Area 31 Military Support

Purple Star Military Heroes

Area 31 Purple Star School: Annual Plan

Area 31 Career Center is proud to honor America’s military service members and their families. We believe that sacrifices made in the name of freedom and democracy serve as the foundation of our great nation, and we seek to recognize the contributions of our nation’s heroes. If you are a veteran, active duty service member, or an immediate family member of either, then please feel encouraged to connect with an Area 31 Military Point of Contact (POC):

Area 31 Career Center works with branches of the U.S. Military to spread awareness of service opportunities. Representatives from partnering organizations participate in job fairs, partnership celebrations, guest teaching, and other special events throughout each year.

Area 31 Career Center is a public educational institution and an equal opportunity employer. Additionally, job applicants with military service as well as immediate family members, who meet minimum qualifications for job openings, will be guaranteed a job interview.

Purple Star School Designation

Additional Resources for Military Veterans and Families

GI Bill for a Coding Bootcamp
Since it was established in 1944, the GI Bill has provided over $400 billion in funding to over 25 million United States veterans and their families, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).  Additionally, since 2009, the Post-9/11 GI Bill has provided more than $12 billion in funding to veterans and their families, the U.S. Department of Defense reports. This money has helped veterans fund their education in order to prepare for new career opportunities following their military service.

Veterans and Families Foundation
The Foundation is a national 501 © (3) non-profit, “a community service and support organization, founded and directed by Veterans, parents, grandparents, family members, employers, mental health professionals, academics, philanthropists and community leaders.” The site contains a multitude of useful resources, including links to videos, books and articles, an edited blog for returning veterans, and other useful resources.

Department of Veterans Affairs
National Center for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

National Mental Health America
This website, with resources for returning veterans to help facilitate a healthy and happy reunion with their families and friends, has sections on homecoming, coping with war, and coping with loss. It includes a page that outlines signs that it is time to seek help, such as long bouts of depression, frequent bouts of anxiety or panic, flashbacks and frequent nightmares, domestic violence/abuse, and past mental health problems or past trauma.

PBS – Bill Moyers Journal
This site offers resources for veterans, including articles from Army Times, Washington Post, NPR, and CNN. It includes links to The Soldier’s Heart (video), interviews on stigma as a barrier to accessing mental health services, and more.

SAMHSA
Stigma in the Military: Strategies for Reducing Stigma Among Veterans and Active Duty Personnel.
This site provides a training summary with information on the training’s goals and presenters, and how to obtain materials. The goals are to “provide information on the anti-stigma component of the U.S. Air Force’s suicide prevention program, to discuss stigma reduction efforts within the Veteran’s Administration, and to discuss the value of increasing peer support program efforts.” For an archived recording of the training teleconference and presentation materials please contact the ADS Center at promoteacceptance@samhsa.hhs.gov or (800) 540-0320.

SAMHSA National Mental Health Information Center
Major Depression in Children and Adolescents: describes depression and its signs, identifies types of help available, and suggests what parents or other caregivers can do.

Mental Health, Substance Abuse, Treatment, Recovery
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

SAMHSA Resources for returning veterans and their families, including resources to help them find mental health and substance abuse services. The site includes webcasts and conferences; resources for military families coping with trauma; information on mental health transformation trends; and statistics.

National Coalition of Homeless Veterans
Resources online for returning veterans and their families; resources for all homeless veterans, including employment assistance, support for service providers, publications, policy and legislation, VA Grant and per diem profiles, and annual conference.

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) – Veterans Suicide Prevention Hotline
1-800-273-TALK. Veterans press 1. This is “a national suicide prevention hotline to ensure veterans in emotional crisis have free, 24/7 access to trained counselors. To operate the Veterans Hotline, the VA partnered with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Veterans can call the Lifeline number, 1-800-273-TALK (8255), and press “1” to be routed to the Veterans Suicide Prevention Hotline.”

Department of Defense – Military One Source.com
This 14/7 Resource for military members, spouses and families includes sections for each branch of the military, including the National Guard, their families, and service providers.

Indiana Department of Veteran’s Affairs – Military Family Relief Fund
The Military Family Relief Fund provides emergency assistance to help cover expenses up to $5,000 for such needs as food, medical supplies, transportation, and other family costs associated with deployment.

How to Start a Small Business
This is a Veteran’s SMB Guide with Tools and Financial Resources.

Veterans of Foreign Wars – VFW Department in Indiana
Veterans of Foreign Wars Department in Indiana. Includes multimedia (photos and videos), veterans resources (IN VA hospitals, IN Veterans Affairs, Veterans Law Project, Veterans News), veterans coalitions (American Legion, AmVets, Disabled American Veterans; Paralyzed Veterans of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars),

This information was prepared for the DMHA Addiction Advisory Council and State Cultural Competency Workgroup by Barbara Seitz de Martinez, Deputy Director, Indiana Prevention Resource Center (July 2009).