Meeting the needs of post-deployment soldiers: An interagency approach

Meeting the needs of post-deployment soldiers:

An interagency approach

Soldiers returning to Oregon from deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) face numerous challenges with reintegration to post-deployment life. Difficulties include soldiers resuming their family role, returning to work or school, and planning for the future. This is particularly challenging for soldiers deployed from Oregon who are not active duty military, but rather are members of the National Guard or Reserve, who have faced repeat deployments since 2003. The number of Oregon soldiers requesting VA health services has increased from 751 in FY 2004 to 3,258 in FY 2007 and 2,258 in just the first four months of FY 2008. Individual demands include adaptation to daily life in the US after living in a war zone. Exposure to injury, death and trauma contributes to sleep disturbance, irritability, anxiety and interpersonal adjustments in many returning soldiers. Family obstacles include resumption of marital and parent-child relationships while facing individual emotional and psychological upheaval. Community barriers include finding education and employment opportunities, and community recognition of the soldier's needs and strengths that were shaped by military service and combat.

To address these complex needs, in 2004 the VA Northwest Network Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC) initiated a collaborative effort with the Portland VA Medical Center, Oregon National Guard Reintegration Team, the Department of Defense (DoD), and Oregon state agencies. Its purpose was to develop a series of summit meetings and educational interventions to facilitate coordination of health and mental health services, and to enhance education and employment opportunities for soldiers and their families while optimizing access to services and promoting community adjustment. Participating agencies meet on a quarterly basis and education conferences have been held for mental health and primary care providers, and soldiers and their families. These meetings address the practical needs of each group, thus facilitating more effective assessment, treatment and healthy reintegration to civilian life.

This presentation will discuss the goals and challenges of this interagency approach, including how a collaborative process was achieved among such a disparate group of stakeholders. In addition, outcomes will be described that have increased efficiency and decreased duplicate services. Discussions will include: lessons learned from our experiences; suggestions for including soldiers and families as active participants; optimizing collaboration among agencies; and providing effective leadership for development of community education and service interventions.