CIR Policy Briefs & Field Notes
If you are interested in writing a Policy Brief or Field Note for CIR, please review the Submission Guidelines and contact Alice Kim (alicekki@usc.edu).
A NATIONAL VETERANS COVENANT: COMMUNITY AS THE CATALYST AND RESOURCE
April 2013
This position paper provides an overview of how to develop an immediate initiative that can better meet the nation’s sacred duty to those who have served the country at times of peace and war.
USC CIR’s Call to Action: Answering the President’s Call to Improve the Lives of Veterans, Service Members, and Their Families
November 2012
In this field note, USC CIR reports on the steps that the USC School of Social Work is taking to address the urgent need for competent behavioral healthcare for veterans and military families.
The Transgender Veteran Experience: Policy Impacts on Treatment
October 2012
Nikola Alenkin, Ph.D, LCSW
In this policy brief, the author discusses VA policy regarding transgender veterans, and the impact that this policy has on healthcare for this population.
Healthcare for Veterans in the Era of Patient Protection and the Affordable Care Act of 2010
September 2012
Hyunsung Oh, MSW
Joseph Chicas, MSW
Jeffery N. Wilkins, MD
Kathleen Ell, DSW
In this policy brief, the authors discuss how the Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010 will affect veteran healthcare access, particularly regarding OEF/OIF veterans.
From War to the Workplace: Helping Veterans Transition to Civilian Work Settings
June 2012
Joseph Chicas, MSW
Paul Maiden, PhD
Hyunsung Oh, MSW
Sherrie Wilcox, PhD
David Young, PhD
In this policy brief, the authors discuss how unemployment poses a significant barrier to reintegration and describe the challenge that many veterans face in translating their military skill set to the civilian workforce. They also propose recommendations to address veteran unemployment and close the gap in understanding regarding military job skills among civilian employers.
Navigating the Department of Veterans Affairs with Invisible Wounds: How to Overcome the Stigma of “Delay, Deny, & Hope You Die”
April 2012
Susan Thompson, JD
In this policy brief, the author describes the difficulties that veterans with invisible wounds face in obtaining treatment or benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs, and proposes recommendations for improving VA service to veterans and their families.
Increasing Understanding of Infants and Young Children in Military Families Through Focused Research
March 2012
Kathleen Mulrooney, MA, LPC
Dorinda Silver Williams, MSW, LCSW-C
In this policy brief, the authors examine the impact of deployments on infants and young children in military families and offer recommendations for future research.
Fighting a War Created at Home: How Stereotypes and Stigma Hinder America’s Veterans
October 2011
Derek Blumke
In this field note, the author examines the origins of veteran stereotypes and stigma and offers an approach to counter the inaccurate perception of veterans that many Americans share.
The Military Child Within the Public School Education System
September 2011
Hazel R. Atuel, PhD
Monica Christina Esqueda, MEd
Linda Jacobson
In this policy brief, the authors explore the particular needs of military children as well as the issues they face in the public school system. Finally, they propose some practical approaches to help alleviate the stress and challenges that these children encounter in the school environment.
Overcoming Barriers to Employment for Veterans: Current Trends and Practical Approaches
August 2011
Rick Little
Nikola Alenkin, PhD, LCSW
In this policy brief, the authors discuss the barriers and prejudice that veterans face when seeking employment in the civilian workforce, and explore a practical approach to solving these problems.
CIR Policy Brief Addendum – Together We Stand, Divided We Fall: Connectedness, Suicide, and Social Media in the Military
June 2011
Anthony Fulginiti, MSW, LCSW
Eric Rice, PhD
This addendum to our most recent CIR Policy Brief, entitled “Together We Stand, Divided We Fall: Connectedness, Suicide, and Social Media in the Military,” includes feedback from several branches of the military regarding the link that is often made between deployment or combat exposure and suicide.
We are very grateful to the service representatives who contacted us and were willing to take the time and energy to clarify this issue. As always, we welcome and encourage feedback on our policy briefs–it is our intention to provoke dialogue on these issues in order to enhance our understanding of them and highlight needed changes.
Together We Stand, Divided We Fall: Connectedness, Suicide, and Social Media in the Military
June 2011
Anthony Fulginiti, MSW, LCSW
Eric Rice, PhD
In this policy brief, the authors discuss the potential use of social media to encourage community and familial connectivity in order to prevent suicide among servicemembers and veterans.
Safety on the Homefront: Adequately Addressing Violence in Families Impacted by Military Service
May 2011
Glenna Tinney, MSW, DCSW (CAPT, MSC, USN, Ret.)
Kathleen M. West, PhD
In this policy brief, the authors discuss the U.S. justice system’s need to consider the effects of combat service, traumatic brain injury (TBI), reintegration difficulties, and post traumatic stress symptoms in cases of family violence involving servicemembers, veterans, or military families.
Ensuring Behavioral Healthcare Capacity and Quality For Servicemembers, Veterans and Military
March 2011
Jan A. Nissly, PhD
Kelly L. Turner, PhD
In this policy brief, the authors discuss the development of a high-capacity behavioral health workforce to care for our nation’s servicemembers, veterans, and military families. Topics include the impact of war on behavioral health, the strain on traditional service systems, and current responses to increasing capacity. Recommendations for ways to maximize progress in behavioral healthcare capacity and quality are also offered.
The Courts and Military Families: Urgent Action Needed
February 2011
Kathleen M. West, PhD
In this policy brief, the author discusses the ways in which Family and Drug Courts have been impacted by the recent influx of children from families with members in military service.
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