Welcome all Committee Members and Guests!

1. Welcome all Committee Members and Guests!

2. Rhode Island Task Force Meeting Agenda 22 Jan 08, 0900 - 1100 VA Hospital, 5th Floor Advisory Committee - Welcome, Review Dr. Susan Storti/CMSgt Lori Ashness Addictive Disorders Committee SSgt Alida Roa/Cindy Williams Woman Veterans Committee LTC Jeannine Vachon/Minerva Thomas Public Awareness Committee LtCol Dennis Riel/Norman Deragon Community Outreach Committee LtCol Bruce Fletcher/Michele Jackson Peer Support Committee MAJ Michael Manning/Christopher Morse Family Network Committee LtCol Judy Ferriera/Kathy Neil John Powers Student Veterans Program/Resource Guide

3. Program Activities Development of Resource Guide (through Sen. Reed’s office); awaiting release of information; projected completion date Feb 2008. Dr. John Rodolico and Dr. S. Storti presented grand rounds - Understanding the Psychological Challenges Experienced by Returning Military Members and their Families - at St. Luke’s Hospital on 6 Nov 2007. Dr. Jennifer Lambert, Ms. Cindy Williams, and Dr. S. Storti presented at the RING NCO Wellness Briefing on 7 Nov 2007. Dr. S. Storti to participate in teleconference call on 16 Nov 2007 with 40 national foundations interested in funding community based initiatives that address the needs of returning military members and their families based upon the RI Blueprint. Dr. S. Storti teleconferenced with Mr. Tom Ries, Government Affairs Consultant, Alkermes Inc. on 6 Dec 2007 Disseminated RI Blueprint and high level overview of Task Force activities to Veterans Service Organizations in DC. Veterans Task Force of Rhode Island Highlights

4. Veterans Task Force of Rhode Island Highlights • Program Activities • Dr. S. Storti met with Phoenix House on 7 Dec 2007 to discuss the future programming designed to address the needs of returning military members. • Dr. S. Storti presented one-day trainings - PTSD and Substance Abuse: Understanding the Challenges Experienced By Returning Military Members – Reno, NV, 10 Dec 2007; Las Vegas, NV, 11 Dec 2007 • Dr. S. Storti participated in an two hour interview conducted by the RAND Corporation on 14 Dec 2007. The survey is being conducted to identify barriers and gaps in services for returning military members and their families, as well as successful initiatives that are addressing these needs. • Chief L. Ashness and Dr. S. Storti participated in the Annual VA Hospital Holiday Party on 21 Dec 2007. • Dr. L. Sloane, National PTSD Center and Dr. S. Storti submitted a grant to DOD for additional resources to support the continued development and implementation of the RI Blueprint. 3 Jan 2008 - received notification that proposal was recommended to the alternate list. • Meeting held w/MG Bray, 3 Jan 2008 for update on Task Force.

5. Veterans Task Force of Rhode Island Highlights • Program Activities • 9 Nov - VA Hosp Veterans Ceremony • 11 Nov - Veterans Day Ceremony – State House/WWII Dedication • 17 Nov - Cindy Williams, Chief Lori attended ELKS Veterans Dinner • 6 Dec – Attended 143rd SFS Deployment Ceremony • Chief Ashness, C. Williams, and Dr. S. Storti met on 7 Dec 2007 to develop a workshop training outline for RI Council of Community Mental Health Organizations • Contacting MG Tod Bunting – request participation in Resiliency Training • Participated in 5th Anniversary, Woman’s Memorial. • Attended Woman Vets Meetings, working processes on SARC/Homelessness/other issues affecting our veterans • Writing AFA/ANG congressional paper • 2 Jan – Meeting – MA Mental Health Meeting • 3 Jan – LtGov Meeting Dr. Storti/Chief Lori • 1207th idea – follow soldiers for 90 days • Chief Ashness, Col. J. Vachon, Col. L. Hague, S. Usler, and Dr. S. Storti met on 3 Jan 2008 to discuss the creation of medical screening protocols for military members leaving on multiple deployments.

6. Addictive Disorders Committee SSgt Alida Roa/Cindy Williams Program Activity • Stand Alone Operating Instructions for RI Air National Guard process. • Cindy presented the RI Blue Print at the Uniformed Services University Of the Health Sciences Association of Military Surgeons of the United States (AMSUS) Annual Meeting in Salt Lake City UT on November 16th • Handbook was given to Dr. Michael Kussman Under Secretary for Health for VA and retired Brig. General • Handbook was given to Kristin Day, MSW Deputy Director of Social Work Service VA Central Office Washington, DC

7. Program Activity WW II Women Oral History Project, Ch 36, PBS. Sexual Assault Resource Manual Women Veterans Resource Manual Sat. 3 May Women Vet’s Benefits Fair 5th Anniversary Woman’s Memorial Dedication Luncheon, 27 Oct. Women Veterans Committee LTC Jeannine Vachon/Minerva Thomas

8. Program Activity No Report Public Awareness Committee LTC Denis Riel/Normand Deragon

9. Program Activity Contacts with Veterans Groups (VFW, Amer Legion, Elks), Disabled American Veterans Produced a 30 Second Public Service Announcements for Cable, working on disseminating Generating 60 Second Announcement, completion date Feb 08 Community Outreach Committee LTC Bruce Fletcher/Michele Jackson

10. Program Activity Peer-to-Peer Program update Peer Support Committee MAJ Michael Manning/Chris Morse

11. Family Network Committee Maj Judy Ferriera/Kathy Neill Program Activity • Family Symposium (Kathy) • Additional VA Benefit Briefings to be scheduled on UTA weekends (Lt Col Ferriera)

12. Next Meeting22 April 2008