On today’s episode, we’re replaying a PsychArmor Conversations with Caregivers featuring how VSOs can support Caregivers. This conversation was recorded in June of 2023 and featured the host, PsychArmor Trusted Advisor Shaina Purser, having a conversation with Madison Moore, VP of Programs & Partnerships at The Elizabeth Dole Foundation, and Michael S. Figlioli, Director of National Veterans Services at the VFW.

 

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Shaina Purser is a dedicated social worker, specializing in mental health and community advocacy. With a passion for supporting underserved populations, Shaina has spent several years working in various settings, including non-profit organizations and community health initiatives.

Shaina holds a strong belief in the power of education and collaboration, working alongside colleagues and community members to develop sustainable solutions that promote well-being and equity. Through her ongoing dedication to the field, she continues to inspire and uplift those around her.

Madison Moore is a Senior Advisor at the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, where she plays a pivotal role in advancing the foundation's mission to support military caregivers. With a robust background in nonprofit leadership and advocacy, Madison is dedicated to improving the lives of those who care for wounded, ill, and injured veterans.

Before joining the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, Madison held various leadership roles in organizations focused on veteran services and community engagement. Her commitment to serving military families is deeply rooted in her own experiences, driving her passion for advocacy and empowerment.

Madison is a sought-after speaker and expert in military caregiver issues, frequently sharing her insights at national conferences and forums. She holds a degree in Social Work and has contributed to numerous publications highlighting the challenges and strengths of military caregivers.

Michael Figlioli is the National Service Officer for the Veterans of Foreign Wars. As NVS director, Michael is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the program, which ensures veterans, service members and their families have access to their earned benefits through the Departments of Veterans Affairs, Defense and Labor. The scope of his role also includes overseeing the VFW’s network of more than 1,950 VFW Accredited Service Officers located around the world and on almost two dozen military installations, to ensure they have the necessary training and resources to provide the best possible service to their veteran clients.

Michael got his start serving veterans, service members and their families as a senior family program specialist at Fort Devens, Massachusetts, from 2005 to 2007, where he was responsible for the welfare of the families of soldiers deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, and the formation and training of family support groups assigned to the 94th Regional Readiness Command, which encompassed the entire Northeast Region. He was then appointed as VFW Service Officer for the VFW Department of Massachusetts in 2008. In 2011, he was hired by the Washington Office as a pre-discharge claims representative for the National Capital Region. Since then, he has served in various positions with NVS to include associate director for field operations and assistant director for veterans benefits policy. He became NVS deputy director in March 2016 and has helped guide the program for the last seven years.

For this week’s PsychArmor resource of the week is the PsychArmor Conversations with Caregivers series. This is a series of moderated discussions that are available on YouTube, and features topics such as Working while Caregiving, Resilience and Recreation, and Caring for Veterans through End of Life. 

 

You can find the resource here: 

 

 

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Our theme music Don’t Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.