University of Nebraska Public Policy Center
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June 19, 2013NU | UNL | UNMC | UNO | UNK | IANR 

News and Events

PPC Graduate Student Appointed to Fellowship Program

Joseph Hamm, a Public Policy Center Graduate research assistant and doctoral student in psychology and law, was one of eight UNL students to be appointed to the Center for Great Plains Studies 2013 Graduate Fellows Program.

According to the press release the program "provides a place for select graduate students to work, meet, obtain support, learn from fellow students, engage with Center faculty and staff, benefit from the center's resources and progress in their studies."

Mental Health and Chaplaincy Gap Analysis Services

This project aims to improve mental health care for veterans and military service members by enhancing integration between chaplains and mental health professionals in programs and facilities operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DoD). The initiative involves a gap analysis to identify how chaplains and mental health professionals can optimally coordinate their services to promote care that is consistent with the values and preferences of veterans and to develop strategies to reach this goal.

The Public Policy Center will perform site visits at VA/DoD facilities across the country conducting interviews with chaplains, mental health professionals and command leadership. Center staff will also review and analyze survey data written documentation.

This analysis seeks to define, and ultimately address, the discrepancy between the existing state of chaplains’ participation in mental health care in VA/DoD programs and the desired state of integrated mental health care that optimizes chaplain participation.

Key Partners
Department of Veterans Affairs
Department of Defense

Funding
Department of Veterans Affairs

Related Publications:

Nieuwsma, J.A., Rhodes, J.E., Jackson, G.L., Cantrell, W.C., Lane, M.E., Bates, M.J., Dekraai, M.B., Bulling, D.J., Ethridge, K., Drescher, K.D., Fitchett, G., Tenhula, W.N., Milstein, G., Bray, R.M., & Meador, K.G. (2013). Chaplaincy and mental health in the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense. Journal of Health Care Chaplaincy, 19:1, 3-21.PDF File

Lead Contact:
Name: Mark DeKraai
E-mail: mdekraai@nebraska.edu
Phone: (402) 472-1496


Staff Researchers:

Name: Tarik Abdel-Monem
E-mail: tabdelmonem@nebraska.edu
Phone: (402) 472-3147

Name: Denise Bulling
E-mail: dbulling@nebraska.edu
Phone: (402) 472-1509

Name: Stacey Hoffman
E-mail: shoffman@nebraska.edu
Phone: (402) 472-4673

Name: Kate Speck
E-mail: kspeck2@nebraska.edu
Phone: (402) 472-0501

BEHAVIORAL
HEALTH		 GOVERNMENT
SERVICES		 INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY		 PUBLIC
PARTICIPATION		 WATER
RESOURCES