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The Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation
Enduring Freedom (OEF) Program for Nebraska-Western Iowa Healthcare
System (NWIHCS) has been effective since May, 2006. The Program
is geared towards educating both soldiers who are to be deployed
and those who have returned from serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Further, the Program is designed to enroll these veterans
into the VA Healthcare System and provide appointments for
care of both physical and mental needs.
Case management is an integral part of this
process and to ensure fluency of service, ongoing follow-up
and referral to other agencies as needed.
Mental health services are available at
three locations; Grand Island, Lincoln and Omaha. These include
medication management and individual counseling along with
case management for each patient through designated case managers.
Referral to specialty programs such as PTSD clinics and substance
dependence treatment clinics are undertaken as indicated.
Further, educational outreach into communities to increase
awareness about mental health challenges has included venues
throughout the state of Nebraska.
The OIF/OEF Program of NWIHCS has partnered
with the Nebraska National Guard to provide a seamless transition
or care to the returning veteran. This includes, not only
partnering in pre and post deployment briefings and but also
monthly combat veteran support groups held in various locations
throughout the state. The Program has continued to expand
since its inception. Its growth reflects both the need for
such services as well as the commitment of NWIHCS to serve
the returning veteran.
To learn more about programs the VA has
to offer, please call 1-800-451-5796 (Omaha), 1-866-851-6052
(Lincoln), or 1-866-580-1810 (Grand Island).
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