MILITARY SUPPORT PROGRAM – CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION SERVICES

The following text is provided by the Military Support Program at DMHAS.

Background

Military personnel and their families often experience adjustment issues at distinct phases related to deployment. These problems may occur during the alert, mobilization, and deployment phase, or upon return to civilian life. These military personnel may experience transitory adjustment problems or more serious problems such as a result of combat experiences. At the same time, families are dealing with the stressors inherent with impending or actual deployment.

In response to the needs of Reserve Component military personnel and their families, the Connecticut General Assembly developed legislation in statute in Sec.17a-453d designed to support these individuals. The Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) has collaborated with the Office of the Governor, Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs (CTDVA), and the Connecticut Military Department (CTMD) to develop the Military Support Program (MSP) that will address a range of problems facing Reserve Component military personnel and their families as they prepare for deployment or return to civilian life.

Program Services

Confidential, transitional services will be offered statewide to currently Connecticut Reserve Component military personnel and their families who are preparing for possible or actual deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF), or those military personnel who have recently returned from deployment. The program will offer solution-focused support and counseling referrals. More specifically, the MSP will have the following components:

Support services will be available statewide through a provider network of specially trained clinicians when services are unavailable or not covered by insurance through the Department of Defense or Veterans’ systems. These services will include counseling for post-traumatic stress issues and family counseling and transitional support. Connecticut’s Reserve military personnel and their family members will be eligible for services.

The counseling services will be managed through an Administrative Service Organization (ASO). Determination of service eligibility, screening for needed clinical or support services, and linkage to appropriate mental health or addiction services will be coordinated through this unit. Recipients may also be referred for follow-up to DMHAS providers or VA providers as needed.

This transitional support model would include informal meetings with military personnel and/or their families who request this service. For instance, this support may involve help on “single parenting” or “the transition home” for troops and their families. These supports might be helpful for Reserve Component military personnel who are not part of formal support groups.

An oversight unit at DMHAS will work with the Administrative Service Organization (ASO) to oversee the triage, referral, and supports for military personnel and their families. This unit will include two DMHAS staff and one ASO staff person. This unit will serve as the direct link to the CTMD Family Support Program (FSP), Family Readiness Groups (FRG’s) associated with any Connecticut-based Guard/Reserve units, and CT Division of Veteran Affairs and Federal Veteran’s Administration services. Each Reserve and National Guard unit will have a designated staff person from the oversight unit as a liaison.

Access:

The toll-free number to access services for the MSP is 1-866-251-2913, ask for Veterans Services.

Web site: www.ct.gov/msp

How does this program meet the needs of the Troops and their families?

1. Emotional needs of the military personnel and their families: the pre-deployment, being away at war and coming home are all stressful events for the troops and their families. The experiences of stress, anxiety, and fear can take it toll. The needs of the troops and families often manifest months after one of these events.
2. Concerns about confidentiality: troops or their families may be wary of seeking help if they think it will affect their military career. This service information will be kept separate from the VA and military systems.
3. Not knowing where to turn: troops and family members may not know what is available or how to navigate the system. The MSP will have linkages with the Connecticut Department of Veteran Affairs and their Office of Advocacy and Assistance to ensure coordination of benefits and necessary services. Connections with the Federal VA health network in the state have also been established through this unit.
4. Ambivalence about seeking services: individuals may feel more comfortable talking with a supportive person in a non-clinical forum as a bridge to obtain services. The MSP “Community Clinician” staff provides problem solving intervention.
5. Getting lost in the systems: Individuals may need advocacy to obtain their necessary services. The MSP will have relationships with different providers and systems to advocate for the troops and their families. Our job will be, with their permission, to follow up to ensure their needs were met.
6. Systems of Care may appear faceless and impersonal: The MSP will imbed Community Clinicians with the Family Readiness Groups (of the National Guard) to give a real person whom they can turn to when they are ready.
7. Specialized care for troops and their families: Support services will be available statewide through a provider network of specially trained clinicians when services are unavailable or not covered by insurance through the Department of Defense or Veterans’ systems. These services will include counseling for post-deployment stress issues, family counseling and transitional support.
8. Insurance Coverage: The MSP is a transitional service and will operate as the payor of last resort. Whenever there is insurance coverage available, MSP staff will assist the individual to maximize this coverage for their needs. We will endeavor to get individuals and family members help in a timely fashion.
   

SOURCE: Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services
POSTED BY: 211/tb
CONTENT REVIEWED: May2013