For those whom I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting yet, my name is Michael Kane, Military & Veterans Services Liaison here at KBH. I represent our military-connected client population as a point person for referrals to KBH, and as a resource specialist for the clients. The following is some of the work that has been done over the past few months:
1) We began a series of Veterans Services Lunch & Learn Workshops which were held in April and August of 2023 designed to help our staff develop a better understanding of Moral Injury/PTSD in order to promote more effective communication and treatment methodology for our Military-connected clients. The workshops were an extension of our first Annual Veteran’s Day Training Event in 2022 which introduced the theme on understanding military culture to our KBH Staff.
2) Our second Annual Veteran’s Day Event titled “Exploring the Intersectionality of Military Culture and Mental Wellbeing” for our KBH Staff training has been scheduled for November 10, 2023 at the Elks Club in Augusta with free breakfast and lunch options. The event will be an extension of the Lunch & Learn workshop series with a more detailed focus on moral injury vs. PTSD designed to enhance treatment modalities for our veterans and military-connected clients.
There will be a history and flag ceremonies kick-off with the singing of the national anthem. Two dignitaries from our state will present as keynote speakers, along with four presentations including an interactive workshop in which the staff will help solve a case study or two, along with Q&A opportunities for the attendees during and at the conclusions of each of the presentations.
3) My field work has included numerous collaborative outreach meetings for the development of a resource-bridge that our staff and military-connected clients can utilize for needed assistance. After canvassing Kennebec County for the first part of fiscal year 2022-23, I have recently begun focusing on collaborative efforts in Somerset County.
In addition, I continue to reach out to the military organizations, i.e. American Legions, VFW’s, DAV’s, etc. in each county to develop relations for referrals, resources events, and for resource assistance. As my outreach planning expands more community service-based organizations will be targeted during this fiscal year as well.
4) My memberships in organizations such as the MMCN’s (Maine Military Community Networks) for Franklin, Kennebec, and Somerset Counties, The Re-Entry Program for Incarcerated Veterans Team, American Legion, VFW, and as a representative at major events such as the annual Hire-A-Vet Campaign, 100-Day Housing Event for Homeless Veterans, and the Maine Veterans Stand Down Events has given me the opportunities to proudly promote KBH as a loyal supporter of Veterans throughout the State of Maine, as well as serve our KBH Veteran clients and Military Members and their families in our catchment area.
Many thanks to everyone who have had a hand in the success of our program throughout its inception, specifically to Amanda Fitts, our Military Subcommittee and to each of the staff members who have reached out to assist our military-connected clients. KBH is a great team and I am appreciative to everyone for all you do for our clients and this excellent organization! If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at 207-861-1134 (work cellphone), 207-626-3455 x-1412, or mkane@kbhmaine.org.
