Since 2000, many veterans in Colorado have returned from service, living with traumatic brain injuries. Since the Department of Defense began surveillance tracking in 2000, more than 500,000 service members have sustained a TBI.
For those with this serious, yet often invisible injury, the transition to civilian life can be difficult. When these conditions are untreated, a host of problems can occur, including substance abuse and suicide. Other behavioral and physical health problems hurt families – like lower workplace employment rates, marital and parenting difficulties, and homelessness.
Operation TBI Freedom (OTF) helps veterans and their families optimize access needed services efficiently and without duplicating effort. OTF also provides direct services not available elsewhere to address crisis situations and position veterans for long-term success.
Veterans Served by Operation TBI Freedom Each Year
To meet service needs and gaps to veterans with TBI, Operation TBI Freedom serves veterans through an individualized, relationship-oriented case management process. Eligible veterans are assigned a Military Support Specialist (MSS). These specialists have extensive prior military service and hold credentials as Certified Brain Injury Specialists.
The MSSs initial focus is twofold: working with each veteran to resolve any immediate crises, as well as to develop a personalized plan – called the “life plan” – to advance his or her reintegration into civilian life and increased self-sufficiency over the longer term.
Recognizing that family issues and dynamics can be a source of both healing and conflict, the OTF approach considers the needs of the entire family in developing these plans and engages family members throughout the process.
These individualized reintegration plans aim to ensure that veterans:
- Receive adequate and timely treatment of physical and mental health issues
- Are equipped for long-term financial stability through optimization of earned benefits, a better understanding of financial management, and resources to secure civilian employment
- Develop healthy relationships with family members, friends, and community members
Specific services provided or coordinated by OTF include:
- Food, housing
- Emergency assistance
- Crisis management
- Mental health referrals
- Medical care
- Benefits assistance
- Employment readiness
- Training, placement and occupational support
- Assistive technology
- Mentoring
- Family and recreational events
- TBI Peer Support Groups
- TBI Education
OTF also helps veterans with legal issues navigate their interactions with, and meet applicable orders, of the Veterans Treatment Court.
The duration and intensity of services provided by OTF is tailored to meet the needs of individual veterans. However, most clients are in contact with their MSS weekly and receive services for about 24 months.
After veterans formally complete the program, they remain part of the OTF family. OTF’s alumni program provides ongoing access to educational opportunities, employment/volunteer assistance, and recreational/therapeutic activities.
Alumni can reach back to our program at any given time and be reconsidered for additional support in the active program.