Florida Behavioral Health Alliance Addresses Need to Educate Behavioral Health Professionals on Military Culture

TAMPA, Fla.--()--Florida has a great responsibility in serving the military population. It is home to the third largest Veteran population in the nation with more than 1.6 million. Furthermore, approximately 91,000 Service members who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan and their 190,000 dependents all live within communities across the Sunshine State.

Fortunately, the Florida Behavioral Health Alliance (FLBHA) is working diligently to ensure the state’s service providers have access to military-specific continuing education and are equipped to adequately serve the military community in their practices and programs. In fact, in response to this critical need, FLBHA member, the University of South Florida Counselor Education Program, holds an Annual Institute on Counseling the Military, Families, and Children event called “It’s Our Duty”. This year, attendees traveled in from across the state to participate in the all-day event focused on Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).

The conference included presentations by representatives from the University of South Florida, Bay Area Psychology Associates, James A. Haley VA Medical Center, Army OneSource, StressTherapy Solutions, Inc., Florida National Guard Psychological Health Program at Goldbelt Glacier Health, NOVA University, and Troy University.

“We continue our mission to educate mental health professionals on relevant topics to better serve our Service members, Veterans, and their Families. Participants rated the program very highly this year, stating it was one of the best institutes to date. This tells me that we get better each year, continuing to surpass the high level of quality achieved the prior year,” said Dr. Zalaquett, Florida Behavioral Health Alliance Chair. Each attendee earned eight continuing education credits, and equally so, walked away with gained knowledge empowering them to better serve current and former military personnel.

The event was held at no cost, co-sponsored and made possible by the Florida Behavioral Health Alliance, Florida Association on Marriage and Family Therapy, Suncoast Mental Health Counselors Association, Troy University, University of South Florida Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, College of Behavioral and Community Sciences, and the Minority Education Initiative.

Contacts

Army OneSource
Lacey Elmange, 786-502-7294
Community Support Coordinator
lacey.elmange@serco-na.com

Release Summary

Florida Behavioral Health Alliance addresses the need to educate the state’s service providers on military culture. Recently, an annual conference was held to learn more about Traumatic Brain Injury.

Contacts

Army OneSource
Lacey Elmange, 786-502-7294
Community Support Coordinator
lacey.elmange@serco-na.com