Gulf Coast Community Foundation Presents Landmark Veteran Study

VENICE – An ambitious new study funded by the Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice specifically examines the collateral damage of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars have had on Florida's veterans and military families. The findings were released last week at a press conference in Tallahassee featuring Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll, a Navy veteran and former head of the Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs.

The comprehensive study, overseen by the James Madison Institute, included a first-of-its-kind statewide survey of the problems faced by service personnel before, during and after deployment. The study includes explicit recommendations for improving government programs and expanding the role of philanthropy in providing aid and support for veterans and their families.

"This study is about local communities welcoming back our troops and helping their families while they're deployed," said Mark Pritchett, Senior Vice President for Community Investment at Gulf Coast. "We have an obligation to these brave men and women, and the findings show how our communities can honor it."

Whether it is properly acknowledged or not, the impact of wartime military service ripples beyond just those deployed and weighs heavily on a community, sometimes long after a particular conflict has ended or a service members deployment or military service ends. Understanding those challenges are a giant step toward improving a system that has long left much to be desired.

The summary report and full report, Collateral Damage: Floridians Coping with the Aftermath of War, are available here.