Available Resources for Veterans and Families

GI Bill for a Coding Bootcamp

Since it was established in 1944, the GI Bill has provided over $400 billion in funding to over 25 million United States veterans and their families, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).  Additionally, since 2009, the Post-9/11 GI Bill has provided more than $12 billion in funding to veterans and their families, the U.S. Department of Defense reports. This money has helped veterans fund their education in order to prepare for new career opportunities following their military service. Visit GI Bill for a Coding Bootcamp

Veterans and Families Foundation

The Foundation is a national 501 © (3) non-profit, “a community service and support organization, founded and directed by Veterans, parents, grandparents, family members, employers, mental health professionals, academics, philanthropists and community leaders.” The site contains a multitude of useful resources, including links to videos, books and articles, an edited blog for returning veterans, and other useful resources. Visit Veterans and Families Foundation

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

National Center for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Visit Department of Veterans Affairs

National Mental Health America

This website, with resources for returning veterans to help facilitate a healthy and happy reunion with their families and friends, has sections on homecoming, coping with war, and coping with loss. It includes a page that outlines signs that it is time to seek help, such as long bouts of depression, frequent bouts of anxiety or panic, flashbacks and frequent nightmares, domestic violence/abuse, and past mental health problems or past trauma. Visit National Mental Health America

This site offers resources for veterans, including articles from Army Times, Washington Post, NPR, and CNN. It includes links to The Soldier’s Heart (video), interviews on stigma as a barrier to accessing mental health services, and more. Visit PBS – Bill Moyers Journal

Stigma in the Military

Stigma in the Military: Strategies for Reducing Stigma Among Veterans and Active Duty Personnel: This site provides a training summary with information on the training’s goals and presenters, and how to obtain materials. The goals are to “provide information on the anti-stigma component of the U.S. Air Force’s suicide prevention program, to discuss stigma reduction efforts within the Veteran’s Administration, and to discuss the value of increasing peer support program efforts.” For an archived recording of the training teleconference and presentation materials please contact the ADS Center at promoteacceptance@samhsa.hhs.gov or (800) 540-0320. Visit SAMHSA

Major Depression in Children and Adolescents: describes depression and its signs, identifies types of help available, and suggests what parents or other caregivers can do. Visit SAMHSA National Mental Health Information Center

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): Visit Mental Health, Substance Abuse, Treatment, Recovery

SAMHSA Resources for returning veterans and their families, including resources to help them find mental health and substance abuse services. The site includes webcasts and conferences; resources for military families coping with trauma; information on mental health transformation trends; and statistics.

Resources online for returning veterans and their families; resources for all homeless veterans, including employment assistance, support for service providers, publications, policy and legislation, VA Grant and per diem profiles, and annual conference. Visit National Coalition of Homeless Veterans

1-800-273-TALK. Veterans press 1. This is “a national suicide prevention hotline to ensure veterans in emotional crisis have free, 24/7 access to trained counselors. To operate the Veterans Hotline, the VA partnered with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Veterans can call the Lifeline number, 1-800-273-TALK (8255), and press “1” to be routed to the Veterans Suicide Prevention Hotline.” Visit Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) – Veterans Suicide Prevention Hotline

This 14/7 Resource for military members, spouses and families includes sections for each branch of the military, including the National Guard, their families, and service providers. Visit Department of Defense – Military One Source.com

The Military Family Relief Fund provides emergency assistance to help cover expenses up to $5,000 for such needs as food, medical supplies, transportation, and other family costs associated with deployment. Visit Indiana Department of Veteran’s Affairs – Military Family Relief Fund

How to Start a Small Business

This is a Veteran’s SMB Guide with Tools and Financial Resources. Visit How to Start a Small Business

Veterans of Foreign Wars Department in Indiana

This website includes multimedia (photos and videos), veterans resources (IN VA hospitals, IN Veterans Affairs, Veterans Law Project, Veterans News), veterans coalitions (American Legion, AmVets, Disabled American Veterans; Paralyzed Veterans of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars). Visit Veterans of Foreign Wars – VFW Department in Indiana

TRICARE

TRICARE is the uniformed services health care program for active duty service members (ADSMs), active duty family members (ADFMs), National Guard and Reserve members and their family members, retirees and retiree family members, survivors, and certain former spouses worldwide. Visit Tricare

Defense Finance and Accounting

MyPay is the online system operated by DFAS for military members, retirees and DOD civilian employees to access their pay information and make their own changes immediately with user-friendly technology. Visit MyPay

Marine Corps Foundation of Indiana

The Marine Foundation of Indiana is a non-profit organization that seeks to enhance the lives and provide support for Marines and their Family Members.  The Foundation will raise community awareness and efforts to provide financial assistance and moral support at home, during activation and/or deployments of Marines.  The foundation will work with other veteran and non-profit organizations to support the Marine Family. Visit Marine Corps Foundation of Indiana

Indiana Veterans Benefits

The mission of the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs is to assist Hoosier Veterans, service personnel, their dependents and/or survivors in obtaining every benefit and advantage due them under the laws of the State of Indiana and the United States. The Department works with a network of certified County Veteran Service Officers who are there to assist with information and the preparation of paperwork at no cost. Visit Indiana Veterans Benefits

This information was prepared for the DMHA Addiction Advisory Council and State Cultural Competency Workgroup by Barbara Seitz de Martinez, Deputy Director, Indiana Prevention Resource Center (July 2009).