February 11, 2008 – The Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs is proud to introduce the Illinois Warrior Assistance Program, a new program launched by Director Tammy Duckworth and Governor Blagojevich to provide confidential assistance to Illinois Veterans and their families as they transition back to their everyday lives after serving our country.
The goal of the Illinois Warrior Assistance Program is to help service members and their families deal with the emotional and psychological challenges they may be facing after combat. The Program offers a 24-hour, toll-free helpline at 1-866-554-IWAP (4927) to assist Veterans with any of the symptoms associated with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and provides screening for a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).
The program works in three major parts:
–First, it offers a 24-hour, toll-free helpline at 1-866-554-IWAP (4927), which is staffed by health professionals to assist Veterans, day or night, with the symptoms associated with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
–Second, it provides Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) screening to all interested Illinois Veterans. The TBI screenings are available over the phone via the helpline or through Illinois Department Veterans Affairs VSOs who have been training on the screening tool.
–Third, it makes TBI screenings mandatory for all returning members of the Illinois Army National Guard and Air National Guard.
Not only will the Illinois Warrior Assistance Program help service members and their families deal with the emotional and psychological challenges they may be facing after combat, but if a Veteran has a positive screening for PTSD or TBI and is uninsured or underinsured, the Veteran could be eligible for additional diagnostic review and treatment through the Program.
