Course Summary
Military families face unique challenges compared to their civilian counterparts, including frequent relocations, changing schools, prolonged family separations, and exposure to trauma. It is crucial to identify military affiliation in clients to address these challenges and understand their unique circumstances. Families of National Guard (NG) or Reserve service members often live outside military communities, leading providers to overlook their military connection. These families face additional challenges due to the lack of a centralized military community. While the unique challenges faced by military service members and Veterans are often recognized, less attention is given to their families. This course aims to equip you with the knowledge, tools, and insights to connect military-affiliated populations with available supports and services through the Department of Defense (DoD), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), and community agencies.
This course covers the following topics:
- The Deployment Cycle
- Strengthening Resilience
- Supports, Services, and Resources Available to Military-Connected Populations
Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Ask all clients about military affiliation during intake or needs assessment.
- Assess the impact of military service on the spouse/partners and children of military-affiliated families.
- Connect clients to available supports, services, and resources available through the DoD, VHA, and community agencies.
Learning Audience
The learners for this training are behavioral health service providers, social workers, counselors, peer support specialists, and other professionals who support individuals with substance use and behavioral health conditions.
American Psychological Association Continuing Education (APA CE) Credits
This course is eligible for Continued Education Units (CEU) upon completion, which are awarded as follows:
- 1 APA CEU credit awarded per (1) hour of completed learning
The University of Colorado Department of Psychiatry is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The University of Colorado Department of Psychiatry maintains responsivity for this program and its content.
Questions about APA CE credits?
Course Duration
Content Contributors
- Erica L Adkins, Ph.D., ABPP
- Kathryn Barrs, PsyD - University of Denver, Graduate School of Professional Psychology, Military Psychology Specialty
- Katie Skowronski-Dutler, MA
- Neil Whitehead
