POLICY AND PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE TO ENHANCE THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF MILITARY VETERANS IN THE PACIFIC RIM
SYMPOSIUM AGENDA
May 17-19, 2017
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
SYMPOSIUM GOAL
In recognition of a global need to ensure policy related to enhancing the well-being of veterans of military service, particularly issues involving health, housing, education, and employment, the University of Southern California is pleased to host members of the Association of Pacific Rim Universities, and researchers in the military field, to this two-day symposium on global military veterans policy. The goal of the symposium is to provide a forum for in-depth discussions on issues related to the health and welfare of military veterans in the Pacific Rim. The event will engage experts from the academic, research and military fields in a discussion and share current research trends of the top priorities regarding veterans’ policies that challenge the Pacific Rim. This action research initiative will be the beginning of a process that will anticipate and propose veterans’ policy outcomes that will present more effective options to governments, major health care providers, and veterans support organizations, which will be made available to key decision-making bodies around the world.
THEMATIC PILLARS
The principle presentation and discussion themes of this year’s symposium will focus on four pillars:
- GI Bill
- Suicide Amongst Veterans
- Disability and Compensation
- Successful Transition to Civilian Life
Wednesday, May 17, 2017
5:45 pm
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
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**Out of town guests can meet Catalina Vazquez at the USC Radisson Midtown lobby to walk over to the University Club, Scripter Room
Opening Reception Dinner, University Club, Scripter Room Hosted by the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work and the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy |
Thursday, May 18, 2017
7:45 am
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**Out of town guests can meet Catalina Vazquez at the USC Radisson Midtown lobby to walk over to the University Club, Scripter Room
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8:00 am – 9:00 am | USC Town & Gown
Registration and Breakfast in Courtyard Opening Ceremonies
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9:00 am – 10:15 am | 9:00 am: Opening Remarks and Introduction of USC Provost Michael
Quick by Dean Marilyn Flynn, USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work
9:05 am: USC Welcome by Professor Michael Quick, USC Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
9:15 am: Introduction of Lieutenant General (Retired) Jeffrey W. Talley by Dean Jack Knott, USC Sol Price School of Public Policy
9:20 am: Featured Speaker, Lieutenant General (Retired) Jeffrey W. Talley, former Chief of Army Reserve
9:50 am: Questions and Answers with Lieutenant General (Retired) Talley
10:00 am: Introduction of Chistopher Tremewan, APRU Secretary General by Prof. Shantanu Dutta, USC Marshall School of Business
10:05 am: APRU Welcome, Christopher Tremewan, APRU Secretary General
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10:15 am – 11:30 am
11:30 am – 11:40 am
11:40 am – 12:00 pm
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm |
Lead Presentation with Discussion
“Service Connected Disability Compensation: A Perspective from Mental Health Clinical Research” Robert Rosenheck MD, VA New England Mental Illness, Research, Education and Professor of Psychiatry, Epidemiology and Public Health, and the Child Study Center, Yale Medical School, VA Connecticut Health Care System
Disability Compensation for veterans is controversial because it represents the intersection of three spheres of discourse: The discourse of justice, income replacement, and health care. Compensation policy is rightly guided primarily by concerns for justice and income replacement. The health outcomes perspective is largely concerned with the unintended consequences of compensation policy for health and functioning. Few studies have empirically examined these consequences. The presentation will review relevant research and is intended to dispel misconceptions and articulate legitimate policy concerns.
Introduction to USC Center for Innovation and Research on Military Veterans and Military Families, Prof. Carl Castro, USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work
Break
Luncheon in Courtyard
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1:00 pm – 2:15 pm
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Afternoon Panel Sessions with Discussion
The GI Bill Moderated by Prof. Carl Castro, USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work
Presentations: 1. Prof. Carl Castro, Professor and Director of the Center for Innovation and Research on Veterans & Military Families, USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work 2. Prof. TJ McCarthy, Assistant Professor, USC Sol Price School of Public Policy 3. Dr. David Pedlar, Director of Research at the National Headquarters of Veterans Affairs, Canada
Overview and discussion of the GI Bill: strengths, challenges and opportunities. The GI Bill of Rights has a long history of successes and challenges. What are the strengths and opportunities that face the Department of Veteran Affairs education benefit program earned by members while on active duty? The bill is designed to help eligible Veterans cover the costs associated with getting an education and training. Is the program effective? Are the outcomes measurable? What needs to be addressed? How can research benefit the program and what are the lessons learned? Are they potentially exportable to the Pacific Rim? |
2:15 pm – 2:30 pm |
Afternoon Break |
2:30 pm – 4:00 pm | Suicide Amongst Veterans
Moderated by Dr. Eyal Fruchter, Head of the Psychiatric Ward, Rambam Medical Center, Haifa, Israel Presentations: 1. Dr. Eyal Fruchter, Head of the Psychiatric Ward, Rambam Medical Center, Haifa, Israel 2. Dr. Yueh-Ming Tai, Institute of Health and Welfare Policy at National Yang-Ming University, and Psychiatry at Taoyuan Armed Forces General Hospital 3. Dr. Szu-Nian Yang, Institute of Health and Welfare Policy at National Yang-Ming University, and MD/Psychiatry at Taoyuan Armed Forces General Hospital 4. Dr. John Cooper, Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne 5. Dr. David Pedlar, Director of Research at the National Headquarters of Veterans Affairs, Canada
Suicide: the facts, the reality and the challenges. Military veteran suicide is an ongoing phenomenon regarding a high rate of suicide among military veterans in comparison to the general public. Veterans are not only more likely to have suicidal ideation often associated with PTSD and depression, but are more likely to act on a suicidal plan. How can research and practical application help stem this disturbing trend?
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4:00 pm – 5:00 pm | Disability and Compensation
Moderated by Prof. John Romley, USC Sol Price School of Public Policy
Presentations: 1. Dr. Courtney C. Coile, Professor of Economics, Director, Knapp Social Science Center, Wellesley College 2. Dr. Michael Mattock, Senior Economist, RAND
Setting the scene: what are the parameters and why do they matter? Do they effectively compensate for considerable loss of post-service working time as a result of active service exacerbations or illnesses, including post-traumatic stress disorder? What are the successes and what needs to change? How can research provide clearer focus, fill gaps and promote proactive, sustainable compensation and opportunity? |
5:00 pm
5:45 pm |
Closing remarks, Associate Dean Cherrie Short, Office of Global & Community Initiatives, USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work
**Shuttles depart to dean’s residence from the USC Radisson Midtown (meet at entrance of hotel)
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6:30 pm – 8:30 pm | Reception and Dinner
Hosted by Dean Marilyn Flynn, USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work (Location: Dean Flynn’s private residence, Los Angeles) |
Friday, May 19, 2017
8:00 am – 8:30 am | USC Town & Gown
Breakfast in Courtyard |
8:30 am – 10:15 am
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Morning Panel Session with Discussion
Successful Transition to Civilian Life Moderated by Dr. David Pedlar, Director of Research at the National Headquarters of Veterans Affairs, Canada Presentations: 1. Dr. Carl Castro, Professor and Director of the Center for Innovation and Research on Veterans & Military Families, USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work 2. Dr. Soo Kyung Park, Associate Dean and Professor, School of Social Welfare, Yonsei University; Dr. Jae Yop Kim, Professor, School of Social Welfare, Yonsei University; Hyun Lee, Doctoral student, School of Social Welfare, Yonsei University 3. Dr. Jae Sung Choi, Professor, School of Social Welfare, Yonsei University; Kyu Hyoung Jeong, Doctoral student, School of Social Welfare, Yonsei University 4. Dr. John Cooper, Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne 5. Dr. David Pedlar, Director of Research at the National Headquarters of Veterans Affairs, Canada
Overview of successful transition to civilian life: how veterans view themselves and how they are viewed by their communities. What are the most successful strategies for reintegration? In what ways can we measure activity effectiveness that enhance veteran identities and well- being? What is the role of research in ensuring success for veterans and their families? |
10:15 am – 10:30 am |
Break
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10:30 am – 11:30 am | Closing Discussion, Key Findings and Next Steps
Moderated by Symposium Steering Committee members Dr. Carl Castro and Dr. Dave Pedlar
Round table discussion of current research activity by Symposium participants, including overall review and assessment: conclusions, gaps, action items and next steps. Which will propose and anticipate policy outcomes for veterans and strategies for continued inclusion of APRU institutions.
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11:30 am – 12:00 pm | Closing remarks, symposium outcomes and future action; making
a difference moving forward Dean Marilyn Flynn, USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work Dean Jack Knott, USC Sol Price School of Public Policy Associate Dean Cherrie Short, USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work
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12:00 pm | Lunch in Courtyard and Departure |