mark fischer, vcc program manager wdva, behavioral health timm lovitt, tbi field coordinator wdva...

Mark Fischer,VCC Program Manager

WDVA, Behavioral Health

Timm Lovitt,TBI Field Coordinator

WDVA Contractor

I. VCC and Vet Corps

II. VCC TBI outreach project

III. Key observations

IV. Questions and Feedback

“For the first time in American history up to 90% of wounded [service members] survive their wounds”

“A greater percentage of men and women are coming home with…mTBI/TBI and severe Post-Traumatic Stress.”

- Alive Day Memories: Home from Iraq, HBO documentary

“Between 45,000 and 90,000 American troops have been treated for TBI”

“Although still unknown, the rate is between 10% and 20% with TBI, and 180,000 plus”

-Brig. Gen. Loree Sutton, DCoE, Director of the Psychological Health Services

Nationally The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) see only 47% of those who have

served in either Afghanistan or Iraq.

In Washington State, that rate is at about 33%.

-Terry C. Washam, VHA OEF/OIF Outreach Office, Senior Military Outreach Liaison

I. Partnered with 32 Vet Corps campuses.

II. Partnered with the WA state National Guard.Focus: Peer Intervention with emphasis on referrals.

Nearly all of the individuals served were male and had deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq…

Most of the individuals served had been exposed to numerous explosions…

Majority of individuals didn’t associate TBI with themselves and had very little knowledge about this

injury…

High level of interest from student Veterans, Guard Members, family members, and faculty/staff at

colleges…

A trigger for interest was possible benefits they could receive thru VA system, College system, and WA state…

50% of Vet Corps members have been exposed to TBI and show signs and /or symptoms as a result.