The Military Order of the Purple Heart Service Foundation, Inc. (MOPHSF) raises funds for service, welfare, rehabilitation for any wounded, disabled, or handicapped veteran and his/her widow(er), orphan(s) or dependents.  The foundation works as a liaison between veterans and all offices of the Department of Veterans Affairs, soldiers homes and other administration, as deemed necessary.  They advocate for physical and psychological rehabilitation programs and special needs for veterans.

The key programs that MOPH works to support include assisting organizations that help veterans with hearing, visual, spinal and injuries that result in physical disabilities.  They also support VVTI (Veterans Vocational Technical Institute) to help injured veterans find gainful employment.  The organization works to increase therapeutic initiatives within the VA as well as physical and psychological rehabilitation projects for disabled veterans with profound injuries or limitations.  But ultimately, the Military Order of the Purple Heart strives to provide hope and alleviate the suffering of injured veterans.

The National Military Family Association made their announcement that they are now accepting applications for Operation Purple Healing Adventures. Operation Purple Healing Adventures is a family camp experience for active duty or medically retired service members who were wounded or experienced emotional trauma or illness related to their service in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) or Operation Enduring
Freedom (OEF). This camp also applies to National Guard and Reservists who were serving in Active Duty orders.

Where: Camp Dream – Warm Springs, Georgia

When: August 5-9 2011

What: All participants will enjoy canoeing, fishing, hiking, and swimming. The program will also include family-focused activities and the opportunity for parents to relax and enjoy quiet time while their children participate in exciting outdoor exploration supervised by camp counselors.

How Much: Free, thanks to the support from the USO.

Click here to apply for this special family retreat.

(Source: National Military Family Association)

For more on Angela Caban, visit her website at www.angelacaban.com.

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Having a new baby in the house is a blessing, but is also a challenge. These challenges are extremely difficult to handle when these families with new babies have parents who are either deployed or away from any extended family. The New Parent Support Program (NPSP) is a military program that helps parents with new babies, build strong and healthy families. It helps parents cope through the many challenges of parenthood. The program benefits that are available can be used by military families expecting a child, or who have a child or children up to three years of age.

Currently, the NPSP is available free to active duty service members and their families only. The NPSP will help new parents gain information and provide support with the following;

- stress

- manage the demands of parenting, single parenting

- helping to provide a safe environment for children

- find local programs in your local community

The programs also offers home visits by NPSP staff in which all are certified and trained nurses or social workers. These visits will provide one-on-one encouragement and support for parents. Some additional benefits include:

- hospital visits

- referrals to resources

- prenatal classes

- parenting classes

- play groups

Enrolling in the NPSP is rather simple for military families. The Family Advocacy Program (FAP) or Family Support Centers are available on most military installations and they are able to provide you with assistance on enrolling.

The Family Advocacy Program Locator

www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil

For branch specific information please visit the links below:

Army

www.myarmylifetoo.com

Marine Corps

www.usmc-mccs.org

Navy

www.npc.navy.mil

Air Force

www.airforcefap.org

For more on Angela Caban, visit her website at www.angelacaban.com.

Join me and other military spouses on my Facebook, Twitter or MySpace fan page. 

The Mental Health Self-Assessment Program (MHSAP) is a mental health and alcohol screening and referral program. It was designed for military families and service members affected by deployment and recruitment. This voluntary and anonymous program is offered online, by phone, and through special events held at installations and reserve units. Anonymous, self-assessments are available to help people with various problems and conditions. Some conditions they help veterans, soldiers and their families with are the following: 

• Depression
• Bipolar disorder
• Alcohol abuse or using alcohol to cope with your problems
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Generalized anxiety disorder

Individualized results and military health resources, including TRICARE, Vet Centers, and Military OneSource are provided at the end of every assessment. Individuals can bring the results of their online or in-person assessment with them to a healthcare provider. If you are interested in participating in this program, want a free assessment or if you wanted to learn more about the program, you can visit www.MilitaryMentalHealth.org or call their toll free number 1-877-877-3647.  

What does this program offer?

National Alcohol Screening Day Kit – Designed as a health fair style event, materials include a kit of educational brochures, screening forms (the AUDIT), scoring instructions, and a “how to” guide to help run and promote an event. In addition, this kit contains promotional material that directs participants to the online and phone screening. This kit serves 500 people. A Spanish kit is available for 50 participants.

National Depression Screening Day Kit – Designed as a health fair style event, materials include a kit of educational brochures about posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and bipolar disorder. Also included are screening forms, scoring instructions, and a “how to” guide to help run and promote an event. In addition, this kit contains promotional material that directs participants to the online and phone screening. This kit serves 500 people. A Spanish language kit is available for 50 participants.

Family Resiliency Kit – Materials designed to educate family members about coping with the stress of deployment, how to recognize signs and symptoms of mental health problems in themselves and their family members, and where to get help. The Family Resiliency Kit is perfect for Family Readiness Groups, Chaplains, and other groups helping military families throughout the deployment cycle.

Customized Online Screening – If any individual military installations, National Guard or Reserve Units are interested in using this program to help their soldiers and families all they have to do is contact Mental Health Self-Assessment Program (MHSAP) and request to add information about local or installation treatment and support services to their own version of the online self-assessment. The Mental Health Self-Assessment Program (MHSAP) said that they would be more than happy to link their info to any customized version. It can be placed directly on the unit/installation’s website. Referral page can include specific information about their Chaplain, mental health professionals, or local support resources. To do this all you have to do is contact them with the request for a personalized web-based self-assessment for your unit/installation/organization. This organization is a positive program that frequently works with other military organizations or affiliations with one goal in mind to help the soldiers and their family get back on their two feet so they can live a happy, healthy, and productive life. Something we all want for everyone, especially our soldiers and their families – the men and women who have given so much to this country.

Subject: VOTE SVA for PEPSI REFRESH GRANT-Scholarships, Chapter Grants, SVA Conferences

VOTE HERE: http://www.facebook.com/l/6911d;www.refresheverything.com/studentveteransofamerica

Student Veterans of America is eligible to win $250,000 under The Pepsi Refresh Project, but we need your vote! Pepsi will award two (2) $250,000 this month based on majority vote. Each person is eligible to vote once per day for the entire month of June. Yes, you can vote each day throughout the month! We need you to vote for us every day so we can provide money for SVA scholarships, chapter grants, and fund additional SVA conferences.

SVA provides scholarships for student veterans because we understand the VA educational benefits, and the New GI Bill, does not provide full funding for all veterans. There are gaps in certain VA Education Programs, and while SVA advocates for changes, we want to bridge the gap that currently exists.

SVA Chapter Grants provide our 250+ chapters throughout the nation with needed funds to host on-campus activities, fund social events, and engage in meaningful projects. We understand that university administrations may not provide adequate funding to our SVA chapters. SVA wants to see all of our chapters succeed, and not be limited by funding.

SVA recently hosted several conferences throughout the nation, some of which you may have attended. The importance of networking with military veterans cannot be understated. SVA firmly believes in bringing our student veterans together as our camaraderie remains solid in and out of uniform.

Another important aspect of the grant proposal is our desire to assist wounded warriors successfully transition from combat to college. SVA is currently collocated with the Wounder Warrior Project in Washington DC, and we want to ensure our wounded veterans are succeeding in the civilian world through higher education. With your vote, we remain one step closer to helping veterans succeed through education.

SVA remains committed to a new generation of scholars who understand the importance of leadership and sacrifice. While Memorial Day has passed, your vote throughout the month only cements your commitment to the young service members coming home. Vote today for Student Veterans of America and allow us the honor of implementing our vision. There is no greater way to memorialize or thank those who have served our nation than to ensure they succeed in life.

VOTE HERE: http://www.facebook.com/l/6911d;www.refresheverything.com/studentveteransofamerica

On behalf of the SVA Team,

Michael Dakduk
Vice President

PS. Remember-VOTE EVERYDAY
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