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**Number range CHAPTERNomination Form**

**Web Content Managers Best Practice Awards (2005)**

[Best Practice Being Nominated:]{.underline}

**Website URL:**
[www.womenvetsPTSD.va.gov](http://www/womenvetsPTSD.va.gov)

[Best Practice Category]{.underline} (You can nominate the same website
or agency in more than one category). Read [descriptions of each
category]{.underline}

1.  Website Design

X Website Content

2.  Citizen-Focused Online Services

X Services for Defined Audiences

3.  Governance and Web Management

[Describe the Best Practice]{.underline} : Please be specific about what
it is, why it\'s a best practice,

evidence that's it's been successful, and how it could be replicated at
other agencies.

(limit one page)

***Background:*** Upon arriving at the Department of Veterans Affairs
Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS) in May 2004, it became obvious
that little to no outreach had been done to educate veterans, service
members and their families and the community about VA's national
residential Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) treatment center for
women who had suffered combat or sexual trauma while serving in the
military. Located at the VAPAHCS, it is the first inpatient program of
its type in country and was established more than a decade ago and yet,
there was not even an Internet site.

The 60-day program, called **Women's Trauma Recovery Program (WTRP**),
is part of the National Center for PTSD and addresses depression,
anxiety, substance abuse, stress, caused by PTSD. Sadly, nearly 80
percent of the women treated in the program are there because they were
sexually assaulted while serving in the military.

The program offers leading research and innovative clinical expertise.
Most importantly, it provides a safe haven for women veterans whose
lives are often on the brink of disaster.

Few people knew about the program. Even VA employees missed the
opportunity to refer woman who could benefit from this unique,
compassionate and supportive mental health program. Additionally, an
extensive outpatient program exists for women who live locally.

As a national referral program, there was a fundamental lack of
essential information to veterans, their families and mental health care
givers, both in and out of VA.

***Description:*** Outreach began with face-to-face meetings with women
who had been through the program and continue to attend weekly "grad"
counseling sessions. It was clear from the onset that the women
themselves felt a strong need for a Web presence. One of the Vietnam
veterans said, "You have to realize that most of us become very isolated
and when we finally reach rock bottom, the first place we turn for help
is the Web." I asked the women if they would be willing to share their
stories with the world -- first line accounts of what the program meant
to them. They unanimously and enthusiastically said yes.

It is the first-hand accounts on this Web site that truly sets it apart.
The stories are told by women who suffered trauma and are learning to
live with the pain and memories. It is a Web site that talks about
survival and at the same time, true caring. According to Dr. Darrah
Westrup, quoted on the site, "Our program is geared towards healing
these women and teaching them how to live a fulfilling life, even when
one is carrying heavy burdens. It is all about helping women reclaim
their sense of self worth and personal power. . . Our team knows that
progress is being made when the women we see come to understand that it
is we who are fortunate to have the opportunity to contribute to their
lives."

Media clips also make this a Web Site that educates the world about how
effective VA mental health care has been for the many women veterans who
have gone through the program. Combined with numerous other types of
outreach, the WTRP Web site has brought women to this VA program from
across the Nation.

As a result of the Web site and publicity, the program now has a waiting
list and is getting its first women from Iraq and Afghanistan. One of
these women simply said, "I'd never have known about the program except
that I was looking for help on the Internet. I'm so glad to be here, so
indebted to VA for the help I have gotten."