About America's Heroes at Work

What is America's Heroes at Work?

America's Heroes at Work is a U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) program that focuses on the employment challenges of returning Service Members living with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and/or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The program equips employers and the workforce development system with the tools they need to help those affected by TBI and/or PTSD succeed in the workplace-particularly Service Members returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Why are TBI and PTSD such relevant issues?

Due to advances in military medicine and protective equipment, increased numbers of Service Members are surviving the injuries they sustain on the battlefield. However, the changing combat landscape has caused a sharp increase in TBI and PTSD, which are increasingly recognized as key injuries of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Hundreds of thousands of brave men and women will be coping with the challenges of TBI and PTSD as they reenter civilian life, today and for many years to come.

What kinds of challenges will Service Members with TBI and/or PTSD face as they transition back to civilian life?

Although their injuries may not be visible, Service Members with TBI or PTSD may face significant difficulties - especially with respect to employment. These individuals may suffer from headaches, vertigo, balance problems, anxiety and sleep disturbance, among other symptoms. They also may have cognitive symptoms including short-term memory deficits, poor concentration and decision-making difficulties. All of these can interfere with everyday activities, inside and outside of the workplace.

How does America's Heroes at Work intend to answer the call to address these issues?

For wounded and injured Veterans, employment can play a significant role in the road to recovery. So to help our returning Service Members succeed in the workplace, America's Heroes at Work is engaging in a targeted education campaign designed to increase awareness of TBI and PTSD issues among the workforce system, and to educate employers on accommodations they can make for these employees to help ensure workplace success.

What educational materials does America's Heroes at Work provide?

The program offers a variety of educational resources devoted to improving employment-related outcomes for returning Service Members with TBI and/or PTSD. Materials will include fact sheets, web-based training tools, educational presentations and more - all designed for employers, workforce development professionals, service branches, key military support systems, Veterans' service organizations and One-Stop Career Centers.

How does this program differ from other TBI/PTSD initiatives?

Many federal government agencies and non-profit organizations are addressing important aspects of TBI and PTSD. America's Heroes at Work is a federal initiative created solely to provide employment support for returning Service Members with these specific conditions.

Who manages the America's Heroes at Work program?

The program is managed jointly by DOL's Office of Disability Employment Policy and the Veterans' Employment and Training Service in collaboration with other federal agencies engaged in TBI and PTSD programs, including the Departments of Defense, Veterans Affairs, Health and Human Services, Education, the National Institutes of Health and others.

This fact sheet was developed in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor's (DOL) Office of Disability Employment Policy, the Job Accommodation Network, the Veterans' Employment and Training Service, the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury, and the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center.