- ILLINOIS WARRIOR ASSISTANCE -

The Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs is proud to introduce the Illinois Warrior Assistance Program.

The purpose of this program is to provide confidential assistance to Illinois Veterans and their families as they transition back to their everyday lives after serving our country. The program will help service members and their families deal with the emotional and psychological challenges they may be facing after combat.

The program provides three major services:

• First, it offers a 24-hour, toll-free helpline at 1-866-554-IWAP (4927) which is staffed by health professionals to assist Veterans, day or night, with the symptoms associated with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
• Second, it provides Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) screening to all interested Illinois Veterans, especially those returning from Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF).
• It makes TBI screenings mandatory for all returning members of the Illinois Army National Guard and Air National Guard. The TBI screenings are available over the phone via the helpline or through IDVA VSOs who have been training on the screening tool.

Not only will the Illinois Warrior Assistance Program help service members and their families deal with the emotional and psychological challenges they may be facing after combat, but if a Veteran has a positive screening for PTSD or TBI and is uninsured or underinsured, the Veteran could be eligible for additional diagnostic review and treatment through the Program.

Please visit the website at www.illinoiswarrior.com for more information.