<p> The purpose of this project was to write a grant to fund a program that utilizes technology to enhance evidence-based treatment for Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) combat veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI). Technology in this case includes the portable technology of laptop computers, tablet computers, MP3 players, and/or smartphones. The target population in the project was the veterans of The Pathway Home, a residential treatment program for OIF/OEF veterans with PTSD. The Pathway Home serves a racially, educationally, and socioeconomically diverse population of male combat veterans of these recent conflicts. A search for funders included consultation with experts as well as Internet database searches. Ultimately, funding was pursued through an unsolicited invitation to a grant application from the Newman's Own Foundation. It was not required to submit this grant application, or secure funding, for successful completion of this project.</p>

<p> The purpose of this thesis and the overall goal of this grant is to offer support to a community-based hospice agency by creating a position for a veterans' health consultant. The consultant will train staff to the unique care needs of veterans at the end of life by using the National Hospice-Veteran Partnership model from wehonorveterans.org. Upon the completion of an extensive literature review, this writer wrote a grant proposal for Wisteria Hospice, a local community-based hospice agency located in the City of Long Beach. After conducting a thorough funding search, the Archstone Foundation was chosen as the most compatible funding source. This funding source was selected as this foundation provides funds for professional education and training, focusing on end of life care. The actual submission of this grant for funding was not required for successful completion of this project.</p>

<p> The purpose of this project was to write a grant to create a workshop for service providers who work with veterans who suffer from complex trauma post-traumatic stress disorder (CT-PTSD) and locate a funding source. Since 2001, there has been an expansion as veterans have left the military. An issue facing veterans is how complex trauma interacts with PTSD. The agency chosen for the workshop is Veterans First in Santa Ana. The funding source is the Wounded Warrior Project. The project was designed to measure the skills and knowledge of service providers working with CT-PTSD. The workshop utilized pre and post surveys to monitor workshop effectiveness, provider understanding, and knowledge implementation. Currently, CT-PTSD is an under developed diagnosis that it is not recognized in the latest version of the DSM-5. With the help of workshops such as this, it is hoped that this will become a recognized veteran issue. Keywords: Veteran, Complex, PTSD, Grant Actual submission of and/or funding of the grant proposal was not required for successful completion of this project.</p>

<p> Veterans returning from the recent Middle East wars report struggling with a variety of transition issues related to wartime experiences and due to the socialization they received as part of their indoctrination into military life. Many veterans experience practical and emotional adjustment challenges related to experiences common to military personnel regardless of combat exposure that may not appear for months or years after separating from the military. </p><p> Much of the existing research has focused on quantitative measures of veterans&rsquo; transition. There is a need for a greater qualitative research focus on understanding the subjective experience of coming home and what strategies veterans are using to support their return to civilian life. This study explored how veterans&rsquo; experience the return to civilian life with the goal of identifying components of an optimal transition. </p><p> Using qualitative methodology, forty veterans were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. A phenomenological orientation guided the study emphasizing the lived experience of the participants. Thematic analysis of the study data was used to identify patterns and emergent themes. Social identity theory and attachment theory were used as the framework for understanding the persistent power of indoctrination into military identity and attachment to one&rsquo;s comrades as both a source of significant loss and a potential asset to be utilized in facilitating the transition to post-military life. Using the transition criteria in the Military to Civilian Questionnaire (Sayer, et al 2011), study participants were divided into three groups based on level of functioning at the time of the interview. </p><p> The findings suggest that veterans who experience the most successful transition have connected to community providing social support and created new meaning and mission for their lives. The best functioning veterans were able to access an array of coping skills allowing them to process emotions and engage in the tasks of creating a meaningful civilian life. The study proposes a model for assessing veterans leading to a continuum of care. The study findings have important implications for collaborative programs and policy and the social work profession. Recommendations for future research are included.</p><p>

<p> The purpose of this project was to design a program, identify potential funding sources, and write a grant to fund a support group for spouses and partners of returning veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The diagnosis of PTSD is difficult for the individual and his or her loved ones as well. An extensive literature review increased the knowledge of PTSD and its affects on the veteran and his or her loved ones. A search was conducted for potential funding sources via the Internet, CSULB library, and other public libraries. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSA) was selected as the best funding source for this project. Information is provided about practices that assist spouses and/or partners of individuals diagnosed with PTSD, which were used in the program design. The actual submission and/or funding of this grant was not a requirement for the successful completion of this project.</p>

<p> The purpose of this project was to write a grant proposal seeking funds for a program that utilizes service dogs as a supplementary intervention for veterans diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The literature review addressed the prevalence of PTSD in the United States and among our veterans. In addition, PTSD challenges, risk factors, and direct consequences were explored. Pet therapy, service animals, and animal companionship were researched and reviewed to further analyze the effectiveness of their support with humans. </p><p> The service dog program will be implemented at The Veterans Affair (VA) Health Care System in Long Beach, California. The program seeks to provide additional support to veterans who are utilizing mental health services at the VA. The intervention is projected to have the following outcomes, decreased PTSD symptoms, increased community integration, and decreased feelings of suicidal ideation. The actual submission and/or funding of this grant were not a requirement for the successful completion of this project.</p>

<p> The purpose of this project was to design a 2-year program aimed at addressing the mental health needs of veterans transitioning from deployments in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom to civilian life. The program will address prodromal symptoms of psychosis. With the prevalence of psychotic features in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, the veteran population is particularly at risk. The program will offer individual and group therapies to assist in symptom management and will utilize case management supportive services to assist in addressing additional needs that the participants may have that hinder help seeking activities, such as housing and substance abuse referrals. The National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health was selected as the funding source for this grant. The actual submission and/or funding of this grant were not a requirement for the successful completion of this project.</p>

<p> This thesis investigated the relationship between social support and current life satisfaction in combat theatre veterans aged 50 and older. This study addressed a lack of research-based literature on this topic. The participants of this study (<i>n</i>=31) served in active duty in a theatre of war. Social support was measured using a researcher constructed questionnaire, The Veterans Perceived Social Support Questionnaire. Life Satisfaction was measured using Diener's (1985) Satisfaction with Life Scale. No significant relationship was found between social support and life satisfaction for this group. However, veterans who engaged in social activities a few times per month or more frequently reported higher current life satisfaction, than those who endorsed very minimal social activity.</p><p> Gerontologists can use this information to educate facilitators of veterans' groups about how to increase the frequency of social activities, which could lead to an increase in life satisfaction.</p>