As we look directly into the face of racism and inequality in America we must also continue to be vigilant against the scourge of COVID-19. This quarter has been challenging in many ways, from what might feel like battling an unseen viral enemy to perhaps many uncomfortable yet necessary conversations. Veterans and families may currently be prone to employment and financial challenges, as well as challenges to our social fabric and behavioral health and wellness in the form of loss of social support systems and the inability to meet in-person. Schooling and childcare have also been interrupted. Throughout all of this, the good news is that we have support and that we continue to have each other. In an uncertain time we can still find that much growth and connection are possible.
During this time I’ve been continuing to work to support and assist Veterans and families both in my professional capacity as the Executive Director of the UCLA/VA Veteran Family Wellness Center (VFWC) and personally as the 2nd Vice Chair of Ronald Reagan Palisades Post 283, an LA County Veterans Advisory Commissioner and as the Access & Engagement Co-Chair of the Los Angeles Veterans Collaborative. I’ve been directly coordinating with the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System and other community veteran service organizations (including the American Legion and VFW posts, Merging Vets and Players, the Los Angeles County Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, and The Mayor’s Office of Veterans Affairs to name just a few) in support of immediate and future needs.
The UCLA/VA Veteran Family Wellness Center (VFWC) that I direct is fully operational virtually, offering resources (including these sheets), referrals and resilience-based wellness tools including workshops to Veterans and families of all ages regardless of service era, VA benefits, or discharge status. The VFWC has been assisting in the stand-up of the new LA County Department of Mental Health’s Veteran Peer Access Network (VPAN) via training Veteran and family peers in Psychological First Aid (PFA), including educating on the potential for effects of current circumstances on Veterans and families. The VPAN is currently accepting referrals online and via phone for Peer Support services, and for their new “Support After Service Warmline” (a non-emergency call line designed to support during this challenging time). Please see below for those links.
Additionally, I’ve had the opportunity to participate in community webinars and panels designed to educate and advocate around Veteran and family issues. These have included presentations for Veterans In Media and Entertainment and the WeRise and 320 mental health festivals. The VFWC has been moving forward with key support programming to include a Veteran Family Peer Navigator (VFPN) model and a transition-resilience model called Transition, Engagement and Mentoring (TEAM). The VFWC recently hosted a webinar – Caring for Yourself and Others During Challenging Times (here are the links)
– https://drive.google.com/file/d/16l6-2YR8lE8nYiNAMZawHAN8NDy7CxTz/view
– https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EVZi_D-pEoMr2pYp9v20mRdfeySPSIlY/view
Wellbeing & Resilience Resources
- – LA County Veteran Peer Access Network (VPAN) Referral Link (refer a veteran/family member to a DMH peer!)
- – UCLA/VA Veteran Family Wellness Center (VFWC)
- – Just Ask, Be There, Connect: Layperson prevention slides with LA County emergency and behavioral health support numbers
- – Navigating Uncertainty handout
Racial Trauma Informational Resources
- – We are Living in a Racist Pandemic (American Psychological Association)
- – Your Black Colleagues May Look Like They’re Okay – Chances are They’re Not
- – Affirming Black Lives Without Inducing Trauma
Resources for Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) to Engage in Self-Care
- – Surviving & Resisting Hate: A Toolkit for People of Color
- – Self-Care Tips for Black People Who Are Struggling with this Very Painful W
- – Self-Care for People of Color after Psychological Trauma
Additional Resources for Racial Trauma
News
- – LAist West LA VA CTRS Feature
- – VA 3 Phase Approach to Returning to Pre-COVID Operations plan
- – County-wide Survey Regarding Effects of COVID-19 on Veteran-Serving Organizations (including funding needs)
- – California Community Colleges Women Veterans Experiences Survey Outcomes Report
Foundational Guidance Regarding Effects of COVID-19 on Veterans & Families
- – Impacts of COVID-19 on Mental Health Care for Veterans: Improvise, Adapt, Overcome
- – Bob Woodruff Foundation White Paper
Financial Resources
- – Village for Vets Post 283 Temporary Financial Assistance
American Legion Post 283 Supports Financial Assistance Fund – Recognizing that our Veterans and their families may find themselves in need, the Post has supported an emergency needs fund administered by Village for Vets. Veterans may apply for up to $1,200 in funding based upon demonstrated need. For more information please visit villageforvets.org
Nutrition Resources
Employment Resources
- – America’s Job Centers of California (Employer and Worker Resources)
- – LA County Employer and Worker Help Center
Author: Tess Banko
Tess Banko, MSW/MPA, is Executive Director of UCLA’s first of it's kind partnered Veteran Family Wellness Center (VFWC) aboard the West Los Angeles VA campus. For appointments call (310) 478-3711 x 42793. Tess is also a Marine Corps veteran and an active member of American Legion Ronald Reagan-Palisades Post 283.
