Resources for Wounded Service Members and Their Families
Wounded Service Members
Our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines are returning everyday from deployment in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Yet, many of them are not returning to their duty assignments, instead, they are recovering at various Military Treatment Facilities (MTFs) because of injuries they sustained in the Global War on Terror.
> Read CAP's WSM Brochure (PDF)
CAP is committed to providing assistive technology and support to returning wounded service members. Accommodations are available for wounded service members with vision or hearing loss, upper extremity amputees as well as persons with communication and other disabilities to access the computer and telecommunication environment. CAP is available to provide accommodations to service members in the following phases:
Phase 1: Recovery and Rehabilitation
CAP has been working closely with key staff at MTFs to provide information and assistive technology to wounded service members and their families. By working directly with staff in the intensive care units, physical and occupational therapist, audiologist and ophthalmologist, we can begin to introduce service members to assistive technology and accommodation support, reducing frustration and providing encouragement. One example of this technology is an augmentative communication device which enables easy communication between the patient and medical staff as well as family members.
Phase 2: Transition
In our efforts to ensure a smooth transition from patient to independent living, CAP is working to integrate assistive technologies into housing facilities and employment training centers at the MTFs to support the reemployment process. This technology includes alternative pointing devices, assistive listening devices, voice recognition software and Closed Circuit Televisions. The technology is being introduced to wounded services members to use at their living quarters, allowing them to email family and friends, improve their quality of care and begin the process of finding employment opportunities.
Phase 3: Employment
CAP is working with the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of Veterans' Affairs to assist in the "reemployment process." If a service member remains on active duty or becomes a civilian within DoD or another Federal agency, CAP can provide the work related accommodation to the agency free of charge for internship and/or permanent employment.
The CAP staff is dedicated to ensuring all resources and assistive devices are available to assist our nation's service members in their rehabilitation process, successful treatment outcomes and future employment opportunities. For more information, contact Megan DuLaney at 703-998-0800 x27 (Voice), 703-681-0881 (TTY), or megan.dulaney.ctr@tma.osd.mil.
Wounded Service Members Newsletter
Be the first to know what CAP is doing to support wounded service member. The wounded service member Newsletter is a quarterly publication that we send directly to your e-mail inbox. Choose to receive a graphic or a text-only newsletter. To subscribe, click here.
Military Severely Injured Center
Military Severely Injured Center: 24/7 Family Support: 1-888-774-1361: www.military.com/support. A comprehensive career services website that includes employment information for wounded service members and veterans. Among the information and services provided:
- A "Wounded Veteran Job Search" database
- A listing of "Veteran-Friendly" Employers
- A "Tool Box" which includes a Skills Translator, Resume Builder, and Salary Calculator
- Various links to other Veteran Resources
- Articles and information regarding career events, transitional services, etc.
The DoD Military Severely Injured Center is sponsoring Operation Warfighter (OWF), a temporary assignment program for members of the Military Services who are undergoing treatment or rehabilitation at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. The purpose of this program is to provide Service Members with meaningful activity outside of the hospital environment and to offer them a formal means of transition back into the workforce. > Read about the Operation Warfighter program (PDF)
Seamless Transition
www.seamlesstransition.va.gov/
REALifelines
www.dol.gov/vets/programs/Real-life/main.htm
Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration (DOLETA)
The Employment and Training Administration (ETA) administers Federal government job training and worker dislocation programs, Federal grants to states for public employment service programs, and unemployment insurance benefits. > Department of Labor, Employment and Training
U.S. Army Wounded Warrior Program
On April 30, 2004, the Army introduced the DS3 initiative to provide its severely disabled soldiers and their families with a system of advocacy and follow-up with personal support to assist them as they transition from military service to the civilian community. On Nov. 10, 2005, the Disabled Soldier Support System (DS3) officially became the U.S. Army Wounded Warrior Program (AW2). > Visit the U.S. Army Wounded Warrior Program (AW2)
Marine For Life
The mission is to provide transition assistance to Marines who honorably leave active service and return to civilian life and to support injured Marines and their families. M4L offers help for wounded marines while they are waiting to return to service, in addition to supporting marines and their families during the transition process to civilian employment. > Visit the Marine For Life website
