Helpful Links

Information on TBI & PTSD Symptoms & Treatment

• Brain and Spinal Cord Injury 
  Provides answers and information about frequently asked questions and important issues facing TBI survivors. Also offers a daily blog, in-depth articles, links to resources, and commentary on developments in research and recovery, and a library of videos from brain injury survivors and their families. 
• Brain Injury Association
  Provides information, education and support to assist the 5.3 million Americans currently living with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and their families. Call toll-free 1-800-444-6443 for brain injury information.
• BrainLine
  A national multimedia project offering information and resources about preventing, treating and living with TBI. A service of WETA, the public TV and radio station in Washington, D.C.
• Defense Centers of Excellence (DCoE) for Psychological Health (PH) & Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
  A collaborative effort toward optimizing PH and TBI treatment for the U.S. Department of Defense. Establishes quality standards for clinical care; education and training; prevention; patient, family and community outreach; and program excellence.
• Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center (DVBIC)
  Serves active duty military, their dependents and Veterans with TBI through state-of-the-art medical care, innovative clinical research initiatives and educational programs.
• Facts About Concussion and Brain Injury Brochure
  Explains what can happen after a concussion, how to get better and where to go for more information and help when needed. Document is in PDF format.
• Facts About Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
  General information on TBI from the Brain Injury Association of America.
• Gateway to PTSD Information
  Comprehensive gateway to information on PTSD from four organizations. Includes articles, guides, Web links, mini-courses, 800 phone access and e-mail pen-pal resources.
• Mental Health America
  Provides mental health information, education and advocacy.
• Mental Health Self-Assessment Program (MHSAP)
  Offers service personnel and their families the opportunity to take anonymous, mental health and alcohol use self-assessments online, via the phone and through special events held at installations.
• National Alliance on Mental Health - Veterans Resource Center
  Resources for Veterans and active duty military members as well as their families, friends and advocates. Includes information on TBI/PTSD, how to obtain VA benefits, women Veteran resources, online discussion groups and more.
• National Center for PTSD Information Center
  In-depth information on PTSD and traumatic stress for a general audience. Includes FAQ, fact sheets, where to get help and more.
• National Institute of Mental Health - PTSD Information
  Provides comprehensive information on PTSD. Includes signs and symptoms, treatment, getting help and related information.
• Published International Literature On Traumatic Stress (PILOTS)
  The largest index of published materials on trauma and PTSD.
• Traumatic Brain Injury Technical Assistance Center
  A learning, collaboration and benchmarking tool for the grantees and others affiliated with the Federal Traumatic Brain Injury Program.
• National Center for Injury Prevention and Control at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  Provides an overview of TBI, how many people have it, its leading causes, signs and symptoms, long-term outcomes and costs, and more.
• Understanding Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Recovery
  Brochure from the National Alliance on Mental Illness that addresses PTSD.
• VA Office of Mental Health Services (OMHS)
  VA Web site that provides information about mental health conditions and services.

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Information on Hiring Wounded & Injured Veterans

• AbilityOne
  Provides employment opportunities for people who are blind or have other severe disabilities in the manufacture and delivery of products and services to the federal government.
• American Corporate Partners
  A nationwide mentoring program dedicated to helping Veterans transition from the armed services to civilian employment through career counseling and networking with corporations.
• DirectEmployers
  Provides employment opportunities through a non-profit consortium of leading U.S. corporations.
• DoDVets
  Provides information for disabled Veterans. Includes federal employment information, Q&As for disabled Veterans and managers, internships, scholarships and fellowships, grants, education and training and transition centers.
• Employer Assistance & Resource Network (EARN)
  Offers a one-stop source for disability employment information. Includes information on recruiting services, resume writing tips, fact sheets, employer success stories and more.
• Employer Partnership of the Armed Forces
  Operated by the Army Reserve, the military-friendly Employee Partnership of the Armed Forces lends assistance not only to those looking for a job, but also to public and private employers who are ready to hire former service members and help to support the troops.
• Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve
  Promotes cooperation and understanding between Reserve component members and their civilian employers and assists in the resolution of conflicts arising from an employee's military commitment.
• Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities (EBV)
  Offers experiential training in entrepreneurship and small business management to soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines disabled as a result of their service supporting Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
• FedsHireVets.gov
  Provides federal employment information to Veterans, transitioning Service Members, their families, federal HR professionals and hiring managers from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
• Hire Heroes USA
  Provides links to career opportunities nationwide for returning service men and women, specifically those who have been wounded or with any level of disability.
• Operation Warfighter (OWF)
  Sponsored by the DoD Military Severely Injured Center, OWF is a temporary assignment or internship program for Service Members who are undergoing therapy at military treatment facilities within the United States.
• Project Visibility
  Promotes and advocates inclusive fitness at the highest, most visible level by working to provide jobs in the areas of health and fitness to those with physical challenges. Links gyms that are committed to this idea with motivating, qualified fitness instructors with disabilities.
• Resources for Hiring Veterans and Returning Service Members
  One-stop information to help employers find out why, where and how to recruit and hire qualified Veterans.
• Resources for Recruiting and Hiring People with Disabilities
  Vast collection of resources on hiring people with disabilities sponsored by the Virginia Commonwealth University Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Workplace Supports and Job Retention.
• Understanding Employer Rights and Responsibilities under USERRA
  Provides information on the basic provisions and requirements under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) and includes links to resources such as fact sheets, e-tools, posters and more.
• VetCentral
  Provides online career resources for Veterans. Includes resume help, spouse career center, transition assistance and more.
• Veterans Community Initiatives
  Based in Western Pennsylvania, provides employment assistance to Veterans and their family members.
• Veterans Employment Coordination Service (VECS)
  Established to advance efforts to attract, recruit and hire Veterans into the VA, particularly severely injured Veterans returning from Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
• Veterans Employment Specialist Locator
  Offers the ability to quickly locate Disabled Veterans Outreach Program Specialists (DVOPs) and Local Veterans Employment Representatives (LVERs) in your own particular geographic area.  Located across the country, these specialists assist Veterans who are seeking employment and can help match employers with qualified Veterans. Simply enter your state select "run report" for a comprhensive list.
• Veterans Green Jobs
  Offers training, education and career development programs through the Veterans Green Jobs Academy to help Veterans expand on their military experience in order to serve the country in a new way – by helping to rebuild the economy, restore the environment and renew our communities.  
• VetFran
  Helps Veterans transition to civilian life by offering financial incentives to become franchise owners.
• VetSuccess
  Information about the services that the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) program provides to Veterans with service-connected disabilities.
• Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment Program Services for Employers
  Information for employers from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) regarding services available from the Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment Program, which helps Veterans with service-connected disabilities prepare for, find and keep suitable jobs.
• Warriors To Work Program
  Helps individuals recovering from severe injuries received in the line of duty connect with the support and resources they need to build a career in the civilian workforce. Provides assistance with writing resumes, interviewing, career resources and more.

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Workforce Development Links

• National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE)
  Leading source of information on the employment of the college educated. NACE forecasts trends in the job market; tracks legal issues in employment, the job search, and hiring practices; and provides college and employer professionals with benchmarks for their work.
• National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA)
  Provides information by state administrators on unemployment insurance laws, employment services, training programs, employment statistics and labor market information and other programs and services provided through publicly-funded state workforce systems.
• One-Stop Toolkit for Serving People with Disabilities
  Offers links to resources and organizations related to including people with disabilities in the workforce development system.
• Tips for Workforce Professionals on Assisting Veterans in the Job Search Process
  Connects Veterans, transitioning Service Members, and their families with career planning, training, job search, and other resources to help smooth their transition to civilian life.

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Information on Disability-Related Workplace Accommodations

• Job Accommodation Network (JAN)
  Facilitates the employment and retention of workers with disabilities by providing employers, employment providers, people with disabilities, their family members and others with information on job accommodations, self-employment and small business opportunities and related subjects.
• Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) - Fact Sheets & Publications
  Information from the U.S. Department of Labor on a wide range of disability employment matters.
• Disability & Business Technical Assistance Center (DBTAC) - National Network of ADA Centers
  A national network of 10 regional DBTACs, ADA centers that provide the most complete and experienced services for up-to-date information, referrals, resources and training on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to businesses, employers, government entities and individuals with disabilities. 
• Disability.gov
  Provides quick and easy access to comprehensive information about disability programs, services, laws and benefits.
• Assistive Technology & Cognitive Disabilities Project
  Research on how electronic organizers can be used to promote the independence of people with cognitive disabilities.
• CAP - Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program
  Provides assistive technologies for service members for their rehabilitation, treatment and future employment opportunities.
• Employment Scenarios: What would you do?
  Outlines three examples of mental health issues in the workplace and provides appropriate responses about how to address them.
• How-To Tips for Employers
  Provides information on developing accommodations for people with mental illnesses, the guidelines for providing feedback, and requesting documentation.
• Mental Health Friendly Workplaces
  Resources to educate employers that mental health is a part of every workplace and to help employers spread the message to their workforce.
• Moving Ahead with Eye Power
  Information on the work NASA has conducted to help reduce the size and increase the portability of eye trackers, which provide assistance to people with limited movement and speech.
• SAMHSA's Resource Center to Promote Acceptance, Dignity and Social Inclusion Associated with Mental Health (ADS Center)
  Provides information and advice on countering discrimination and stigma associated with mental illness. Includes brochures and fact sheets.
• The Iraq War - Resources for Employment Assistance (EA) Professionals
  Provides resources for EA professionals, Veterans and their families on PTSD and other potential mental health issues.
• Traumatic Brain Injury and Return to Work
  Collection of resources on TBI and Return to Work issues sponsored by the Virginia Commonwealth University Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Workplace Supports and Job Retention.
• Work Support Accommodations Resources
  Collection of resources on workplace accommodations sponsored by the Virginia Commonwealth University Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Workplace Supports and Job Retention.

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Resources for Transitioning Service Members & Their Families

• AfterDeployment
  A mental wellness resource for Service Members, Veterans and military families that provides a variety of behavioral health information.
• Always a Soldier
  Provides service-connected disabled Veterans opportunities to seek employment, career advancement, job mobility, family economic well being and greater financial security.
• America Supports You - Training & Placement
  Department of Defense program offers a one-stop location for military and their families to find assistance ranging from training and employment to financial help, free airline tickets for hospitalized Service Members and their families, computers, care packages and much more.
• Army Career & Alumni Program (ACAP)
  Provides pre-separation counseling on transition benefits and services and job assistance training, including information for family members.
• Association for Service Disabled Veterans
  Seeks to establish greater economic participation for service disabled and prisoner of war Veterans.
• Blinded Veterans Association (BVA)
  Promotes the welfare of blinded Veterans whether they become legally blind during or after active duty.
• CareerOneStop
  U.S. Department of Labor-sponsored site provides national, state and local career, labor market and workforce information using online tools, videos and maps to a range of local services.
• Community of Veterans
  A Web site created by Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) and the Ad Council that is designed to be a resource to the nation's newest Veterans.
• Easter Seals' Military & Veterans Initiative
  Offers military, Veterans and family members services to help in transitioning to civilian life.
• eBenefits
  eBenefits is a one-stop portal for benefits-related online tools and information. eBenefits serves Wounded Warriors, Veterans, Service members, their families, and their caregivers.
• FedsHireVets.gov
  Provides federal employment information to Veterans, transitioning Service Members, their families, federal HR professionals and hiring managers from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
• Home Front Hearts
  Provides support and resources to the families of Service Members, increases public awareness of the struggles and sacrifices of military families, and engages individuals and businesses in building communities that are responsive to the needs of military families.
• Marine for Life
  Assists transitioning Marines with employment, Veterans benefits, education and community information, and provides links to service organizations.
• Military to Medicine Program
  Program sponsored by Inova Health System designed to provide a new health care career pathway for Veterans, military spouses and recovering wounded Service Members.
• National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies
  Provides families of severely injured military members with assistance to find and pay for safe, licensed child care services for a period of six months during their period of recuperation.
• National Resource Directory
  Provides wounded, ill and injured Service Members and Veterans, their families, families of the fallen and those who support them with a Web-based directory of valuable resources.
• National Veterans Training Institute - Veterans Resource Guide
  This 45-page guide contains a wealth of information for veterans from VA benefits to filing claims to assistance for special groups.
• Navy Safe Harbor
  Personalized support and assistance to severely injured sailors and their families regarding home, transportation and workplace accommodations, education, job training and employment assistance, personal and family counseling, childcare and finances.
• Operation Second Chance
  Provides support for wounded soldiers and Marines while they recover at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., and transition assistance when these Service Members return to active duty or civilian life.
• Outreach Center for Psychological Health & Traumatic Brain Injury
  A 24-hour outreach center that provides information and referrals to military Service Members, Veterans, their families and others who have questions about psychological health and TBI. Operated by the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE), which is reachable by phone at 866-966-1020 and by e-mail at resources@dcoeoutreach.org.
• REALifelines - Recovery & Employment Assistance Lifelines
  Provides Veterans and transitioning Service Members wounded and injured as a result of the War on Terrorism, and their family members, with the resources they need to successfully transition to a rewarding career.
• Real Warriors Campaign
  Web site of the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury's (DCoE) public awareness campaign to combat the stigma associated with seeking care and treatment for psychological health concerns.
• Resources for Returning Service Members (OEF/OIF)
  Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Web site designed to welcome home Veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts.  Features videos, Veteran stories and a blog.
• Severely Injured Veterans Employment Initiative
  Links to local Veterans employment coordinators (VEC) across the country who serve as employment case managers for severely injured Veterans and assist in identifying career opportunities within the Department of Veterans Affairs.
• Small Business Administration (SBA) -- Veterans Business Development Office
  Develops and runs programs for all Veterans, including service-disabled Veterans, reserve component members and their dependents or survivors.
• The Mission Continues
  Awards service fellowships to wounded and disabled Veterans for volunteer service in their communities.
• Transition Training Academy
  Offers severely injured Service Members and military families online training leading to careers in information technology.
• TRICARE's Toolkit for Wounded, Ill & Injured Service Members
  Provides a variety of communications tools to help educate audiences on their TRICARE benefits.
• Transition Assistance Program (TAP)
  A partnership among the Departments of Defense, Veterans Affairs, Transportation and the Department of Labor's Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) created to meet the needs of separating Service Members during their period of transition into civilian life by offering job-search assistance and related services.
• TSA's Wounded Warrior Project
  Supports and facilitates the movement of severely injured Service Members through the security screening process at the nation's airports. Persons eligible for this program include Service Members from all branches of the armed services who have special travel needs and their accompanying family members.
• TurboTap - The Official Transition Assistance Program
  Provides assistance to transitioning military personnel leaving service and their family members. Includes printable pre-separation guides for both Active Duty and Reserve/National Guard Service Members.
• Understanding Brain Injury - A Guide for the Family
  Explains the impact that a brain injury in one family member can have on the entire family. Contains information on the structure and function of the human brain; the causes of brain injury; the recovery process; and behavior and communication changes after brain injury. Document is in PDF format.
• United Spinal Association - VetsFirst
  A full-service Veterans' advocacy program for all Veterans, their dependents and survivors nationwide. Includes benefits counseling services; individual representation; representation on appeals; Veterans' advocacy; obtaining wheelchairs and equipment; and more.
• Vet Centers
  Provide no-cost readjustment counseling and outreach services to all Veterans who served in any combat zone and their family members.
• Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment Program Services
  Information from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs regarding services available from the Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment Program, which helps Veterans with service-connected disabilities prepare for, find and keep suitable jobs.
• Wall Street Warfighters Program
  Provides vocational assessment, training support and job placement services for disabled Veterans seeking new professional skills. Its flagship program will help service-disabled Veterans start new careers in the financial services industry.
• Warrior Care
  An online portal that connects Service Members and their families to a wide variety of programs and resources related to a warrior's care.
• Wounded Warrior Project - Project Odyssey
  Provides fun activities for severely wounded Veterans with PTSD who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Includes horseback riding, mechanical bull riding, calf herding, archery, fishing, cow pasture golf, a blind-folded maze and a land navigation course.
• Wounded Warrior Regiment
  Offers assistance to wounded, injured and ill Marines, Sailors attached to or in support of Marine units, and their family members throughout the phases of recovery.
• Yellow Ribbon Program
  The Yellow Ribbon Program (YRP) is a DoD-wide effort to help National Guard and Reserve Service Members and their families connect with local resources before, during, and after deployments, especially during the reintegration phase that occurs months after Service Members return home.

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Other Related Links

• American Brain Coalition
  Seeks to advance the understanding of the functions of the brain and to reduce the burden of brain disorders through public advocacy.
• Association of Small Business Development Centers (ASBDC)
  Small business assistance network helps new entrepreneurs realize their dream of business ownership, and assists existing businesses to remain competitive in the global marketplace.
• Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) Ad-Hoc Veterans Task Force
  Works to raise the visibility of Veterans' issues throughout the CCD.
• Direct Employers Association
  Provides employment opportunities through a non-profit consortium of leading U.S. corporations.
• Disability.gov
  Provides quick and easy access to comprehensive information about disability programs, services, laws and benefits.
• Federal Disability Workforce Consortium
  Aims to improve the current landscape of employment for people with targeted disabilities within the Federal workforce.
• Fisher House
  Housing for families of patients receiving medical care at major military and VA medical centers.
• Give An Hour
  Dedicated to meeting the mental health needs of the troops and families affected by the ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Encourages providers to give an hour of their time to provide critical mental health services to U.S. troops and their family members.
• Hearing Loss Association of America - Resources for Veterans
  Information for Veterans from a leading organization representing people with hearing loss.
• HHS Office on Disability - Resources for Employers
  Provides federal and non-federal documents on disability-related topics. Includes information on disability laws, diversity, etiquette, taxes and more.
• Interagency Committee on Disability Research
  Facilitates the effective exchange of information on disability and rehabilitation research activities among its member agencies. Activities include assistive technology and universal design; medical rehabilitation; data and statistics; employment; and community participation.
• National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE)
  A leading resource for the self-employed and micro-businesses providing a broad range of benefits and support to help the smallest businesses succeed.
• National Association of State Head Injury Administrators (NASHA)
  Brain injury policy, program and service resources for state employees and others interested in state government.
• National Center on Family Homelessness - Engaging Veterans and Families to Enhance Service Delivery: A Tool Kit for Community-Based Organizations
  This publication, created for community-based organizations discusses the impact of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and offers useful tools for veteran outreach.
• National Council on Disability (NCD)
  President-appointed council that promotes policies, programs, practices and procedures that guarantee opportunity for all individuals with disabilities.
• National Council on Independent Living (NCIL)
  Advances independent living and the rights of people with disabilities. Includes a special resource section for Veterans.
• National Disability Rights Network (NDRN)
  The non-profit membership organization for the federally mandated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) Systems and Client Assistance Programs (CAP) for individuals with disabilities.
• National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB)
  The nation's largest small business association, with offices in Washington, D.C., and all 50 state capitals.
• National Institute on Disability Research and Rehabilitation - Employment Outcomes
  Links to research on employment outcomes for people with disabilities.
• President Barack Obama - Veterans Agenda
  Information on the Obama-Biden Administration's positions on Veterans issues.
• Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) - Recruiting & Selection Resources
  Extensive resources on recruiting and selection of employees in the public sector.
• Social Security Administration (SSA) - Benefits for People with Disabilities
  Overview of SSA's disability benefit programs including the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs.
• U.S. Business Leadership Network (USBLN)
  National disability organization promotes best practices in hiring, retaining and marketing to people with disabilities.
• U.S. Chamber of Commerce
  The world's largest business federation representing more than three million businesses of all sizes, sectors and regions.
• U.S. Department of Labor Employment & Training Administration
  Administers federal government job training and worker dislocation programs, federal grants to states for public employment service programs and unemployment insurance benefits.
• U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
  Enforces federal laws prohibiting job discrimination and provides oversight and coordination of all federal equal employment opportunity regulations, practices and policies.
• Where to Turn: Your Guide to Federal Disability Policies and Programs
  Comprehensive guide provides information on disability programs under the Social Security Administration; Medicare; health care and insurance; welfare and temporary assistance for needy families; individual and family; housing assistance; employment; assistive technology and more.

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