On Wednesday, August 22, 2012, Stephanie Lee of the Verizon Foundation and Eamon Tougias of Verizon Wireless’s Healthcare Team visited the campus of the Brattleboro Retreat to present the hospital with $15,000 in grant money to fund a Mobile Aftercare Pilot Project. The purpose of this project is to help alumni of the Brattleboro Retreat’s Uniformed Service Program (USP) access ongoing therapeutic supports and maintain peer connections following their discharge from treatment.
Frank Gallo, PhD, director of the Uniformed Service Program, Eamon Tougias of Verizon Wireless, StephanieLee of the Verizon Foundation, and Dr Rob Simpson, president and CEOof theBrattleboroRetreat.
"The Brattleboro Retreat runs a great program that provides much needed mental health treatment and aftercare support for men and women of the various uniformed services. This program caught our attention because it will leverage mobile technology to help patients stay engaged in their treatment plans and connected to their clinicians after they leave the in-patient setting," said Stephanie S. Lee, regional director of Public Affairs for Verizon. "The Verizon Foundation is pleased to support a healthcare institution like the Brattleboro Retreat that has establisheda record of innovationin using technology toenhance care."
The Retreat’s Uniformed Service Program, launched in 2009, has to date served more than 1,200 police, military, fire, corrections and first responders suffering post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other duty-related issues including substance abuse and depression.
The Mobile Aftercare Pilot Project will combine digital media, social media, and traditional media to help support post-treatment success. Program participants will have access to a secure, online user portal (through the Retreat’s website and through a mobile application) to access health information ranging from nutrition and good sleep habits to stress reduction and mindfulness techniques. The portal will also serve up podcasts and videos offering tips and information on topics including substance abuse recovery, exercise and yoga.
‘We are extremely excited to have an opportunity to provide meaningful aftercare to the men and women who have participated in our program,’said Frank Gallo, Ph.D., USP Director. ‘We are grateful to the Verizon Foundation for their support in helping us provide a continuum of care that extends beyond the period of time our patients can be here with us.’
BRATTLEBORO, VT (August 29, 2012)