Condolences, Learn Tai Chi, Holiday Break & 2013 VUB Modules

Condolences: Our hearts go out to the grieving families in Newtown, CT, and those touched across the nation.  Military families also deal with the hardship of having to explain sad events to their children; we can join together to help each other through the difficult times.
• Here are two good parenting sites that address those difficult topics: http://childdevelopmentinfo.com/parenting/talk-to-kids-violence.shtml or http://www.timetotalk.org/military/
• Here is a useful guide for parents or caregivers to help children process traumatic events: http://www.aboutourkids.org/articles/helping_children_feel_safe
• Please see the VA’s National Center for PTSD for valuable tips on how to recognize and treat children’s PTSD at: http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/pages/ptsd-children-adolescents.asp

Over the holiday break, learn something new!  Tai Chi is an ancient practice with reported health benefits including improving flexibility, reducing pain, and relaxation/stress management.  If you are interested in learning more about Tai Chi, here is an informative website: http://www.taichichih.org/ Tai Chi classes are available at many community recreation centers and community colleges (like Yavapai College) as well as spas and studios – so there are lots of ways to learn.

Northern Arizona Veterans Upward Bound and Yavapai College will be closed for the holiday break beginning 12/19/12 and will reopen on 1/2/13.  Please use our blog, Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/NAZVUB), and YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/user/YCVUB) to search for any resources over the break – and give us suggestions on what resources you find useful.  We’ll resume registering for our Spring modules that begin on January 14, as soon as we return.  We wish you restful and healthy holidays and a fulfilling new year.

HirePurpose, Family History, Criminalizing Suicide

The Video of the Week highlights HirePurpose, a website that helps veterans match their military experience with civilian careers: http://youtu.be/kFLa8C4gaOA  Connect with this free resource for veterans at: http://www.hirepurpo.se/ to do career assessments, see exclusive job postings, and re-purpose your resume.

Family history is a great discussion topic for the holidays; see this article for some great ideas of how to keep your family memories alive: http://www.aplaceformom.com/blog/preserve-your-family

Food for thought: An article on one blog about military suicide was thought-provoking.  The article, by psychiatrist and veteran, Dr. Daniel Amen, asks whether criminalizing suicide will reduce suicide attempts or discourage some from asking for help.  Dr. Amen’s blog also deals with a lot of research on brain injury, ADHD, and other interesting topics, and he has a free newsletter.  Read the article for yourself (and comment, if you choose) at: http://www.amenclinics.com/?p=6317&option

PAVE your Employment Pathway, Insomnia Alternative Treatments, Health Insurance

The Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) has initiated a new effort to help disabled veterans become successfully employed through PAVE: http://youtu.be/LXc0KX9h2aY

See the article for more information about Paving Access for Veterans Employment at: www.operationpave.org

Do you suffer from insomnia?  Here’s an article from a military aggregator about using Reiki, a form of energy work sometimes used in combination with massage, to help with PTSD and insomnia: http://reikiinmedicine.org/clinical-practice/reiki-military-ptsd/  You can find a reputable practitioner in your area, or you can learn Reiki and practice it on yourself at home.  Other do-at-home options for insomnia include meditation, yoga, and other exercises that help with your beneficial hormones like endorphins and serotonin – you can find instruction/examples on YouTube.  Talk to your healthcare provider about your best options to help you get a good night's sleep.  Here’s one example of a free ‘Sleep Talkdown’ video (don’t listen to this while driving!): http://youtu.be/8TDcGYmEgyM

 

Recently discharged veterans can obtain healthcare through the VA, but many don’t, and remain uninsured.  See this website: http://www.va.gov/healthbenefits/ and this article for more information on how to get connected: http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/news/uninsured-rate-hi

Suicide Prevention, Healthy Ideas, Finance Resolutions

Today’s Video entreats us all to leave no one behind: http://youtu.be/UfwL7livod4

Military suicide rates have been making news for a while now, and there are many resources, but there is also dangerous misinformation out there.  Did you know that the rates quoted only include certain types of military suicides, actual veteran suicide rates are much higher, as many as 18 per day?  Did you know that most veteran suicides are not by those with combat experience?  Military/veteran suicides are still lower than the civilian rate, but the gap is narrowing; and if combat is not the reason underlying them, they are not likely to decrease when war ends.  Important facts are included in this article, and may help you save a life: http://www.rollcall.com/news/rise_of_military_suicides_driven

Holidays are sometimes more stressful for people, and the fewer hours of daylight can be hard for some of us to deal with also.  If you want to jump start your healthy habits, here’s a free online magazine with helpful ideas: http://experiencelife.com/

Another reason for holiday blues is the annual post-holiday realization that you’ve spent more than you wanted.  To help get your budget in shape or repair your credit, see this article from military.com at: http://www.military.com/money/personal-finance/credit-debt

Save a Life, Tinnitus, PTSD, Paying for College

This is an interesting experience, more than a Video of the Week, because it is interactive.  If you choose the wrong action in this ‘Save A Life’ simulator, the patient dies: http://www.heartrescuenow.com/  If you didn’t do very well, CPR and AED classes are offered in most communities through hospitals, Red Cross, and fire departments, and also through Yavapai College.

The most common disability among veterans is tinnitus, a persistent or intermittent inner sound often due to ear damage – it is also diagnosed in 10% of the general population.  Tinnitus affects not only hearing, but sleep, concentration, mental and physical health, and a host of other activities of daily life.  For more information on tinnitus and treatments, see: http://www.va.gov/health/NewsFeatures/20110524a.asp and the helpful links at: http://www.ncrar.research.va.gov/ForVets/TinnitusSites.asp

PTSD News: Did you know that female veterans may be twice as likely to suffer from PTSD as their male counterparts?  A new study suggests different brain/learning paths between the genders may be the reason, see the article at: http://www.sfgate.com/health/article/PTSD-s-effect-on-female-vet The increase in PTSD diagnoses has prompted multiple new studies, attempting to deal with both the causes and potential treatments. Gender is an additional factor in the disease process and symptoms, though both genders of veterans report similar initial denial of their PTSD issues, and avoidance of treatment for fear of appearing weak.  The connection between PTSD and homelessness of veterans is discussed in this sobering article: http://www.salon.com/2012/12/04/majority_of_homeless

Not sure what your next steps should be for your education?  Which school might be the best value for you?  The Consumer Finance Protection Bureau has a site to help you compare net costs of various colleges at: http://www.consumerfinance.gov/paying-for-college/  A good precaution is to avoid student loans as much as possible, and apply for federal financial aid, GI Bill, and scholarships first.  Also consider student employment, federal or VA work study, or part-time employment that will work with your school schedule.  Some employers still offer educational benefits, and if you are a displaced or unemployed veteran, there are programs through DES and the VA that might assist you also.

Job Resources & Tips, VVA, SVA

Correction/Update – the Red Cross is now coordinating the holiday card distribution for recovering soldiers at:
Holiday Mail for Heroes
PO Box 5456
Capital Heights, MD
20791-5456

The Video of the Week is about VetNet: http://youtu.be/k0BJMj5ZNzQ
Veteran job search networks are popping up everywhere, so check out the Google+ VetNet at: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+VetNetBasic/posts There are virtual and live chat events, workshops about resume writing and how to translate your military specialties into civilian language, and more.  The VFW sponsors this site: www.vetjobs.com, which has helpful mini-tutorials on how to find a job, job fairs and job listings, and a secure place to post your resume.  Here’s a professional networking site, dedicated to active duty and soon-to-transition military members: https://www.rallypoint.com/

Veterans interested in careers in Information Technology may be interested in this article about SAP training: http://www.sap.com/corporate-en/sustainability/corporate-social-responsibility/veterans.epx

If you aren’t comfortable with a computer, consider taking the VUB free modules to help you increase your confidence in your computer abilities.  Over 80% of jobs today require some computer experience, and job searches and applications are much easier if you know how to navigate the web.  See more about VUB eligibility at www.yc.edu/vub or call 928-717-7686.

If you are searching for a job, and prefer an in-person approach, here are some local community resources you might find useful:
*Goodwill Industries at Mingus/Main in Cottonwood has a Job Connection program that will help you with your resume, cover letter, interviewing skills and more.  Goodwill also has two locations in Prescott on Lee Blvd and on Iron Springs Rd. (and many more throughout AZ.)  They also have a Job Club with a free lunch – call 634-1397 to reserve your spot.
*DES (at Main/Cherry St. in Cottonwood) has weekly job skills workshops on Fridays from 10-11:00 through Lillian Kessel, topic is resumes and cover letters; you can reserve your spot at 928-634-3337.  Similar services are available at Prescott and Prescott Valley DES offices.  Lillian's EOC program is a sister to VUB, helping people with financial aid applications; she meets with students in the Verde Valley and Prescott/Prescott Valley areas.  Call 634-6569 for an appointment.
*Don’t forget networking to help you locate job possibilities; whether that is a veteran-serving organization, social services, friends/family, or clubs/interest groups.  Volunteering and job shadowing also have great value in helping you decide on a new career or connecting with others who may know of job opportunities.

December Dates: In addition to those commonly remembered, like Pearl Harbor Day (12/7), another military date to note is the National Guard’s 376th Birthday (yes, like the Navy, the National Guard pre-dates the establishment of the USA because it was created in colonial times on 12/13/1636!)

More choices of Veterans’ organizations – If you are a Vietnam era veteran, here is another site/organization for your review – see if it fits your needs: http://vva.org/

If you’re already a student veteran, the national conference for SVA is in Orlando, FL on Jan 3-6th.  VA Director Shineski will be a featured speaker at this networking event; for more information, see: http://www.studentveterans.org/?page=2013NatCon

Coming Home, Finding your Place, Home Protection

Joyful homecomings video - just in time for the holidays: http://youtu.be/pXsYe_q89Qg

Comfort Cards: When filling out your Christmas cards this year, take a card and send to this address – say something encouraging to someone who has given so much already, and is far from home this holiday:
A Recovering American Soldier
c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue
NW Washington, DC 20307-5001

The importance of finding your place: There are many veterans’ organizations, serving a variety of purposes, and each with their own appeal.  Several veterans have mentioned that they didn’t feel comfortable with the veterans’ organizations that they had a choice of joining in their towns.  Many people are familiar with the American Legion (http://www.legion.org/) or the VFW (http://vfw.org/) but sometimes, OIF/OEF veterans prefer the tone and activities of the IAVA (Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans of America), which has web-based resources/social networking.  Choose whichever associations provide you with the camaraderie and activities you enjoy; if you are/or plan to be a student, don’t forget to join your local Student Veterans Association also.

Highlight on IAVA: PSA what is IAVA: http://youtu.be/dcirQxfp3j8
You can find out more about IAVA at www.iava.org and consider joining or becoming a supporter.  From their website: “Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) is the nation’s first and largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to improving the lives of our newest veterans and their families. Through innovative health, education, employment and community programs, IAVA strives to build an empowered generation of veterans who provide sustainable leadership for our country and their local communities. IAVA was recently awarded the highest rating - 4 stars - from Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent charity evaluator. Learn more, get involved and join the over 200,000 Member Veterans and Civilian Supporters now at www.IAVA.org.”

Here’s a helpful video about recent problems with banks ignoring rules regarding foreclosure proceedings for deployed or recently returning soldiers.  Foreclosure protections for military/veterans: http://youtu.be/norr2MQVtik