Denise Lawrence

Help Me Stand Tall and Sharp Again: a Case Study of the Unique Needs of Veterans Seeking a Hand Up, Not a Handout from Social Service Professionals Denise Lawrence

Help Me Stand Tall and Sharp Again: is an in-depth exploration into the knowledge, skills, self-efficacy, and attitude & behavior of social service professionals that serve veterans at the community level for essential services. For most veterans, the essential community services such as affordable housing, employment, and healthcare are critical to a successful transition back to civilian life. Upon transitioning to the private sector most veterans lack the knowledge of the available resources and or the skills on where and how to apply for veterans benefits and needed services. Oftentimes, this lack of knowledge and or skills leads to chronic substance abuse and homelessness among the veterans population. As an advocate for veterans, providing the necessary training and development for social service professionals is critical to the network of services needed for this special population. This insightful, relevant and profound look at social service professionals? knowledge, skills, self-efficacy, and attitude & behavior looks at the plight of the social service community infrastructure as the wars abroad come to an end and veterans transition back to a faltering economy.