267042 Trauma prior to military enlistment for veterans enrolled in Florida's SAMHSA JDTR program

Tuesday, October 30, 2012 : 12:50 PM - 1:10 PM

Sarah Rynearson-Moody, MA , Department of Mental Health Law and Policy, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Colleen Clark, PhD , Mental Health Law & Policy, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Autumn Frei, MA , Department of Mental Health Law and Policy, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Annette Christy, PhD , Department of Mental Health Law and Policy, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Florida's SAMHSA funded Jail Diversion and Trauma Recovery (JDTR) program involves diversion of veterans to trauma informed care, as well as linkage to a peer mentor. Research has shown that childhood trauma is more prevalent in those who enlist in the military than those who do not enlist. Analysis of the issue of trauma histories, pre and post military involvement, is needed in order to inform evaluation, service provision and planning and broader public health efforts for returning service members and veterans. In addition to describing elements and the process of Florida's JDTR program, data from baseline and six month participant interviews will be used to describe the timing and nature of trauma experience for veterans enrolled in the Florida SAMHSA JDTR evaluation. Emphasis will be placed on the complexities of measuring a variety of types of trauma at multiple stages in life for justice involved returning service members and veterans. Also discussed will be how measurement of trauma has implications for service planning and provisions in multiple systems, such as the criminal justice system as well as for mental health and substance abuse treatment providers. In particular, the strengths and limitations of the trauma screening and data collection tools used in the 13 site national evaluation will also be discussed.

Learning Areas:
Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
1. Discuss the existing research on childhood trauma in military populations 2. Describe concepts of trauma implications for the types and timing of trauma for planning and provision of service for justice involved returning service members and veterans

Keywords: Veterans, Evaluation

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the study coordinator for the SAMHSA Jail Diversion and Trauma Recovery program’s Florida site and have worked on multiple grants focused on populations with criminal justice involvement and mental health needs. My research interests have focused on diverting persons from incarceration and enrolling them in treatment programs that better meet their needs.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.