The document describes The Homefront Group, a 12-week psychoeducational support group for spouses and family members of military veterans. The group aims to (1) educate family members about a veteran's combat experiences and potential psychological effects, (2) connect families to veteran resources, and (3) build community among veteran families. The group will be held at a community center and led by therapists with experience in group facilitation and veteran/military issues. Topics will include deployment, PTSD, TBI, and reintegration. Evaluation and referrals will assess appropriateness. Legal/ethical guidelines and a marketing plan are also outlined.

1. The Homefront
Group
A Veteran Family Support Group
Presented By: LeAnne Rozner and Dominic Moreno
John F. Kennedy University

2. The Homefront Group
Psychoeducational Support Group
for spouses and family members
of military veterans.

3. Family members and friends of Veterans provide
valuable support to those who have served our
country. Often they are the first to notice if he or
she is having a tough time. They may feel as if the
Veteran is not the same person they once knew.
They may feel at a loss if there seems to be no clear
reason for what the Veteran is going through or they
are not sure what to do about it.

4. This psychoeducational support group will help
educate family members of Veterans about their
loved one’s experiences in combat and the effects
those experiences may have on his or her physical
and psychological well-being after they return home.
It will also help to connect families to the network
of resources available to Veterans and their families.

5. This group will help build community and
connection between family members of veterans and
provide a nurturing atmosphere to attend to the
stresses of active duty, post-service, and transition.
It builds on the active duty community shared by
military families.

6.  The group will begin at the JFKU Community
Center in Pleasant Hill, located in Contra Costa
County, California.
Competition:
 Concord Vet Center provides individual and group
readjustment counseling to veterans, counseling for
military sexual trauma, bereavement counseling for
family members, and limited couple/family therapy.
Online Resources for Families:
 Make The Connection
http://maketheconnection.net
 Coaching Into Care
http://www.mirecc.va.gov/coaching/

7. This group will start at the Community Center with
support from VA Martinez and Concord Vet Center.
It is our goal to roll out this group format and
concept in catchment areas served by VA Vet
Centers in other counties and states. This concept
can also be adapted for SBP with child/adolescent
groups in schools and family style groups for FRP.

8. THE HOMEFRONT GROUP
A Veteran Family Support Group
 12-week Psychoeducational Support Group
 Group is open to adult family members, spouses, and partners of
Veterans
 Group is open and on-going; Members can attend one or all
sessions, but it is recommended that they attend the entire 12-
week series to get the most benefit
 Session Length – 1hour 30 min
 Number of members – Between 10-12
 Where will your group be held? JFKCC
 Fee –$5 (per family member)
 Typical group format: Psychoeducational component followed by
Q&A and discussion/ processing of reactions to material, and
sharing of personal experiences related to topic discussed.

9. For whom is this group designed?
 Adult family members, parents,
spouses/partners, and loved ones of
active duty military personnel and
Veterans. Members may or may not
be eligible for VA mental health
services.

10. Screening Questions for Prospective Members:
 Has your loved one served in combat? When? Where?
How long?
 Was your Veteran injured or killed in combat?
 Is your Veteran currently experiencing difficulties?
Describe…
 Is your loved one currently receiving services from
the VA?
 Are you currently experiencing difficulties?
Describe…
 Are you currently receiving services from the VA?
 How do you support your loved one in transition out
of service?
 Have you experienced stress over you and your
loved ones military service?

11. What kind of evaluation procedures will
you use to determine if someone is
appropriate for your group?
 An interview conducted by the group
leaders, comprised of questions pertaining
to experience , duration, and relation to
Veteran, will assist in the determination
of the appropriateness of a client for the
group.

12. What would rule out someone’s ability to
participate in your group?
 As this is not specifically a Depression or
Grief and Loss Group, family members
who have suffered the loss of a loved one
who was KIA or has committed Suicide
may be limited in their ability to
participate.

13. What are the main goals of the group?
 To educate family members
 To help them make connections with others
having similar experiences
 To prevent families from developing
psychological problems before, during and after
deployment.
 Having knowledge, coping skills, and social
support will positively influence family members’
ability and attitude to handle the uncertainties of
deployment and better prepare them for
reintegration of their loved one into their daily
life after deployment.

14. Evaluation of Benefits
 We will develop a qualitative pre-group
and post-group evaluation tool to gain
insight into what areas the client feels
most challenged and in what areas the
client has felt most growth.
 The pre-group evaluation may be utilized
as an initial baseline for the client and
may assist the therapists in developing a
more personalized strategy for supporting
the client.

15. What are the qualifications of the group
therapists?
 At least one of the therapists must be of the
following categories: Veteran or Veteran
(Active Duty) Family Member
 Both should have education, training, and
experience in developing
psychoeducational curriculum and
facilitating support groups.
 Both should be MFT trainees or interns
under supervision, or LMFT, LPCC, LCSW.

16. How do you view the role of the group therapist in your
group?
 Educator, facilitator of self-discovery,
and partner in recovery.

17.  We address the emotional, social, moral,
and spiritual injuries and the family
challenges experienced during all stages of
deployment, especially reintegration.
 Some topics to be covered: Preparing for
Deployment, PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury
(TBI), Depression, Substance Use/Abuse,
Military Sexual Trauma, Managing
Transitions, Death of Family or Friends,
Self-Care, Changing Relationships,
Spirituality, Treatment & Resources

18. Legal and Ethical Issues
 Limits of Confidentiality (including harm to
self, harm to others, child abuse, and elder
abuse), Scope of Practice issues regarding
psychiatric/medical support.
 Potential threats to confidentiality that
may occur in a group setting.
 Trainee/Intern status of group leaders.
 Attending to client welfare if/when issues
arise that may be better treated outside of
the group process.

19. Relevant Research
 The VA agrees with the concept of
focusing attention on the supporting
system in the Veterans life.
 Similar groups (while not many) have
shown success in attendance by family
members of Veterans and military service
members.
http://www.military.com/spouse/content/military-life/military-
resources/military-support-groups-and-centers.html

20. Marketing Strategy
 We will utilize the already established infrastructure
of the VA and Vet Center Program to attract referrals
for families of veterans already receiving support
services through these agencies. Potentially utilize
social media to expand referral population. Post flyer
and ads in locations being used by veteran families.
 Local newspapers/news sites community calendar
listings. NAMI and other email databases or
newsletters.
 CalVets, DVC Veterans and other local community
based groups for Veterans.
 VA Chaplains and other community spiritual leaders.

21. Marketing Plan
4-5 months prior to start of group
Create Publicity Materials:
Create flyers, posters, brochures, press release, and letters
Create a Facebook page for the group.
2-3 months prior to start of group
Inform Referral Sources:
Announce presentations & workshops on FB
Present at JFKUCC, Vet Centers and VA Mental Health Centers, Veteran groups,
CMHC, and other organizations.
1-2 months prior to start of group
Social networking & Community Calendars:
Submit group announcement to: Resource guides for Veterans and their families ,
community calendars, local publications, and newsletters targeted to Veterans and their
families.
1 month prior to start of group
Send reminder letters to inquiries and referrals received.
Invite FB friends to upcoming events/group meetings.

23. Resources
 http://www.veteransresourcecentral.org/family/links.shtml
 http://www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil/
 http://www.dtic.mil/domesticviolence/
 http://deploymentlink.osd.mil/deploy/guard_reserves/rng_fsp.shtml
 http://www.fisherhouse.org/
 http://www.mfrc.dod.mil/index.htm
 http://www.careeronestop.org/militaryspouse/
 http://www.militaryfamily.org/
 http://www.oefoif.va.gov/
 http://www.oefoif.va.gov/FamilySupport.asp
 http://www.sesameworkshop.org/our-impact/our-stories/military-families.html
…more upon request

24. The Homefront Group
Supporting the Support
Thank You.