Support group

REACH

Resource | Empower | Advocate | Connect | Heart

Are you married or in a committed relationship with a service member stationed at Fort Cavazos?  Join our weekly groups to experience…

A safe space for members to come together
An opportunity to share your story
A chance to provide and receive support and guidance
Join Today!

About the Study

The REACH study seeks to evaluate  how a research-informed, curriculum-based, weekly support group for military spouses can improve the quality of life of military spouses located in Fort Cavazos, Texas. This includes examining mental health, social support, self-care practices, and knowledge of health conditions impacting service members. The study is funded by the United States Department of Defense (DoD) Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP). 

How does the study work? 

REACH support groups run for 8 weekly sessions, facilitated in person by trained military spouse peer leaders at Fort Cavazos, Texas. The curriculum of the group covers a variety of topics relevant to the military spouses’ experiences and includes discussion-based sessions as well as educational content, skill-building exercises, and activities. Participants are empowered to share their experiences with others, while both receiving and providing peer support. Participants complete surveys about their experiences upon starting the program, upon completion, and 3 months post-group. 

Curious to Learn More?

You can reach out to our team at imvfw@austin.utexas.edu with any questions. 

Participant Eligibility

To be eligible to participate in the REACH study, individuals must be a military spouse or committed partner who is:

  • Married to or in a committed relationship with an active-duty soldier at Fort Cavazos
  • Planning to remain at Fort Cavazos through May 2024
  • Willing to attend in-person sessions of the program once/week for 8 weeks 

Meet our peer support group leaders!

Our inaugural group of REACH peer leaders joined us in December 2023 for our peer leader training. We’re so excited to have this amazing group of spouses and committed partners leading our REACH groups!

2023 REACH Peer Leader training- Group Shot

Why do we focus on peer support?

Our team founded the Veterans Spouse Network in 2016 out of a desire to foster a community of spouses who can lean on and support one another. Our work with the VSN has proven that the positive effects of social support for spouses are far-reaching.  Beyond sharing valuable information about available resources, the impact of peer-to-peer connection has been found to improve spouses’ mental health and quality of life.  

In addition to the positive impacts experienced by spouses on an individual level, when spouses improve their understanding of how to support their service member’s psychological health risks and concerns, service members can similarly benefit by having more familial support when seeking treatment. Finally, the presence of peer support can help to maintain strong family relationships and reduce familial stress. 

Based on the REACH study’s findings, this curriculum will be published and available to military spouses in all branches to offer more ways to provide effective support to all military family members. Study findings about the impact of the program will be shared in reports and journal manuscripts.