Training Description:
This yearlong series of presentations is presented by and in association with Journey Mental Health Center and the Madison Veteran's Administration (VA). The training courses are free and open to community members. Please RSVP using the form below to gain access to the Zoom link for each session. This training is not eligible for CE credits.
Venue: All trainings will take place on Zoom
Time: 9:00 to 10:00 AM CST
Cost per Session: FREE
Click HERE to Register for Session 1
Training Information:
Session 1: Veterans, Families, Caregivers, and Survivors - The Road Ahead - Friday, April 18, 2025
Description: This session will set the stage by providing demographics for the subject population (national and specific to Wisconsin), with a brief discussion of VA and well known research institute (e.g.; RAND Epstein Family Veterans Policy Research Institute, Purdue University's Military Families Research Institute, Syracuse University's Institute for Veterans and Military Families) projections on what we can expect to see in health, mental health, and caregiver trends for current generation combat and combat support Veterans, and their families, caregivers, and survivors, over the next 40-50 years. The importance of intake screening and cultural competence in treating this population will be discussed, with a brief overview of challenges Veterans and families may face in transitioning from active duty service to community reintegration. Outcomes when these challenges are not addressed, ranging from domestic violence, incarceration, unemployment, and homelessness, to suicide, will be discussed bearing in mind that topic "deep dives" are reserved for future presenters. Attendees will be equipped with well-vetted resource and further education information for review and use in working with this population, and to help in facilitating appropriate referrals.
Objectives:
- Explain the importance of intake screening and cultural competence when working with the Veteran population and their families.
- Examine the challenges Veterans and their families face when reintegrating back to the community.
- Determine what resources would be helpful when working with Veterans and their families.
Presenter: Connie Walker, MSEd., CAPT, U.S. Navy (Ret.) - Veteran and Family Advocate
Connie's advocacy on behalf of Veterans, families, caregivers, and survivors focuses on increasing and enhancing federal, state, and community partnerships to address cultural competency and access-to-care challenges facing this special population. She resides in Madison and is the primary caregiver for her son, a disabled Veteran of the Iraq war.
Click HERE to Register for Session 1
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Interested in More? Check out more in this series:
- Session 2: Veterans in the Legal System
- Date: Friday, May 16, 2025
- Presenters: Richard Harris, CAPSW, MSW, WCBTP, WCPS & Edward Zapala, LCSW
- Session 3: Overview of the VA Homeless Program
- Date: Friday, June 13, 2025
- Presenter: Nancy Vue, LSCW - Coordinated Entry Specialist, VA Homeless Program
- Session 4: Let’s Talk about Firearms: Improving Lethal Means Safety Discussions Through Improved Self-Knowledge
- Date: Friday, September 12, 2025
- Presenters: Andrea Bailey: LCSW, Madison VA Suicide Prevention Program Supervisor, Kati Beck: Madison VA Community Engagement and Partnerships Coordinator, & Jade Goodhue: USCCA Instructor, American Legion Commander for Lyons, WI and Marine Corp Veteran
- Session 5: Veteran's Mental Health and Case Management
- Date: Friday, October 10, 2025
- Presenter: Calvin Stammer
- Session 6: Moral Injury
- Date: Friday, December 12, 2025
- Presenter: Victoria Fishel, D.Min, C.S.D, BCC-CLA
