Programs for Service Members, Veterans and Military-Connected Families

The mission of Easter Seals Veterans Program is to assist military-connected families with building the lives they want. Our staff wants to help meet the needs they have to foster stability, wellness, and growth.

Program details:

Easter Seals Greater Houston is proudly serving current Service members, Veterans and their families in Harris and all surrounding counties.Our reach can extend to those throughout the state who are interested in tele-mental health services. Our mission is to assist military-connected families in building the lives they want during and after the military to meet their needs around reintegration, stability, wellness, and growth. Our goal is not to duplicate services offered in the community, but rather be an easy point of entry for finding and connecting with needed resources. CONTACT: 346.330.3859 / Veterans@eastersealshouston.org

Case Management Services - Case Management Services are open to all Service Members, Veterans and Miltary-Connected families living in Fort Bend and Harris Counties as well as The Brazos Valley. Participants will receive an assessment and then work together with the case manager to develop a roadmap for success. To better accommodate work schedules, case management services will also be offered via phone, and require limited paperwork to get started.

Additional Support Services: 

• Access Cafés are collaborations of the Texas Veterans + Family Alliance partners, offering hosted classes/tech support to the partners and their clients. Classes cover financial topics from budgeting basics to homebuyer education; technical assistance applying for public benefits; and demos on financial apps, mental health apps, or any apps that show people how technology can improve their mood or life (for example, a class on photography using phones and tablets). Access Cafés have even provided behind the scenes support for TVFA partners, including Easter Seals assisting Mental Health America in the creation of this video on how to use their mental health assessment tool.
  
  
• Assistive Technology includes assistive technology lab, BridgingApps specializing in proven apps for smart tech that work concurrently with many of our other programs and tele-health for those in remote areas or who do not have access to transportation.
   

• Family Camp / “First Light” – Open to families for a specific weekend of retreat/mental health services.

• Financial Coaching/Home Buyers Education helping families create financial stability and a better future by increasing income, building savings and acquiring assets. Make sure to view our featured apps, and other online tools thanks to Freddie Mac

• Mental Health Counseling for any or all family members as well as groups.

• Respite for Caregivers to help provide relief options to parents who provide ongoing care of their family member who has a disability.

• Service/Companion Dog Program – Requirements – to be able to participate in training and must have transportation and the ability to work with the trainer. Be financially capable of maintaining care after the training is over, i.e., feeding the dog and medicine.

• Supported Employment provides an individualized approach to assisting person with disabilities and other needs to make informed choices and attain their employment aspirations.

• Texas Veterans + Family Alliance Easter Seals is the lead collaborator for the 3rd year in leading system level change/outreach and direct services to Service Members, Veterans and Military-Connected Families through counseling, case management, technology, telemedicine, and other supports that will increase access to mental health services; in partnership with the Catholic Charities, City of Houston Department of Health - Area Agency on Aging, Combined Arms, Crisis Intervention of Houston, Disability Rights Texas, The Dixon Center, Grace After Fire, Impact A Hero, Meadows Mental Health Policy Institue,  Mental Health America of Greater Houston, My Service Dog, NextOp, Paws for Heroes, Santa Maria Hostel, U.S. VETS, Worklife Institute, and Xena Project.

Meet our Program Coordinator, Dr. Cristy Gamez:

Dr. Gamez is a licensed psychologist who has worked with Veterans for over 15 years in inpatient and outpatient settings, in groups and individually, assisting them to create the lives they want to live by using their strengths to reach their goals.

Contact Dr. Gamez, Program Coordinator, Easter Seals
Veterans Program
713.838.9050, ext. 371
cgamez@eastersealshouston.org

Veterans Service Dog Program
Serving Veterans and their families

We offer Veterans the opportunity to be trained with and receive a service dog. A service dog can improve a Veteran’s quality of life and help him or her live more independently.