Wondering how it works? We’ve got answers.
Who is Leidos QTC Health Services?
Leidos QTC Health Services is a trusted partner and one of the nation’s leading providers of disability-focused medical exams and health services. Each year, Leidos QTC delivers more than 2.8 million health exams — supporting active duty service members, veterans and their families, government employees, and civilians nationwide.
Work includes disability evaluations, independent medical exams, occupational health services, diagnostic testing, and case management solutions. Leidos QTC places a strong emphasis on accessibility, with dedicated efforts to improve access and outcomes in rural and underserved communities. By combining scale, experience, and innovation, we make the process easier and more supportive for those we serve.
Who is the Elizabeth Dole Foundation?
The Elizabeth Dole Foundation (EDF) is the preeminent organization empowering, supporting, and honoring our nation’s 14.3 million military caregivers – the spouses, parents, family members, and friends who care for America’s wounded, ill or injured veterans at home. Founded by Senator Elizabeth Dole in 2012, the Foundation adopts a comprehensive approach in its support and advocacy, working with leaders in the public, private, nonprofit, and faith communities to recognize military caregivers’ service and promote their well-being. Learn more about the Elizabeth Dole Foundation at www.elizabethdolefoundation.org.
Who are military and veteran caregivers?
A military or veteran caregiver is an individual who assists or provides ongoing support to a wounded, ill, or injured service member or veteran. This may include assisting with personal care, managing medications, coordinating appointments, providing transportation, monitoring symptoms, offering emotional support, advocating within health and benefit systems, and/or helping with household and financial responsibilities. Caregivers can be spouses, partners, parents, children, siblings, neighbors, friends, etc. Caregivers that are part of this pilot program were referred to apply based on their engagement with other EDF programs. Once a caregiver applies for the pilot, enrolled caregivers will be referred to participating counselors.
Who can participate in this pilot program?
This Pilot is available to family members, friends and loved ones who support a service member or veteran and who are experiencing stress, burnout, or other mental health challenges related to their caregiving roles. We are seeking a small sample size of caregivers ages 18+ in the states of California, Florida and Texas to help us evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a potential program. Even if you don’t live in one of our pilot states (CA, FL, TX) the Elizabeth Dole Foundation has additional mental health support and caregiver resources they can share. Please fill out the Eligibility Survey and share your contact information so that a member of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation’s Resource Navigation team can reach out to provide additional mental health support and other caregiver resources available to you now.
What happens to my information if I decide not to participate in the pilot?
If you complete the Eligibility Survey and do not enroll in the pilot, we will delete your data.
Once you have enrolled into the pilot, your participation is completely voluntary and you may terminate your participation at any time by sending an email to LQTCHSClinicalResearch@qtcm.com.
When I sign up, what can I expect?
After you complete the Eligibility Survey and you are in one of our three Pilot states of California, Florida or Texas, you will be contacted via email or telephone call to discuss the next steps. You can expect this initial outreach within a week. Once you have been partnered with a counselor from your state, they will reach out within 3 business days to begin onboarding and scheduling.
If you are not in one of our Pilot states and you provided us with your contact information, a member of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation’s Resource Navigation team will reach out to provide additional mental health support and other caregiver resources available to you
For any further questions or eligibility status, please contact LQTCHSClinicalResearch@qtcm.com. Please include Caregiving Pilot in all email subject lines.
What type of counselor will I be connected with?
The counselors accepted into the pilot will meet the following requirements:
- Earned a Master’s or PhD degree from an accredited graduate program in a counseling/behavioral health related field such as social work, psychology, marriage/family therapy, or counseling.
- Have a current, valid, unrestricted independent clinical license (e.g., LCSW, LPC, LMFT, PhD).
- Possess knowledge and skills to provide virtual mental health support to caregivers experiencing stressors associated with caregiving responsibilities.
- Are experienced in providing short-term, solution-focused counseling using evidence-based interventions with a focus on problem-solving, communication, stress management, and coping skills enhancement.
- Have a working knowledge and understanding of military life, military lifestyle, and challenges impacting military families.
- Be a U.S. citizen and speak fluent English.
Is the counselor trained in military and caregiving culture?
The Academy for Inclusive Care will be a requirement for counselor’s participation. This training is a knowledge-based video program that will familiarize counselors with the unique needs of Military and Veteran caregivers, and how, through the practice of Inclusive Care, these caregivers can be brought into the healthcare conversations and work more collaboratively with their loved one and his/her healthcare team. The mission of The Academy of Inclusive Care is to empower healthcare providers and professionals to engage Veteran caregivers as part of the Veteran care team through policy, practice and culture change.
Can the counselor prescribe medication?
No. Within this pilot, the counselor is not able to prescribe medications.
Where will this pilot be conducted?
This pilot will be conducted entirely virtually. Counselors are licensed to conduct virtual counseling sessions in the caregiver’s state.
What type of counseling sessions will be provided?
One-on-one virtual counseling sessions will be tailored to the caregiver while incorporating evidence-based practices. These brief, solution-focused counseling sessions center on helping caregivers find practical solutions to their current challenges. Counseling sessions are goal-oriented, focusing on the present and future rather than the past. A strength-based approach is utilized to empower caregivers to make changes in their lives by focusing on what is working and how to use strengths to solve problems. Counseling sessions offer support for the unique and complex matters that commonly impact caregivers. The pilot emphasizes the individual’s strengths, resources, and potential to overcome challenges through the following steps:
- Problem Identification
- Goal Setting
- Solution Exploration
- Focused Conversations
- Future-Oriented
Can my care recipient participate in counseling with me?
No. For the integrity of the pilot, these are individual sessions.
How many counseling sessions will be provided?
Each caregiver will be provided with up to 10 confidential, virtual counseling sessions over the course of 12 weeks. These sessions are expected to be around 50 minutes in length and are intended to be weekly or at most every other week.
What days / time of day will I need to be available?
You will coordinate with your assigned counselor to schedule sessions at a time that works with your schedule.
How will session scheduling be handled?
You will schedule counseling sessions directly with the counselor.
What technology is required to participate in a telehealth visit?
You must be able to access the internet on at least one of the following the devices: smart phone, computer or tablet. These devices must have video and audio capabilities.
Why is video required for a telehealth visit?
Video is required for the counseling sessions to help build rapport and trust between the counselor and caregivers.
Will these telehealth visits be confidential?
Counselors are required to comply with HIPAA privacy and security rules and applicable laws and the ethical guidelines defined by their state licensing board and professional associations. Counselors are required to ensure that all client documentation is stored and maintained using secure, encrypted systems that protect caregiver confidentiality.
Will I have all 10 sessions with the same counselor?
Yes. Counselors will make every attempt to complete all sessions with a caregiver.
What is the expected wait time for visits?
Once you have been partnered with a counselor from your state, they will reach out within 3 business days to begin onboarding and scheduling. In most cases the first appointment available is within a week.
What data will be used by Leidos QTC Health Services for this pilot?
Counselors will relay when sessions have been conducted (sessions completed, no shows, cancelations, or drop-outs). The counselor will not provide detailed reports or session notes from the counseling sessions to Leidos QTC Health Services or the Elizabeth Dole Foundation. You will be asked to periodically complete surveys throughout your involvement in the pilot to assess the efficacy and potential benefit of the pilot.
Who will have access to my data?
Your personal information provided as part of this pilot will be kept confidential. The information about you that is collected and stored by the LQTC pilot team will only be identified via a unique participant ID number that will be assigned to you. Your name will not be connected to these records. This de-identified record may be reviewed by Leidos and/or the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, for safety and data monitoring.
Will my data be shared with the VA or government?
No. Your data is confidential and secured. It will not be shared with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or any government entity. Your benefits will not be impacted by your participation in this pilot.
How will participating in this pilot impact my benefits?
Your benefits will not be impacted by your participation in this pilot. In addition, this pilot will not affect the benefits of your veteran or service member.
What is the price of participating in this pilot?
This pilot is being offered at no cost to you.
How will my identity be protected?
All data will be collected under a participant identification number rather than your name or other identifiers. You will have this participant identification number throughout the pilot. You will not be required to reference or memorize this number.
What if I need support after the pilot has ended?
If you need support beyond the maximum number of sessions offered, the counselor will connect you with EDF’s Resource Navigation team who will be able to work with you to find the help you need.
What is EDF Resource Navigation Program?
The EDF Resource Navigation program offers personalized assistance designed for military and veteran caregivers. EDF is committed to helping with a wide range of complex needs, from accessing mental health services, food insecurity, and employment to navigating VA benefits, seeking educational opportunities, and housing. EDF’s approach is to partner closely with caregivers, ensuring they walk alongside them every step of the way to meet their immediate and long-term needs.
*Not all questions may be applicable to every caregiver. This is not a comprehensive list of all details for the Caregiving Support and Wellbeing Pilot. For any further questions, please contact LQTCHSClinicalResearch@qtcm.com. Please include Caregiving Pilot in all email subject lines.
Disclaimer: This program is a pilot. Your participation will help shape future services for caregivers like you.
You care for them. We’re here to care for you.
