As the suburban Johnstown-based Pennsylvania Disabled Veterans Rehabilitation/Vocational Retraining Project enters its third year, Tom Caulfield, director of Veteran Community Initiatives, believes the program is growing in influence.
“I think we’re really starting to make an impact,” said Caulfield, who is coordinator of the rehabilitation/vocational retraining project.
The project is sponsored by VCI and Hiram G. Andrews Center, both at 727 Goucher St. in Upper Yoder Township, and the University of Pittsburgh’s Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology.
The purpose of the project is to provide physiological, psychological, vocational and employment assistance to veterans of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
Enduring Freedom is the designation given to U.S. operations in Afghanistan and surrounding regions.
Caulfield said that PDVR/VRP has been working with providers of treatment for soldiers suffering from Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), plans to reinstate veterans rap sessions and is considering extending its readjustment counseling efforts.
He said an increased emphasis is being placed on issues and needs relating to families of those in the military and those who have returned home.
He noted that the Cambria-Somerset region is home to many men and women who are members of Reserve and National Guard units as well as active duty personnel.
“We want to put more emphasis on family assistance issues,” Caulfield said.
He said the family support structure is the single most important ingredient for returning veterans and their reintegration back into the community.
Family members need to understand that their returning veteran will have a new perspective on many issues because of their experiences in the Middle East, Caulfield said, emphasizing he was not speaking negatively.
Many times, a veteran will need “space” to deal with those new issues, he said.
Family support is expected to be emphasized at this year’s community response symposium that the project will sponsor at Hiram G. Andrews Center, Caulfield said.
It will be the organization’s third annual symposium focusing on the needs of service members returning from Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
The symposiums are aimed at not only military personnel, but vocational-rehabilitation professionals, medical and mental-health practitioners, employers, educators, community leaders, law-enforcement officials and others interested in the needs of returning veterans.
While the date for the 2008 symposium has not been set, a June date is being eyed, Caulfield said.
In addition to significantly strengthening support for veterans’ families, emphasis will be placed on treatment for PTSD and traumatic brain injury.
Local News
Returning vets symposium planned
- Local News
-
-
Johnstown man charged with giving fatal Methadone dose to girlfriend
A Johnstown area man has been charged in the death of his girlfriend, who died in August from an illicit drug that he allegedly gave to her while she was a patient at Indiana Regional Medical Center.
-
Somerset County teacher accused of using insulting names
School board members and administrators say they’re still investigating whether a teacher called her eighth- and ninth-grade algebra students names like “retard,” “idiot” and “moron.”
-
Seward tax preparer set to plead in federal court
A Westmoreland County tax preparer is scheduled to plead guilty or no contest to charges that he filed fraudulent income tax returns for his customers and asked some of them to lie to Internal Revenue Service investigators.
-
Blogging with heart
Anyone else have this issue: The more I know, the more I want to learn.
As I am writing my heart month stories for this week’s packages, I occasionally come across a term or description unfamiliar to me. So I look it up. And then the definition or article has something else that sounds important, so I look that up. -
Police probing financial irregularities at Indiana County parish
State police say they’re investigating financial “irregularities” at a Catholic parish with five worship sites in Indiana County, after the local diocese reported the problems to police.
-
Video: Young bear, wolf play together
It’s like something out of a children's book: A bear cub meets a wolf cub and they become the best of friends. Even though they are different species and ferocious predators, the unlikely couple stays pals for life.
-
Two Cambria district judge offices to be cut
Two of Cambria County’s 10 magisterial districts could be eliminated as President Judge Timothy Creany looks at realigning boundaries to cut costs while taking into consideration caseloads of the district judges and population changes.
-
Westmont couple inseparable, even in death
People who knew James and Marjorie Landis of Westmont said the two were nearly always together.
-
Company buys valuables from people ready to unload
Jan Hagerich’s buffalo nickel was “healthy” – which was unhealthy for her finances.
-
Special Olympics return to region
More than 300 athletes eager to show off their skills, along with 135 coaches, will be coming to the region to take part in the 2012 Special Olympics Pennsylvania Winter Games.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Johnstown man charged with giving fatal Methadone dose to girlfriend
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
