Elena Bridges

• Interviewed, counseled, and assisted veterans and dependents in obtaining county, state, and federal benefits.
• Reviewed and requested medical records, military personnel records and service verification records to determine eligibility status.
• Accessed VA personnel, and Citrix system programs for claim awards, file documents, and mitigation.
• Prepared written appeals for claimants not satisfied with rating board decisions and presented arguments before hearing officers and federal government boards.

• Coordinated the development of the sustainment of 10 regional award-winning Michigan Veterans Community Action Teams to enhance and coordinate the delivery of services with state, county, and local agencies and organizations.
• Brought together over 2000 Veteran Organizations and 3000 Service Providers.
• Coordinated and collected data with regional community assessments of needs, challenges, experiences and recommendations through Veteran's focus groups, and interviews with service providers.
• Planned, organize, and facilitated over 60 Veteran's meetings, events, and conferences.
• (5-250 attendees) •Initiated regional Podio collaborative workspaces.

Wounded Warrior TBI Project/Veterans TBI Education Project Coordinated care and education for veterans that had suffered from traumatic brain injury addressing their physical, cognitive, and psychosocial needs.

• Recruitment efforts exceeded capacity for the program.
• Organized public appearances, lectures, and exhibits to increase awareness of combat related poly-traumas.
• Designed, edited, and produced “Warrior Traumatic Brain Injury and Poly-trauma Health Provider Manual,” “Wounded Warriors Educational Manuals” for wounded warriors, and patient information handouts and videos.

A contractor in support of the Michigan Army National Guard Family Programs assisting Service Members, Families, Veterans and Retirees.

• Provided services to assist with family readiness, resource management, mobilization and reintegration coordination, crisis intervention and referral to resources.
• Supported over 3000 soldiers during the peak of the Michigan National Guard's effort on the global war on terror.
• Assisted with financial, legal, crisis intervention, TRICARE, ID Card/DEERS, community referrals and outreach services.
• Coordinated and facilitated support groups, life skill education, and supportive counseling.