NEW YORK’S [ ] NEWEST VETERANS
Key Findings and Policy Implications of the RAND Corporation’s Needs Assessment of New York State Veterans Moran Banai and Bryan Maxwell
CONTENTS
2
» INTRODUCTION
3
» NAVIGATING COMPLEX SYSTEMS
5
» MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS
7
» BARRIERS TO TREATMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES
7
» EMPLOYMENT CONCERNS
10
» NEEDS OF VETERANS’ FAMILIES
12
» POLICY IMPLICATIONS FROM RAND REPORT
13
» IAVA POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS
14
» CONCLUSION
15
» ENDNOTES
15
IAVA ISSUE REPORT JUNE 2011: NEW YORK’S NEWEST VETERANS
INTRODUCTION The troops who served in Iraq and Afghanistan carry with them to the civilian world ]VgY"ZVgcZY h`^aah VcY YZÐc^c\ ZmeZg^ZcXZh# I]Zn bVn Vahd Wg^c\ l^i] i]Zb i]Z gZh^YjVa Z[[ZXih d[ iZc nZVgh d[ jcZcY^c\ lVg! bjai^eaZ gdiVi^dch! VbW^\jdjh WViiaZ a^cZh! adhi [g^ZcYh VcY higV^cZY [Vb^a^Zh# 7ZXVjhZ i]Zn bV`Z je hjX] V hbVaa eZgXZciV\Z of Americans, they return to every corner of a country that has, for the most part, not h]VgZY i]Z^g ZmeZg^ZcXZh# Id ]Zae i]^h \ZcZgVi^dc [jaan gZVa^oZ ^ih ediZci^Va Vh i]Z CZmi <gZViZhi <ZcZgVi^dc l^aa gZfj^gZ i]Vi ZkZgn 6bZg^XVc WZiiZg jcYZghiVcY i]Z X]VaaZc\Zh ^i [VXZh VcY ]Zae cjgijgZ ^ih egdb^hZ# The RAND Corporation, with the sponsorship of the New York State Health Foundation, has taken an important step toward this understanding with its new report, “A Needs Assessment BECAUSE OEF/OIF VETERANS MAKE UP SUCH of New York State Veterans: A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF AMERICANS, THEY Final Report to the New York HiViZ =ZVai] ;djcYVi^dc#” Iraq RETURN TO EVERY CORNER OF A COUNTRY THAT and Afghanistan Veterans HAS, FOR THE MOST PART, NOT SHARED THEIR d[ 6bZg^XV! i]Z Ðghi VcY EXPERIENCES. aVg\Zhi cdceVgi^hVc! cdcegdÐi dg\Vc^oVi^dc YZY^XViZY to supporting the newest generation of veterans, which lVh [djcYZY Wn EVja G^ZX`]d[[! V CZl Ndg` CVi^dcVa <jVgY kZiZgVc! VcY ^h ]ZVYfjVgiZgZY ^c CZl Ndg`! eVgicZgZY l^i] G6C9 id gZXgj^i kZiZgVch VcY i]Z^g [Vb^a^Zh [dg i]Z hijYn# G6C9Çh gZedgi egdk^YZh Vc ^c"YZei] add` Vi i]Z eZgXZei^dch VcY ZmeZg^ZcXZh d[ CZl Ndg`Çh kZiZgVch! l]^X] XVc ]Zae eda^Xn bV`Zgh VcY Xdbbjc^in aZVYZgh bV`Z WZiiZg YZX^h^dch VWdji ]dl id hjeedgi i]Zb# I]^h gZedgi l^aa add` Vi hZkZgVa d[ G6C9Çh `Zn ÐcY^c\h! ^cXajY^c\ i]Z X]VaaZc\Zh kZiZgVch [VXZ ^c cVk^\Vi^c\ i]Z hnhiZbh d[ hjeedgi VkV^aVWaZ id i]Zb! Vh lZaa Vh bZciVa ]ZVai]! jcZbeadnbZci VcY [Vb^an ^hhjZh# JcaZhh di]Zgl^hZ cdiZY! i]Z YViV ^c i]^h gZedgi XdbZh [gdb G6C9Çh ÄCZZYh 6hhZhhbZci#Å RAND used focus groups and an epidemiologic survey to look at the needs of new veterans VcY i]Z^g hedjhZh# I]Z [dXjh \gdjeh egdk^YZY V fjVa^iVi^kZ add` ^cid ]dl V heZX^ÐX \gdje d[ CZl Ndg` kZiZgVch VcY i]Z^g [Vb^a^Zh k^ZlZY i]Z^g X]VaaZc\Zh Vi V heZX^ÐX point in time, while the survey provided a quantitative assessment of the challenges of V WgdVYan gZegZhZciVi^kZ hVbeaZ d[ CZl Ndg`Çh cZlZhi kZiZgVch VcY i]Z^g hedjhZh# ;gdb i]^h YViV! i]Z hijYn ^YZci^ÐZY V hZg^Zh d[ X]VaaZc\Zh VcY WVgg^Zgh id dWiV^c^c\ hjeedgi# The challenges articulated included unemployment, mental health injuries, stigma and ^hdaVi^dc# I]Z gZedgi Vahd egdk^YZY jc^fjZ ^ch^\]ih ^c hZkZgVa lVnh# >i ^h i]Z Ðghi hijYn id XdbegZ]Zch^kZan VhhZhh i]Z cZZYh d[ kZiZgVch ^c CZl Ndg` HiViZ# >i Vahd [dXjhZh dc the perspective of the 50 percent of new veterans who have not registered with the 9ZeVgibZci d[ KZiZgVchÇ 6[[V^gh K6 VcY i]ZgZ[dgZ! VgZ cdi lZaa YdXjbZciZY# I]^h VeegdVX] egdk^YZh jcjhjVaan iVg\ZiZY VcY kVajVWaZ ^c[dgbVi^dc [dg i]dhZ hZZ`^c\ id address the needs of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/ D>; kZiZgVch ^c CZl Ndg`#
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STEVE KRAFT, NY VETERAN FOLLOWING THE EVENTS OF SEPTEMBER 11, 2001, STEVE KRAFT OF BAY SHORE, NY TOOK LEAVE FROM HIS CIVILIAN JOB AND JOINED THE U.S. ARMY. He served in Iraq with the 82nd 6^gWdgcZ Vh V XdbWVi Zc\^cZZg during the initial invasion in '%%(#
Like many New York veterans, Steve faced challenges after he returned home and separated [gdb i]Z 6gbn# ;daadl^c\ ]^h VXi^kZ Yjin hZgk^XZ! HiZkZ gZijgcZY id ]^h egZk^djh _dW! l]^X] lVh egdiZXiZY jcYZg i]Z Jc^[dgbZY HZgk^XZh :beadnbZci VcY GZZbeadnbZci G^\]ih 6Xi JH:GG6 [dg je id ÐkZ nZVgh# 6ai]dj\] HiZkZ lVh \jVgVciZZY ]^h edh^i^dc Wn aVl! i]Z XdbeVcn lVh cdi hjgZ l]ZgZ id eaVXZ ]^b VcY ]Z ]VY igdjWaZ gZVY_jhi^c\ id X^k^a^Vc ldg` a^[Z# I]Z XdbeVcn ZkZcijVaan eaVXZY ]^b ^c V edh^i^dc [dg l]^X] ]Z lVh cdi fjVa^ÐZY! bV`^c\ ^i ^cXgZVh^c\an Y^[ÐXjai id hjXXZhh[jaan gZ^ciZ\gViZ ^cid i]Z X^k^a^Vc ldg`[dgXZ# :kZcijVaan! i]Z XdbeVcn Ydlch^oZY VcY HiZkZ lVh [dgXZY id add` [dg Vcdi]Zg _dW# 6ai]dj\] HiZkZ hVnh i]Vi eg^dg id ]^h YZeadnbZci ]Z cZkZg ]VY Y^[ÐXjain l^i] gZaVi^dch]^eh! l]Zc ]Z XVbZ WVX` ]Z ZmeZg^ZcXZY hdX^Va ^hdaVi^dc VcY igdjWaZ gZ^ciZ\gVi^c\ l^i] ]^h [Vb^an# =Z Vahd ]VY egdWaZbh hZiia^c\ Ydlc VcY bV^ciV^c^c\ V hiZVYn gZaVi^dch]^e# Steve was diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) after his deployment to Iraq, WZ[dgZ i]ZgZ lZgZ bVcn gZhdjgXZh VkV^aVWaZ id ]Zae kZiZgVch# 6XXdgY^c\ id i]Z G6C9 hijYn! Vabdhi dcZ ^c ÐkZ CZl Ndg` kZiZgVch hXgZZc edh^i^kZ [dg EIH9 VcY Vabdhi ]Va[ cZZY hdbZ [dgb d[ bZciVa ]ZVai] igZVibZci# HiZkZ lVh ajX`n# BVcn CZl Ndg` kZiZgVch ÐcY ^i ZmigZbZan Y^[ÐXjai id cVk^\ViZ Zm^hi^c\ hnhiZbh d[ WZcZÐih VXgdhh i]Z K6 VcY djih^YZ d[ i]Z K6# Jca^`Z di]Zg CZl Ndg` kZiZgVch! ]Z ]VY cd igdjWaZ hZZ`^c\ ]Zae VcY gZXZ^k^c\ igZVibZci Vi i]Z K6# =Z [djcY V bZcidg! V K^ZicVb kZiZgVc! id \j^YZ ]^b i]gdj\] i]Z egdXZhh VcY ]Zae ]^b egdeZgan ÐaZ ]^h XaV^bh# HiZkZÇh ZmeZg^ZcXZY VcY `cdlaZY\ZVWaZ bZcidg ^cigdYjXZY ]^b id kZiZgVchÇ hZgk^XZ dg\Vc^oVi^dch VcY idaY ]^b l]d id XdciVXi Vi i]Z K6 id \Zi i]Z ]Zae ]Z cZZYZY# CZl Ndg` kZiZgVch ZmeZg^ZcXZ bVcn X]VaaZc\Zh l]Zc gZijgc^c\ ]dbZ [gdb lVg# ;dgijcViZan for Steve, he had a one-on-one mentor to walk him through the process and get him the help ]Z cZZYZY# I]ZgZ VgZ bVcn gZhdjgXZh VkV^aVWaZ [dg kZiZgVch! Wji bdgZ Zbe]Vh^h ^h cZZYZY dc egdk^Y^c\ kZiZgVch l^i] V ]Zae^c\ ]VcY id \j^YZ i]Zb id i]Z gZhdjgXZh i]Zn cZZY# IdYVn! HiZkZ ldg`h [dg i]Z LdjcYZY LVgg^dg Egd_ZXi ^c CZl Ndg` 8^in! ]Zae^c\ di]Zg kZiZgVch#
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IAVA ISSUE REPORT JUNE 2011: NEW YORK’S NEWEST VETERANS
NAVIGATING COMPLEX SYSTEMS OcZ d[ i]Z bV^c ^hhjZh G6C9 ^YZci^ÐZY lVh i]Z Y^[ÐXjain kZiZgVch VcY i]Z^g [Vb^a^Zh [VXZY l]Zc ign^c\ id cVk^\ViZ WZcZÐih VcY hZgk^XZh VkV^aVWaZ id i]Zb# I]Zn ]VY igdjWaZ ^YZci^[n^c\ l]Vi hZgk^XZh lZgZ VkV^aVWaZ! l]Zi]Zg i]Z hZgk^XZh Ði i]Z^g heZX^ÐX cZZYh! ^[ i]Zn lZgZ Za^\^WaZ [dg i]ZhZ hZgk^XZh! l]ZgZ i]Zn XdjaY VXXZhh i]Zb VcY ]dl id Veean# PHZZ eV\Z + [dg V a^hi d[ X]VaaZc\Zh Vgi^XjaViZY Wn i]Z kZiZgVch#R >c i]Z [dXjh \gdjeh! i]Z kZiZgVch ^YZci^ÐZY hdbZ iddah i]Vi XdjaY ]Zae i]Zb ÐcY i]Z VchlZgh i]Zn cZZYZY# I]ZhZ ^cXajYZY adXVa Xdbbjc^in \gdjeh! a^`Z GdX]ZhiZgÇh KZiZgVch Outreach Center and Watertown’s Soldier and Family Assistance Center, and veterans’ hZgk^XZ dg\Vc^oVi^dch! a^`Z i]Z LdjcYZY LVgg^dg Egd_ZXi VcY >6K6# HdbZ kZiZgVch Vahd bZci^dcZY i]Z K6Çh D:;$D>; XddgY^cVidgh! l]dhZ _dW ^h id ]Zae cZl kZiZgVch cVk^\ViZ i]Z K6 ]ZVai] hnhiZb# Bdhi kZiZgVch! ]dlZkZg! XdjaY cdi cVbZ hiViZ V\ZcX^Zh dg X^k^a^Vc dg\Vc^oVi^dch i]Vi egdk^YZ Y^gZXi bZciVa ]ZVai] hZgk^XZh# 6ai]dj\] V bV_dg^in d[ kZiZgVch hV^Y i]Vi i]Zn lZgZ VWaZ id \Zi i]Z hjeedgi i]Vi i]Zn cZZYZY! V h^\c^ÐXVci edgi^dc d[ kZiZgVch ^c i]Z hjgkZn XdjaY cdi# ;dgin"ild eZgXZci d[ kZiZgVch hjgkZnZY hV^Y i]Vi i]Zn Y^Y cdi ]VkZ V Ä\ddY jcYZghiVcY^c\ d[ WZcZÐih VkV^aVWaZ id i]Zb!Å VcY ', eZgXZci hV^Y i]Vi i]Zn Y^Y cdi `cdl Ä]dl id \Zi i]Z^g fjZhi^dch VchlZgZY#Åi The veterans in the focus groups agreed on some potential solutions id XadhZ i]^h `cdlaZY\Z \Ve# I]Zn FORTY-TWO PERCENT OF VETERANS hj\\ZhiZY Wj^aY^c\ V Xdbbjc^in SURVEYED SAID THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE for this new generation of veterans l]ZgZ ^c[dgbVi^dc XdjaY WZ h]VgZY# “A GOOD UNDERSTANDING OF BENEFITS I]Zn Vahd i]dj\]i i]ZgZ XdjaY WZ AVAILABLE TO THEM,” AND 27 PERCENT SAID hjWhiVci^Va ^begdkZbZcih id i]Z THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW “HOW TO GET b^a^iVgn dji"egdXZhh^c\ hnhiZb# THEIR QUESTIONS ANSWERED.” Veterans reported that service bZbWZgh VgZ WdbWVgYZY l^i] information when they separate from the military, when all they want ^h id WZ l^i] i]Z^g adkZY dcZh# I]^h higViZ\n ^h a^`Zan cdi XdcYjX^kZ id egdk^Y^c\ kZiZgVch l^i] i]Z cZXZhhVgn jcYZghiVcY^c\ d[ WZcZÐih VcY hZgk^XZh VkV^aVWaZ id i]Zb# ;^cVaan! i]Z kZiZgVch Vahd i]dj\]i i]Vi i]Z VXXZhh^W^a^in VcY fjVa^in d[ XVgZ Vi K6 [VX^a^i^Zh h]djaY WZ ^begdkZY# Id hdbZ YZ\gZZ! i]Z gZXdbbZcYVi^dch hiZb [gdb i]Z a^b^iVi^dch d[ i]Z XjggZci hnhiZb# ;dg ZmVbeaZ! D:;$D>; XddgY^cVidgh egdk^YZ i]Z hjeedgi i]Vi i]Z kZiZgVch lZgZ hZZ`^c\ ^ch^YZ i]Z K6 hnhiZb! Wji bVcn d[ i]Z kZiZgVch lZgZ jcVlVgZ d[ i]ZhZ XddgY^cVidgh# I]ZhZ a^b^iVi^dch ed^ci id i]Z cZZY [dg WZiiZg djigZVX] [gdb i]Z K6 VcY [gdb hiViZ VcY adXVa \dkZgcbZcih id iZVX] kZiZgVch VcY i]Z^g [Vb^a^Zh VWdji i]Z hZgk^XZh VcY WZcZÐih VkV^aVWaZ id i]Zb#
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VETERANS’ PERCEPTIONS OF CHALLENGES RAND FOUND THAT THE VETERANS IN ITS FOCUS GROUPS REPORTED FACING THE FOLLOWING CHALLENGES.THIS LIST IS ILLUSTRATIVE OF THE ISSUES DISCUSSED BY VETERANS AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED AS EITHER EXHAUSTIVE OR AN INDICATION OF ISSUE IMPORTANCE.
1. STRESS AND MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS BZciVa ]ZVai] X]VaaZc\Zh! ^cXajY^c\ EIH9! YZegZhh^dc VcY i]dj\]ih d[ hj^X^YZ# I]Z cZZY id Wg^Y\Z i]Z \Ve l^i] [Vb^a^Zh VcY [g^ZcYh# AVX` d[ i^bZ id gZVY_jhi id a^[Z WZ[dgZ dcXZ bdgZ ]Vk^c\ gZhedch^W^a^i^Zh#
2. SOCIAL ISOLATION HdX^Va ^hdaVi^dc gZhjai^c\ [gdb i]Z adhh d[ i]Z XadhZcZhh ^c i]Z b^a^iVgn# >cVW^a^in id gZaViZ id X^k^a^Vch! ^cXajY^c\ YZkZade^c\ cZl gZaVi^dch]^eh! WZXVjhZ d[ i]Z X]VaaZc\Zh d[ VcY Y^h^ciZgZhi ^c h]Vg^c\ i]Z ZmeZg^ZcXZ d[ XdbWVi# >hdaVi^dc dc XdaaZ\Z XVbejhZh#
3. CONFUSION ABOUT BENEFITS AND ELIGIBILITY AVX` d[ VWhdgei^dc d[ ^c[dgbVi^dc egZhZciZY id hZgk^XZ bZbWZgh Vi YZbdW^a^oVi^dc dg dji"egdXZhh^c\# ;dg hdbZ! Y^[ÐXjain cVk^\Vi^c\ Za^\^W^a^in ^c[dgbVi^dc VcY jcYZghiVcY^c\ l]Vi WZcZÐih VgZ VkV^aVWaZ#
4. UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDER-EMPLOYMENT 8dcXZgch VWdji ZbeadnZghÇ eZgXZei^dch VWdji kZiZgVch l^i] bZciVa ]ZVai] ^c_jg^Zh VcY ZbeadnZghÇ [ZVgh i]Vi i]dhZ ^c gZhZgkZ XdbedcZcih b^\]i YZeadn# 9^[ÐXjain igVchaVi^c\ b^a^iVgn h`^aah VcY ZmeZg^ZcXZ id i]Z X^k^a^Vc bVg`ZieaVXZ# 9^[ÐXjain gZ"^ciZ\gVi^c\ ^cid i]Z ldg`eaVXZ#
5. DIFFICULTIES FUNDING EDUCATION 8]VaaZc\Zh VXXZhh^c\ i]Z^g Edhi".$&& <> 7^aa WZcZÐih#
6. DIFFICULTIES WITH DISABILITY EVALUATIONS AVX` d[ ^c_jgn YdXjbZciVi^dc WZXVjhZ d[ gZajXiVcXZ id VYb^i lZV`cZhh Yjg^c\ hZgk^XZ# Concerns that those doing the evaluations have no understanding of the military VcY lVg#
7. LACK OF SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES <ddY egd\gVbh i]Vi VgZ jcYZg"[jcYZY dg cdi VkV^aVWaZ id Vaa# 8VgZ\^kZghÇ ^cVW^a^in id ÐcY ]ZVai] XVgZ [dg i]Z^g kZiZgVc dg i]Z ^c[dgbVi^dc i]Zn cZZY# Cdi Zcdj\] ]Zae Ð\jg^c\ dji ]dl id gZ^ciZ\gViZ i]Z kZiZgVc#
8. WOMEN’S SERVICES Perceptions of some that the VA is not equipped to serve the needs of female veterVch! Vai]dj\] hdbZ ldbZc l]d jhZY i]ZhZ hZgk^XZh ]VY \ddY ZmeZg^ZcXZh# B^mZY [ZZa^c\h VWdji ]Vk^c\ ldbZc"XZciZgZY egd\gVbh Vi i]Z K6#
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IAVA ISSUE REPORT JUNE 2011: NEW YORK’S NEWEST VETERANS
MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS I]Z kZiZgVch ^c i]Z CZl Ndg` hijYn ]VY h^b^aVg egdÐaZh id i]Z^g XdbeVig^dih VgdjcY i]Z Xdjcign! ZheZX^Vaan ^c iZgbh d[ aZkZah d[ bZciVa ]ZVai] ^c_jg^Zh# G6C9 gZedgiZY i]Vi '' eZgXZci d[ kZiZgVch hjgkZnZY ]VY egdWVWaZ bZciVa ]ZVai] Y^V\cdhZh ^c i]Z eg^dg (% days—16 percent had symptoms consistent with a diagnosis of major depression and &+ eZgXZci l^i] EIH9! l^i] &% eZgXZci bZZi^c\ Xg^iZg^V [dg Wdi] EIH9 VcY YZegZhh^dc# H^b^aVgan! i]Z hZb^cVa '%%- G6C9 hijYn! Ä>ck^h^WaZ LdjcYh d[ LVg/ EhnX]dad\^XVa VcY 8d\c^i^kZ >c_jg^Zh! I]Z^g 8dchZfjZcXZh! VcY HZgk^XZh id 6hh^hi GZXdkZgn!Å l]^X] add`ZY Vi ^cY^k^YjVah l]d ]VY YZeadnZY ^c hjeedgi d[ D:; dg D>;! [djcY i]Vi Veegdm^bViZan 14 percent of OEF/OIF veterans screened positive for PTSD and 14 percent for major YZegZhh^dc ^c i]Z eg^dg (% YVnh#ii
NEW YORK VETERANS’ MENTAL HEALTH INJURIES 18% 16%
8% 6% 4% 2%
BOTH MAJOR DEPRESSION AND PTSD 10 %
10%
PTSD 16 %
12%
MAJOR DEPRESSION 16 %
14%
0%
In terms of seeking care, the New York study found that 56 percent of respondents either lVciZY dg cZZYZY hdbZ ineZ d[ bZciVa ]ZVai] hZgk^XZh# IlZcin"[djg eZgXZci d[ i]Zb VXijVaan hdj\]i ]Zae ^c i]Z eVhi nZVg# A^iiaZ bdgZ i]Vc *% eZgXZci d[ i]dhZ l]d hdj\]i ]Zae gZXZ^kZY V Äb^c^bVaan VYZfjViZÅ igZVibZci#
BARRIERS TO MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT Though the VA provides comprehensive health care, only half of all new veterans at i]Z cVi^dcVa aZkZa X]ddhZ id VXXZhh i]^h XVgZ#iii 6h Y^hXjhhZY VWdkZ! bVcn kZiZgVch VgZ jcVlVgZ d[ dg ]VkZ Y^[ÐXjain VXXZhh^c\ K6 WZcZÐih VcY hZgk^XZh# G6C9Çh CZl Ndg` hijYn reported that many veterans struggled with the long travel distance to their closest VA facility; for many, the travel time to the closest facility turned a simple appointment into Vc Vaa"YVn V[[V^g! bV`^c\ dc\d^c\ XVgZ ^begVXi^XVa# BVcn Vahd [Zai jcXdb[dgiVWaZ ^c i]ZhZ [VX^a^i^Zh! l]^X] i]Zn [Zai lZgZ iVg\ZiZY Vi daYZg kZiZgVch# I]Z CZl Ndg` kZiZgVch Vahd cVbZY V ]dhi d[ WVgg^Zgh id VXXZhh^c\ igZVibZci [dg bZciVa ]ZVai] XVgZ ^c eVgi^XjaVg! ^cXajY^c\ XdcXZgch VWdji i]Z h^YZ Z[[ZXih d[ bZY^XVi^dch id i]Z Y^[ÐXjain d[ hX]ZYja^c\ Vc Veed^cibZci# The New York RAND report found that veterans had two top concerns that might prevent them from seeking mental health care at either civilian or VA facilities: fear of side Z[[ZXih [gdb bZY^XVi^dc VcY XdcXZgch VWdji i]Z ^beVXi d[ igZVibZci dc i]Z^g XVgZZgh
7
VcY hZXjg^in XaZVgVcXZh# >c i]Z '%%- cVi^dcVa G6C9 hijYn! i]ZhZ XdcXZgch lZgZ Vahd Vbdc\ i]Z ide ÐkZ gZedgiZY WVgg^Zgh# 6i i]Z cVi^dcVa aZkZa! )* eZgXZci d[ kZiZgVch lZgZ XdcXZgcZY VWdji cZ\Vi^kZ h^YZ Z[[ZXih d[ Ygj\ i]ZgVe^Zh VcY V fjVgiZg i]dj\]i i]Vi ZkZc \ddY bZciVa ]ZVai] XVgZ lVh cdi kZgn Z[[ZXi^kZ#iv Among the New York veterans, 35 eZgXZci bZci^dcZY bZY^XVi^dc h^YZ Z[[ZXih Vh V gZVhdc [dg cdi hZZ`^c\ ]Zae# Veterans also fear that they will face discrimination when looking for employment as V gZhjai d[ hZZ`^c\ igZVibZci# I]Zn ldggn i]Vi ]Vk^c\ igZVibZci dc i]Z^g gZXdgYh bVn bV`Z ^i ]VgYZg id gZXZ^kZ V hZXjg^in XaZVgVcXZ dg l^aa YZiZg ZbeadnZgh ldgg^ZY VWdji i]Z^g bZciVa ]ZVai]# 6XXdgY^c\ id i]Z 7jgZVj d[ AVWdg HiVi^hi^Xh! ^c '%&%! &+#( eZgXZci d[ kZiZgVch ldg`ZY [dg i]Z [ZYZgVa \dkZgcbZci#v BVcn a^`Zan gZfj^gZY hZXjg^in XaZVgVcXZh! l]^X] bV`Zh i]ZhZ [ZVgh eVgi^XjaVgan hVa^Zci# I]Z \dkZgcbZci X]Vc\ZY i]Z hZXjg^in clearance forms in 2008 so that those seeking mental health care for wounds resulting [gdb XdbWVi ldjaY cdi ]VkZ id Y^hXadhZ i]Z igZVibZci# CZkZgi]ZaZhh! V XdbW^cVi^dc d[ a lack of awareness of the change in the law and a fear that the treatment will come to a^\]i VcY ]VkZ V cZ\Vi^kZ ^beVXi hi^aa bV`Z i]ZhZ [ZVgh V bV_dg WVgg^Zg id XVgZ# Providing OEF/OIF veterans with high-quality mental health support will require VETERANS FEAR THAT THEY WILL FACE the efforts of federal, state DISCRIMINATION WHEN LOOKING FOR EMPLOYMENT and local governments in AS A RESULT OF SEEKING TREATMENT. XdaaVWdgVi^dc l^i] Xdbbjc^in groups and veterans’ service dg\Vc^oVi^dch# >i l^aa gZfj^gZ an outreach and education Z[[dgi Wn i]Z K6 ^c XddeZgVi^dc l^i] i]Z 9ZeVgibZci d[ 9Z[ZchZ VcY adXVa cdcegdÐih id XdbWVi i]Z hi^\bV d[ hZZ`^c\ ]Zae [dg bZciVa ]ZVai] ^c_jg^Zh VcY id egdbdiZ VkV^aVWaZ WZcZÐih# I]Zn l^aa Vahd cZZY id ZYjXViZ kZiZgVch VWdji i]Z XdcÐYZci^Va^in d[ XVgZ# At the same time, civilian mental health care, which many veterans choose to use as an VaiZgcVi^kZ id i]Z K6! bjhi WZ ^begdkZY VcY egd[Zhh^dcVah bjhi WZ igV^cZY id YZVa l^i] i]Z jc^fjZ XjaijgVa ZmeZg^ZcXZh d[ i]^h Xdbbjc^in! ^cXajY^c\ Zk^YZcXZ"WVhZY igZVibZcih [dg EIH9 VcY YZegZhh^dc#
BARRIERS TO CARE PREFERENCES FOR
TREATMENT 11% PERCEIVED INEFFECTIVENESS OF MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENTS AVAILABLE 15% PERCEPTION THAT EVEN GOOD MENTAL HEALTH CARE IS NOT VERY EFFECTIVE MEDICATIONS WITH POTENTIAL TO HELP HAVE TOO MANY SIDE EFFECTS 35%
2% VETERAN’S SPOUSE/PARTNER WOULD NOT WANT HIM/HER TO GET TREATMENT INSTITUTIONAL & 4% POTENTIAL LOSS OF CONTACT OR CUSTODY OF CHILD CULTURAL BARRIERS 14% FRIENDS AND FAMILY WOULD RESPECT VETERAN LESS CONCERNS ABOUT CONFIDENTIALITY OF TREATMENT 20% VETERAN’S SUPERVISOR MIGHT RESPECT HIM/HER LESS 21% CO-WORKERS WOULD HAVE LESS CONFIDENCE IF THEY KNEW 26% POSSIBILITY OF BEING DENIED A SECURITY CLEARANCE IN THE FUTURE 32% PROFESSIONAL HELP COULD HARM VETERAN’S CAREER 33% 4% DIFFICULTY ARRANGING TRANSPORTATION LOGISTICAL 12% NOT KNOWING WHERE TO GET HELP OR WHOM TO SEE BARRIERS 13% DIFFICULTY SCHEDULING AN APPOINTMENT 14% DIFFICULTY GETTING CHILD CARE OR TIME OFF WORK HIGH COST OF MENTAL HEALTH CARE 19%
0%
8
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
IAVA ISSUE REPORT JUNE 2011: NEW YORK’S NEWEST VETERANS
35%
40%
MARIA CANALES, NY VETERAN MARIA CANALES, OF BROOKLYN, NY, SERVED IN THE U.S. ARMY FOR FOUR YEARS AND THE ARMY RESERVE FOR TWO MORE. BVg^V heZci hZkZgVa
years in Germany where she assisted service bZbWZgh l^i] ÐcVcX^Va VcY VYb^c^higVi^kZ ^hhjZh# H]Z YZeadnZY id >gVf [gdb DXidWZg 2005 to 2006, and served with the 266th Finance Command out of Germany providing ÐcVcXZ hjeedgi id 8Vbe 6cVXdcYV# ;daadl^c\ ]Zg hZgk^XZ ^c >gVf! BVg^V hZgkZY ^c i]Z 6gbn GZhZgkZ VcY lVh gZhedch^WaZ [dg i]Z YVn"id" YVn deZgVi^dch d[ i]Z WViiVa^dc H"& d[ÐXZ! l]^X] YZVah l^i] eZghdccZa ^hhjZh#
H^cXZ gZijgc^c\ ]dbZ [gdb >gVf! BVg^V ]Vh [VXZY bVcn X]VaaZc\Zh! ^cXajY^c\ igdjWaZ cVk^\Vi^c\ i]Z K6! Y^[ÐXjain gZXZ^k^c\ [ZbVaZ"heZX^ÐX K6 XVgZ! egdWaZbh gZ^ciZ\gVi^c\ l^i] [g^ZcYh VcY [Vb^an VcY jcZbeadnbZci# =Zg ZmeZg^ZcXZ ZmZbea^ÐZh bVcn d[ i]Z X]VaaZc\Zh CZl Ndg`Çh kZiZgVch [VXZ# 6[iZg ]Zg nZVgadc\ YZeadnbZci id >gVf! BVg^V hdj\]i [gZZ ]ZVai] XVgZ Vi i]Z K6# H]Z ig^ZY id cVk^\ViZ i]Z K6 VadcZ! Wji fj^X`an WZXVbZ Y^hXdjgV\ZY# I]Z K6 egdk^YZh XdbegZ]Zch^kZ ]ZVai] XVgZ VcY V l^YZ gVc\Z d[ WZcZÐih! Wji VXXdgY^c\ id i]Z G6C9 hijYn Vabdhi ]Va[ d[ CZl Ndg`Çh kZiZgVch! a^`Z BVg^V! ]VkZ Y^[ÐXjain cVk^\Vi^c\ Za^\^W^a^in ^c[dgbVi^dc VcY jcYZghiVcY^c\ l]Vi WZcZÐih VgZ VkV^aVWaZ# BVg^V cZZYZY ]ZVai] XVgZ! Wji V[iZg V K6 ZbeadnZZ ^chigjXiZY ]Zg id ÐaZ hZkZgVa XaV^bh [dg Y^[[ZgZci ineZh d[ WZcZÐih! h]Z WZXVbZ dkZgl]ZabZY# H]Z aZ[i VcY dcan gZijgcZY aViZg id hZZ` [ZbVaZ"heZX^ÐX XVgZ# Jc[dgijcViZan! h]Z [djcY ]ZghZa[ lV^i^c\ bdci]h [dg Vc Veed^cibZci WZXVjhZ d[ i]Z hXVgX^in d[ YdXidgh [dXjhZY dc ldbZcÇh ]ZVai] XVgZ ^c i]Z K6 hnhiZb# BVg^V [Zai ^hdaViZY VcY Vc\gn l]Zc h]Z XVbZ ]dbZ [gdb >gVf VcY ]VY Y^[ÐXjain gZ^ciZ\gVi^c\ l^i] ]Zg [g^ZcYh VcY [Vb^an# =Zg [Vb^an aVX`ZY i]Z `cdlaZY\Z VcY gZhdjgXZh id ]Zae ]Zg VcY ^chiZVY lVa`ZY dc Z\\h]Zaah VgdjcY ]Zg# L^i]dji ]Zg [Vb^anÇh hjeedgi! BVg^V Y^Y cdi gZVa^oZ i]Vi h]Z ]VY X]Vc\ZY VcY cZkZg hdj\]i ]Zae# A^`Z bVcn CZl Ndg` kZiZgVch! h]Z b^hhZY i]Z higdc\ WdcYh h]Z ]VY Wj^ai ^c i]Z b^a^iVgn VcY ]VY igdjWaZ `ZZe^c\ X^k^a^Vc [g^ZcYh# GZaVi^dch]^eh djih^YZ d[ i]Z b^a^iVgn! h]Z hVnh! VgZ _jhi cdi i]Z hVbZ# A^`Z bVcn CZl Ndg` kZiZgVch! BVg^V Vahd [VXZY ZbeadnbZci X]VaaZc\Zh l]Zc h]Z gZijgcZY id i]Z Jc^iZY HiViZh# >c i]Z b^a^iVgn! BVg^V hjeZgk^hZY hdaY^Zgh VcY bVcV\ZY V ÐcVcXZ d[ÐXZ# L]Zc h]Z gZijgcZY! h]Z ]VY Y^[ÐXjain igVchaVi^c\ ]Zg b^a^iVgn h`^aah VcY ZmeZg^ZcXZh [dg X^k^a^Vc ZbeadnZgh# H]Z WZa^ZkZh i]Vi ]Zg b^a^iVgn XgZYZci^Vah fjVa^[n ]Zg [dg bVcV\ZbZci"aZkZa edh^i^dch! Wji i]Vi bdhi ZbeadnZgh Yd cdi kVajZ ]Zg lVgi^bZ aZVYZgh]^e ZmeZg^ZcXZ# BVg^VÇh X]VaaZc\Zh VgZ h^b^aVg id i]dhZ gZedgiZY Wn di]Zg CZl Ndg` kZiZgVch ^c i]Z G6C9 hijYn# H]Z ^h XdcXZgcZY i]Vi i]ZgZ ^h cdi Zcdj\] VlVgZcZhh VWdji kZiZgVchÇ ^hhjZh ^c CZl Ndg`# >[ i]ZgZ ^h cd eZghdcVa XdccZXi^dc! h]Z [ZVgh! i]Zc i]ZgZ l^aa WZ cd XdccZXi^dc Vi Vaa WZilZZc X^k^a^Vch VcY kZiZgVch# For more information on female veterans see IAVA’s report “Women Warriors: Supporting H]Z ÆL]d =Vh 7dgcZ i]Z 7ViiaZÇ!Å Vi HTTPS://IAVA.ORG/REPORTS#
%
9
EMPLOYMENT CONCERNS In addition to mental health, one of the main challenges New York State OEF/OIF kZiZgVch gZedgiZY [VX^c\ lVh jcZbeadnbZci VcY jcYZg"ZbeadnbZci# Jh^c\ i]Z J#H# \dkZgcbZciÇh YZÐc^i^dc d[ jcZbeadnbZci! i]Z gViZ [dg kZiZgVch ^c i]Z hjgkZn lVh Vabdhi 13 percent—more than 4 percentage points higher than the overall unemployment rate ^c CZl Ndg` HiViZ ^c 6j\jhi '%&%# I]^h Y^heVg^in igVX`h l^i] i]Z ]^\] gViZh d[ D:;$D>; kZiZgVc jcZbeadnbZci ^c i]Z eVhi [Zl nZVgh# >c '%&%! i]Z VkZgV\Z gViZ [dg >gVf" VcY 6[\]Vc^hiVc"ZgV kZiZgVch lVh &&#* eZgXZci0 Vabdhi ' eZgXZciV\Z ed^cih ]^\]Zg i]Vc i]Z cVi^dcVa VkZgV\Z#vi 6cY! l]^aZ i]Z cVi^dcVa VkZgV\Z ]Vh WZ\jc id igZcY Ydlc! i]Z D:;$D>; gViZ gZbV^ch ]^\]#
THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR VETERANS IN THE SURVEY WAS ALMOST 13 PERCENT—MORE THAN 4 PERCENTAGE POINTS HIGHER THAN THE OVERALL UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IN NEW YORK STATE IN AUGUST 2010.
Additionally, some veterans in the survey were underemployed or looking for a cZl _dW# ;^[iZZc eZgXZci said that they were not working as many hours as i]Zn lVciZY# I]^gin"Z^\]i percent were looking for a cZl dg VYY^i^dcVa _dW#
>i l^aa iV`Z i]Z XdbW^cZY Z[[dgih d[ i]Z ejWa^X! eg^kViZ VcY cdcegdÐi hZXidgh id ]Zae VaaZk^ViZ i]^h ]^\] gViZ d[ jcYZg" VcY jcZbeadnbZci# I]Z \dkZgcbZci XVc egdk^YZ ^cXZci^kZh! hjX] Vh iVm WgZV`h! [dg XdbeVc^Zh id ]^gZ kZiZgVch# >i XVc Vahd ]Zae kZiZgVch l^i] i]Z^g igVch^i^dc ^cid i]Z eg^kViZ hZXidg Wn bdYZgc^o^c\ i]Z IgVch^i^dc 6hh^hiVcXZ Egd\gVb VcY ]Zae^c\ id igVchaViZ h`^aah aZVgcZY ^c i]Z b^a^iVgn ^cid i]Z X^k^a^Vc hZXidg# And it must work with communities to overcome misperceptions that veterans are jchiVWaZ VcY b^\]i WZ V YVc\Zg ^c i]Z ldg` eaVXZ# I]Z eg^kViZ hZXidg bjhi eaVn ^ih eVgi ^c ]^g^c\ kZiZgVch! VcY XVc [daadl i]Z aZVY d[ XdbeVc^Zh a^`Z B^Xgdhd[i VcY 8^i^ i]Vi ]VkZ YZkZadeZY ^ccdkVi^kZ egd\gVbh id ]Zae kZiZgVch l^i] i]Z igVch^i^dc# >6K6 add`ZY Vi ^hhjZh d[ kZiZgVc ZbeadnbZci ^c djg gZedgi Ä8VgZZgh 6[iZg 8dbWVi/ :beadnbZci VcY :YjXVi^dc 8]VaaZc\Zh [dg >gVf VcY 6[\]Vc^hiVc KZiZgVch!Å l]^X] XVc WZ VXXZhhZY Vi HTTP://IAVA.ORG/ REPORTS# 6cdi]Zg e^ZXZ d[ i]Z ejooaZ ^h ZYjXVi^dc#vii I]Z 7jgZVj d[ AVWdg THE NEW GI BILL AND ITS 2010 UPGRADES, Statistics found that in 2010 the rate of WHICH EXPANDED THE BENEFIT TO OVER unemployment was lower for veterans 400,000 MORE VETERANS AND THEIR l^i] bdgZ ZYjXVi^dc# G6C9 [djcY i]Vi more than a third of the respondents FAMILIES, ARE CRITICAL TOOLS TO HELP were enrolled in a university or LOWER VETERAN UNEMPLOYMENT. XdaaZ\Z ^c i]Z egZk^djh nZVg# I]Z CZl <> 7^aa VcY ^ih '%&% je\gVYZh! l]^X] ZmeVcYZY i]Z WZcZÐi id dkZg )%%!%%% more veterans and their families, ^cXajY^c\ VXXZhh id kdXVi^dcVa VcY dc"i]Z"_dW igV^c^c\ egd\gVbh! VgZ Xg^i^XVa iddah id ]Zae adlZg kZiZgVc jcZbeadnbZci# I]Zn bjhi WZ XdbeaZbZciZY! ]dlZkZg! Wn egd\gVbh at universities that ensure that once veterans are enrolled they get the support they cZZY id \gVYjViZ#
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IAVA ISSUE REPORT JUNE 2011: NEW YORK’S NEWEST VETERANS
EMPLOYMENT STATUS OF NEW YORK STATE VETERANS CURRENT EMPLOYMENT STATUS ENROLLED IN UNIVERSITY OR COLLEGE IN THE PAST YEAR 36% NOT WORKING 18% 10% UNEMPLOYED AND LOOKING FOR WORK EMPLOYED FULL OR PART TIME 72% 0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
70%
80%
CHARACTERISTICS OF EMPLOYED VETERANS CURRENTLY LOOKING FOR A NEW JOB OR AN ADDITIONAL JOB 38% ADDITIONAL TRAINING OR COLLEGE WOULD HELP TO ADVANCE CAREER 77%
CURRENT JOB MAKES GOOD USE OF SKILLS AND TRAINING 73%
15% WORKING FEWER HOURS THAN WOULD LIKE 0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
11
NEEDS OF VETERANS’ FAMILIES G6C9 Vahd add`ZY Vi i]Z X]VaaZc\Zh [VXZY Wn i]Z kZiZgVchÇ [Vb^a^Zh# I]Z eg^bVgn ^hhjZh i]Vi ZbZg\ZY ^c V [dXjh \gdje d[ [Vb^an bZbWZgh VcY hjgkZn d[ hedjhZh lZgZ i]Vi families need: more assistance during all phases of deployment and more education VWdji hjeedgi^c\ i]Z^g kZiZgVch l]Zc i]Zn gZijgc ]dbZ# DkZgVaa! [Vb^an bZbWZgh [Zai i]Vi i]Zn Y^Y cdi ]VkZ Zcdj\] hjeedgi! ZheZX^Vaan [gdb i]Z K6# I]Zn Y^hXjhhZY Y^[[ZgZci ineZh d[ hjeedgi \gdjeh! hdbZ d[ l]^X] lZgZ bdgZ dg aZhh ]Zae[ja# EVgi^X^eVcih l]d ]VY VXXZhh id ;Vb^an GZVY^cZhh <gdjehÃ\gdjeh hedchdgZY Wn b^a^iVgn commands that provide support and information to families during deployment—spoke VWdji i]Z^g ^bedgiVcXZ! Wji cdi Vaa eVgi^X^eVcih ]VY VXXZhh id i]Zb# I]ZgZ lVh V XdchZchjh Vbdc\ i]Z [Vb^an bZbWZgh i]Vi i]Zn lVciZY bdgZ egZeVgVi^dc id ]Zae i]Zb Vci^X^eViZ Xdbbdc X]VaaZc\Zh i]Vi b^\]i dXXjg i]gdj\]dji i]Z YZeadnbZci XnXaZ# BVcn [Vb^an bZbWZgh Vahd [Zai i]Vi i]Zn cZZYZY id WZ WZiiZg egZeVgZY [dg i]Z hnbeidbh VcY WZ]Vk^dgh i]Zn b^\]i ZcXdjciZg l]Zc i]Z^g kZiZgVc gZijgcZY ]dbZ# >c i]Z [dXjh \gdjeh! [Vb^a^Zh ZmegZhhZY i]Vi i]Zn Y^Y cdi `cdl l]Vi hnbeidbh id ZmeZXi dg add` dji [dg# ;dg ZmVbeaZ! [Vb^a^Zh hV^Y i]Zn add`ZY [dg Ygj\ VcY VaXd]da VWjhZ! Wji Y^Y cdi `cdl id lViX] [dg di]Zg THE SURVEY OF SPOUSES SHOWED WZ]Vk^dgh! hjX] Vh l^i]YgVlVa#
THAT, LIKE THEIR VETERANS, THEY FACE
The survey of spouses showed that, BARRIERS TO MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT. a^`Z i]Z^g kZiZgVch! i]Zn [VXZ WVgg^Zgh id bZciVa ]ZVai] hjeedgi# 6ai]dj\] i]Z gViZ d[ egdWVWaZ bV_dg YZegZhh^dc among the spouses was relatively low at 10 percent, 21 percent reported a visit to a bZciVa ]ZVai] egd[Zhh^dcVa ^c i]Z eVhi nZVg# I]Z hedjhZh gV^hZY V kVg^Zin d[ gZVhdch [dg cdi hZZ`^c\ XVgZ# A^`Z bVcn d[ i]Z kZiZgVch! (- eZgXZci hV^Y V gZVhdc [dg cdi hZZ`^c\ bZciVa ]ZVai] XVgZ ldjaY WZ i]Z edhh^WaZ h^YZ Z[[ZXih d[ bZY^XVi^dc# 6c VYY^i^dcVa '% eZgXZci ldjaY cdi hZZ` bZciVa ]ZVai] XVgZ YjZ id Xdhi# :^\]iZZc eZgXZci ldjaY ]VkZ egdWaZbh \Zii^c\ X]^aYXVgZ dg i^bZ d[[ [gdb ldg` id hZZ` bZciVa ]ZVai] XVgZ# I]Z hedjhZh Vahd iVa`ZY VWdji i]Z X]VaaZc\Zh d[ gZ^ciZ\gVi^c\ i]Z^g kZiZgVch ^cid i]Z^g a^kZh VcY [Vb^a^Zh# Dcan . eZgXZci d[ hedjhZh ZmegZhhZY Y^hhVi^h[VXi^dc l^i] i]Z^g bVg^iVa gZaVi^dch]^eh0 ]dlZkZg! Vabdhi ]Va[ d[ i]Z gZhedcYZcih ]VY igdjWaZ l^i] i]Z kZiZgVchÇ bddY X]Vc\Zh# 6YY^i^dcVaan! (* eZgXZci [djcY ^i Y^[ÐXjai id gZ^ciZ\gViZ i]Z kZiZgVc ^cid i]Z [Vb^anÇh YVn"id"YVn VXi^k^i^Zh VcY gZWVaVcXZ gZhedch^W^a^i^Zh Vi ]dbZ# I]Z hijYn [djcY i]Vi i]ZgZ VgZ bVcn gZhdjgXZh XjggZcian VkV^aVWaZ [dg kZiZgVch VcY i]Z^g [Vb^a^Zh! Wji i]Vi i]dhZ l]d cZZYZY i]Zb Y^YcÇi cZXZhhVg^an `cdl ]dl id VXXZhh i]Zb# I]Z ÐcY^c\h ^cY^XViZ i]Vi i]ZgZ cZZYh id WZ bdgZ Zbe]Vh^h dc djigZVX]! ZYjXVi^dc VcY hjeedgi [dg [Vb^a^Zh Vi ]dbZ# >c VYY^i^dc! i]Z egdWVW^a^in d[ bV_dg YZegZhh^kZ Y^hdgYZgh among spouses is low, yet the many spouses who do wish to seek mental health care [VXZ dWhiVXaZh ^c dWiV^c^c\ XVgZ# ;Vb^a^Zh egdk^YZ V [djcYVi^dc [dg gZijgc^c\ kZiZgVch# I]Zn hjeedgi i]Zb i]gdj\] Vaa e]VhZh d[ YZeadnbZci VcY i]Z^g gZ^ciZ\gVi^dc ^cid i]Z X^k^a^Vc ldgaY# >i ^h Xg^i^XVa i]Vi i]ZhZ [Vb^an bZbWZgh Vahd \Zi i]Z bZciVa! ZXdcdb^X VcY ad\^hi^XVa hjeedgi i]Zn cZZY Yjg^c\ VcY V[iZg YZeadnbZcih#
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IAVA ISSUE REPORT JUNE 2011: NEW YORK’S NEWEST VETERANS
POLICY IMPLICATIONS FROM RAND REPORT G6C9Çh ÄCZZYh 6hhZhhbZciÅ egdk^YZh hiViZ eda^Xn bV`Zgh VcY Xdbbjc^in aZVYZgh l^i] Xg^i^XVa ^c[dgbVi^dc VWdji CZl Ndg`Çh D:;$D>; kZiZgVch VcY i]Z^g [Vb^a^ZhÃl]d i]Zn VgZ VcY l]Vi X]VaaZc\Zh i]Zn [VXZ# A^`Z i]Z^g XdbeVig^dih VXgdhh i]Z Xdjcign! CZl Ndg`Çh cZlZhi kZiZgVch ]VkZ h^\c^ÐXVci gViZh d[ EIH9 VcY YZegZhh^dc# I]Zn [VXZ ]^\]Zg gViZh d[ jcZbeadnbZci i]Vc i]Z^g X^k^a^Vc XdjciZgeVgih# 6ai]dj\] i]ZgZ VgZ bVcn \dkZgcbZciVa VcY cdc"\dkZgcbZciVa egd\gVbh dji i]ZgZ id ]Zae i]Zb! i]Zn d[iZc ]VkZ igdjWaZ cVk^\Vi^c\ i]ZhZ dei^dch# I]Zn Vahd [VXZ bVcn WVgg^Zgh id XVgZ! [gdb i]Z^g eZgXZei^dch d[ l]Vi ^h VkV^aVWaZ id i]Z fjVa^in VcY VXXZhh^W^a^in d[ XVgZ# I]Z XdbeaZm^in d[ i]ZhZ X]VaaZc\Zh gZfj^gZh i]Vi i]Z Zci^gZ Xdbbjc^in! VcY cdi dcan i]Z VA and the federal government, come together to support these new veterans and help i]Zb jcadX` i]Z^g [jaa ediZci^Va# I]Z gZedgi ]^\]a^\]ih i]Z cZZY id eji ^c eaVXZ bZX]Vc^hbh id ]Zae kZiZgVch VcY i]Z^g [Vb^a^Zh cVk^\ViZ XdbeaZm hnhiZbh d[ WZcZÐih VcY egd\gVbh VkV^aVWaZ id i]Zb# >i Vahd YZbdchigViZh i]Z WgZVYi] d[ X]VaaZc\Zh kZiZgVch [VXZ VcY i]Z cZZY id VYYgZhh i]ZhZ X]VaaZc\Zh XdbegZ]Zch^kZan# In addition, this report offers other states a model for similar assessments THE COMPLEXITY OF THESE CHALLENGES REQUIRES and investments in their THAT THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY, AND NOT ONLY cZl kZiZgVch# I]Z bV_dg^in of research on the newest THE VA AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, COME generation of veterans is TOGETHER TO SUPPORT THESE NEW VETERANS AND cVi^dcVa# 7n [dXjh^c\ dc dcZ HELP THEM UNLOCK THEIR FULL POTENTIAL. state, RAND’s report shows that there are similarities WZilZZc CZl Ndg` HiViZ veterans and other OEF/ D>; kZiZgVch VgdjcY i]Z Xdjcign! Wji i]Vi i]ZgZ VgZ Vahd Y^[[ZgZcXZh# >i Vahd add`h Vi i]Z hnhiZbh d[ XVgZ ^c CZl Ndg` VcY ]dl kZiZgVch ^ciZgVXi l^i] i]ZhZ hnhiZbh# I]^h heZX^ÐX^in ^h kVajVWaZ id adXVa VcY hiViZ eda^Xn bV`Zgh ^c CZl Ndg` VcY ldjaY WZ ZfjVaan kVajVWaZ id aZVYZgh ^c di]Zg hiViZh#
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IAVA POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS :kZgn nZVg! >6K6 gZaZVhZh V Eda^Xn 6\ZcYV id hZgkZ Vh V WajZeg^ci [dg VXi^dc [dg [ZYZgVa! state and local governments, as well as the private sector and community groups i]Vi lVci id iVX`aZ i]Z bVcn ^hhjZh [VXZY Wn D:;$D>; kZiZgVch# I]gdj\] Vc ZmiZch^kZ hjgkZn d[ djg bZbWZgh]^e VcY XdchjaiVi^dch l^i] Xdbbjc^in \gdjeh! kZiZgVchÇ hZgk^XZ dg\Vc^oVi^dch VcY eda^Xn bV`Zgh! >6K6 ^YZci^ÐZh i]Z bdhi egZhh^c\ X]VaaZc\Zh VcY bV`Zh gZXdbbZcYVi^dch [dg VXi^dc Vi Vaa aZkZah d[ \dkZgcbZci VcY hdX^Zin# 7Zadl VgZ some key recommendations from IAVA’s 2011 Policy Agenda that touch on the issues gV^hZY ^c G6C9Çh CZZYh 6hhZhhbZci# ;dg bdgZ! eaZVhZ hZZ i]Z [jaa Eda^Xn 6\ZcYV Vi HTTP://IAVA.ORG/POLICYAGENDA#
NAVIGATING COMPLEX SYSTEMS :hiVWa^h] V hZi d[ WZhi egVXi^XZh [dg gZhdjgXZ Y^gZXidg^Zh i]Vi egdk^YZ adXVa ^c[dgbVi^dc \ZVgZY heZX^ÐXVaan idlVgY kZiZgVch0 [dg ZmVbeaZ! X^inl^YZ (&& hZgk^XZh iVg\ZiZY Vi kZiZgVch# G6C9 XgZViZY V gZhdjgXZ Y^gZXidgn [dg CZl Ndg` HiViZ hZgk^XZh i]Vi XdjaY WZ jhZY Vh V bdYZa# I]Z K6 bjhi eVgicZg l^i] kZiZgVchÇ \gdjeh! ^cXajY^c\ >6K6! VcY ZhiVWa^h]ZY Xdbbjc^XVi^dch VcY ejWa^X gZaVi^dch Ðgbh id gZ[dgb ]dl i]Z K6 Xdbbjc^XViZh ^ih WZcZÐih id kZiZgVch! ^cXajY^c\ ^c[dgbVi^dc VWdji i]Z adXVa D:;$D>; XddgY^cVidgh l]d ]Zae kZiZgVch cVk^\ViZ i]Z hnhiZb#
MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS >hhjZ V \jWZgcVidg^Va hiViZl^YZ XVaa id hZgk^XZ [dg h`^aaZY bZciVa ]ZVai] egd[Zhh^dcVah# AVjcX] V cVi^dcVa VlVgZcZhh XVbeV^\c id XdbWVi i]Z hi^\bV d[ hZZ`^c\ ]Zae [dg XdbWVi higZhh ^c_jg^Zh VcY id egdbdiZ i]Z jhZ d[ 9d9 VcY K6 hZgk^XZh! hjX] Vh KZi 8ZciZgh VcY i]Z KZiZgVch 8g^h^h A^cZ# I]^h XVbeV^\c h]djaY WZ lZaa [jcYZY! gZhZVgX]" tested and coordinated through DoD, VA, the White House, local governments, kZiZgVchÇ \gdjeh VcY Xdbbjc^in"WVhZY eVgicZgh# 9ZkZade VcY V\\gZhh^kZan Y^hhZb^cViZ XdbWVi higZhh ^c_jgn igV^c^c\ egd\gVbh [dg X^k^a^Vc WZ]Vk^dgVa ]ZVai] egd[Zhh^dcVah i]Vi igZVi kZiZgVch djih^YZ d[ i]Z K6 ^#Z#! XdaaZ\Z XdjchZadgh! gjgVa egdk^YZgh! WZ]Vk^dgVa ]ZVai] \gVYjViZ hijYZcih VcY egd[Zhh^dcVa VhhdX^Vi^dch # Continue adequate funding to fully implement the National Guard and Reserve NZaadl G^WWdc GZ^ciZ\gVi^dc Egd\gVb! l]^X] egdk^YZh gZ^ciZ\gVi^dc igV^c^c\ id GZhZgk^hih! CVi^dcVa <jVgYhbZc VcY i]Z^g [Vb^a^Zh# Design and implement national guidelines and programs from the VA to reach dji id gjgVa VcY jcYZghZgkZY kZiZgVch# 8dcigVXi l^i] adXVa Xdbbjc^in ]ZVai] XVgZ egdk^YZgh ^c VgZVh l]ZgZ gjgVa kZiZgVch Yd cdi ]VkZ gZVhdcVWaZ VXXZhh id XVgZ# 9ZkZade Vc VlVgZcZhh XVbeV^\c id ^c[dgb [ZbVaZ kZiZgVch VWdji cZl gjaZh gZ\VgY^c\ EIH9 Y^hVW^a^in XaV^bh VcY ZchjgZ kZiZgVch `cdl i]Vi egZk^djhan YZc^ZY XaV^bh XVc WZ gZ"ÐaZY# =^\]a^\]i \ZcYZg"heZX^ÐX gZh^YZci^Va egd\gVbh XjggZcian VkV^aVWaZ id [ZbVaZ kZiZgVch [dg e]nh^XVa! bZciVa VcY B^a^iVgn HZmjVa IgVjbV XVgZ dc i]Z K6Çh lZWh^iZ VcY dc hiViZ kZiZgVchÇ V[[V^gh lZWh^iZh# :beadn i]Z WZhi egVXi^XZh [gdb i]Z )' kZiZgVchÇ Xdjgih deZgVi^c\ cVi^dcl^YZ! ^cXajY^c\ i]Z Ðghi kZiZgVchÇ Xdjgi ^c 7j[[Vad! CZl Ndg`! id YZkZade V hZi d[ \j^YZa^cZh [dg adXVa^i^Zh VcY id hjXXZhh[jaan ZmZXjiZ Vc VaiZgcVi^kZ hZciZcX^c\ egd\gVb [dg kZiZgVch l]dhZ Xg^bZh hiZb [gdb hZgk^XZ"gZaViZY ^c_jg^Zh#
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IAVA ISSUE REPORT JUNE 2011: NEW YORK’S NEWEST VETERANS
EMPLOYMENT CONCERNS :hiVWa^h] V hZi d[ WZhi egVXi^XZh [dg gZXgj^i^c\! ]^g^c\ VcY Zbeadn^c\ kZiZgVch i]Vi XVc WZ Y^hhZb^cViZY VcY VYdeiZY Wn Vaa ejWa^X VcY eg^kViZ dg\Vc^oVi^dch# 8gZViZ V iVm XgZY^i [dg ^cY^k^YjVa kZiZgVch l]d XdbeaZiZ h`^aah igV^c^c\ WZndcY l]Vi i]Z^g <> 7^aa WZcZÐih XdkZg l^i]^c &% nZVgh d[ hZeVgVi^dc [gdb hZgk^XZ# GZfj^gZ i]Vi Vcn XdchigjXi^dc egd_ZXi ÐcVcXZY Wn [ZYZgVa dg hiViZ ]^hidg^X iVm XgZY^ih heZX^[n V WZcX]bVg` d[ kZiZgVc"dlcZY XdcigVXidg ^cXajh^dc# Create state and local veterans’ preference laws for all levels of government hiring VcY XdcigVXi^c\# FjVa^[n Vaa VXi^kZ Yjin! <jVgY! GZhZgkZ VcY gZXZcian hZeVgViZY hZgk^XZ bZbWZgh VcY i]Z^g [Vb^a^Zh [dg ^c"hiViZ gZh^YZcXn gViZh id Vaa ejWa^X jc^kZgh^i^Zh#
NEEDS OF VETERANS’ FAMILIES :hiVWa^h] V K6 e^adi egd\gVb id VhhZhh i]Z [ZVh^W^a^in d[ egdk^Y^c\ X]^aYXVgZ hjWh^Y^Zh id kZiZgVch hd i]Vi i]Zn bVn VXXZhh Veegdeg^ViZ bZciVa ]ZVai] XVgZ hZgk^XZh# Properly implement and evaluate the ongoing effectiveness of the Caregivers and KZiZgVch Dbc^Wjh =ZVai] HZgk^XZh 6Xi d[ '%&%#
CONCLUSION 7i W Yekdjho WdZ Wi _dZ_l_ZkWb ijWj[i WdZ Yecckd_j_[i" m[ cWa[ W i_]d_ÑYWdj investment in our servicemembers. We train them to excel under extreme pressure, to show leadership, to value service and to protect one another and our country. Understanding the challenges and concerns that New York veterans face when they come home can help state and local policy makers and community leaders make smart choices about how to ensure that this investment continues to pay dividends once servicemembers return home. If we act now and continue to invest in New York’s newest veterans, we can ensure that these veterans become New York’s Next Greatest Generation.
ENDNOTES IZggn A# HX]Zaa VcY IZgg^ IVc^Za^Vc! :Yh#! Ä6 CZZYh 6hhZhhbZci d[ CZl Ndg` HiViZ KZiZgVch/ ;^cVa GZedgi id i]Z CZl Ndg` HiViZ =ZVai] ;djcYVi^dc!Å G6C9! '%&&! e# (./ ]iie/$$lll#gVcY#dg\$ejWh$iZX]c^XVaTgZedgih$IG.'%#]iba ii IZgg^ IVc^Za^Vc VcY A^hV =# ?VnXdm! :Yh#! Ä>ck^h^WaZ LdjcYh d[ LVg/ EhnX]dad\^XVa VcY 8d\c^i^kZ >c_jg^Zh! I]Z^g 8dchZfjZcXZh! VcY HZgk^XZh id 6hh^hi GZXdkZgn!Å G6C9! '%%-! e# .+/ ]iie/$$lll#gVcY#dg\$ejWh$bdcd\gVe]h$B<,'%#]iba iii D[ÐXZ d[ EjWa^X =ZVai] VcY :ck^gdcbZciVa =VoVgYh! KZiZgVch =ZVai] 6Yb^c^higVi^dc! 9ZeVgibZci d[ KZiZgVch 6[[V^gh# Ä6cVanh^h d[ K6 =ZVai] 8VgZ Ji^a^oVi^dc Vbdc\ DeZgVi^dc :cYjg^c\ ;gZZYdb D:; ! DeZgVi^dc >gVf^ ;gZZYdb D>; ! VcY DeZgVi^dc CZl 9Vlc DC9 KZiZgVch!Å LVh]^c\idc! 98# 6eg^a '%&&# iv IVc^Za^Vc VcY ?VnXdm e# &%) v 7jgZVj d[ AVWdg HiVi^hi^Xh! Ä :beadnbZci H^ijVi^dc d[ KZiZgVch "" '%&%!Å BVgX] &&! '%&&/ ] i i e / $$ Wah#\dk$cZlh#gZaZVhZ$kZi#]ib# vi >W^Y# vii >W^Y# i
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NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS 292 MADISON AVENUE, 10TH FLOOR NEW YORK, NY 10017 P: 212-982-9699 F: 212-982-8645
WASHINGTON, D.C. OFFICE 777 N. CAPITOL NE, SUITE 403 WASHINGTON, D.C., 20002 P: 202-544-7692 F: 202-544-7694