MFRI, Roudebush VA Medical Center team up to support veterans at Battlemind to Home event

August 11, 2015  


WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – For the fifth year, the Military Family Research Institute at Purdue University is working with the Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center and other organizations to help increase community support for veterans and military families.

More than 400 participants will attend the Battlemind to Home VI Symposium Aug. 19-20 in Indianapolis. Sponsored and organized by the MFRI, Roudebush, the Indiana National Guard and the Department of Veterans Affairs, the event is designed to help service providers create stronger, more supportive communities for service members, veterans and their families.

The keynote speaker will be retired Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, director of the Killology Research Group. A scholar, author, and expert in human aggression, violence and violent crime, Grossman is a former West Point psychology professor. He has made contributions to the understanding of killing in war, including war's psychological costs, root causes of violent crime, and healing the victims of violence.

Other speakers include experts from the Veterans Health Administration's Post-Deployment Health Group, Veterans Benefits Administration, MFRI, Indiana National Guard and the VA. These speakers will discuss issues such as veteran experiences, VA claims, the Post-9/11 GI Bill and military families. In addition, Maria Granger, presiding judge for Floyd County Superior Court, and Thomas L. Clem, judge for Madison County Circuit Court, will present a session on Indiana's veteran treatment courts.

 "The presenters challenge community leaders, service providers and those working to support our veterans with evidence-informed information," said Martina Sternberg, MFRI assistant director a member of the Battlemind planning committee. "They also help to motivate and inspire. During networking sessions, attendees learn about organizations that can help to support their own efforts. Battlemind gets rave reviews from our participants, who come back year after year because they understand its value."

Last year, Battlemind to Home V resulted in a partnership between MFRI and the VA's Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships. The group is developing a veterans' rural health initiative expected to launch this year as a two-state pilot program.

"Battlemind continues to be an excellent source of information, networking and new collaborations," Sternberg said. "We can't wait to see what this year has in store." 

Contact: Beth Johnson, director of External Relations, MFRI, 703-927-7429, bethjohnson@purdue.edu 

Source: Martina Sternberg, msternbe@purdue.edu 

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