Operation H.U.M.V.E.E (Helping Understand Men & Women Veterans Entering Into Education)

1. Operation H.U.M.V.E.E(Helping Understand Men & Women Veterans Entering Into Education) "Pain is temporary, pride is forever"

2. Why Did I Feel This Was Important on Our Campus? • Multiple Perspectives Conference • Military Credentials on Campus • Helping Students in Need

3. Troop Statisticsfrom the Department of Defense • Approximately 1.8 million troops • 36,000 U.S. troops “wounded-in-action” • Another 43,000 U.S. troops have “non-hostile injuries” (accidents, illnesses, mental breakdowns)

4. How does this apply to UNOH • UNOH is a nationally recognized Yellow Ribbon School • UNOH is also recognized as a Military Friendly School for 2011 by G.I. Jobs • Expecting a 30% jump in Wounded Warriors on campuses across the country • Since August 2009 over 500,000 service members have enrolled in school under the GI Bill across the country

5. Current UNOH Statistics • 186 Veterans on campus • 22 students taking VC courses • 6 students currently deployed

6. Who are Wounded Warriors? • 12-16% are females • 84-88% are males • 24 – average age of a wounded warrior • Often a more mature group of students who need refresher courses and help advocating for themselves

7. Types of Injuries • Visible injuries – spinal cord injuries, amputees, disfigurements, etc. • Invisible injuries – Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): The focus of today’s presentation

8. Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) “An anxiety disorder resulting from exposure to an experience involving direct or indirect threat of serious harm or death; may be experienced alone (rape/assault) or in the company of others (military combat)”

9. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) • Damage to the brain triggered by externally acting forces such as a blast • “Barotrauma” – pressure wave, blast wave (69%) – also important to auditory injuries • Penetrating objects put in motion (5%) • Individuals put in motion (remainder not as likely blast related – e.g. vehicular collision)

10. As Educators, What Can We Do To Help These Students? • Be patient– this is really important when working with individuals with TBI & PTSD. Thought processes, cognition, & physical capabilities may be altered • Be willing to make adaptations in the classroom – A student may need to sit in a particular spot in the classroom, may need a timeline for class events, or just a simple warning to the class that there may be graphic points to a video clip or loud noises in shop

11. Educator Help Continued • Put own feelings and opinions aside – avoid making comments that reflect personal stance on OEF and/or OIF or previous wars • Recommend they speak with someone for help – often the individuals do not realize they need extra help or do not know where they can turn for the help (list on last page)

12. Affected Family Members • We may come in contact with many of the following family members of our Veterans: • Spouse • Children • Siblings • Parents • Be supportive – listen, introduce to others in the same predicament, etc. • Guide them to one of the task force members for assistance

13. What Are We Doing At UNOH To Help Veterans? • Campus wide In-Service • Local Agency Information • Campus Task Force • Open Mind about Accommodations

14. Who Can These Students Turn To On Campus? • Veteran Task Force • Randy Gonzalez (100 building) • Robyn King (100 building) • Cindy Preston (100 building) • Jason Wagner (100 building) • Bob Elsass (200 building) • Terry Miller (200 building) • Dorothy Schroeder (200 building) • Tom Grothous (300 building) • Gary Tinnel (300 building) • Danielle McClure (500 building) • Randy Lucius (600 building)