Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis releases guide for providing women veterans experiencing homelessness with trauma-informed care

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today released a new online publication, "Trauma-Informed Care for Women Veterans Experiencing Homelessness: A Guide for Service Providers." Available on the website of the U.S. Department of Labor's Women's Bureau at http://www.dol.gov/wb/trauma/, the guide explains the unique experiences and needs of women veterans, and provides organizational self-assessment tools to aid service providers, such as social workers and community service organizations, that assist this population.

The guide is the result of nationwide listening sessions with women veterans and services providers about the challenges of homelessness, helping women veterans find jobs and successfully reintegrate into civilian life, and the development of quality resources for the community-based organizations that serve women veterans. More information on the listening sessions can be found at http://www.dol.gov/wb/programs/listeningsessions.htm.

"As the number of women veterans increases, we need to provide better, more tailored tools to support them as they transition back into civilian life," said Secretary Solis. "This guide acknowledges the experiences and challenges facing women veterans, and will result in better assistance and better outcomes for these deserving women."

The female veteran population is estimated to grow from 1.8 million in 2010 to 2.1 million by 2036, resulting in a greater likelihood that more women veterans will need physical and psychological services. Traditionally, service providers have used the same treatment protocols for traumatized women veterans and their male counterparts. The guide will give service providers a comprehensive and compassionate approach to assessing the unique experiences of women veterans and creating effective, trauma-informed environments.

"The courageous service and sacrifice of our women veterans must be honored," said Sara Manzano-D az, director of the Women's Bureau. "The compelling stories we gathered during our listening sessions remind us that we must do more to assist them in reintegrating within their families, jobs and communities."

Service providers with additional questions about the guide and other Women's Bureau resources for women veterans experiencing homelessness can call 202-693-6710 or visit http://www.dol.gov/wb/.