A Virginia Wounded Warrior and School of Social Work Partnership: The “MISSION: Healthy Relationships” Project and Student Engagement

Abstract

Postdeployment family reintegration and relationship breakdown among combat veterans has received considerable attention from the Department of Defense and the media. Social interventions have been developed as a family strengthening strategy. In this article, we present a university–Wounded Warrior partnership where a relationship enhancement program was delivered in a weekend retreat format. The program was provided by a faculty member and a master’s of social work (MSW) alumnus who was an employee of the Wounded Warrior program. Doctoral and MSW students who were research assistants, interns, and volunteers were involved in (1) program management, including recruitment and registration of participants; (2) co-facilitation of intervention activities; and (3) evaluation research, specifically interviewing participants and transcription of interviews.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Suzie S. Weng

Suzie S. Weng is an assistant professor at the University of North Florida. Karen Smith Rotabi is an associate professor at the United Arab Emirates University. Edward M. McIntosh is Region IV coordinator at the Virginia Wounded Warrior Program. Jennifer G. High, Amanda Pohl, and Amy Herrmann are unaffiliated.

Karen Smith Rotabi

Suzie S. Weng is an assistant professor at the University of North Florida. Karen Smith Rotabi is an associate professor at the United Arab Emirates University. Edward M. McIntosh is Region IV coordinator at the Virginia Wounded Warrior Program. Jennifer G. High, Amanda Pohl, and Amy Herrmann are unaffiliated.

Edward M. McIntosh

Suzie S. Weng is an assistant professor at the University of North Florida. Karen Smith Rotabi is an associate professor at the United Arab Emirates University. Edward M. McIntosh is Region IV coordinator at the Virginia Wounded Warrior Program. Jennifer G. High, Amanda Pohl, and Amy Herrmann are unaffiliated.

Jennifer G. High

Suzie S. Weng is an assistant professor at the University of North Florida. Karen Smith Rotabi is an associate professor at the United Arab Emirates University. Edward M. McIntosh is Region IV coordinator at the Virginia Wounded Warrior Program. Jennifer G. High, Amanda Pohl, and Amy Herrmann are unaffiliated.

Amanda Pohl

Suzie S. Weng is an assistant professor at the University of North Florida. Karen Smith Rotabi is an associate professor at the United Arab Emirates University. Edward M. McIntosh is Region IV coordinator at the Virginia Wounded Warrior Program. Jennifer G. High, Amanda Pohl, and Amy Herrmann are unaffiliated.

Amy Herrmann

Suzie S. Weng is an assistant professor at the University of North Florida. Karen Smith Rotabi is an associate professor at the United Arab Emirates University. Edward M. McIntosh is Region IV coordinator at the Virginia Wounded Warrior Program. Jennifer G. High, Amanda Pohl, and Amy Herrmann are unaffiliated.