Many of our returning veterans have combat experiences and separation issues that have left them struggling with the transition from soldier to civilian, from warrior to husband, from fighter to student and from veteran to employee. Sometimes all the veterans and their families need is a little help, and a group of people dealing with the same issues to connect with. These are the reasons a Panhandle Area Support Group for Veterans and Military Families is being formed.

The support group came about after Last years Invisible Scars workshop co-sponsored by WNCC's Veterans Upward Bound and the Nebraska Panhandle Area Health Education Center. One of the most frequently expressed need by wives, parents and veterans themselves was someone to talk to when the nights get too long, the time apart strains relationships, veterans memories are too vivid and when getting back together can be as difficult as being apart.

Amber Heinert, Black Hills Health Care System Case Manager for Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, along with representatives from AHEC, VUB, Hot Springs VA Hospital, Cirrus House, Methodist Parish Nurses Group and the Military and Family Life Consultant Program out of Lincoln joined together to host the support group in the Panhandle.

For more information about the Panhandle Area Support Group for Veterans and Military Families, please contact Marcia Stuckey at (308) 635-6152 or call (308) 635-6042 or contact Amy Reinpold of the Veterans and Military Families Emergency Relief Fund at (308) 632-1284, ext. 7778.

Other agencies and groups involved in helping families of deployed and returning veterans

• Military and Family Life Consultant Program, family counseling: (402) 309-7434
• Black Hills Health Care System, Amber Heinert, Case Manager: (605) 745-2000, ext. 92327
• Panhandle Area Health Education Center, Gary Hastings: (308) 635-6713
• Veterans Upward Bound, GI Bill Educational Benefits/WNCC enrollment: (308) 635-6120
• Cirrus House: (308) 635-1488

More Information

TRiO Programs

• Y.E.S.:Student Support Services helps qualified college students persist toward completion of a bachelors degree.
• Veterans Upward Bound: Veterans Upward Bound Program provides educational help to qualified veterans for the improvement of their educational skills before and while they attend a college, university, vocational, or technical school. Assistance is also available for completion of financial aid and scholarship applications.
• Upward Bound: Upward Bound helps qualified high school students improve their academic achievement in high school and prepare for higher education.
• SPiN: Single parents and displaced homemaker students are invited to join the Single Parent Network for monthly networking/educational/support group meetings in the Williams Building. Qualified students may receive nominal financial assistance and free educational materials.
• Supplemental Instruction: Supplemental Instruction (SI) is a series of weekly review sessions for students taking historically difficult courses. S.I. is provided for students who want to improve their understanding of course material and improve their grades.