The George W. Bush Institute’s Veteran Wellness Alliance is a coalition of veteran peer-to-peer networks and best-in-class mental and brain health care providers who connect veterans, service members, their families, caretakers, and survivors to high-quality care for their invisible wounds.
Q&A with Dani Larson, triage operations specialist
Tell us more about Wounded Warrior Project’s (WWP) mission and what inspires your work with veterans and military families.
Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) began in 2003 as a small, grassroots effort providing simple care and comfort items to the hospital bedsides of the first wounded service members returning home from the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. As their postservice needs evolved, so have our programs and services. Today, through our direct programs in mental health, career counseling, and long-term rehabilitative care, along with our advocacy efforts, we improve the lives of millions of warriors and their families. We’re changing the way our nation cares for veterans and helping them thrive for a lifetime. Our mission is to honor and empower wounded warriors. WWP’s vision is to foster the most successful, well-adjusted generation of wounded service members in our nation’s history.
What WWP program or initiatives are you most proud of?
All of our programs help veterans in meaningful ways, whether it is a little bit of financial assistance or a supportive listening ear to help provide guidance through difficult times. The Warrior Survey reports the foundational information that provides a glimpse into the warrior experience. It allows us to evaluate how well we are meeting the need. It serves as a compass and starting point for how we develop impactful programming, all based on actual warrior feedback. It gives us a powerful data set to advocate for warriors and their families in Washington, and it shows us how needs are evolving within our population. It is a prime example of how we build intentional and data-driven programs.
How has working with veterans shaped your perspective on service, resilience, or community?
I started my career with WWP in physical health and wellness. Watching how an individual can transform their overall quality of life with the help of structured support, effective coaching programs and access to world-class care has been a poignant reminder of how important our mission is. WWP’s holistic programming meets the veteran where they are and provides that extra layer of support that can really make the difference in someone being able to overcome their invisible injuries as well as improve their physical health. Our goal is for one warrior to help another on their journey.
Could you explain a typical process for a veteran who has just been connected to a program or resource?
There are many ways to get connected to WWP, so whether they clicked a link in our weekly newsletter, requested care via the MyWWP app or called the Resource Center, a WWP teammate typically reaches out within a few days. For mental health resources, a triage teammate will conduct a brief screening over the phone and then connect the warrior or family support member with the most appropriate programs they are eligible for. After the referral is placed, the triage teammate will follow up with information via email and check in a couple of weeks later to make sure everything is going well.
Looking ahead, what are you most hopeful about for the future of veteran wellness and support services?
The adoption of technology to overcome barriers to care has been rapidly increasing. Through our own data analytics and participation in the Warrior Survey, we are able to uncover insights about the diverse population we serve and anticipate needs in a more meaningful way than ever before. We can tailor programs based on what we are learning from the way veterans use the MyWWP app. Veterans are able to self-refer into programs and connect with other veterans. PTSD is a disease of avoidance, so finding ways to reach those who are isolated is one of our primary drivers in preventing suicide and improving overall well-being.
