiver Support Gap

Military Treatment Facility

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Military Caregiver PEER Forums

The Military Caregiver PEER (Personalized, Experiences, Engagement and Resources) Forum Initiative established military caregiver forums at designated installations across the United States. These forums provide caregivers the following outcomes:

Military Caregiver centric training and deliveryo Content created based on the “real-life” experiences of caregivers and delivered by

caregivers.Military Caregiver focused communication and information strategyo Caregiver communication and information is supported through the initiative and reaches

more caregivers than the traditional outreach methods.Military Caregiver inclusivenesso Caregivers given an opportunity to interact directly with their peers, thus, reducing

feelings of isolation by supportive forums.

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Military and Family Life Counselors (MFLCs)

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PEER Support Coordinators (PSCs) are individuals that are deployed to 10 geographical regions to provide regionalized support to military caregivers and caregiver stakeholders. PSCs assist in convening Military Caregiver PEER Forums, conduct outreach activities to caregivers, identify & report on gaps in support, assist in locating & providing information on military caregiver- support services, and act as the military caregivers’ point of contact for his/her region.

Who are PEER Support Coordinators?

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PEER Support Coordinator Map

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Peer SupportCoordinators

Where Do PSCs fit into the Military Caregiver PEER Forum Coordination Process?

Installation POCs/Installation Facilities

Military Family Life Counselors

Military CaregiversRecovery Care Coordinators

Military Caregiver PEER Forums

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• Often subtle methods of support are most helpful

– Hold short, frequent discussions– Provide ongoing support – Use effective listening skills– Demonstrate empathy for their challenges– Be on the look out for warning signs of extreme stress,

depression, mental and physical fatigue, and self-care neglect

• Goal is to stir their thinking and help them take action

– Ask questions to spark a discussion of their needs– Point military caregivers to available resources that

address their needs

RCCs Support Military Caregivers

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Available Support Resources

• Military Caregiver Virtual PEER Forums• Caregiver Resource Directory (CRD)• Military Caregiver Webinars• Warrior Care Blog • VA Caregiver Website

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Military Caregiver Virtual PEER Forums

For those caregivers who are unable to attend a PEER Forum in person, online Virtual Forums have been established by WCP.

• Virtual PEER Forums are hosted from WCP Headquarters and are held every 1st and 4th

Thursday of the month at 11:00EST and 14:00EST.

• Attendees are asked to RSVP to osd.caregiver@mail.mil with their name, location, branch of service, and for who they serve as a military caregiver to.

• Once attendees have provided information, call information is distributed to the group.

• Virtual PEER Forums are open to military caregivers across the nation.

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Caregiver Resource Directory (CRD)

• Military Caregiver perspective and input

• Variety of vetted resources, including 24/7 helplines, Military Caregiver emotional support, benefit information, support for children’s needs, and much more

• Government and nonprofit organizations

• E-version always available on WCP-Blog and NRD (updated monthly)

• 2017 version now in print

• 160,000 copies printed to date. http://warriorcare.dodlive.mil/caregiver-resources/

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Military Caregiver Webinars

• In 2014, WCP, in conjunction with MC&FP, began hosting quarterly webinars designed to support military caregivers by providing an educational resource that focused on key topics of concerns for military caregivers.

• Webinar topics are generated by military caregivers through the Military Caregiver PEER and Virtual PEER Forums.

• Topics addressed thus far include:• Coping with Military Caregiver Stress; • Coping with PTS, PTSD and • How to Renew Self Esteem and Keep Family Life Fun • Coping with TBI• Safe Medication Use• Enhancing Intimacy and Bolster Relationships after Traumatic Brain Injury.

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Warrior Care BLOG (Caregiver Resources Tab)

• The Caregiver Resources Tab on the Warrior Care Blog provides informationabout support resources, upcoming events, helpful guides and tips, and much more.

• ‘Find a PEER Forum’ function allows users to search for nearby PEER forum locations.

• Regional PSC Bios are available• Visit the link for additional information.

http://warriorcare.dodlive.mil/caregiver-resources/

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VA Caregiver Support Program

• VA provides programs that are available both in and out of the home to help care for Veterans, Wounded Warriors, caregivers and their family members.

• DoD and VA work together to facilitate a warm hand off for transitioning military caregivers.

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Points of Contact

Ms. Sandra MasonDirector, Recovery Care CoordinationOffice of Warrior Care Policysandra.r.mason10.civ@mail.mil

Austin Bell, Program Manager, DoD E2I/OWF/Caregiver Support ProgramsOffice of Warrior Care Policy austin.d.bell2.ctr@mail.mil

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Objectives

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Objectives

https://youtu.be/FMLmMzNBQBM

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Recent Physical Activity and Disability Findings

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Recent Physical Activity and Disability Findings

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Military Adaptive Sports Program Overview

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Military Adaptive Sports Site Coordinator

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• Physical benefits of physical activity include reduced stress, increased quality of life, lower blood pressure, weight management and enhancement of rehabilitative process

• Adaptive Sport and activities provide a social support system, of individuals facing similar situations

• Adaptive athletic activities allow Service members to focus on the team and contribute to the team’s success

• The sports and activities can allow the Service member to include family members.

Why Military Adaptive Sports Program Works?

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Program Highlights

• Office of Warrior Care Policy (WCP) provides guidance and oversight to each Service and USSOCOM in the development, implementation and expansion of adaptive sports and reconditioning programmatic efforts

• WCP works with the Service/ USSOCOM adaptive sports and reconditioning program leads to develop best practices and cross Service collaborative efforts

• Adaptive Sports Site Coordinators placed at medical treatment facilities, WTUs, USSOCOM-HQ, Air Force Warrior Care Support, USMC Warrior Athletic Reconditioning Program (WAR-P) and Navy Safe Harbor-HQ to facilitate daily engagement in adaptive physical activity and recreational opportunities

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• Is the pinnacle MASP sporting event, showcasing what wounded, ill, and injured Service members do on a daily basis

• USOC hosted the event from 2010-2014• Seven sports: Archery, Cycling, Shooting,

Wheelchair Basketball, Sitting Volleyball, Track and Field, and Swimming

• US Airforce will host WGs at Air Force Academy

Warrior Games

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Ms. Sandra MasonDirector, Recovery Care Coordination

Office of Warrior Care Policysandra.r.mason10.civ@mail.mil

Keith CooperProgram Lead MASP

Office of Warrior Care PolicyKeith.m.cooper8.ctr@mail.mil

Questions & Comments

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Stay Connected

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Questions and Comments

Questions?