Innovative collaboration among the Departments of Defense, Labor, and Veterans Affairs has produced a web-based network of support for wounded, ill, and injured service members, veterans, their families, and those who support them. The National Resource Directory was launched earlier this month and provides information on more than 10,000 medical and non-medical services and resources across the country – all to help them more smoothly transition from recovery to ordinary living.
The information in the directory includes the federal benefits and services, but also state and local governmental agencies as well as veteran service organizations, non-profit community-based and faith-based organizations, academic institutions, professional associations, and philanthropic organizations. Service members and their families often receive a dizzying number of offers of assistance while in the hospital but have difficulty following up on them after returning home. The directory aims to remedy that by providing one-stop shopping for available support.
The directory is part of a larger effort by the three departments to improve the care of wounded warriors. To help service members and their families navigate the system, they are assigned a care coordinator and each recovering service member has an individualized recovery plan with personal and professional goals. These plans focus not only on medical recovery in the hospital but also on what happens after they leave and try to reintegrate into their community.
To facilitate the development of these plans, care coordinators will also find the directory helpful. Jamie Findlater of the American Forces Press Service wrote:
“Say you are populating the plan and the service member is talking about returning to Aurora, Kan., and needs housing adaptation and special tutoring for their autistic special needs child,” Dr. Linda Davis, deputy undersecretary of defense for military community and family policy, said. “You can go into the directory and contact both the governmental and nongovernmental organizations in and around Aurora and line up appointments and personnel to be of support way before the service member goes back to Aurora.”
The website will continue to expand as more resources are located. Visitors can suggest additional programs through the site.
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