Collection:LPB

Genre: Panel

Place Covered: Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 2018-10-24

Duration: 00:57:51

Subjects: Military | Filmed panel discussions | Veterans | Iraq War, 2003-2011 | Afghan War, 2001-

Contributors:

• Courtney, Beth Host
• Levier, Cory Host
• Gautreaux, Kevin Producer
• Pollard, Dana Interviewee
• Beaudoin, Rodney Interviewee
• Durham, Dwayne Interviewee
• Nutting, Stephen Interviewee
• Boullion, Michelle Interviewee
• Dorrington, Brandon Interviewee
• Tete, Dylan Interviewee
• Washington, Anne Interviewee
• Gaines, Ivan Speaker
• Breaux, Brandon Speaker
• Andrews, B.J. Speaker
• Lawrence, Angella Speaker
• Comeaux, Byron Speaker
• Watson, Emeric Speaker
• Yarbrough, Andrew, Jr. Speaker
• Hanson, Brandi Speaker
• Townsend, Jaye Speaker
• Oleson, Eric Speaker
• Whitney, Tonya Speaker
• Lawrence, Keith Speaker
• Brewer, Jeremy Panelist
• Payer, Julie Baxter Panelist
• Sapp, Dexter Panelist
• Boullion, Michelle Panelist

This episode of the series “Louisiana Public Square” from October 24, 2018, features Cory Levier leading a discussion between the audience members and panelists on the programs available to post-9/11 veterans in Louisiana to help them transition back to civilian life. A background report on the topic precedes the discussion. It highlights three programs: the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service’s therapy gardens at the VA Health Center in Pineville; the Louisiana Veterans Entrepreneurship program at LSU in Baton Rouge; and the Bastion Community of Resilience in New Orleans. The audience members then discuss the work of their veterans organizations. A panel of experts then joins the audience to answer their questions. The panelists are: Jeremy Brewer, the program director for the Bastion Community of Resilience; Julie Baxter Payer, the executive counsel for the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs; Dexter Sapp, the outreach coordinator for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; and Michelle Boullion, the administrator of the Louisiana Entrepreneurship Program. They discuss: success stories from their programs; services that offer alternative healing therapies and mindfulness training; the need for a comprehensive list of the resources available to veterans in Louisiana; homeless veterans; the special needs of women veterans; and legal assistance for veterans. This program is a part of the Veterans Coming Home initiative. Hosts: Beth Courtney and Cory Levier