Bringing Soldiers and Their Families All The Way Home
The Minnesota National Guard has pioneered a program in hopes of changing how Soldiers and Airmen are reintegrated back to their communities. Called Beyond the Yellow Ribbon, the program is named as a reminder that the support of Soldiers cannot end when they return from deployment and the yellow ribbons are untied.
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Roadmap To Reintegration
Your personal guide to coming home.
Taking Care of Business
A checklist outlining steps that need to be taken upon returning from deployment. It will help ensure a successful transition back to civilian life.
Taking Care of Your Health
An explanation of the various health issues that veterans may be experiencing after an overseas deployment. This portion of the Roadmap to Reintegration is a great resource for health issues.
Taking Care of Your Family
Pointers on how to reconnect with your spouse, significant other, children and/or parents.
Taking Care of Benefits
An overview of Veterans Administration benefits, how to find assistance and accessing those benefits. This section also has a brief explanation of Tricare benefits.
Legal
This section identifies the legal assistance available through the Staff Judge Advocate (JAG). It provides a point of contact with Division Legal.
Minnesota State Benefits
Some Minnesota specific benefits and how to access them.
Employment
Programs and services designed to help veterans successfully gain meaningful employment.
Education
Educational benefits available to qualifying veterans/Soldiers.
Website Resources
List of website links that will connect reintegrating Soldiers and families with organizations that can provide valuable assistance.
Hmong version.
Spanish version.
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Reintegration Programs
Family Reintegration Academy
The Minnesota National Guard is conducting Family Reintegration Academies to prepare family members for the homecoming of their Soldiers, and to inform them on what they can do to make this transition as easy as possible. The academy has been established to increase the family member’s knowledge of the reintegration process, and to provide resources to them as they go through the steps of reintegration.
Monthly Individual Reintegration Training (MIRT)
MIRT is a 1 day reintegration training event for an individual REFRAD and MED-HOLD Soldiers. This training provides an opportunity to learn, ask questions and dialog about the challenges of reintegration and understand what resources are available.
Initial Reintegration Training
Connect Soldiers to service providers who can assist them in overcoming the challenges of reintegration through briefings and a workshop format
AND
-Enroll every Soldier in the Veterans Administration (1010EZ)
-Inform Soldier of their Veterans Benefits
-Provide Soldiers with TAG’s “10 Commandments of Reintegration” wallet card
Training Event- 30 Days after return
Reconnect Soldiers and families with service providers through workshops and round-robin stations. Allows for more personal contact with service providers.
The event includes:
- Relationship workshops for married couples and single Soldiers
- A parenting workshop
- Access to service providers to explain all the benefits available to combat veterans
- A Job Fair with access to 100 employers looking to hire!
Training Event- 60 Days after return
This is a unit-focused event that includes the Post Deployment Health Re-Assessment (PDHRA) and Tuberculosis (TB) tine testing.
The event includes:
- Anger Management
- Gambling Abuse
- Substance Abuse
The MN State Patrol will provide a drivers safety briefing and explain any laws that have changed in Minnesota.
Training Event- 90 Days after return
Conduct a thorough Post Deployment Health Re-assessment (PDHRA) of combat veterans.
Community Reintegration Training
Educate community leaders about challenges of reintegration, and what they can do to assist combat veterans and their families successfully reintegrate back into the community.
For more information on CRT contact Chaplain (Captl.) Mark Thompson, (952)-818-0227 mark.w.thompson2@us.army.mil.
STRONG BONDS
Marriage Enrichment Workshop
It is a free, educational and practical application opportunity to learn what works in marriage (and what makes marriage work). This is NOT group therapy.
Retreat dates/locations are:
12-14 October 07 - Metro
16-18 November 07 - Alexandria
11-13 January 08 - Metro
8-10 February 08 - Metro
18-20 April 08 - Metro
16-18 May 08 - Mankato
27-29 June 08 - Metro
For more information on the Strong Bonds program please contact Ashley Plaisted at
651-282-4284
Single Service Member Retreat
Mission for the weekend: To give Soldiers that have deployed in support of GWOT a fun and educational weekend.
Retreat dates/locations:
25-27 Apr 08 - Metro See flyer.pdf
For more information on the Single Service Member Retreat please contact Cassie McCane at
651-268-8202 or cassie.mccane@us.army.mil
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Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Videos
Beyond The Yellow Ribbon - A look at the issues surrounding Minnesota National Guard combat veterans, their families, employers and their communities.
-Seminars for Soldiers & Families
-Executive Overview for Leaders & Communities
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Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Audio Podcasts
Beyond The Yellow Ribbon- A look at the issues surrounding Minnesota National Guard combat veterans, their families, employers and their communities.
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Contact
Maj. Barbara O'Reilly
(651)-282-4085
Barbara.Oreilly@mn.ngb.army.mil
Family Programs Contact
Chaplain Capt. Mark Thompson
(952)-818-0227
mark.w.thompson2@us.army.mil
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