Homefront
Vol 2, Issue 2
February 2012
Welcome!
In This Issue
Waking Up from the Nightmares
Research shows that almost 45 percent of returning
veterans will have experienced traumatic events
potentially causing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
(PTSD) or other psychological disorders such as
depression. Large numbers also suffer from Traumatic
Brain Injury (TBI). Left untreated these invisible wounds
can have devastating impact on the lives of those
suffering in silence, their families, and their
communities.
CSC's response is to establish a community system of
holistic support to veterans and their families that is
focused on mental health and substance abuse needs,
and extends to primary health care, employment,
housing and education. Specifically, work will be
directed towards;
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Say Hello
Free Training
Making Connections
Quick Link
New to VA
Federal Benefits for Veterans,
Dependents and Survivors:
2011 Edition
National Center of PTSD
Expanding identification of and outreach to
veterans and families,
Enhancing coordination of services for veterans
and families,
Improving mental health treatment and increased
access to Veterans Treatment Court,
Reducing homelessness among veterans,
Broader community engagement and awareness
of PTSD and traumatic brain injury, and
Coordinating state leadership and stronger
national policy support.
Evidence-Based Treatment for Traumatic Nightmares: Exposure,
Rescripting, Relaxation Therapy
Dr. Joanne Davis presented at the February Veterans meeting about her work
regarding nightmares and PTSD:
Nightmares leading to sleep disturbance are common for patients with PTSD, and
often remain as residual symptoms of PTSD after pharmacotherapy and trauma
focused psychotherapies,( i.e., Prolonged Exposure, Cognitive Processing
Therapy) (Zayfert, 2004; Spoormaker, 2008). Joanne Davis developed Exposure,
Rescripting, and Relaxation Therapy (Davis, 2009) to specifically address trauma
based nightmares. Three randomized controlled studies have demonstrated the
efficacy of the ERRT method and it is being used to successfully treat both civilian
and military patients with trauma nightmares. The ERRT method includes daily
monitoring of basic sleep hygiene practices as well as progressive muscle
relaxation exercises. These behavioral skills are combined with written exposure to
the nightmare content and the identification and rescripting of patients' most
distressing nightmares during treatment sessions. The nightmare rescripting
content is based on the introduction of common psychological themes that are
typically linked to thoughts and beliefs generated after a trauma experiences. This
thematic content is utilized to inform the rewriting of nightmares such that the
patient can practice the rescripted dream content and practice relaxation exercises
to enhance self efficacy around re-experienced trauma events during sleep. The
presentation provided a basic overview of the development of the treatment and
results of a recent study conducted with veterans in the Tulsa area.
New Director at the Jack C. Montgomery Veterans Affairs Medical
Center
Mr. James Floyd was named as the new director of the Jack C. Montgomery
Veterans Affairs Medical Center. He is scheduled to present to the Veterans
Initiative Advisory Board at our April 12th meeting.
James R. Floyd, MPA, FACHE
Mr. James R. Floyd was appointed Medical Center Director,
Jack C. Montgomery VAMC in Muskogee, Oklahoma effective
January 17, 2012.
From October 2008 to January 2012, Mr. Floyd served as the
VISN 15 Network Director (VA Heartland Network). Mr. Floyd
administered health care services to veterans from seven
medical centers on nine campuses, and more than forty-seven
Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC) in Kansas,
Missouri, southern Illinois, Indiana and northwest Kentucky.
Mr. Floyd is a graduate of 2009 class of the Department of Veterans, Affairs
Executive fellows Program. Mr. Floyd is also a 2009 Recipient of the coveted
federal Presidential Rank Award for outstanding career achievements for
leadership in health care. In 2008 he was appointed by the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs to serve as a member of the Veterans Rural Health Advisory Committee.
The Association of Military Surgeons of the United States presented him the Ray E.
Brown Award, in 2008 for his advocacy in federal healthcare leadership.
James Floyd was originally appointed within the VA as the Director of the VA Salt
Lake City Health Care System in 1997. In 2004 he was recognized with the Under
Secretary for Health's Diversity Award Winner for his work in establishing
innovative outreach and treatment programs to Native American Veterans, and in
2002 he received the VA Secretary's Medal for Meritorious Service for exceptional
performance in coordinating federal agencies' medical and security support for the
2002 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Prior to working in the Department of Veterans Affairs, Mr. Floyd served in the U.S.
Public Health Service, Indian Health Service, for more than ten years. During that
time, he served as the Director, Portland Area Indian Health Service, from 1992 to
1997, directing the management of federal health care facilities in the states of
Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, and assisting tribal governments in the
development of community-based health care programs. During his tenure in the
Indian Health Service, he served a special assignment in the U.S. Senate
Committee on Indian Affairs developing legislative authority for Native American
health care programs.
Mr. Floyd's health care career began with the Muscogee (Creek) Nation of
Oklahoma in 1978 where he served as the Director of Community Services. In that
capacity, he designed and established the first tribal owned and operated health
care system in the United States consisting of a 39-bed community hospital and
four outpatient health clinics.
Mr. Floyd is a Creek and Cherokee Indian and a member of the Muscogee (Creek)
Nation. James is Board Certified by the American College of Healthcare
Executives, holds a Master's Degree in Public Administration/Health
Administration, and a post-graduate Certificate in Managed Care Administration.
Free Online Training
Free online training is available sponsored by the Red Sox Foundation,
Massachusetts General Hospital and the VA's National Center for PTSD. The
training series begins February 23 and will continue every Thursday for 14 weeks
(sessions archived online). The training will help you:
Diagnose and treat PTSD and TBI with traditional and complementary
evidence-based therapy.
Recognize and address emotional stresses in spouses, parents and children
of veterans with PTSD or TBI.
Support the needs of military families.
Register
Agency Liaison Pilot Moving Forward
Eleven individuals have been identified to serve as Agency Liaisons. These
individuals will be available to assist service members, veterans, and their family
members seeking services at their respective organizations. Additionally the
Liaison will be available to their co-workers serving those with a military
background who may need further information and resources. A half-day training
has been scheduled for February 24 from 8:30 to Noon at the Community Service
Council. The training will provide further information about the Liaison functions,
introduction to military culture and benefits. Thanks to Wendy Nix and Craig
Prosser with the Oklahoma National Guard Family Programs for their willingness to
provide this training.
If you would like your agency to participate in this pilot program contact Colleen
Ayres-Griffin at cag@csctulsa.org or 918-699-4244.
Disclaimer
Links to non-Federal and Federal organizations are provided solely as a service to our
users. These links do not constitute an endorsement of these organizations or their
programs by the Community Service Council of Greater Tulsa or the Federal Government,
and none should be inferred. The Community Service Council is not responsible for the
content of the individual organization Web pages found at these links.
Until next time...
Sincerely,
Colleen Ayres-Griffin
Veterans Initiative
Community Service Council | 16 East 16th Street, Suite 202 | Tulsa | OK | 74119