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Through a variety of events each month, the SMVF TA Center promotes increased awareness of resources and promising, best, and evidence-based practices to strengthen SMVF behavioral health care systems. Some events are geared towards the general public, while others are closed events for specific initiatives and audiences. Session information can be found below.
For questions related to upcoming TA events, please email [email protected].
May
Time: 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. ET
Community of Practice (CoP) meetings are designed to strengthen technical assistance support for Governor’s and Mayor’s Challenge workgroup leaders and members. CoPs meet monthly to (1) Increase knowledge about suicide prevention best practices related to each specific priority area, (2) Facilitate team-to-team sharing of insights and suicide prevention strategies, and (3) Inspire practice improvement ideas and innovations across teams.
Topic: Faith-based Partnerships
Presenter: Conrad Washington, USMC (ret), M.Div., M.A., Director, VA Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships
Intended Audience: Governor’s and Mayor’s Challenge team members
Time: 2 – 3:30 p.m. ET
The 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (PDF | 2.3 MB) revealed that 1.2 million adolescents aged 12-17 had were reported to have a substance use disorder (SUD). This is a concerning number that we must consider as we look to support children of those who served or are serving. The Military Child Education Coalition (PDF | 163 KB) reports there are almost 2 million children of service members in active duty, National Guard and Reserves. Additionally, it is estimated that 2 million children and youth are of post 9/11 Veterans. These children have added stressors due to the service requirements of their parent or caretaker that put them more at risk. This learning community will focus on the behavioral health needs of military-affiliated children, underscore the importance of understanding risk protective factors, illustrate ways to support through community efforts and provide tools and resources to navigate the myriad of supports available.
The learning community will meet monthly beginning in March 2024 via Zoom. Each session will feature both expert presentations and group discussions.
Session 3: SAFE Project | SAFE Veterans
Presenters:
- Kelly Niedzwiecki, M.M.A.S., Senior Director, SAFE Veterans
- Leslie Plaia, M.Ed., Executive Director, Substance Use and Behavioral Health
Intended Audience: Open to anyone who wants to learn about preventing substance use disorders among military youth.
Time: 2 – 3 p.m. ET
*Registration Limited* This event is limited to current Governor’s Challenge and Mayor’s Challenge team members. To request to be added to the distribution list for this event, please email [email protected].
Team leader calls are designed to provide technical assistance support specifically for team leaders of the Governor’s and Mayor’s Challenges through a monthly 1-hour virtual meeting.
Topic: COMPACT Act
Intended Audience: Governor’s and Mayor’s Challenge team leaders
Time: 2 – 3:30 p.m. ET
American Indian and Alaska Native populations have an exemplary tradition of military service and sacrifice, serving at one of the highest rates per capita of any ethnic group. American Indian and Alaska Native Veterans are disproportionately impacted by suicide. A culturally centered comprehensive public health approach is needed to incorporate, respect, and elevate Indigenous Knowledge and build on the strengths of Service Members, Veterans, Families (SMVF), and their communities.
This webinar learning series will provide participants with an opportunity to –
- Celebrate the legacy of service and sacrifice of American Indian and Alaska Native SMVF,
- Discover approaches to engage tribal communities and provide culturally centered suicide prevention support, and
- Elevate the strength of traditions and cultural practices in healing.
Webinar 1: A Culture and Legacy of Service
Presenters:
- Gregorio Kishketon, D.Ph. (Tribal Elder with the Water Clan – Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma), Program Analyst, Center for Minority Veterans, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- Scott Barton (Mashantucket Pequot/Mohawk), Director of Tribal Initiatives, Suicide Prevention Resource Center, University of Oklahoma
Intended Audience: This event is open to the public
June
Time: 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. ET
Community of Practice (CoP) meetings are designed to strengthen technical assistance support for Governor’s and Mayor’s Challenge workgroup leaders and members. CoPs meet monthly to (1) Increase knowledge about suicide prevention best practices related to each specific priority area, (2) Facilitate team-to-team sharing of insights and suicide prevention strategies, and (3) Inspire practice improvement ideas and innovations across teams.
Topic: Quarterly Regional Breakouts
Intended Audience: Governor’s and Mayor’s Challenge team members
Time: 2 - 3 p.m. ET
*Registration Limited* This event is limited to current Governor’s Challenge and Mayor’s Challenge team members. To request to be added to the distribution list for this event, please email [email protected].
Team leader calls are designed to provide technical assistance support specifically for team leaders of the Governor’s and Mayor’s Challenges through a monthly 1-hour virtual meeting.
Topic: Supporting Each Other as Leaders Small Group Discussion
Intended Audience: Governor’s and Mayor’s Challenge team leaders
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Past Events
April
Time: 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. ET
Community of Practice (CoP) meetings are designed to strengthen technical assistance support for Governor’s and Mayor’s Challenge workgroup leaders and members. CoPs meet monthly to (1) Increase knowledge about suicide prevention best practices related to each specific priority area, (2) Facilitate team-to-team sharing of insights and suicide prevention strategies, and (3) Inspire practice improvement ideas and innovations across teams.
Topic: Strengthening Community Partnerships
Presenter: Kristina Clark, President and Founder, KM Consulting Group
Intended Audience: Governor’s and Mayor’s Challenge team members
Time: 12:30 – 2 p.m. ET
Join us for an informative webinar on the critical issue of intimate partner violence (IPV) within the Service members, Veterans, and their families (SMVF) community. As highlighted by the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) report, Intimate Partner Violence—A Risk Factor for Suicide Among Veterans (PDF | 847 KB), IPV is a significant concern for women Veterans and service members. Regardless of their rural or urban dwelling status, they face higher rates of IPV experiences than their civilian counterparts. However, IPV is not confined to women alone. It can affect anyone, irrespective of their gender or sexual orientation.
IPV is not just a risk factor for suicide, but also a gateway to a host of physical, mental, and social health problems. These include post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety disorders, substance misuse, financial difficulties, and homelessness.
In this webinar, we bring together experts from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the RAND Corporation, and VA to shed light on the implications of IPV. Attendees will gain an overview of IPV, including the latest data and research findings. We will delve into a recent study by RAND that focused on enhancing support for women Veterans.
Additionally, we will discuss federal initiatives related to IPV. Attendees will hear about the release of the first-ever U.S. National Plan to End Gender-Based Violence: Strategies for Action (PDF | 1.6 MB) and SAMHSA’s related efforts. Moreover, there will be an opportunity to become familiar with VA’s IPV Assistance Program (IPVAP), including proactive measures taken by VA to assist SMVF affected by IPV.
We will explore how we can collectively support those who have been impacted by IPV. Following the presentations, we will open the floor for questions, providing you with the opportunity to engage directly with the subject-matter experts. Join us as we strive to increase understanding of IPV and strengthen access to resources for those impacted by IPV within the SMVF community.
Intended Audience: This event is open to the public.
Time: 2 – 3:30 p.m. ET
The 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (PDF | 2.3 MB) revealed that 1.2 million adolescents aged 12-17 were reported to have a substance use disorder (SUD). This is a concerning number that we must consider as we look to support children of those who served or are serving. The Military Child Education Coalition (PDF | 163 KB) reports there are almost 2 million children of service members in active duty, National Guard and Reserves. Additionally, it is estimated that 2 million children and youth are of post 9/11 Veterans. These children have added stressors due to the service requirements of their parent or caretaker that put them more at risk. This learning community will focus on the behavioral health needs of military-affiliated children, underscore the importance of understanding risk protective factors, illustrate ways to support through community efforts and provide tools and resources to navigate the myriad of supports available.
The learning community will meet monthly beginning in March 2024 via Zoom. Each session will feature both expert presentations and group discussions.
Session 2: SAMHSA’s Talk They Hear You Resource for Military Families
Presenter: Robert M. Vincent M.S.Ed. | Associate Administrator for Alcohol Prevention and Treatment Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Intended Audience: Open to anyone who wants to learn about preventing substance use disorders among military youth.