While working in the VA healthcare system, Michelle collaborated with colleagues in creating resources for families managing mental illness and trauma/PTSD. The following four programs are available for free download. Support for their development was provided in part by the South Central Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC).
SAFE Program: Support and Family Education
An 18-session family education curriculum for adults who care about someone living with a mental illness or PTSD. Named a best practice by VA Central Office.
Five age-based parenting toolkits for Iraq/ Afghanistan veterans and families, including infants, toddlers, preschoolers, elementary, and teenagers. Paper copies of toolkits were distributed nationally to all VAs in 2013.
An interactive pamphlet to empower adults living with PTSD in exploring if, when, how, and what to share with their children about their trauma and well-being. This guide emerged from aresearch projectin which we learned from veteran parents about their experiences and needs.
Resources for Teens by Michelle and DeAnne (out of print)
My Story: Blogs by Four Military Teens
A series of blogs by four military teens that highlights their feelings and experiences before, during, and after parental deployment
The Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) distributed this book to educators and other professionals through their national training programs about supporting military children.
Finding My Way: A Teen's Guide to Living with a Parent Who Has Experienced Trauma
A unique, three-part book that honestly and gently addresses key issues in dealing with a parent who has experienced trauma.
The National Guard purchased over 75,000 copies of this book and distributed them to every unit around the country to be a resource for their families.
Curriculum to Support Healthy Lifestyle Choices
While at the medical school of the University of Minnesota, Michelle collaborated with Dr. Stephanie Hooker and colleagues and created the following curriculum, which is also available for free online:
Change That Matters: Promoting Healthy Behaviors:
A 10-module curriculum to teach physicians how to help patients with health behavior change (quitting smoking, healthy eating, increasing physical activity) and behavioral health topics (managing stress, improving sleep, coping with chronic pain).
