UCLA Operation Mend, which provides free surgical, medical and psychological treatment for post-9/11 service members, veterans and their caregivers, has received a $25,000 gift from the Hidden Heroes Fund, a program of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation that supports initiatives serving military caregivers.
In 2016, Operation Mend launched the intensive treatment program, a six-week program that provides mental health services for veterans with post-traumatic stress or traumatic brain injury. The program includes and provides mental health services for veterans' caregivers.
The gift will support Operation Mend's development of the Caregiver Assessment of Responsibilities with Emotional Support measure, known as CARES, which is an evaluation aimed to improve the emotional support services the intensive treatment program provides to caregivers.
Operation Mend and the intensive treatment program are part of the Warrior Care Network, a national medical care network for wounded veterans and their caregivers funded by the Wounded Warrior Project.
