Many service members return home intent on attending a higher education institution. Whether it is to start from scratch on a new skill for a fresh career path, or to get the necessary certifications for skills that were developed in the military, colleges are a common location for young veterans following their duty. Because of how important a college education is to seizing job opportunities in the currently competitive employment landscape, many groups have been pushing for more programs that support veterans who want to attend a university. 

Scholarship programs are available, while the Department of Veterans Affairs and other government agencies do offer guidance to service members who are looking to finance their higher education and get the degrees they need to step into preferable positions. Across the nation, communities appear to be getting behind veterans and their families in hopes of improving the quality of life among service members in their areas, including Massachusetts. 

State's overwhelming support
The Lowell Sun recently reported that the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed bill H-4278 unanimously last week, which will now go to the State Senate for final approval. The bill, which gained a vote of 154-0 in favor, relates to several propositions and initiatives that span from housing homeless veterans to supporting the children of those who either fell prisoner overseas or lost their lives in active service. 

According to the news provider, should the bill pass through Senate, veterans would be given preference when applying for public housing, while the statutes within the Public Service Scholarship will be expanded as well. This scholarship, the source noted, has traditionally been specifically targeted at children of prisoners of war from the Vietnam War, but this latest legislative change would open that up to all children of POWs from any war. 

The Lowell Sun pointed out that this was not the only move by the House of Representative in favor of veterans last week, as another unanimous vote passed a bill to exempt veterans from the automotive excise task in the state. The bill would also push for more donations to veteran benefit funds. State-level support for veterans has played a massive role in the improvement of service members' livelihoods throughout the past several years. 

Re-integration implications
The Yakima Herald recently reported that many veterans have started their civilian lives at Central Washington University, which boasts almost 600 service members in its current undergraduate and graduate programs. The school also has a veterans club and center, as well as other assets and programs that are focused on improving the assimilation of veterans into college life. 

More concerted efforts from universities will likely be necessary in the coming years. According to the source, the VA estimates the volume of veterans receiving education credits reached 1 million in 2013, and that the number will grow by another 20 percent in the near future. Veterans can find specialized academic programs and scholarship opportunities specifically tailored to their unique needs. 

Veterans have long faced immense challenges when returning home from overseas. Adversities and setbacks are all too common when looking for jobs and a place to live, while other elements of re-acclimation can be even more difficult. Considering the sheer volume of veterans who have come back after serving in Afghanistan and Iraq throughout the past decade or so, communities and government officials are increasingly pushing for broader, more helpful programs to help service members re-integrate. 

Some initiatives are a bit more by-the-books, such as those that work to assist veterans in job hunts and advocate for entrepreneurial ventures among the service member community. Others are far outside the box, and train their sites on helping veterans through the more social-related aspects of re-acclimating to civilian life. 

A new pursuit in North Carolina
The Winston-Salem Journal recently reported that American Heroes for North Carolina, a brand new organization, is working to change the ways in which civilians look at veterans, with a specific emphasis on relieving the stigmas facing service members. The news provider pointed out that Jim Hoffman, a West Point graduate and lawyer, is the president of the foundation.

"American Heroes for North Carolina enjoys a special mission to assist veterans integrating back into society, by helping them find employment and fulfillment in their work endeavors, find educational opportunities so they can carry over their talents, skills, and leadership abilities into a viable civilian career," is how Hoffman presented American Heroes for North Carolina's mission statement, according to the source. 

Many of the projects taking shape at this organization involve the support of veterans who come home and are not necessarily served by special programs due to their state of relative normalcy. The Winston-Salem Journal noted that stereotypes of veterans have largely defied the military community, especially given the incorrect perspectives so many civilians have, and the lack of substantive resources for those returning who do not suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. 

The group is still young, but will continue to assist in correcting the public image of veterans in North Carolina as it scales up its various ventures. 

Boston school's initiative success
The Boston College Chronicle reported that the College Warrior Athlete Initiative, which was launched by Cornell's School of Nursing and supported by Boston College, has had a solid impact on those who have participated. The scope of the project was relatively simple – help veterans from post-9/11 service to get into good physical shape. 

"More than 60 percent of these veterans gain significant amounts of weight," former Army and Air Force Nurse and project manager for the initiative Susan Sheehy told the news provider. "About 43 percent of them are in the obese category, which creates all sorts of health problems and also results in social isolation and depression."

The source stated that the program has helped veterans lose 15 to 25 pounds on average, positively impacting their quality of life in the process. Mental and physical health are critical matters for veterans who are trying to reintegrate. 

First responders are often on the front lines of the most dangerous and trying events communities in the United States face. At the same time, the past few years have seen several debates that question how well government agencies and the laws they uphold support first responders, with many of the conversations being somewhat negative. Virtually all individuals agree that first responders need to have the support of the community behind them to do their jobs properly. 

Lawsuits, as well as medical concerns, have been commonly discussed within the scope of first responders in local areas and nationally, and it appears as though the debate is reaching a tipping point of sorts. More individuals, as well as major journalists, are beginning to speak out for first responders. 

A call to action
The Chicago Sun-Times Editorial Board recently published an online post regarding a decision that was made by the Illinois Supreme Court in the opening months of 2016, with a vote of 4-3 to dispose of a bill called the "public duty rule." According to the publication, the rule had long protected first responders against lawsuits for actions taken in the field, and was intended to ensure that the individuals on the ground did not need to worry about what would occur should they make a mistake. 

While there might be some argument to be made regarding the potential for recourse among citizens who have not been served properly, this particular rule opens the floodgates to lawsuits that are beyond the scope of realistic issues. The editorial board members stated that the decision has already led to some serious reactions from the Associated Firefighters of Illinois and Illinois Municipal League, with those groups trying to get the rule reinstated as soon as possible. 

Interestingly, even before the rule was taken out of the Illinois record, federal laws superseded it and allowed citizens to sue first responder agencies in certain situations. The Chicago Sun-Times also stated that reinstating the bill would be the right thing to do, as it has "worked well both for citizens and first responders" for the nearly century and a half Illinois has been around. 

Fundraiser to be held
CBS Chicago reported that the 100 Club of Chicago, which has been around for five decades, will be hosting an event to remember first responders who died on the job, and raise funds for the families involved with the support of Jewel-Osco. The month of May is devoted to this particular pursuit, and the source noted that these groups have so far donated $10 million to hundreds of families since its inception.

"Through the 100 Club, they know that there are literally tens of thousands of people out there whose hearts are pouring out in sympathy and appreciation for their sacrifice of what their loved one has given," Joe Ahern, chief executive officer of the 100 Club, told the news provider. 

At the end of the day, these initiatives will make a big difference in the lives of first responders and their kin. 

Veterans living with post-traumatic stress disorder have been subject to a large, long-lasting conversation throughout the past several years, as advocates, the medical community, government agencies and others have worked to heal service members. Dogs have been the most popular animals involved, with programs taking shape across the country that pair veterans with service canines, and many have shown clear, positive results in a relatively short period of time. 

The federal government is weighing a funding bill to make this a national pursuit, but other groups have not faltered or delayed their attempts to get veterans the support they need through this somewhat novel approach to therapy. Now, a new animal is entering into the conversation, as a program in one state is gaining traction and helping participants cope with their PTSD. 

Equine therapy
WATE, a local ABC affiliate, recently reported that veterans living with PTSD in Grand Haven, Michigan, are beginning to partake in a form of therapy that couples them with rescue horses, with Out Side In Stables running the initiative. According to the news provider, horses rescued after racing on the tracks often need their own level of support, and allowing people and horses to heal together has had a massive impact on some of the individuals involved. 

"It feels (like) freedom. It's hard to describe freedom," Air Force veteran Chris Timmer, who served as a combat engineer throughout 1990s and 2000s, told the source. "A horse lives in the moment. I have a hard time living in the moment. So he's helped me live in the moment."

Interestingly, WATE pointed out that the farm's executive director, Jennifer McVoy, has been working to rescue race horses for years, as about 10,000 of these animals are slaughtered in Canada and Mexico each year following the retirement from racing. In establishing this program and getting it beyond the pilot, which has been going on for a few months now, McVoy is effectively helping to heal two groups, of different species, in need of support. 

"Just like the horses, the veterans are so valuable for so many reasons when they come back," she told the source. "They just have to find the things that they're good at."

Two at a time
Although some of the more mainstream programs that pair canines with veterans specifically use service dogs to assist in PTSD therapy, others take approaches similar to Out Side In Stables. Yahoo! News reported that Pets for Vets, a nonprofit organization, has also been working to provide therapy and assistance to veterans living with PTSD and dogs who have been rescued in animal shelters of late.

This dynamic approach to therapy can make a big impact on any community, especially as so many states across the nation have large populations of stray dogs, and veterans with PTSD can be found in so many communities. More projects such as this one are likely to sprout up in the coming years as the nation becomes more conscious of the problems facing the veteran community. 

One of the first challenges veterans face upon completing their active duty relates to education, as additional skills and accreditations will need to be gathered to make the jump into the private sector. Although plenty of service members have the necessary credentials to get a job, more advanced learning will increase their stock in the job pool. 

Unfortunately, this has been a turbulent subject in the veteran community. For example, the federal government recently filed charges against a man who tricked veterans into thinking they were getting an education from an accredited university when they were not, levying $35 million from the victims, Inside Higher Ed reported. Another report pointed to the need for better and more thorough support of veterans looking to attend a university. 

Data quality issues
Military Times recently reported that while new software and technology are being developed to assist high school students in deciding on a college, there is an immense lack of similar services available to veterans. The news provider stated that federal agencies have tried their hands at developing solutions that specifically help veterans through their unique path toward earning a graduate or undergraduate degree after service, but with relatively poor results. 

It does not appear as though the situation will improve any time soon. 

"I think we're still far away from having the kind of reliable information that people can base good decisions on," American Association of State Colleges and Universities Director of Federal Policy Barmak Nassirian explained. "These [tools] are works in progress, and at the end of the day, you really do need to do your own due diligence."

Better data and more personalized approaches to application development will need to be priorities among agencies working on these tools should they hope to make a positive difference in the fight to educate veterans. 

Opportunities are available
Several organizations, as well as the U.S. Department of Education, offer services to veterans who are looking to decide upon a college to attend following their service. Some are even specialized in accordance with unique needs, such as the Association on Higher Education and Disability. Veterans can search for other opportunities to navigate the complex process of choosing a college through local universities, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and elsewhere. 

Soon, though, the tools discussed above will likely streamline the college selection process among American veterans. 

Post-traumatic stress disorder has gone through many phases of awareness and understanding throughout the past century, but is just now beginning to hit a point at which treatments are progressing effectively. Innovative approaches to coping with PTSD have been as diverse as they are impactful on the veterans they serve, and could not have come at a more opportune time given the sheer volume of former service members who suffer from this disorder.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs estimates roughly 11 to 20 percent of veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan to be living with PTSD, compared to 7 to 8 percent of the population as a whole. Several new methods of treating PTSD have entered into the equation of late.

Art as relief
Atlanta Magazine recently reported that Jason Smith, a medic who served in Iraq with the Marines, was suffering from severe PTSD until he came to realize that painting was a helpful form of relief. He affirmed that art allows him to bridge the gap between the debilitating aspects of PTSD and his ability to control his mind.

The magazine spoke to National Intrepid Center of Excellence art therapy leader Melissa Walker regarding this approach to therapy.

"It's difficult for them to verbalize what they've been through, so traditional talk therapy doesn't always work," Walker told the source. "The art-making process accesses other parts of the mind."

According to Atlanta Magazine, Smith has been among the many veterans to leverage artwork in efforts to manage PTSD. Similar programs and opportunities to those offered by the National Intrepid Center of Excellence can be found across the country.

A new app
The New Prague Times reported that a Minnesota man has developed an app that essentially makes a device vibrate right before a veteran might begin to experience a night terror or waking-life symptoms of PTSD. The news provider stated that the app will monitor a user's heart rate and movements for 10 days, eventually learning the indications that a severe event might take place, while the creator, Tyler Skluzacek noted that it is in the same vein as using service dogs to disrupt PTSD symptoms. 

The app raised $26,000 following its initial Kickstarter initiative, the The New Prague Times noted, and Skluzacek was inspired to develop it because of his father's experiences with PTSD following service in Iraq. 

Dogs still spreading
Although the federal initiative to fund service dogs for veterans suffering from PTSD has been slow-moving at best, local efforts are getting helping canines into the lives of veterans. ABC 10 reported that yet another graduation has taken place for service dogs that were a part of an initiative from 4 Paws 2 Freedom. Even the eight weeks leading up to graduation provide therapeutic benefits to veterans, as the news provider noted they work with the canines to ensure a healthy relationship down the road. 

More funding of these niche PTSD treatment tactics will likely translate to even more opportunities for veterans to heal in the coming years. 

Veteran homelessness has been a major problem across the United States for years, but local communities and governments are getting behind service members in need of housing with the hope of ending the issue in the near future. The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans estimates that 1.4 million veterans are at risk of becoming homeless, and that nearly 50,000 veterans are sleeping without a house on an average night. 

The federal government has been working on its own programs to end this particular epidemic, but it appears as though cities and states are more quickly and effectively acting on the matter at hand. Two recent examples of this came from Denver, Colorado, and Detroit, Michigan. 

Advocacy group's big push
The Denver Post recently reported that local advocates in the Mile High City are aiming to spend about 100 days on a project that will house 65 homeless veterans in Larimer County. One state-backed initiative will bring 140 homeless veterans together to help construct the buildings, and is being run by Homeward 2020, the source affirmed. 

Interestingly, this project and others have been part of the federal initiative put into place in 2009 that aimed to end veteran homelessness by last year and, while that goal has not been met, progress has been made. According to the news provider, 35 percent fewer veterans are homeless today than in 2010, which is a significant drop. However, with 50,000 still living without a home across the nation, more concerted efforts are still necessary. 

The Denver Post added that advocate Bryan Tribby who is himself a former homeless veteran, decided to begin supporting those who now suffer the way he did by volunteering for both Homeward 2020 and Homeless Gear, offering his experiences to guide initiatives. 

Project completed in Detroit
The Stamford Advocate reported that a low-income rent project in Detroit has been completed, and more than 24 veterans are set to move into their new living spaces in the coming days. According to the source, the project involved a major renovation of an apartment building in the city, and cost roughly $6.1 million to complete. 

Housing the homeless is not the only feature of this building, as other groups are getting involved to offer services and support. For example, the source pointed out that Detroit Central City Community Mental Health will be actively engaged in providing assistance to veterans who reside in the building. 

"We wrap our arms around those in society who need extra support," director of the nonprofit Curtis Smith told the Stamford Advocate. "Those who have experienced being homeless, folks who have mental illness and we also look at folks that have criminal backgrounds."

Ending veteran homelessness is certainly a righteous cause, but relevant efforts will need to be coupled with forward-looking strategies to maintain stability among former service members once they move into houses. With the help local communities, these objectives and more are realistic. 

Unemployment has been one of the greatest challenges facing veterans for decades. However, the private and public sectors, as well as nonprofit organizations and advocacy groups, have made up some serious ground in the fight to get veterans to work in the past few years, which ought to have significantly positive impacts on the community at large. Veterans are often hailed for their work ethic and skills, making them exceptional candidates in many industries. 

Additionally, considering the fact that homelessness is also a major threat to veterans, ensuring that they have access to capital upon returning home from their service can help to alleviate a range of hardships among the group. One major, national initiative that is among the biggest around today is moving along at a healthy pace, but leaders of the program have argued that there is still plenty of work to be done with respect to giving veterans real opportunities. 

A complex challenge
Military  Times recently reported that JPMorgan Chase and Starbucks have managed veteran job initiatives throughout the past several years and seen real impacts as a result, but are looking to increasingly focus upon the lasting effects for participants. The source pointed out that 314,000 veterans have been hired in the past five years through JPMorgan Chase's Veteran Jobs Mission, while Starbucks has The Muster to ease the strains of transitioning into civilian life. 

According to the news provider, retired Army General Ray Odierno argued that the programs indeed need some improvement to ensure that veterans are engaged and retained in their newly acquired employment positions while speaking at an event in the nation's capital last week. As a note, about 300 leaders from a range of backgrounds attended this event to hear discussions related to veteran hiring initiatives. 

Interestingly, Military  Times discussed the event with Starbucks Senior Vice President of Global Responsibility, Community and Public Policy who stated that this particular meeting was meant to bring the conversation into the long-term. It appeared as though most of those who ran the discussions wanted the focus to turn away from pure employment gains to the substantive, lasting impacts of the programs involved, with sustainable gains being the highest priority. 

A necessary pursuit
Veteran unemployment rates have dropped to historic lows in some states, and the numbers have been on a healthy track on the national level as well since the recession. This is partly due to the efforts of organizations like those mentioned above, but also has a lot to do with the improving economy. One of the hottest areas of employment today is IT, and many veterans will be returning from service with applicable skills in the technology arena. 

Veterans who are struggling to gain employment in the IT industry or elsewhere can find support through myriad channels today. Taking advantage of the programs in place to boost veteran employment is a great way to position oneself for success in the job market. 

Veterans who have post-traumatic stress disorder are often at greater risk of experiencing economic, social and health issues than those who do not. This leads to a range of problems within the community, especially given the gains needed in awareness regarding how to support and help these individuals. In many instances, the most challenging aspect of combating PTSD's negative impacts on veterans is knowing they need assistance. 

The PTSD Foundation of America estimated that more than 60 percent of veterans diagnosed with serious symptoms from the disorder do not try to find assistance at any point in time, and that about 33 percent of those returning today have indeed been diagnosed. Again, awareness is critical, and needs to be present from the top to the bottom, meaning those involved in government and law should also understand the challenges of living with PTSD. 

Judge's show of solidarity
The ABA Journal recently reported that a judge in North Carolina decided to stay overnight in jail with a veteran to show him support and care for him, knowing that the individual suffered from PTSD. According to the news provider, the judge sentenced the veteran because of a violation of his probation program, and the stint was to last for 24 hours. It might have helped that the judge, Lou Olivera, is a veteran of the Gulf War himself. 

The source pointed out that the judge made the decision to stay overnight in the jail with the veteran, Special Forces Green Beret Joseph Serna, upon seeing the defendant's physical reaction to the sentence. 

"I thought about a story that I once read," Olivera explained, according to the ABA Journal. "It talked about a soldier with PTSD in a hole. … A family member, a therapist and a friend all throw down a rope to help the veteran suffering. Finally, a fellow veteran climbs into the hole with him. The soldier suffering with PTSD asks, 'Why are you down here?' The fellow veteran replied, 'I am here to climb out with you.'"

Notably, the entire case took place in a veterans-focused legal system of sorts, and one can only wonder how veterans suffering from PTSD will be received in civilian courts. These types of differences between the veteran community's handling of PTSD and that of the civilian shows that there is plenty of room for improvement from an awareness standpoint. 

Contributing to the cause
Because PTSD has become so widespread, more programs and organizations are being devoted to assisting veterans who are suffering from the disorder. Veterans who want to get involved in raising awareness can do so as well, with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs running a program, and many others managing similar initiatives across the nation. 

A unified approach to combating PTSD that brings together all members of a given community might be the best weapon against the disorder available today, as so much of the fight to recover relies on having a strong, diverse support system. 

Veterans have been hailed for their unique leadership skills often gained while completing their service in the military, and the ways in which that acumen can be applied to business ownership. Nonprofit groups, private businesses and government officials alike have been pushing for more projects to boost entrepreneurship in the veteran community, especially as this is one of the more effective ways to combat unemployment among service  members.

Last month, ride sharing giant Uber announced that following the completion of its initial UberMilitary program, which saw 50,000 veterans sign up to become drivers, the firm is setting its eyes on real economic improvements for the group, Fox News reported. The source stated that Uber intend to inject about $500 million into the veteran community through the end of the decade. Other programs, including those that produce more traditional entrepreneurs, are also making a big difference on the national level. 

Launching new companies
Washington Square News, New York University's school news paper, recently reported that the second class from the Veteran Entrepreneur Training program has graduated, and four startups are already set to be launched by the graduates. The university has been working with Brooklyn's Chamber of Commerce, which initiated the Veteran Entrepreneur Training program, for several years. 

The source pointed out that the 10-week course is specifically tailored to veterans, and teaches students a range of business management skills. Interestingly, the school has also been involved in sustainable energy-related projects that work specifically toward the encouragement of more startups that yield green innovations. Washington Square News noted that the Energy Economic Department was established by a veteran who graduated the program and now help businesses become more environmentally friendly. 

"The mission is to advance America's energy profile into the new millennium," James Hendon told the school newspaper. "It's one thing if you have this great idea in your mind; it's another thing when you speak to other people about it and they give you feedback and they force you to be very disciplined in how you analyze your ability to make it successful, to make it profitable, for it to work and achieve your grand mission."

Another graduate created a startup devoted to supporting veteran-run breweries, and this is not the first service member foray into the craft brew arena. 

A thriving industry
MilitaryTimes reported that veterans are highly involved in the craft brewery industry today, which has been one of the healthiest of all in the United States, noting that one study from the Brewers Association estimated an 18 percent increase in sales in 2014 alone. The source cited several success stories from veterans who have cultivated a strong business with their craft beers, including one brand that had a $5 million investment tag and $17.5 million in revenue through the first three years. 

The U.S. Small Business Administration and other government agencies can also provide veteran entrepreneurs with resources needed to get the startups off of the ground and into action.