Chicago School of Professional Psychology Holds Symposium On Homeless Veterans and Reintegration

LOS ANGELES - April 27, 2015 - PRLog -- The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (http://www.thechicagoschool.edu/) (TCSPP) in Los Angeles will host "What Does the End of Veterans' Homelessness Look Like: Innovative Solutions for Reintegrating Returning Veterans and their Families" symposium and breakfast at Bob Hope Patriotic Hall on Thursday, April 30, from 8:00 am to 10:00 am.

Featuring Stephen J. Peck, M.S.W., president and CEO, U.S.VETS (http://www.usvetsinc.org/who-we-are/who-we-are/), and a high impact panel of experts, the discussion will offer solutions that approach the problems holistically. Register (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/what-does-the-end-of-veterans-homelessness-look-like-innovative-solutions-for-veterans-registration-16090935421) to attend this complimentary event. The Chicago School is a nonprofit university, and one of the leading institutions devoted to psychology, and related behavioral and health sciences.

Mr. Peck, the Keynote Speaker, is a recognized authority on veteran homelessness. U.S.VETS has provided housing, employment and counseling services to veterans for more than 20 years. The organization operates 11 facilities throughout the country including Inglewood, Long Beach, and the Inland Empire.

“Every veteran in this country deserves a place to live,” said Mr. Peck. “The Chicago School has put together an exceptional panel of experts who have been battling veteran homelessness for decades. I hope we can chart a route to assist their transition to a self-sufficient lifestyle by helping them deal with the challenges after military service.”

“The Chicago School established its National Center for Research and Practice, Veteran and Military Psychology (http://www.thechicagoschool.edu/Home/Why_The_Chicago_Scho...) because we saw the need to address the issue of veteran mental health as an imperative. The Center focuses on understanding military psychological challenges, and supports research and training that address the recognition and treatment of mental health issues facing the population,” said President Michele Nealon-Woods, Psy.D. of The Chicago School. “As an institution and a designated Military Friendly School (http://militaryfriendly.com/)®, we are reaching out to veterans and family members in Los Angeles to discuss solutions to the problems many of them face, especially combat veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan, as they reintegrate back into society. Problems that have become all too common yet can be devastating.”

Dr. Nealon-Woods will moderate a panel of distinguished professionals who will discuss the unique mental, physical, and employment needs of veterans as they reintegrate back into their communities. Special focus is on homelessness, with Los Angeles having the nation's highest number of homeless vets—more than 3,700.

Other panelists include Jonathan Sherin, M.D., Ph.D., executive vice president for Military Communities, chief medical officer, Volunteers of America; Vince Kane, M.S.W., special assistant for homelessness, U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs; Mark C. Russell, Ph.D., APPB, director, Institute of War Stress Injury, Recovery and Social Justice, Antioch University, retired U.S. Navy commander; and Claudia Owens Shields, Ph.D., Department Chair, Clinical Psychology, the Chicago School Los Angeles.

This event is part of The Chicago School's 35th anniversary celebration.  The institution recently has held symposiums in Washington, D.C. to ignite a national conversation about mental health solutions for the nation.  Bob Hope Patriotic Hall is located at 1816 South Figueroa Street in downtown Los Angeles.

About The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

Founded in 1979, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (TCSPP) is a nonprofit, private university devoted exclusively to psychology, and related behavioral and health sciences. The university serves nearly 4,500 students across campuses in Chicago; Southern California (Los Angeles and Irvine); and Washington, D.C., as well as through online programs. The Chicago School is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission, (WSCUC), and its Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program in Chicago is accredited by the American Psychological Association. A member of the National Council of Schools and Programs of Professional Psychology, TCSPP is recognized for its distinguished service and outstanding contributions to cultural diversity and advocacy. The community service initiatives on the Chicago Campus have also earned recognition on the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for six consecutive years. The Los Angeles Campus gained its second recognition in 2014, and its Washington, D.C. Campus received its first award in 2014. With more than 20 graduate degree programs, thousands of hours of real-world training, and a wealth of international opportunities, TCSPP is the leader in professional psychology education. To learn more, visit www.thechicagoschool.edu.