ArtReach: Project America

ArtReach: Project America is the newest ArtReach domestic initiative. Training conducted over the past 3 years has produced teams composed of creative arts therapists, other mental health professionals, and Veterans who have taken the Model directly to active duty United States military and veteran populations suffering from combat stress, PTSD, and Traumatic Brain Injury, to their families, and to clinicians who work with them. The research component developed for this population is both timely and crucial, as the mental health community strives to develop the most effective ways to help those who suffer from trauma feel reconnected to themselves and to the community at large. The ArtReach Model has been adapted to include veterans with PTSD from earlier and current wars as Trainers, as their inclusion has assisted in the rapid building of trust of the Team by this traumatized population. Spouses and adult family members of veterans will be included to serve as co-leader Trainers for military spouse, couple, and family workshops.

Project America incorporates a Train the Trainer model which allows for the rapid growth of the work toward the goal of providing workshops and training across the United States. Training is conducted over several phases and requires the completion of several modules to enhance trainer self-awareness, understanding of the military culture and the impact of deployment and combat, gain skills in group leadership and creative arts interventions, and recognize the symptoms and consequences of PTSD and TBI. The Trainer the Trainer Model can be found in the conference program.

Project America is funded through donations and grants and is manned by volunteers. Ongoing research on the effectiveness of the Model is being conducted with military, veteran, and clinician populations served.