4 Broadcaster Press November 15, 2016 www.broadcasteronline.com Weekly Column: Honoring Veterans And The Caregivers Supporting Them By Rep. Kristi Noem A woman reached out to our office recently. Her husband, a veteran now, was a medic in the Iraq War. While he’s returned home, she told us “it really is like he never came back.” He, like as many as one in five Iraq War veterans, suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. For thousands, the battle does not end when the deployment does. There are scars – both seen and unseen – that remain. For this South Dakota family, PTSD has shown itself through fits of rage and occasionally a disconnect between the veteran and his children. While the family knew he needed mental health support, it was admittedly difficult to recognize the slow-striking signs of PTSD right away. Eventually, the family found Coaching into Care, a resource provided by the Veterans Administration (VA). Through this program, they were connected with others who could understand the burdens of war and the difficult-to-discuss challenge of being a caregiver. Additionally, veterans and their caregivers can be introduced to licensed therapists and social workers who could provide professional help. Offering this support to both veterans and caregivers in this way is critical. Over five million people serve as caregivers for veteran family members, and in doing so, they answer their own call to service. It’s a tough job, but there is support out there. In addition to the Coaching into Care program, the VA has set up a special Caregiver Support Line, which can be reached by calling 1-855-260-3274. There is also help offered through the VA Family Caregiver Program. The woman we spoke to explained that her husband’s treatment has helped him a great deal, and she continues to advocate for more mental health research for military personnel. But she emphasized that Obama’s Failed Foreign Policy Legacy By Senator Mike Rounds Since President Obama took office nearly eight years ago, the world has changed conmore than anything, she wants other veter- siderably. During his time in office, ISIL rose ans to recognize the signs of mental illness to prominence due to the administration’s and know it is absolutely not a weakness or determination to withdraw all U.S. forces a fault. With her goals in mind, I wanted to from Iraq. Iran has ascended as a regional share a few of those signs today. destabilizing power, and it remains on a The VA identifies four types of symppath to acquire nuclear weapons. The U.S. toms. First, a veteran may relive a traumat- effort to combat the Taliban in Afghanistan ic event or series of events. This may show faces potential under-resourcing. Russia has itself through nightmares, flashbacks, or increased its nuclear arsenal and continues after experiencing a sight, sound or smell its aggression against Ukraine. In Libya, that triggers them to feel the same fear or the administration half-heartedly led a U.S. horror as when the event first occurred. military intervention, only to abandon the Second, an individual may avoid situamission prematurely, which has created tions that remind them of the event, such another destabilized country within which as crowded areas or driving. Keeping busy terrorists seek safe haven to plot attacks or ducking help might also keep them from against our homeland. having to think or talk about the event. Recently, the Director of the Central Third, you may see a change in the Intelligence Agency (CIA), John Brennan, way a person thinks about themselves or testified to Congress that “Despite all our others. Perhaps they avoid relationships progress against ISIL on the battlefield and or start seeing the world as completely in the financial realm, our efforts have not dangerous. reduced the group’s terrorism capabilFinally, a veteran may seem to be on ity and global reach.” It is clear that the the lookout for danger. This symptom may president’s current course to defeat ISIL show up in the form of difficulty sleeping and terrorism abroad is not working. We or concentrating, anger and irritability, or need more proactive efforts and not more an unusual jitteriness. If you or a loved one delayed, reactionary half-steps if we are to is experiencing any of these symptoms, I truly defeat the terrorist organization, stop encourage you to seek help. If you don’t the terrorist group’s online radicalization know where to turn, the VA has set up a and keep Americans safe from ISIL-inspired crisis line. To access it, call 1-800-273-8255 attacks here at home. or text 838255. A side effect of the instability and chaos Our freedom comes at a cost. This in the Middle East is a dramatic increase in month, as we observe both Veterans refugees. In Syria alone, the United Nations Day and Caregiver Appreciation Month, I (UN) High Commissioner on Refugees estiencourage you to reach out to the families mates that nearly 4.8 million Syrian refugees who have answered the call of duty. They have fled the country and another 6.6 deserve our respect, support, and gratimillion are internally displaced within the tude. country. In Libya, nearly 2.5 million are in To all of those who have fought and for desperate need of humanitarian aid, accordthe caregivers who support them today, I know I can never truly understand the depth of the experiences you have endured, but I pray for you always. May God bless and protect you. PIERRE, S.D. – Two proposals from South Dakota school districts will be funded under the second round of the state’s new shared services grant program. The program was established as part of the 2016 legislative package aimed at improving teacher recruitment and retention efforts in South Dakota. Four other proposals were funded in the first round of shared services grants Wednesdays of each month. awarded earlier this fall. Drive tests at the Elk Point exam station “The 2016 education package has important effects beyond raising teacher pay, and must be scheduled by appointment. That can be done at http://dps.sd.gov/licensing/ this grant program is another benefit of the legislation,” said Secretary of Education Dr. driver_licensing/. Drivers can also renew Melody Schopp. “As we see in the cases of their licenses on line at the same website. these grant awardees, one small rural disThe Driver Licensing program is part trict may not be able to afford a teacher for of the South Dakota Department of Public a particular need, but when districts have Safety. the resources to work together, students benefit.” These grants were created by SB 133 to provide incentives for districts to work together to find ways to increase learning Second Round Of Shared Services Grants Awarded To Schools Elk Point Driver’s License Exam Station Moving To New Location PIERRE, S.D. – Elk Point’s driver license exam station moves to a new location later this month. The station is moving from its current site in the Union County Courthouse to the Elk Point City Hall, located at 106 W. Pleasant St. The station will open at its new site in city hall on Nov. 16. The station is open from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. the first and third Thank You I would like to thank the people of District 17 (Clay and Turner Counties) for the trust they have placed in me by electing me to a second term in the state senate. I will do my best to be worthy of that confidence.” Art Rusch Paid for by Rusch for Senate. ing to the UN News Center. Russia, , recently indicated that it would not consider a humanitarian ceasefire to allow refugees, antigovernment fighters and injured citizens to escape Syria safely, or allow aid vehicles to deliver food and medical supplies to those unable to flee. While most refugees are being relocated in Europe, many Americans are concerned about the prospect of a terrorist slipping into the United States, taking advantage of the refugee program. Refugees have been coming to America for generations seeking safety from war-torn regions of the world. I support efforts to help others seek shelter from persecution. However, we must be cautious to protect our own national security. While we as global leaders should take steps to assist in humanitarian efforts when possible, I believe our current refugee admission program needs further safeguards to make sure the refugees we admit have no ties to terror organizations and make sure refugees properly assimilate into American society. As events continue to unfold around the world, many have wondered from where our foreign policy problems stem. I agree with other elected officials and experts that many foreign policy failures are a symptom of this administration’s “leading from behind” mentality. In less than three months, a new president, with the guidance of experts with new ideas as well as a new Congress, will have an opportunity to reset our foreign policy. As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I look forward to working with the new administration and my colleagues on a new direction for our country which includes stronger leadership to protect our citizens, advance our global interests and support our allies abroad. opportunities. Recipients of the second round of grants are as follows: • The Marion and Parker school districts will receive funds to share a teacher for English learners. • The Deuel and Milbank school districts will also receive funds to share a teacher for English learners. English learners are students whose native language is not English and who are not yet proficient in English. There are three distinct populations of English learners in South Dakota: Hutterite colony students, Native Americans, and immigrants and refugees. Grant awards are for a three-year time period, with a 50 percent reduction in funding in year two and a 75 percent reduction in year three. 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