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Recovering Combat Vets, Family Resources a Keystroke Away

  • Published
  • By Shari Lopatin
  • TriWest Healthcare Alliance
SPOKANE, Wash. --  A new e-source offering volumes of help for recovering service members and their families is now just a keystroke away.

The National Resource Directory is a collaborative effort between the Departments of Defense, Labor and Veterans Affairs. This online library of information provides thousands of recovering service members, veterans, families and caregivers with resources they may need.

"Many times, people assume it's just the injured service member or veteran who is traveling down the road to recovery. But it's not. Spouses, children, caregivers -- even parents -- travel down that road too," said Dr. Frank Maguire, senior vice president of healthcare services and chief medical officer of TriWest Healthcare Alliance. Maguire is also a retired Navy Captain.

The new directory has information about everything from VA disability compensation and unemployment benefits, to family support services and education or employment help. It even connects to the Wounded Warrior Resource Call Center, which has trained specialists available to assist callers 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

So why all the hoopla over a new online directory? Simple: it's the most comprehensive directory designed to smooth the transition to full rehabilitation for recovering service members, families and caregivers.

"The great thing about this National Resource Directory is it offers help and resources on all fronts, from housing and employment opportunities to survivor information and caregiver support groups. And while it addresses needs of the family, it also offers a library of resources available to help a recovering service member down that road to full rehabilitation," Maguire added.

The directory began as a part of the need for improved access to information on services and resources for recovering service members, which was identified by the President's Commission on Care for America's Returning Wounded Warriors and Title XVI, "Wounded Warrior Matters," of the 2008 National Defense Authorization Act.

Check out the new National Resource Directory at www.nationalresourcedirectory.org.

Recovering service members and their families and caregivers can also find information and resources at www.tricare.mil or through TriWest Healthcare Alliance, which administers the military health care plan throughout its 21-state west region. Visit TriWest online at www.triwest.com or call 1-888-TRIWEST (874-9378) for additional resources and information.