Dear Constituents -

This is recently released information for military members and families - active, retired, Guard, or regular military - everyone who has served or is currently serving.  Thank you for what you do to keep America free and safe!

Mission Connect Vermont (MCV), a Governor’s Challenge Initiative, has developed this resource to

provide information to the community on how to support reintegration for Service Members, Veterans,

and their Families following deployment. To learn more about Mission Connect Vermont, please visit

the website at: https://mentalhealth.vermont.gov/Suicide-Prevention-Initiatives-and-Partnerships.

What is Reintegration?

Community reintegration, as it relates to the military, describes the process of a service member

going back to their home community after deployment or discharge.

Who is affected?

The Vermont National Guard is composed of approximately 3000 members in the Vermont Army and

Air National Guards that serve both locally and in deployments around the world. Reintegration is not

just about returning service members; many Vermont National Guard members have families,

children, and loved ones also affected by deployment and reintegration upon return

How can you help?

Community-based interactions enhance the positive support veterans receive when they reenter

civilian life are as important as clinical interventions to address deployment-related health conditions.

While most returning service members may not have significant challenges with reintegration, they

still need support. Addressing these needs requires a network of support that includes family, friends,

healthcare professionals, and community members.

When asked what the public should know and what they can do to help veterans reintegrate into

civilian life, veterans’ responses were grouped into themes and include1;

• Recognize Deployment Hardships

• Appreciate Deployment Accomplishments

• Assist Veterans in Getting Help

• Listen, Don’t Judge

• Recognize That Employment Is Critical

1 Sayer, Nina A., et al. “What the Public Should Know About Veterans Returning from Combat Deployment to Support Reintegration: A Qualitative

Analysis.” American Journal of Orthopsychiatry 2021, Vol. 91, No. 3, 398–406 https://doi.org/10.1037/ort0000541

For Childcare and Schools

• Grow your relationship with more communication

• Support the child’s primary caregiver

• Nurture the child’s relationship with the service member

• Be a positive example

• Helpful Resource: https://www.mccormickinstitute.nl.edu/top-9-must-dos-for-supporting-young-

children-during-reintegration

For Community Organizations

• Support SMVF by reaching out to Vermont National Guard Family Programs Office to offer

information and invitations to community events

• Helpful Resource: https://www.ngfamily.vt.gov/Resources/Youth-Deployment-Resources/

• The Vermont National Guard Family Programs Office provides education, support, and

resources through community, state, and federal programs that ensure veterans, service

members, and their families have the knowledge and resiliency to support mission readiness

and retention. For more information about VTNG Family Programs, visit:

https://www.ngfamily.vt.gov/

For Employers

• Support families by building awareness of the added stress at home

• Show empathy and flexibility, be aware of the need for scheduling changes

• Be aware of deployment and reintegration in the hiring processes - look at transferable skills

• Seek out training programs for employers on hiring and supporting veterans

• Contact Work for Warriors Vermont (https://workforwarriorsvt.org) to learn more about

resources for no-cost access to pre-screened, mission-ready military talent, helping to

strengthen Vermont workforces with reliable, skilled professionals.

• Helpful Resource: https://www.aafmaa.com/resource-center/key-employment-resources-for-

supporting-veteran-employees

For Medical Providers and Clinicians

• The Ask the Question initiative helps providers identify Service Members, Veterans, and

Families to support them and their unique needs

• Providers, when gathering a patient’s history, care for those who serve or have served by

building critical rapport to better understand the relationship between military experiences,

medical symptoms, and mental health and to aid in effective collaboration with military-veteran

healthcare providers

• To find out more, please visit the Mission Connect Vermont website at

https://mentalhealth.vermont.gov/Suicide-Prevention-Initiatives-and-Partnerships

If you or someone you know is in crisis or having thoughts of suicide dial or text 988 or chat online at

988lifeline.org, for confidential support available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a

year. If you are a Service Member, Veteran, or Family Member Dial 988 then Press 1, chat online at

VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat, or text 838255 for the Military and Veterans Crisis Line.

For more information on suicide prevention resources in Vermont, visit:

https://facingsuicidevt.com/

For more information on firearm safety storage and gunlocks, visit: https://www.gunsafevt.org/

Josh’s House VT is a Veteran-designed wellness and recreation center (that includes traditional,

complementary and alternative healing modalities such as massage, Reiki, yoga, integrative health

and wellness coaching, healing touch, acupuncture and more) for Vermont’s service members. The

center offers homecooked community meals, meeting and study spaces, a large communal kitchen,

video games, and a state-of-the-art gym. For more information, visit: https://joshpallottafund.org/

Vermont Service Members, Veterans, and Families Wellness Map: To find more resources to

support Vermont service members, veterans, and their families, please visit: https://mcv-

interactivewellnessmap-vcgi-hub.hub.arcgis.com/. This interactive map offers an array of clinical

resources, focusing on access to mental health services and supports in your area. Whether you’re

seeking individual counseling, family counseling, or other mental health services, this map will guide

you to options in your community.