MEDIA RELEASE

Press Release

January 25, 2010
Contact:  Jane Simpson, Lutheran Family Services Director of Public Relations
( 402) 978-5646

or Scott Anderson, At Ease U.S.A. Founder and Board Chairman
sanderson@andersonpartners.com or cell (402) 630-899

Fundraiser with Chuck Hagel benefits Lutheran Family Services’ At Ease program
Trauma treatment and therapeutic support for active military, veterans and their loved ones

Former U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel  is serving as keynote speaker for the Lutheran Family Services At Ease℠ fundraising and awareness luncheon at Qwest Center Omaha Monday, January 25.  Honorary Chairman of the event is Bob Bell, Vice Admiral, U.S. Navy (Ret.).

Senator Hagel, who served two terms in the U.S. Senate, is currently a Distinguished Professor at Georgetown University and the University of Nebraska at Omaha.  He is Co-Chairman of the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board, Chairman of the Atlantic Council, a member of the Secretary’s Defense Policy Board and Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) board of directors.   A Vietnam veteran and former Deputy Administrator of the Veterans Administration, Senator Hagel is the author of the recently published book “America:  Our Next Chapter.”

At Ease℠ is a trauma treatment and therapeutic support program that serves active military, veterans and their loved ones affected by untreated trauma reactions and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The program places special emphasis on helping military personnel and their loved ones cope with the affects of deployment and the uncertainty of war.

Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska (LFS) was selected to develop and operate At Ease℠ by a group of community volunteers raising funds to provide these community services, which began last summer.  The volunteer organization, At Ease U.S.A., is led by Scott Anderson of Omaha.  Anderson says, “Lutheran Family Services has exceeded our highest expectations and hopes as a partner.  LFS shares our passion for serving military families and has a large, highly-trained and experienced team of therapists.”

Anderson is also chairing the planning committee, as At Ease U.S.A. is hosting the fundraiser.  Other committee members include At Ease U.S.A. board members Lisa Mellen, Kevin Munsey and Cary Tobin and Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska’s Ruth Henrichs, President and CEO, and Ruth Henneman, Vice President of Development. 

The Presenting Sponsor is The Nebraska Military Support Coalition and Gold Sponsors include Valmont, Kutak Rock, Kiewit, Lozier, Target, Anderson Partners Advertising, Mutual of Omaha, James Timmerman, Flatiron Café, and David and Janis Thom.  Howard and Rhonda Hawks and Rod Markin, M.D. are Silver Sponsors.

Estimates show up to 35% of armed forces deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan will suffer from PTSD.* In addition, their families are suffering in equal amounts with a 20% increase in the number of children of active duty troops seeking mental health treatment each year.**

The At Ease℠ program provides confidential, individualized counseling and treatment using a combination of individual and group approaches, including educational opportunities, families/couples and peer-to-peer mutual support groups. The program supports and encourages additional partnerships with community providers. When appropriate, staff will coordinate services with other community agencies and refer clients to area resources.

Services are coordinated out of the Lutheran Family Services’ Bellevue office, but veterans and their loved ones may also be served at LFS locations in Blair, Fremont, Plattsmouth, Papillion and four Omaha-area locations. Additionally, Telehealth sessions can be used to accommodate veterans and/or their loved ones living in greater Nebraska. 

All active military, veterans and their loved ones will be accepted into the At Ease℠ program regardless of ability to pay. No one will be denied treatment for inability to pay.  LFS behavioral health services are made available through insurance payments, sliding scale fees and contributions.   

Debra Jones (MSW, LCSW, LIMHP) serves as the At Ease℠ program supervisor and can be reached at (402) 292-9105 or AtEase@LFSneb.org.

Thousands of families of all faiths are served through Lutheran Family Services’ statewide programs and services in the areas of Behavioral Health, Children Services and Community Services.  Behavioral Health Services focus on the needs of those who have experienced trauma, including outpatient mental health treatment, substance abuse/addictions treatment, 24/7 urgent care and emergency and community support services.  To learn more about LFS services, visit www.LFSneb.org.

* Source: Wein, Lawrence, “Counting the Walking Wounded,” New York Times, Jan. 25, 2009
** Source: Hefling, Kimberly. “Military Sees Big Increase in Troops’ Children Seeking Mental Health Care,” Associated Press, July 7, 2009