Challenge
Since 2001, more than 2.6 million American Service Members have deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2010, Congress passed the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act to help the expanding population of post-9/11 Veterans reintegrating into their communities. With the added challenges of complex physical injuries, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) affecting reentry into civilian life, the act also established the National Veterans Caregiver Training Program (NVCTP) to aid the growing number of caregivers facing limited resources and lack of training.
Solution
Atlas Research and Easter Seals teamed to develop and implement comprehensive training to comply with VA's charge of providing better support for Veterans and their caregivers. Atlas assembled a team of experienced managers, trainers, and health care professionals to design and carry out training to increase caregiver capacity and competency. The NVCTP team develops curriculum, oversees webinars, and facilitates classroom learning. To reach learners across the country and facilitate completion, the training is offered in three modes: self-study (workbook/CD/DVD), a web-based learning management system, and classroom instruction. The high-quality, easily-accessible program teaches home care principles, safety, wellness and prevention, legal and financial matters, and self-care. The course has also been translated into Spanish.
Result
Since the NVCTP began in 2011, Atlas and contract partner organizations have trained and certified over 36,000 caregivers of post-9/11 Veterans. Caregivers gain skill sets in direct care, behavior management, and action steps, and learn to promote wellness for Veterans, family members, and themselves. Atlas and Easter Seals launched an additional Veteran caregiver training program in 2013 with a new curriculum, expanding the learning opportunities to caregivers of Veterans of all eras. The sessions will cover self-care, technology, communication and problem solving, and stress management. To date, more than 4,250 caregivers have been trained using the new curriculum.