Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare Launches Free Veterans' Behavioral Health Training

HARRISBURG, Pa., Feb. 28, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Department of Public Welfare (DPW) today announced the launch of free online military and family behavioral health trainings for service providers to better assist service members, veterans and their families facing the consequences of the invisible wounds of war.

The trainings are designed to better educate service providers, allowing medical personnel to help our service members, veterans and their families successfully transition back into their communities.

"Pennsylvania has nearly 1 million veterans, and thousands more returning home to their communities," said DPW Secretary Beverly Mackereth. "We recognize that in order to treat this population effectively, we must understand military culture and the health care benefits available to those individuals – that's what these online training sessions will provide."

In November 2013, Governor Corbett signed Executive Order 2013-03, supporting collaborative efforts of state agencies addressing the needs of Pennsylvania's veterans and their families. This training program would not have been possible without that collaboration.

DPW's Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS), partnered with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Army One Source, universities, county and community providers, and other state agencies to address our veterans' behavioral health needs. The free programs are available through the Pennsylvania Department of Health's online education system.

"I encourage individuals assisting veterans to take advantage of this free training," said Mackereth. "It will increase awareness and treatment skills for providers delivering assistance and services to those who have served our country."

For more information on OMHSAS visit www.dpw.state.pa.us.

The trainings can be found at www.paprepared.net under "Military and Family Behavioral Health".

Media contact:  Kait Gillis, 717-425-7606

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare

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