The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at The Up Center
Helping veterans and military families get backtobetter.
A CASE FOR SUPPORT IN HAMPTON ROADS
DEAR FRIENDS
As President and CEO of The Up Center, I am most proud of our agency’s reputation of service and nearly 140-year commitment to partnering with children, families, and communities to improve lives and outcomes through prevention, intervention, and support services.
The Up Center, as one of the largest nonprofit providers of evidenced-based mental health services locally, is experienced at caring for the mental health needs of hundreds of thousands of veterans and military families who call Hampton Roads home
When the Cohen Veterans Network approached us about partnering to launch The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at The Up Center in Virginia Beach to serve post-9/11 veterans, active duty service members, and military families, I was ecstatic. Through this exciting partnership, we have significantly enhanced our clinical capacity for mental health counseling services and reduced barriers that can prevent veterans and military families from accessing care.
Since opening in August 2019, the Cohen Clinic at The Up Center has made a tremendous impact in our community. The clinic has served more than 1,600 clients in its first 3 years of operation. In this time, we’ve gained an even greater understanding of how vital the need is for these critical services. Today, we know that 30% of service members who deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan need mental health treatment, and fewer than 50% have received care. 1 To respond to the demand for our services, we continue to grow our team of clinicians to better serve even more veterans, active duty service members, and military families.
In order for us to make these critical investments and ensure this vital community resource can continue serving our veterans and families well into the future, The Up Center needs the community’s support. A gap exists between anticipated revenues and operations. To help fill the gap, The Up Center has initiated a fundraising campaign to sustain the clinic’s future operations and expand access to our life-saving services.
Thank you for your interest. Together, we can ensure post-9/11 veterans, including those from the National Guard and Reserves, active duty service members, and military families of Hampton Roads can continue accessing quality, evidenced-based therapy, combined with case management and other resources to gain the tools and support they need to thrive!
Sincerely,
Tina Gill President & CEO of The Up Center
SAVING LIVES , FAMILIES AND FUTURES IN HAMPTON ROADS
There is a well-documented mental health crisis for veterans, active duty service members and military connected family members. Since September 11, 2001, there have been 2.8 million active-duty American military personnel deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, and beyond, leading to increasing numbers of combat veterans amongst the population 2 . Over the 20-year conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan our nation’s service members experienced multiple, extended length deployments into combat zones. For many who served, the invisible wounds of war have not healed.
Our region is home to more than 430,000 veterans, active-duty service members, and their families who represent nearly one quarter of the population in Hampton Roads. The support of this community is critical to increase access to the high quality mental health care our veterans, active duty service members and military families need.
230,000+ VETERANS
114,000+ MILITARY FAMILY MEMBERS
83,000+ ACTIVE DUTY
Of the millions of Americans who answered our nation’s call to serve in the military 7 since 9/11: HAVE RECEIVED THE CARE 8 THEY NEED 50% FEWER THAN
1.5X
Despite the sacrifices veterans and their families have made in service to the nation, the mental health services provided to them by government and civilian providers are often difficult to access or inadequate to meet the fundamental needs of post-9/11 veterans, including those from the National Guard and Reserves, active duty service members, and military families. The Up Center is helping to change this reality.
A VETERAN MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS HAMPTON ROADS IS HOME3 TO: REGIONAL ECONOMIC IMPACT:
13,000 ENTER OUR CIVILIAN WORKFORCE ANNUALLY 4
DIRECT ECONOMIC IMPACT BY THE NAVY ALONE IN 2018 5 OVER
ACCOUNTS FOR THE
MORE LIKELY TO DIE BY SUICIDE 9
$16 BILLION
THE PAST DECADE THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE (DOD) SPENDING
VA REPORTS THAT VETERANS DIE BY SUICIDE EACH DAY. 20
45.6% OF ALL REGIONAL ECONOMIC ACTIVITY6
THE STEVEN A. COHEN
MILITARY FAMILY CLINIC AT
THE UP CENTER
FILLING THE GAPS IN CARE
Recognizing the dire need for help, The Up Center has proudly partnered with The Cohen Veterans Network (CVN) to open The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at The Up Center to serve our region’s post-9/11 veterans, including those from the National Guard and Reserves, active duty service members, and military families with accessible, high quality, and evidenced-based mental health care. Beyond its clinical services, our Cohen Military Family Clinic offers comprehensive referrals for other challenges facing those who have served, such as unemployment, financial counseling, housing, and legal issues.
WHO WE SERVE POST-9/11 VETERANS
Anyone who has served in the United States Armed Forces, regardless of role while in uniform, discharge status, or combat experience and including those in the National Guard and Reserves.
ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS
Anyone serving in Armed Forces with a TRICARE referral.
MILITARY FAMILY MEMBERS
Family is defined by the veteran and includes parents, siblings, spouses, partners, children, caregivers and others.
WHAT WE DO
Our skilled clinicians and staff have been trained to work specifically with veterans and their families, and many are veterans themselves. We offer short-to-medium term, customized therapy for a variety of mental health issues concerns including:
• PTSD
• Depression
• Transition challenges
• Anxiety
• Stress
• Sleep problems
• Relationship and family difficulties
• Anger
OUR CLINIC DIFFERENCE
MAKING IT EASIER TO GET HELP
At The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at The Up Center, post-9/11 veterans, including those from the National Guard and Reserves, active duty service members, and military families are eligible for low-to-no-cost, personalized, mental health care proven to work.. We are adept at building the confidential relationships necessary to provide excellent, culturally competent care to meet the unique needs of each patient or family.
INCLUSIVE ELIGIBILITY
We treat veterans regardless of their role in uniform, discharge status, or combat experience as well as family members of veterans and active duty service members (caregivers, siblings, parents, partners, children, spouses and others).
As a result, we can serve many individuals who do not qualify for other services.
INNOVATIVE OPTIONS
Face-to-face video therapy is one way we ensure the strongest mental health outcomes possible for individuals who are unable to or prefer not to receive services onsite.
Our best-in-class mental health care and clinician training is centered on therapy and counseling options that are the current, best practices available, based on research. This capability allowed our clinic to remain open during the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring continuity of care for existing patients and vital access to services for newly referred patients. Beyond the pandemic, teletherapy allows us to serve clients from the Peninsula and further away who would have to travel some distance to regularly access care at the Virginia Beach clinic.
EASY ACCESS
We are making it easier to get help by offering flexible hours, telehealth services and same day appointments for individuals in crisis. The Up Center’s Cohen Military Family Clinic also offers childcare, transportation and comprehensive referrals to other resources to help eliminate barriers to care and alleviate stressors which may be causing unnecessary anxiety for the veteran and their family.
Our mission and commitment are to provide effective and accessible care when and how our clients need it most.
COMMUNITY COLLABORATION
The Military Family Clinic at The Up Center is endorsed as an official partner of the Veterans Administration and is credentialed as an approved Tri-Care clinic. The Up Center is assisting our public partners, such as the Hampton Veterans Hospital and its affiliated Vet Centers, Fleet & Family Services and local military bases, increase access to mental health services. We are helping to build a robust network of quality providers in our region by participating in community-based collaboratives and partnering with the following organizations:
MISSION UNITED • NEXUS • WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT STOP INC. • THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS (NAMI) MILITARY ONE SOURCE • AMERICAN RED CROSS CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL OF THE KING’S DAUGHTERS (CHKD) THE BARRY ROBINSON CENTER ∙ SALVATION ARMY
The clinic has been an incredible asset to my command and a true partner for us.
David Collins, Former Director of the Hampton VA Medical Center
LOCAL EXPERTISE CONNECTED NATIONALLY
The Military Family Clinic at The Up Center is part of nationally, integrated network of 22, planned for 25, customized outpatient clinics for post-9/11 veterans, including those from the National Guard and Reserves, active duty service members, and military families in high need communities. As part of Cohen Veterans Network, Hampton Roads’ veterans and families benefit from robust data collection which informs relevant clinical best practices in real time, best practice sharing and continuity of care when families transfer.
GROWING THE NETWORK
1,600+ CLIENTS SERVED
IN 3 YEARS, WE HAVE
13,000+ CLINICAL SERVICE SESSIONS
9,000+ HOURS OF SERVICE PROVIDED VIA TELEHEALTH
The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at The Up Center
51% MALE VETERANS
51% VETERANS & ACTIVE DUTY
28% CHILDREN
21% ADULT FAMILY MEMBERS
49% FEMALE VETERANS
VIRGINIA BEACH*DATA THROUGH JUNE 30, 2022
BACK TO BETTER
A VETERAN FAMILY
A mother and her 4 young children entered treatment at the Cohen Clinic at The Up Center for family counseling. Upon intake, the team began supporting the family by connecting them with affordable legal resources and medical care before their therapy began.
In their initial visit at the Cohen Clinic, individual therapists were assigned to each family member. Increased costs of individual therapy and childcare may once have been a concern, but the Cohen Clinic at The Up Center has removed these barriers, and no one is denied access to care due to an inability to pay, and qualified childcare is available for clients with children.
To increase the odds for long-term success, individual therapy transitioned into family reintegration, and post-therapy access to Cohen Clinic case managers. For this family, what seemed like an insurmountable challenge, became a well-supported path to well-being and healing.
I admitted I needed help — and here
I am today, and everything is OK... If I can do it, they can do it.
Kyle White ARMY VETERAN
TRUE STORIES OF OUR IMPACT FROM VETERANS AND MILITARY FAMILY MEMBERS
A FEMALE VETERAN
suffering from the lasting effects of multiple assaults while enlisted, was unable to go into many public places. The effects of PTSD limited her abilities to function productively and had almost completely isolated her. Through therapy which included Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), our veteran was able to process the traumatic events and rebuild her life. Not only has she been able to enjoy hobbies and experiences that had become triggering for her, but she has also successfully returned to the workforce, securing a professional role.
A VETERAN LOST HIS JOB
and had to move in with his parents, and fell into a depression. He sought counseling at the Military Family Clinic to reduce his anxiety.
His clinician and the clinic’s case manager worked to assist our veteran through evidenced-based practices, while concurrently focusing on gaining employment and housing. He was able to revamp his resume, receive interviews and as a result, secured a civil servant job.
At post-discharge check-in via phone, he was excited that he had moved into his very own place and was thankful for the services provided by the clinic. He would recommend the clinic to any veteran or military family he knew in need of care.
OF CLIENTS SURVEYED AFTER TREATMENT
95% of clients who completed the post-discharge survey said they would refer a friend or family member (agreed or strongly agreed).
92% of clients said that their needs were met.
96% of clients were satisfied with the quality of services.
95% of clients showed an improvement in overall functioning.
It’s important to have a network where veterans can get mental health care to overcome these challenges.
Ryan Pitts ARMY VETERAN
JOINING FORCES THROUGH THE HERO PROMISE FUND
The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at The Up Center is already achieving significant outcomes. But, the demand for our services is great and there is much more work to do.
The Up Center’s mission of partnering with children, families, and communities to improve lives and outcomes through prevention, intervention, and support services compels us to step up the response to the mental health needs of the post9/11 veterans, including those from the National Guard and Reserves, active duty service members, and military families who make up nearly one-quarter of the population in Hampton Roads.
Alone, we cannot fill this gap in care or fully address our community’s unmet needs.
With the strong partnerships and investments of community leaders, like you, the Cohen Clinic at The Up Center will continue to thrive. Together, with your support, the generous and continued support of the Steven and Alexandra Cohen Foundation, and The Up Center team, the Cohen Clinic will endure as a beacon of hope and healing; Ensuring that the post-9/11 veterans, including those from the National Guard and Reserves, active duty service members, and military families in our community have access to the highest quality mental health services for years to come.
With a meaningful gift to the Hero Promise Fund, you will join us in our mission to improve the lives of veterans and military family members for years to come.
A SPECIAL THANK YOU
$300,000 - $100,000
The Perry Family Foundation
The Landmark Foundation
TowneBank Foundation
William A. Goldback Fund (Hampton Roads Community Foundation)
Kay Abiouness
$99,999 - $50,000
Dominion Energy
Dale White
$49,999 – 25,000
Beazley Foundation
James E. Forrester, Ed.D.
Jean G. Lamkin, Ph.D.
Mark and Luana Hugel
Birdsong Charitable Foundation
Bradley Family Foundation
$24,999 - $10,000
Lisa Ehrich and Robert Bernstein
Recovery Trek (Kirk and Ashley Cizerle)
Tina & Bill Gill
Timothy P. Callahan
$9,999 - $5,000
Peggy Barney
Don and Barbara Lipskis
John and Jody Benedict
Virginia and John Hitch
Joanne Taylor and Michael Kearns
$4,999 - $1,000
Cavelle Mollineaux
Steven and Sally Kocen
Ed Ladd
ONYX Realty Professionals
BELOW $1,000
Ann-Randolph and Clifton Harrell
Theresa Whibley
Virginia Batteen Hawks
Operation Healing Forces
Joe New
Mizells Hauling
Christie Whiting
Cecil Gandia
The mental health challenges facing veterans are real. This clinic is an asset, and the Landmark Foundation is happy to support it.
FRANK BATTEN, JR.
DONORS FROM
TO OUR
OUR STAFF AND OUR CLIENTS
HOW YOUR SUPPORT WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE
AMPLIFY ACCESS TO CARE ELIMINATE BARRIERS
• Increase appointment availability
• Leverage data to improve service delivery
• Continue existing clinic operations
• Serve additional clients
CREATE COMMUNITY
• Group Therapy
• Attend and host community events
• Life skills classes
INCREASE PROVIDER CAPACITY
• Train the next generation of clinicians
• Establish stipends for field placements
• Sponsor staff training to continuously improve assessment and treatment
• Support caregivers
• Provide childcare access
• Offer inclusive eligibility to serve veterans and military families who may not qualify for other services
EXPAND TELEHEALTH
• Deliver online therapy to those unable to travel to the clinics
• Extend reach of care in rural areas
• Facilitate technology for telehealth
You re-center and motivate me in more ways than you’ll ever know!
AIR FORCE VETERAN
LEARN MORE
Tina Gill, President & CEO of The Up Center (p) 757-965-8648 | (c) 757-513-0621 | tina.gill@theupcenter.org
828 Healthy Way, Suite 105, Virginia Beach, VA 23462
theupcenter.org/cohenclinic
REFERENCES
1 National Council for Behavioral Health
2 https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2020/veterans-report.html
3 Department of Defense Demographic Report - 2017
4 Department of Veterans Affairs’ National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics – 2013
5 Department of the Navy - Hampton Roads Economic Impact Report - Fiscal Year 2018
6 HR Chamber/Our Military
7 Since the events of 9/11, with hundreds of thousands transitioning to civilian life each year. After 18+ years at war, the demand for mental health services is outstripping supply.
8 Studies conducted by USC’s Center for Innovation & Research on Veterans & Military Families show that 40% of veterans who come home with mental health issues are not receiving care.
9 Research shows veterans die by suicide at about 1.5 times the rate of non-veterans and the highest rate of suicide in veterans is among the youngest generation: 18-34 year olds.
