Peace Center is an initiative that will provide fast, easy, and free access to confidential treatment for veterans and their loved ones who suffer from PTSD and related issues.
Peace Centers will be operated independently from the Veterans Administration but will seek to complement medical and psychiatric treatments currently provided by the VA to veterans.
Our objective is not to create a new 501(c) 3, with additional overhead, etc. Rather, Peace Centers will ideally be imbedded in other human services non-profit organizations that already have certified and trained professionals on staff (e.g. Licensed Mental Health Professionals or LMHPs) to administer treatment and which have the facilities to accommodate additional clients. (Peace Center is currently developing a pilot program to be administred by the YWCA of Omaha.)
Peace Center's primary role will be to a) identify and formalize best practices b) coordinate imbedding Peace Centers into existing human services related non-profits and c) raise funds for the above through the 501(c) 3 tax exempt status of Peace Center's non-profit partners.
Peace Center will not apply for 501(c)3 status. Contributions will be made to "Omaha Community Foundation" and will enjoy tax deductible status as is appropriate to the donor. Funds may only be directed by Peace Center through its OCF account to accounts of other non-profit, tax-exempt partner organizations.
According to the Report of the President's Commission on Care for America's Returning Wounded Warriors (RPC). published in July 2007, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) of varying degrees of severity affects 12 to 20 percent of returnees from Iraq and 6 to 11 percent of returnees from Afghanistan. To date, 52,375 returnees have been seen in the VA for PTSD symptoms, according to the RPC.
Recent GAO projections suggest PTSD may be under-reported by as much as 60% because soldiers are concerned that a PTSD diagnosis may limit or even end their military careers.
According to the RPC (p. 18). "... the larger problem may be cultural, not clinical. Many service members believe it unmilitary or a sign of weakness to betray the symptoms of psychological distress. As recently as last month [June 2007] DoD Mental Health Task Force concluded that the stigma attached to mental health problems remains pervasive."
PTSD may also be under-reported because symptoms are often not experienced until some months after veterans return home and the elation of homecoming has subsided.
In addition, According to a recent GAO report, there currently are over 378,000 pending VA disability claims, including 83,000 that have been waiting an average of 177 days or more.
This problem is compounded by staff shortages. Again according to the RPC, "The military's laudable efforts to prevent mental health problems and identify symptoms more quickly have severely stretched its already thin mental health program staff. Multiple deployments have increased the rate at which mental health professionals are leaving military service. Hospitals located in geographically isolated or less ‘desirable' areas report great difficulty in recruiting civilian staff."
The VA announced plans to train case managers and psychiatric nurses about PTSD and traumatic brain injury (TBI) but only 6 of the 32 Warrior Transition Units have completed training for all staff as of this writing.
There is a host of behavioral/cognitive treatment options, when used individually and in combination, which can offer positive results for PTSD sufferers.
Although Peace Center is currently identifying and evaluating a complete list of best practice options, there are several techniques that appear to be effective: DBT, EMDR, EFT, meditation, and most especially vet-to-vet and family-to-family support groups.
Therapies of this type -- "self-help" techniques that can be used by vets and their families immediately and over time-- offer several benefits.
First, these techniques can be taught and/or administered by non-MDs who are certified and specially trained, but who represent significantly less cost. This enables faster and wider deployment of treatment outlets.
Second, although pharmacological treatment may be an important facet of recovery, the techniques offered by Peace Center can augment and enhance the effectiveness of medications and other psychotherapy.
Peace Centers can be located in inexpensive store fronts or on the premises of a supporting agency. Ideally, Peace Centers would be conveniently located on bus lines and in proximity to Veterans Administration hospitals.
The basic requirements are meeting rooms for informal conversations, a kitchen, and meeting rooms to be used for PTSD classes, individual counseling, Alcoholics Anonymous/Narcotics Anonymous/Cocaine Anonymous meetings, financial education classes as well as vet-to-vet and family member-to-family member support and education groups.
Classes and therapy sessions will be conducted by a LMHP, or similarly certified and credentialed staff, who has been trained in therapies including DBT, EMDR and others as identified by best practice research.
Peace Center facilities are intentionally designed to be very cost-effectively operated so they can be quickly deployed nationwide.
Ideally, Peace Centers will be imbedded in another human services charity.
By operating within the facilities of partner organizations and by offering programs administered by partner agency professionals, we estimate that annual costs will include a portion of each LMHP's salary and a fair share of rent for use of the facilities (e.g. meeting rooms, class rooms, etc.).
Initially, Peace Center is attempting to raise $100,000 to fund its pilot program which will include comprehensive outcomes analysis by an expert third party. It is anticipated that after a successful pilot program, Peace Centers can be operated for significantly less money.
Income will be generated to a small degree by voluntary membership fees but primarily by one or two major fundraising events per year.
Each Peace Center will be administered by a local board of directors whose primary responsibility will be fundraising. A national Peace Center board of advisors will oversee each local "home" to ensure that the principles of operation are adhered to.
Our group includes experts in military trauma treatment, including psychologists, MSW's and MD's, as well as Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, family members of veterans, and a diverse group of concerned citizens.
To get involved contact:
Scott Anderson
info@peacecenterusa.org
402.630.8998
To make a tax deductible donation please send check or money order to-
Omaha Community Foundation
Fund D08002
302 S 36th St #100
Omaha, NE 68131
Please note "Fund D08002" on the memo section of your check.
or, to make a credit card donation please call the Omaha Community Foundation directly at-
(402) 342-3458
For more information regarding the Omaha Community Foundation visit
www.omahafoundation.org
Stay up to date with the Peace Center
Join the newsletter
Past Newsletters