What We Do

The Institute for Military & Veteran Family Wellness designs, tests, and delivers programs that build resilience and strengthen support networks for service members, veterans, and their families.  We address the social support and behavioral health needs of military and veteran families by fostering collaboration among experts, providers, and community members to create practical, evidence-based solutions. Our team transforms research into practice, connecting expertise with lived experience and tailoring every initiative to the real needs of the communities we serve.

We advance mental health and community support through:

• Innovative research and evaluation promoting mental health, social support, and overall well-being. Guided by the priorities of the military community, our studies focus on patient-centered outcomes and real-world impact. We also conduct program evaluation, both in-house and with partners, to ensure every initiative delivers measurable results and meets community needs.
• Program development and implementation that strengthen military and veteran family wellness. Through initiatives like the Veteran Spouse Network, we provide free opportunities for peer support, connection, and practical wellness strategies—evaluated and shared to expand impact across the broader community.
• Engagement and education that empower families and partner organizations through targeted training, collaborative services, and learning opportunities. By working alongside organizations and experts, we enhance resources, inform best practices, and build stronger systems of care.

Well-being is multifaceted and always evolving. Using SAMHSA’s 8 Dimensions of Wellness—emotional, financial, social, spiritual, occupational, physical, intellectual, and environmental—we take a holistic approach to supporting military and veteran families.

We know priorities shift with life’s changes, and a perfect balance isn’t always possible. Progress or challenges in one area often ripple across the others. That’s why we consider all eight dimensions as a whole when developing recommended supports, so solutions adapt to the dynamic needs of our community.