Your Pastoral Counseling Skills Are Needed to Assist and Support Returning TROOPS AND THEIR FAMILIES
George Hankins Hull wrties, "My colleague Bill Zeckhausen in New Hampshire sent me this announcement from Doug Ronsheim, AAPC Executive Director,requesting help for our returning troops. I thought some in this forum might have an interest in this project and could pass the word along to others who would want to take part."
Give an Hour is a nonprofit organization (formed by psychologist,
Barbara Romberg, PH.D, whose mission is to develop a national network of volunteers capable of responding to both acute and chronic conditions that arise within our society. They are initially
focusing on the U.S. troops and families who are being affected by
the current military conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. Large numbers of veterans are returning home from Iraq finding that they must cope with a wide range of psychological difficulties.
A national network of mental health professionals has been created
who are giving an hour of their time each week to provide free mental health services to military personnel and their families.
Over the past 20 months, "Give an Hour" has developed important
relationships with many Veterans' Service Organizations including the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes, the American Legion Auxiliary, TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors), the National Gulf War Resource Center and Vets 4 Vets. As a result of these relationships, mental health professionals will have opportunities to work with volunteers from these organizations to co-lead support groups and participate in community events. This is an opportunity for AAPC members to join a program that will provide critical services to these deserving men, women and families.
Thus far, over 425 professionals from the mental health community have registered to participate in this critical effort. Professionals are being asked to provide the type of services they currently provide in their offices. While no additional training is required, a variety of training opportunities are offered to those individuals who might be interested. In addition, participants will have the opportunity to interact with each other, to share information about their experience and to seek feedback and additional resources.
"Give an Hour" has asked providers to participate in its network for at least one year in order to provide continuity of care for these deserving families. Providers have the opportunity to change their
status on the network from "available" to "full" while working with
an individual or family. This prevents providers from receiving
requests from individuals if their time is filled.
As a nonprofit organization, Give an Hour carries liability insurance that covers its volunteer providers. Providers should, however, also maintain their individual malpractice insurance while participating in their network.
If you are a certified member of AAPC or a licensed mental health
professional, please visit the Web site at www.giveanhour. org to
learn more about this organization. To sign up, on the web site, to
be part national network click on (please do so) .Volunteers are also welcome who want to join in developing and implementing this project. The need is great.
Thank you.
Doug Ronsheim
AAPC Executive Director
AAPC
9504 A Lee Highway
Fairfax
Virginia 22031
United States