June 2013


www.hamptonroadsmessenger.com


U.S. Agencies Partner to Expand Access to Mental Health Services for Veterans, Service Members and Families


Inter-Agency Effort to Increase Access to Mental Health Services Responds to Executive Order


WASHINGTON – The


Departments of Veterans Affairs (VA), Defense (DoD) and Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the progress made to date on initiatives called for in President Obama’s August 31, 2012, Executive Order to Improve Access to Mental Health Services for Veterans, Service Members, and their families.


“We have made strong progress


to expand Veterans’ access to quality mental health services, and President Obama has challenged us to do even more,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “Our ongoing, joint efforts reflect our commitment to the health and well-being of the men and women who have served the Nation.”


"One of the great challenges we


face as a nation is how to provide quality, accessible, long term, mental health care for service members, veterans and their families. Using the combined resources and expertise from across the government we are advancing services for those who have sacrificed so much for our nation," said Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel.


President Obama’s Executive


Order directed VA, DoD, and HHS, in coordination with other federal agencies, to take a number of steps to ensure that Veterans, Service Members, and their families receive the mental health services and support they need.


"There’s no more important work


than taking care of those who protect our nation,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. “By working together, we can make sure our service men and women, our veterans, and their families have the behavioral health services they need to build healthy and fulfilling lives."


Today, the Departments released


an interim report, found here, outlining progress on this initiative, including:


Increasing the capacity of the


Veterans Crisis Line by 50 percent to help ensure that Veterans in crisis can readily reach help.


Establishing 15 pilot projects


in seven states where VA is working with community-based mental health providers to help Veterans access mental health services in a timely way.


Increasing VA mental health


services capacity through VA hiring of nearly1,400 mental health providers and over 248 new peer specialists.


Implementing a national suicide


prevention campaign to connect Veterans and Service Members to mental health services.


The Departments are actively


working on additional deliverables called for in the Executive Order, including the development of a National Research Action Plan.


Federal Department actions to


date include: Suicide Prevention: VA and DoD


jointly developed and are implementing a national suicide prevention campaign to connect Veterans and Service Members to mental health services. This year-long effort began Sep. 1,


2012. The program continues to save lives and link Veterans with effective ongoing mental health services on a daily basis. As of March 2013, the Veterans Crisis Line (1-800-273-8255, press 1) has received over 814,000 calls, over 94,000 chats, as well as over 7,200 texts, and has helped more than 28,000 Veterans in imminent danger. VA has also completed the hiring and training of additional staff to increase the capacity of the Veterans Crisis Line that were called for in the Executive Order. In addition, the DoD has initiated a thorough review of its mental health and substance abuse prevention, education and outreach programs informed by the expertise of the Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.


Enhanced Partnerships Between


the VA and Community Providers: VA worked with HHS to help identify potential local community resources to improve Veterans access to mental health services. VA has enhanced access to mental health care by establishing 15 VA pilot agreements with clinics in local communities to improve access to mental health service.


Expanded VA Mental Health


Staffing: As of May 7, 2013, VA has hired a total of 1,360 mental health clinical providers towards the goal of 1,600 new mental health professionals outlined in the Executive Order. Additionally, VA has hired 2,036 mental health clinical providers to fill existing vacancies. VA has also hired nearly 250 new peer specialists in support of the specific goal of 800 peer specialists outlined in the Executive Order. The interim report indicated that as of Jan. 29, 2013, VA had hired 1,058 mental health clinical providers in support of the specific goal of 1,600 mental health professionals, and over 100 peer specialists in support of the specific goal of 800 peer specialists.


Improved Research and


Development: The development of a National Research Action Plan to better understand and develop treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and co-occurring conditions; and identify strategies to support collaborative research efforts to address suicide prevention is underway. VA, DoD and HHS and the Department of Education have collaborated and submitted the plan on time. DoD and VA are investing more than $100 million in new research to improve diagnosis and treatment of Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). They have launched two initiatives to establish joint DoD/VA research consortia with academia and industry partnerships to study the chronic effects of mild TBI and PTSD.


Working together, the


Departments will continue to expand the public health approach to providing optimal support for the mental health needs of Veterans, Service Members and their families. They also will continue to provide updates on their work as it progresses.


The Hampton Roads Messenger


P.B. Young Sr. Elementary Students Receive Special Gift for Academic Achievement


NORFOLK -- The Crispus


Attucks Cultural Center and P.B. Young Sr. Elementary School hosted an academic awards presentation to recognize students in grades 3rd through 5th who participated in an afterschool tutoring program recently. P.B. Young Sr. teaching staff and family members were alive with excitement as forty-two students received NOOK Simple Touch e-Readers for successfully completing at least 20 hours of tutoring. The 14-week afterschool tutoring program, funded by a $25,000 grant from Dominion Virginia Power and The Dominion Foundation, was administered through the RISE! program at the Crispus Attucks Cultural Center (CACC). It assisted students in preparing for Virginia’s standardized tests in reading, language arts and mathematics. “Dominion is pleased to support the Crispus Attucks Cultural Center and its RISE! tutoring program," said Junius Williams, Dominion's Managing Director of VA/NC State and Local Affairs. "High-quality education is one of Dominion's top priorities and we recognize the importance of keeping young people engaged in after school programs."


The cultural center’s


award-winning RISE! program, created in 2005, aims to engage and expose young people to creative learning as a way to develop skills they need to be successful at work, home and school. The Dominion Foundation awarded the grant to the Crispus Attucks Cultural Center which used the funds to hire certified Norfolk Public School teachers as tutors for the students at P.B. Young. Students from Norfolk State University also participated as tutors and mentors. The tutoring program aims to encourage reading by using new technology. Each week, students will be able to download a free e-book. “It is a valuable tool to motivate students to read and reduce


Local Festival FROM PAGE 1


a taste of their most popular dishes and beverages. While sampling the delicious food at the Flavor of Hampton Roads, event attendees will listen to live music. They will be serenaded by musicians, singers and performers as they dine. From 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM, Hampton Roads’ fashion sense will be on display when local shops have an opportunity to “strut their stuff” on the Catwalk. Styles that everyone can appreciate will be represented.


Saturday’s festivities will also


feature consumer workshops that are designed to improve the consumer’s daily life. Sunday’s schedule of events will also consist of workshops, and will conclude with gospel performances on the festival’s main stage.


The Vendor Village will consist


of a wide variety of unique specialty item vendor booths from across Hampton Roads and around the world.


3


Dr. Alana Balthazar and 3rd grade RISE! student, Terrace Mayo Photo By Alvin Swilley


the achievement gap between our students and their counterparts in the 21st century,” said Dr. Alana Balthazar, P.B. Young Sr. Elementary School principal.


Refreshments added to the


celebration atmosphere at the school as Bonita Billingsley Harris, Media/ Community Relations Manager, Dominion VA/NC congratulated students and their family members. “Improving educational outcomes for all students is an important issue for parents, educators and policymakers,” said Gail Easley, Crispus Attucks Cultural Center executive director. “We are excited about being able to partner with Dominion and the school system to serve students in our community.” According to Dr. Balthazar, the RISE! students’ data has increased as a result of the program. She looks forward to continuing the relationship at P.B. Young with the Crispus Attucks Cultural Center and The Dominion Foundation.


Local artists will have their artwork on display in a special area designated as the “Artist Walk.” Event goers can to take a stroll as they view the work of some of the most talented visual artists in the country. One of the most undiscovered talents in Hampton Roads is that of local authors. Their wide range of published works will be available at the Author’s Pavilion and the authors will be available to discuss their works. While at the Health and Wellness Pavilion, Flavor of Hampton Roads attendees will have an opportunity to speak with health care professionals about health concerns.


The Flavor of Hampton Roads


celebration hours are 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM for all three days. This event will benefit local charities. For more information about the Flavor of Hampton Roads or to become a vendor or sponsor, visit www.TheFlavorO- fAmerica.com, call 240-4-FLAVOR, or email info@theflavorofamerica. com. This event is sponsored in part by Wells Fargo and the Hampton Roads Messenger.


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