TY - JOUR
T1 - Re-visioning veteran readjustment
T2 - Evaluating outcomes of a green-jobs training program
AU - Bellotti, Christine
AU - Laffaye, Charlene
AU - Weingardt, Kenneth R.
AU - Fischer, Mark
AU - Schumacher, Tom
PY - 2011/8/15
Y1 - 2011/8/15
N2 - Objective: This pilot project examined the mental health and quality of life outcomes achieved by 17 OIF/OEF (Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom) veterans who participated in the first cohort of the Veterans Conservation Corps (VCC) green jobs training program at Green River Community College in Auburn, Washington. Methods: The VCC is an innovative, 10-month educational program which provides academic and vocational training to OIF/OEF veterans who are interested in pursuing environmental careers or green jobs. All subjects successfully completed a 10-month full-time training program that required adherence to a rigorous schedule of classroom academics and outdoor field work. An assessment battery measuring depression, anxiety, PTSD, physical health, and perceived quality of life was administered at baseline, mid-point, and at the end of the training program. Results: Improvements were found in two of the measures (improvement in social functioning and ability to perform daily tasks) which is noteworthy with such a small sample size (n = l7). Conclusions: These preliminary findings suggest that participation in the VCC may help to improve the social and physical functioning of OIF/OEF veterans. Addressing readjustment issues for all returning veterans through vocational training in the emerging field of green jobs is discussed and considered.
AB - Objective: This pilot project examined the mental health and quality of life outcomes achieved by 17 OIF/OEF (Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom) veterans who participated in the first cohort of the Veterans Conservation Corps (VCC) green jobs training program at Green River Community College in Auburn, Washington. Methods: The VCC is an innovative, 10-month educational program which provides academic and vocational training to OIF/OEF veterans who are interested in pursuing environmental careers or green jobs. All subjects successfully completed a 10-month full-time training program that required adherence to a rigorous schedule of classroom academics and outdoor field work. An assessment battery measuring depression, anxiety, PTSD, physical health, and perceived quality of life was administered at baseline, mid-point, and at the end of the training program. Results: Improvements were found in two of the measures (improvement in social functioning and ability to perform daily tasks) which is noteworthy with such a small sample size (n = l7). Conclusions: These preliminary findings suggest that participation in the VCC may help to improve the social and physical functioning of OIF/OEF veterans. Addressing readjustment issues for all returning veterans through vocational training in the emerging field of green jobs is discussed and considered.
KW - Veteran readjustment
KW - green jobs training
KW - vocational-rehabilitation
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=80051541943&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=80051541943&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3233/JVR-2011-553
DO - 10.3233/JVR-2011-553
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:80051541943
SN - 1052-2263
VL - 35
SP - 51
EP - 57
JO - Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation
JF - Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation
IS - 1
ER -
