The following are resource organizations that support the Spokane Veterans Forum.  Representatives from many of them regularly attend the monthly Forum to familiarize attendees of their services to support veterans and their families.  Volunteers from these organizations regularly become Mentors.

Community Resource Directories

National Resource Directory

nrd.gov

VETERANS CRISIS LINE

1-800-273-8255

Press “1” for immediate help

Resource Organizations

1.

US. Senator Patty Murray Service

SVF Support for Veteran Community

www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contactme

Address:
Spokane Office
10 North Post Street, Suite 600
Spokane, Washington 99201

Phone: 509-624-9515

2.

Justice For Vets Service

Nationwide network of Veterans Treatment Courts

www.JusticeForVets.org

Address:
Justice for Vets
1029 N. Royal Street, Suite 201
Alexandria, VA 22314

Phone: 509-624-9515
Contact: David Pelletier
Email: dpelletier@justiceforvets.org

3.

Community Colleges of Spokane

Service: Educational and Job Support For Veterans

www.ccs.spokane.edu/

4.

Veterans Center - US Dept. of Veterans Affairs

Service: Veteran and Family Counseling and Support Services

www.vetcenter.va.gov

Address:
13109 Mirabeau Pkwy
Spokane Valley, WA

Phone: 509-444-8387

5.

Spokane Transit Authority

Service: STA serves the transportation needs of the greater Spokane region.
Provides assistance and services to Veterans.

www.spokanetransit.com

6.

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve

www.esgr.mil

7.

Point Man Ministries

Services: Connects the hurting veteran as well as their families and friends with others who have already begun the transition home after war.

www.pointmannorthwest.com

Phone: 509-994-7177

8.

Spokane Veterans Center

Service: Readjustment counseling and guidance for community services for veterans and their families

www.vetcenter.va.gov

Address:
13109 Mirabeau Pkwy
Spokane Valley, WA 99216

Phone: 509-444-8387

Click to read the 2016 eligibility requirements for the Veteran Center.

9.

Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center

http://www.spokane.va.gov/

Address:
4815 N Assembly St,
Spokane, WA 99205

Phone: 509-434-7000

10.

WorkSource

Services: Veteran Orientation offered every 1st/3rd Thursday at 08:30

www.worksourcewa.com

Address:
130 S Arthur St
Spokane, WA 99205

Phone: 509-532-3120

11.

Operation Spokane Heroes

Services: Support for Military Personnel, Veterans and Their Families

www.operationspokaneheroes.org

Contact: Sandy Kates, Chair, Operation Spokane Heroes
Email: opspokaneheroes@gmail.com

12.

WA State Office of the Attorney General: Military and Veteran Legal Resources

Services: Military and Veteran Legal Resources

www.atg.wa.gov/veteranmilitaryresources.aspx

Contact: Travis Alley, Assistant Attorney General & Manager, Military & Veteran Legal Assistance

WA State Office of the Attorney General
800 5 th Ave, Suite 2000, TB-14
Seattle, WA 98104

Phone: 206-464-6431
Email: travisa@atg.wa.gov

13.

Operation Dog Tag

www.facebook.com/OperationDogTag/about/?entry_point=page_nav_about_item&tab=overview

Address: 
P.O. Box 1892
Deer Park, WA 99006

Phone: 509-276-4346 or 509-995-4517

14.

Combat Vet Riders

Service: Veterans riding for Veterans

www.combatvetriders.org/

Address:
2405 N Dick Rd
Spokane Valley, WA 99212

Phone: 509-242-3174

15.

Veterans Justice Outreach

Address:
705 W. 2nd Ave.
Spokane, WA 99201

Phone: 509-462-2500 Ext.4006
Website: www.va.gov/homeless/vjo.asp

16

Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF)

Goodwill Industries of the Northwest

Address:
130 E Third Ave
Spokane, WA 99202

Contact: Dean Salvio, Program Manage
Email: deansa@giin.org
Office: 509-462-0516

www.discovergoodwill.org

17.

Traumatic/Acquired Brain Injury Program

WA State Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA)

Contacts:
Heather Bahme, TBI Outreach coordinator (Eastern WA)
Phone: 509-688-9016
Email:  h.bahme@gmail.com

Dan Overton, MCm LMHC, MHP, TBI Program Specialist
Office: 360-725-2223
Toll Free: 800-562-2308
Email: DanielO@dva.wa.gov

PDF: TBI Program Fact Sheet

18.

Veterans Court

Mission Statement: The mission of the Benton County Veterans Therapeutic Court is to promote public safety and honor those who served by reframing the traditional legal process through treatment and mentorship focusing on the unique needs of veterans.

www.co.benton.wa.us

Research

Research for SVF

Volunteer Veterans are needed for several on-going research studies.  Veterans who are interested and meet the eligibility requirements are requested to contact the researcher directly.  A description of the research, the names and contact information are shown below.  There is no charge to veteran participants. In addition to the benefits achieved in the research study, participating veterans will have the opportunity to contribute to the knowledge base of therapeutic treatment modalities.

Neurofeedback Study
The purpose of this research is to conduct a pilot study and investigate the potential impact of neurofeedback and virtual reality (future) as an intervention/treatment for male veterans convicted of domestic violence related to traumatic brain injury (TBI) and their ability to self-regulate emotional responses to stress, anger and aggression as an outcome of these treatment modalities. Measurement is the qEEG (quantitative EEG) brain map and Heart-rate Variability (HRV), and questionnaires for anger and aggression.

Contact:
Linda Larson-Spagon, Doctoral Candidate, Idaho State University

Cell: 208-255-9227
Email: larsonspagon@icloud.com

PTSD Intervention Study

With assistance from the SVF and Combat Veterans Motorcycle Club, Dr. Doug Ratelle and Dr. Myron Thurber were able to complete a series of successful studies. This past spring, a small pilot study was accomplished testing the effectiveness of a new theory and method for PTSD treatment.  There was a strong reduction of PTSD symptoms and a strong improvement in EEG (brainwave) health.

Through the summer, the research expanded into a larger study involving twenty veterans. In this study, a one-session comparison between a commonly used PTSD treatment method (EMDR) and Dr. Ratelle’s new method was done. The new method led to a 65% reduction of PTSD symptoms, and strong reduction of brainwaves associated with anxiety and a strong increase of brainwaves associated with a brain in healing.

EMDR did not produce a significant effect with symptoms, but some effect with brainwaves. Those who received EMDR were provided the new method if they wanted to receive it.

Future research is currently being planned based on this year’s findings. The research team has expanded to include faculty and staff at WSU’s Spokane campus. The process is long, though this year’s efforts have created a very strong foundation to build on. The research team will be needing volunteers early in 2017 for the next step of research.

Contact:
Doug Ratelle, Ph.D.

Cell: 206-661-8743
Email: dougr@rteacademy.com

Mentor Training Enhancement Study

This study is limited to the Mentors of the Spokane Veterans Forum (SVF) and is conducted in two sessions by Steve James, Ph.D. of Washington State University, Health Sciences Department.

Objective
To define enhanced skills and techniques In support of Mentor training.  Two facilitated sessions identify additional/enhanced skills and techniques which will be most helpful to Mentors as they fulfill their essential function to support SVF Veteran Defendants who are working to recover from the personal impacts of PTSD, TBI and/or MST.

  • Information provided by Mentors during the Focus Group Meetings and by responses to the follow-up written survey will form a valid basis for a more effective Mentor Training Plan.
  • Future Mentor training topics will be prioritized based on requirements expressed by Mentors.
  • Results of training topics and outcomes of surveys will provide a foundation to support the effectiveness of the Mentors and Mentor training as well as be exported to other Veterans Court Mentor Programs throughout the country.

Two Focus Group Session Topics include
Session 1:  Issues that have been raised by Veteran Defendants as reported to the Mentors including: Family, money, problems with basic living, triggers or special needs.
Session 2: Challenging situations Mentors encounter including:  Dealing with emotional impact, time commitment, personal boundaries, slip-ups and effective communication.

Facilitator
Steve James, Ph.D. is a highly effective speaker and facilitator who is a valued presenter for the monthly Forums.  He has volunteered to facilitate the Mentor Focus Group sessions, design the surveys and to assist the Forum to develop the enhanced mentor training plan.  Dr. James is affiliated with Washington State University, Health Sciences Department.  He has a 20-year history as a combat veteran with the British Army.  He is highly motivated to support the SVF to accomplish its Mission: “No Veteran Left Behind.”

Reference Materials

2017 Reference Material

Reference material from May 18. 2018 Forum Class

Reference material from January 19, 2017 Forum Class

Anna Marie Medina: Healthy Parent/Child Relationships PDF: Parenting – VetForum 1-19 -17 JPG – Everyday Parenting Toolkit

Alan Basham: What To do When You’re Blue – Thoughts on Sorrow PDF: Sorrow

Reference material from February 16, 2017 Forum Class

Mark Young, Ph.D. – Assoc. Professor, Gonzaga University Topic: More Than Anger PDF: More Than Anger
Contact: Email: young@gonzaga.edu
Office: 509-496-0349
Dawn Gray, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, VA
Major, Army National Guard Topic: Stages of Change PDF: Stages of Change Handout
Email: Dawn.Gray3@va.gov
Office: 509-434-7281

Reference material from March 16, 2017 Forum Class

Grace Bonasera Creaseman – Director of Addiction Studies, EWU
Topic: Addiction and the Effects on Family PDF: Addiction Families and the Impact
Email: gcreasman@ewu.edu
Office: 509-828-1437

Herb Robinson, Ph.D. – Certified Mental Health Psychotherapist & Counselor
Topic: Responding to Anger PDF: Herb Robinson – Handouts
Email: peace@herb-robinson.com
Office: 509-534-5028
Website: www.herb-robinson.com

Reference material from May 17. 2017 Forum Class

Sara Dunbar, CTRS/R
Therapeutic Recreation, St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute

Emily Messina, PhD, CTRS/R
Therapeutic Recreation, Eastern Washington University

Topic:
TBI and PTSD Community Re-entry and Post Injury Recreation
Contact: emessina@ewu.edu | 509-359-6545
TBI and PTSD Community Re-entry and Post Injury Recreation

Reference material from June 15. 2017 Forum Class

Cathrene (“Cat”) Nichols Administrator, Spokane County & Eastern Washington Regional Veterans Services Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs INW Program Manager
WestCare Foundation Topic: Emotional Intelligence
1101 W. College Ave, Spokane, WA 99201
Office: 509-477-4498 | Mobile: 360-485-7799

cnichols@spokanecounty.org | cathrenen@dva.wa.gov
PDF: Emotional Intelligence Training slides Vet Forum

Joe Scheffer Founder/Director/Trainer: Operation Dog Tag
Topic: Service Dogs: Use, Training, Legal
PO Box 1892, Deer Park, WA 1892
Phone: 509-276-4364 | www.facebook.com/OperationDogTag

Reference material from April 20. 2017 Forum Class

Matt Chase, Ph.D. Professor, Physical Education, Health & Recreation, EWU
Topic: Sexual Harassment PDF: Matt Chase – Sexual Harassment Presentation 04-20-17
Cell: 509-710-9065 | Work: 509-359-7964 | Email: Mchase@mail.ewu.edu

Matthew Layton, MD, Ph.D., Medical Director, Addictions Research, WSU
Topic: Vets Mental Health Issues
Work: 509-358-7502 | Email: layton@wsu.edu

2016 Reference Material

Community Colleges of Spokane

Reference Material from March 17, 2016 Forum Class

Steve James, Ph.D. – Importance of sleep on Mental & Physical Health
PowerPoint File – James-steve-importance-of-sleep

Reference Material from the May 19, 2016 Forum Class

Russell Kolts, Ph.D. – Helping ourselves & Others Be at Our Best TEDx Olympia talk by Russell Kolts, Ph.D.
Anger, Compassion, and What It Means To Be Strong
Website: www.compassionatemind.net

Reference Material from the July 21, 2016 Forum Class

Hank Cramer.
Troubador – Soldier Songs Hank Cramer is an American folk singer. Lt. Colonel Green Beret, the son of a Green Beret, Cramer started singing in college before enlisting in the Army in 1976. See his website www.hankcramer.com

Emily Messina, Ph.D. – Therapeutic Recreation
DOC File – therapeutic-recreation-questionaire-messina-emily
PowerPoint File – messina-emily-therapeutic-recreation

Reference material from August 18, 2016 Forum Class
1. Jack & Kathleen Stell – Non-Pharmacological Interventions for PTSD and TBI.
PDF 1 – trauma-symptom-stabilization-techniques-resources-jack-stell
PDF 2- Trauma-resolution-interventions-jack-stell

2. Mike Barnes, CEO, Fastway Freight
Guidelines for Searching and Getting a Job PDF – Job-search-techniques-mark-barnes-ceo-fastway-freight