Veterans
Military and Veterans Program USC Dworak-Peck School of Social Work
The mission of the Military and Veterans Programs (MVP) at the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work is to advance the health and wellbeing of our nation’s service members, veterans, and their families through innovations in research, education, and community engagement.
USC’S Military Academic Center
Veteran Resources
Helpful Resources Military Social Workers
US Department of Veterans Affairs: Education Page
National Association of Social Workers Veterans Resource Page
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Resources for Impacted Communities
Help for Homeless Veterans, Social Work Professionals.
Kirsten Sanchez talks about her experience as a Social Work Intern at VA. To learn more about careers at VA, visit VACareers
NEWS
Social Work Alumnus and Veteran Turned Personal Struggle Into Meaningful Career
| Stafford returned from Afghanistan on June 2, 2011, and left the military a month later. He moved straight in with his girlfriend (whom he eventually married) and “put her through hell for six months while I struggled with mental health issues,” he said. He stayed inside, drank himself to near-death every day, and did not sleep. |
“I had a four-day blackout,” Stafford admitted. “January 11 to 15. I drank and I don’t remember those four days.” With his girlfriend on the verge of leaving him, Stafford once again turned to a 12-step meeting for help. That was January 16, 2012, which became his sobriety anniversary. For the next three years, he went to a meeting every day. “I detoxed myself, got a sponsor and found some great men that were supportive,” he said. “They walked me through it.”
With the help of the GI Bill, Stafford went back to school. At first, he was scared about his ability to succeed. He had barely graduated from high school, and was drunk and high through most of it. But, he soon found motivation.
“I got an A on my first paper and thought, ‘I can do this,’” he said. “I fell in love with school.” Stafford earned his associate degree, a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, and his Master of Social Work from USC in 5 1/2 years.