On behalf of the federal, state, local, professional, and consumer organizations that have partnered together to ensure that North Carolina’s returning combat veterans and their families receive the best and most updated services available, co-chairs Michael Lancaster, MD, chief of clinical policy, NC Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services (DMH/DD/SAS) and Harold Kudler, MD, associate director of the Veterans Affairs Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness, Research, and Clinical Center (MIRECC) welcome you.

North Carolina has the fourth largest number of military personnel in the country. There are currently 120,000 active duty personnel based at one of seven military bases or deployed overseas.  North Carolina is likely to receive another 25,000 active duty members by 2011.  Another 25,000 soldiers, marines, and airmen live in all 100 counties of North Carolina and serve in the National Guard or Reserve Forces. Most of the active duty military, Reserve, and National Guard have served in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) or Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF).  Military service also affects their families prior to, during, and post deployment, with deaths, injuries, and disabilities taking their toll.  An estimated 103,118 children and adolescents of active duty members, National Guard, and Reserves live in North Carolina.  In addition to active military, another 770,080 veterans live in North Carolina, of which more than 117,000 are in receipt of service connected disability compensation from the US Department of Veterans Affairs.

Accomplishments

• Governor’s Summit in 2006—nearly 90 individuals attended the conference, which resulted in recommendations to the Governor regarding individuals’ access to services, outreach to military personnel, educational linkages and interagency collaboration, and training of professionals.
• Governor’s Letter—a personalized letter sent by the North Carolina Governor’s Office to every OEF/OIF veteran in the state, thanking them for their service and expressing the Governor’s desire to serve each new veteran and their family. Veterans are provided toll free numbers for Care-Line and N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.  As of October 14, 2009, 19,504 letters have been mailed.
• Care Line—a toll free number, available two shifts a day, 7 days a week, in English and Spanish, linking callers to services in government, faith-based, for-profit and non-profit agencies.  Please call 1-800-662-7030 (English/Spanish) or 1-877-452-2514 (TTY).
• Outreach and Education to Providers
  • Painting a Moving Train (n=105 physicians and 916 mental health professionals)
  • PTSD, Substance Abuse, and Returning OEF/OIF NC Guard and Reserve Veterans (n=597 substance abuse professionals)
  • Traumatic Brain Injury:  Invisible Wounds of War (n=1,712 mental health professionals)
  • Working Miracles in People’s Lives (n=169 physicians, behavioral health professionals, social workers, and clergy)
  • What Primary Care Providers Need to Know about Mental Health Issues Facing Returning Service Members and Their Families (1 hour webinar) (n=92 primary care providers)
  • Veterans and Traumatic Brain Injury (1 hour webinar) (n=137 primary care providers)
  • Website—provides evidence-base practices, trainings, and other resources in mental health, substance abuse, traumatic brain injury, and homelessness (http://veteransfocus.org).
  • Monthly meetings—key leaders and stakeholders convene monthly to discuss needs and to identify, develop, and assess programs for veterans and their families throughout the state.

If you are a service or family member, use our Resource Page.

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