Serving those who served

Jeanne Sherman recently received the Veterans of Foreign Wars Community Service Award. Sherman currently provides therapy for military and veterans’ families through Family Service of Rhode Island. Sherman has also led a community drive to collect personal-care items for needy veterans and she has been a featured speaker at a conference that focuses on Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, among other endeavors. Sherman is an Army veteran and former sergeant.

Could you tell me more about the work you do with FSRI?

Some military members and their families have difficulty coping with separation, physical injury and/or the possibility of the service member not returning home. Through our National Child Traumatic Stress Network grant, I help them adjust and grow through deployment, sustainment, post-deployment and possible redeployment. Caregivers learn new ways to parent and understand the stressors that family members might experience.

How is trauma-focused therapy changing?

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Across the service landscape and across funders, we’re seeing more of a focus on the use of evidence-based practices and evaluation of outcomes. We would like to see broader expansion of trauma-informed practices, particularly as it relates to military families within schools, medical practices and other venues where military families live, work, and receive services.

What are some of the best ways to help veterans who have recently returned from their deployment?

Acknowledge the military members and their families for the sacrifices they have made for our continued freedom. If you are a business owner, hire a vet and see how much they contribute to your organization. If you are a teacher, find out how many military children are in your class and school. If you own an eating establishment, have a military discount with proof of identification. •

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