DURHAM, N.H. - The University of New Hampshire was awarded a grant to create a two-day orientation specifically for veterans and military service members entering the university this fall. The grant, awarded by the New Hampshire Commission on PTSD and TBI, was made possible through the support of Long Term Care Partners.

"We've heard loud and clear that there is a need to reach this population as soon as they come to campus," said Karen Gilbert, one of two support specialists on campus for veterans. "The VET Connect orientation session will get our veterans connected to academic resources on campus and give them the opportunity to meet each other and socialize. By connecting them earlier on we believe we can better help them to succeed."

"In a military environment everything is prescribed and there are few choices," said Denny Byrne, a support specialist for veterans. "Coming to a college campus with lots of choices and options can be overwhelming and this orientation will expose them to the campus and all it has to offer. We're excited and proud that the university was selected as a recipient of one of the first ever Moving Grants by the commission."
Byrne noted that more than half of the 45 admitted veterans will participate in the orientation Aug. 26-27, 2015.

"Many of our veterans feel that they can -- and should -- take care of themselves," added Gilbert. "By exposing them to offices around campus like the writing center, counseling, the math lab, Health Services, the library, IT and others we can help them help themselves while at the same time giving university staff a better understanding of this population and their unique needs."
In addition, some of the $5,000 grant will be used to support the Student Armed Forces Organization on campus. Donations are also appreciated.

"We're pleased to join with Long Term Care Partners in supporting the university's efforts to encourage and meet the needs of our veterans and service members," said Jo Moncher, bureau chief for the Community Based Military Programs for the state Department of Health and Human Services. "Pursuing higher education is a big step for everyone, and acknowledging the unique challenges some of our veterans face is critical to ensuring their success."

LTC Partners is a wholly owned subsidiary of John Hancock and is a versatile administrator of large scale benefits programs. Currently, LTC Partners performs a range of administrative services for two major federal benefit contracts regulated by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management: The Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program and BENEFEDS.

The University of New Hampshire, founded in 1866, is a world-class public research university with the feel of a New England liberal arts college. A land, sea, and space-grant university, UNH is the state's flagship public institution, enrolling 13,000 undergraduate and 2,500 graduate students.