Parenting for Service Members and Veterans A Web Based Self-Help Course www.veteranparenting.org / www.militaryparenting.org Parenting2Go Mobile Application Peter Shore, Psy.D. Director of Telehealth, VISN 20 Department of Veterans Affairs National Research Summit on Reserve Component Military Families Innovative Approaches to Reaching Families: Successful Programs and Strategies April 26, 2013 University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
DoD/VA Integrated Mental Health Strategy (IMHS) Mission: The Departments will advance an integrated and coordinated public health model to improve the access, quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of mental health services for all Active Duty Service members, National Guard and Reserve members, Veterans, and their families. 28 Strategic Actions (SAs) that fall under four strategic goals: Expand access to behavioral health care in DoD and VA Ensure quality and continuity of care across the Departments Advance care through community partnership, education and successful public communication Promote resilience and build better behavioral health care systems for tomorrow Current: Year 3 of IMHS, report progress on bi-monthly basis to the Health Executive Council (HEC) and the Joint Executive Council (JEC)
Strategic Action 20 & 21 Strategic Action 20: Web-Based Self-Help Strategies Strategic Action 21: Access to Web Technology Advisory work group, focus groups (Active Duty and Veteran cohort), environmental scan Two topics emerged: Problem Solving Training and Parenting Parenting: Two Volume, 6 Module online course: Parenting for Service Members and Veterans Mobile Ap: Parenting2Go
Parenting for Service Members and Veterans www.veteranparenting.org / www.militaryparenting.org Release Date: October 1, 2013 Free online course providing Military and Veteran parents with tools to help them reconnect with their families and build closer relationships with their children. Using stories from real Veteran and Military families, videos, interactive activities and original curriculum developed by leading experts and is informed from best practices and/or EBPs. Helps parents learn how to address both everyday parenting problems and family issues unique to their military experience.
Meet the families Edwin and his family Sergeant Major in the Army who was deployed three times: Desert Storm for 7 months, Operation Iraqi Freedom 15 months, Operation Enduring Freedom for 14 months. He and his wife Cynthia have been married for twentyseven years and have three daughters: 21, 19, and 15. Matt and his family E6 with the Army Corps of Engineers in Afghanistan from 2008-2009. Been home for four years. He and his wife Crystal have been married for fourteen years and have two daughters together: 13 and 9. Matt's 18 year old son, from a previous marriage, moved back home with his dad and Crystal six months after Matt returned from deployment.
Volume I: Building Strong Relationships 1. Back into the Family Managing Your Expectations Anticipating Your Child s Reactions Reestablishing Your Parental Role 2. Promoting Positive Parent-Child Communication Recognize What You Bring to the Table Apply Communication Strategies Talk About Your Military Services 3. Helping Your Child with Difficult Emotions & Behaviors The Impact of Your Emotions Manage Your Own Emotions Understand Your Child's Behavior Help Your Child Cope Getting Help
Volume II: Personal Challenges 4. Positive Approach to Discipline Overcome disciplinary challenges What is a Positive Approach? Effective Discipline Strategies 5. Managing Stress Calm Parenting vs. Reactive Parenting Managing Parental Stress Identifying & Talking About Your Feelings Replacing Negative Thoughts with Positive Ones 6. PTS and other Challenges Visible and invisible combat injuries Children s reactions to parental injury How might your injuries impact parenting? Talking to your Children Helping your Family Strong 7
Work in progress Key Features of course: On -screen content, curriculum developed by committee informed by best practices and/or EBPs Videos from Service Member and his family Videos from Veteran and his family Interactive exercises Tip sheets Resource section
Parenting2Go Executive Summary version of online course. Switching Gears Parenting Coach Stop & Slow Down Get Support Say Something Positive
Parenting Coach
Dissemination Strategy Social Media Military installations, Military websites Vet Centers, VA Medical Centers, Various VA outlets, Academic settings Where would you like it to go? 12
The Team Project Lead /Committee Chair: Peter Shore, Psy.D. DoD Lead: Pam Murphy, Psy.D. Lead Instructional Designer: Wen Pin (Kevin) Lai Curriculum Authors (alphabetically): Marc Atkins, Ph.D., Stephen Cozza, M.D., John Curry, Ph.D., Ellen Devoe, Ph.D., Ruth Paris, Ph.D., Abigail Ross, MSW, MPH, Michelle Sherman, Ph.D., Shelley Tom, Ph.D., Susan van Ost, Ph.D.. Committee Members / Contributing Authors: Marc Atkins, Ph.D., Margaret Campbell-Kotler, MPH, RN, John Curry, Ph.D., Sharfun Ghaus, MBBS (MD), Shirley Glynn, Ph.D., Carolyn Greene, Ph.D., Kacie Kelly, MHS, Susan McCutcheon, RN, Ed.D, Pam Murphy, Psy.D., Ruth Paris, Ph.D., Steven Sayers, Ph.D., Michelle Sherman, Ph.D., Peter Shore, Psy.D., Tracey Smith, Ph.D., Shelley Tom, Ph.D., Ken Weingardt, Ph.D..
Thank you for your attention. Peter Shore, Psy.D. Director of Telehealth, VISN 20 Department of Veterans Affairs (503) 220-8262 ext. 57077 peter.shore@va.gov Course email: parenting@va.gov