The transition to civilian life can be difficult for many Veterans. It’s even more challenging for those with PTSD. More than 60% of Veterans entering specialized PTSD programs are unemployed, which can negatively impact financial security, community reintegration and quality of life.
But thanks to an innovative “pay-for-success” program, 100 Veterans with PTSD have now found meaningful employment in New York City, Boston and Central Western Massachusetts. The renewed status and sense of identity that comes with being employed and making meaningful contributions at home and in society can reduce the stigma of disability–and lower symptoms of PTSD.
CARE
The program, called Veterans Coordinated Approach to Recovery and Employment (CARE), provides individual placement and support services for service members and Veterans with PTSD.
Once a Veteran is accepted into the program, an employment specialist works with them to find competitive employment that aligns with their skills, abilities and preferences. The employment specialist also provides follow-up support services through an integrated treatment team to help the Veteran sustain employment.
This approach, called Individual Placement and Support, has been rigorously evaluated in more than 25 randomized control trials and has consistently shown better results than standard vocational rehabilitation approaches.
Public/Private partnership
Veterans CARE is the first ever VA “pay for success” project and works by leveraging private capital to scale evidence-based supported employment services.
The model enables federal, state, and local governments to partner with high-quality service providers by tapping into private investments to expand effective programs.
The program was launched in 2018 between VA, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the City of Boston, New York City partners and Social Finance, a national nonprofit organization and leader in the “pay for success” funding model.
Dr. Lori Davis, at the Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center, is overseeing and monitoring the program. “The Veterans CARE project will take our work from the research arena into real-world settings where we plan to achieve the highest level of impact of IPS at full scale,” said Dr. Davis. “Sustained meaningful work is a key part of the recovery plan for Veterans living with PTSD.”
For more information about the Veterans CARE project, visit http://socialfinance.org/focus-areas/workforce/veterans-care-project/.
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Yes, it is hard to believe that all my time spend In the Army was a great start for me. I did three tours of duty and now after ending time in service it’s a new day, I have been able to graduate with a Bachelor’s degree and have not been able to utilize my customer service skills and worldly abilities to get customer service job, so I am committed to getting a job at my local Va. At age 62 life is focused and ready for the task of serving our area veterans. Sergeant Sonja
I am a vet with PTSD and have a BSCS degree that cannot keep a full time job. Is there anyone willing to hire someone like me (I am willing to relocate to to the job – as long as it is at sea level for health reasons). I can give more information if you need, upon request, just ask me.
My son has owned a mechanic shop for 2 years now in the Sacramento area and could use a good mechanic. I’m sure there are some Veteran that enjoys being a mechanic. Does the VA ever even really search businesses in the Sacramento area to see if there a match for Veterans who wants to work. Rather it be a mechanic shop etc….
How many unemployed veterans with PTSD are there from the NYC area to the Boston area are there in total? This article may have been good news for that very small fraction of veterans but it is just that, a very small fraction of veterans with PTSD in the northeast. It won’t seem to me that if the Veterans Administration was serious in the slightest they would methodically begin removing all VA employees who do not legibly speak English and are not a veteran of the United States armed forces.
Bulsht!
Yep, were just targets for those who arent affected. Anyone else out there want to use a vet to get recognized for helping vets?.. Bulsht! If you really wanted to help PTSD vets, you have a place set up for them to go die in peace. Give me morphine and a 21 gun salute. Then I can forget.
To Whom It May Concern:
Does the CARE Program also apply to veterans that are retired (but still seeking employment) that have non-service connected PTSD with Chronic depression??? I have been working with Michigan Rehabilitation Services and Michigan Works! in seeking employment from Oct. 2018 to Jan. 2020 and had only 3 interviews. Presently, have given up hope and my only source of income is Social Security. My daughter is a single parent and having a very difficult financial time. That’s the main reason for re-entering the work force. Have been unemployed since 2002. I had an emotional meltdown back then and ended up living at the Grand Rapids Veterans Home for almost 2 1/2 years. Since then my recovery has been a very slow process from being on several different types of antidepressants and loads of psychotherapy. … Never thought that my working career would be over at the age of 51 with 7 to 8 years of college academia under my belt (changed majors 3 times so as not to ‘rock the boat’ while raising a family with 3 daughters).
Despite my mental affliction, I’m in pretty good physical shape. When I re-enter the workforce, I do not plan on retiring anytime soon. Hopefully, I would like to see my 4 yr. old, blue eyed, long red haired granddaughter graduate from high school and if the Good Lord permits thru college. That would truly be a Blessing from Man in Charge Upstairs.
This CARE Project is a great idea especially for the current military veterans. Just hope that a portion of the program could be extended to older veterans. I served in the USAF from 05/1968 to 05/1972. Sadly, I lost 3 classmates during the Vietnam Conflict. Still think of them today. … They were good friends. … …
Will be patiently waiting for your response. Hopefully, a positive one.
Sincerely,
Robert J. Firlit