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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Readjustment Counseling Service (RCS)
Statement of Work

Background: The Readjustment Counseling Service (RCS) Vet Center Program consists of community-based counseling centers that provide a wide range of social and psychological services, including professional readjustment counseling to eligible Veterans, active-duty service members, including National Guard and Reserve components, and their families. Readjustment counseling is offered to make a successful transition from military to civilian life or after a traumatic event experienced in the military. Individual, group, marriage and family counseling is offered in addition to referral and connection to other VA or community benefits and services.
Vet Centers (Readjustment Counseling) were established by Congress in 1979 out of the recognition that a significant number of Vietnam era Vets were still experiencing readjustment problems. Vet Centers are community based and part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. In April 1991, in response to the Persian Gulf War, Congress extended the eligibility to Veterans who served during other periods of armed hostilities after the Vietnam era. Those other periods are identified as Lebanon, Grenada, Panama, the Persian Gulf, Somalia, and Kosovo/Bosnia.
In October 1996, Congress extended the eligibility to include WWII and Korean Combat Veterans. The goal of Vet Centers is to provide a broad range of counseling, outreach, and referral services to eligible Veterans in order to help them make a satisfying post-war readjustment to civilian life. On April 1, 2003, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs extended eligibility for Vet Center services to Veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and on June 25, 2003, Vet Center eligibility was extended to Veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and subsequent operations within the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT).
The RCS Central Office continues the long tradition of RCS support to Veterans and family members in our communities across the USA. In the execution of this mission, it is critical that Vet Center staff receive regular clinical training in order to maintain and improve their skills and knowledge base in the area of mental health counseling and evidence-based techniques.
Scope: Provide 4 cohorts of Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) training consisting of 6 days of training, 10 hours of consultation, and 2 manuals each for 50 participants in each cohort. Course will be delivered virtually. Contractor is responsible for providing trainers, all required course content (handouts, manuals, etc.) and documentation of course completion for each completing participant to include Continuing Education Units (CEUs) consistent with hours of instruction.
Purpose: The purpose of EMDR Training is to provide an interactive learning experience where counselors will be trained in the theory, knowledge and skills required to practice EMDR which is identified in the VA/DOD Clinical Practice Guidelines as recommended evidenced based practice for treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder.
EMDR is a comprehensive psychotherapy that accelerates the treatment of a wide range of client difficulties and self-esteem issues related to disturbing past events and present life conditions. EMDR therapy is practiced throughout the world. This interactional, standardized treatment approach has been empirically validated in over 40 randomized controlled studies with trauma patients, and hundreds of published case reports evaluating effectiveness with a considerable range of presenting complaints, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, phobias, excessive grief, somatic conditions and addictions. EMDR therapy is guided by the Adaptive Information Processing model which addresses the unprocessed memories that appear to set the basis for a wide range of current dysfunction. A number of neuro-physiological studies have documented the rapid post treatment EMDR effects. The training is based upon the textbook by EMDR originator Francine Shapiro, PhD Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing: Basic Principles, Protocols and Procedures Guilford Press, NY, 3rd Edition, 2017.
Completion of this training will improve the clinical competency of selected Readjustment Counselors within the RCS Organization, Vet Center Program resulting in trauma informed, evidence-based quality care for Veterans, service members and their families.
Period of Performance: Training must start before 06/15/2023 and end before 09/30/2023.
Tasks/Delivery Schedule: Dates Counselors are available:
June through September- All business days are available.

EMDR Part 1 -
PART 1 LEARNING OBJECTIVES CONTENT INCLUDES:
1. Identify 3 components of the EMDR approach designed to provide effective treatment with clients
2. Identify the Three-Pronged Protocol of EMDR therapy
3. List 3 important existing research studies
4. List 3 types of client complaints treatable with EMDR therapy
5. Identify the parameters treatable with EMDR therapy to safely and effectively implement EMDR therapy with clients
6. Describe 3 aspects of the AIP Model for effective case conceptualization and treatment planning
7. Name the 8 phases of EMDR therapy for comprehensive treatment
8. Describe 3 criteria for client selection
9. Describe 3 safety measures for effective and safe use of EMDR therapy
10. Identify when you would apply the Future Template
11. Distinguish between direct questioning and the Float back technique
12. Distinguish between state change and trait change in EMDR therapy
13. Identify the purpose of the Assessment Phase of EMDR therapy
14. Identify the purpose of utilizing the SUD scale and what it stands for
15. Identify the purpose of the VOC scale and what it stands for
16. Identify the reprocessing phases involved in memory reprocessing
17. Describe one purpose for Safe/Calm Place utilization
18. Identify when the Recent Events Protocol would be appropriate as an intervention
19. Distinguish the difference between avoidance and hypo-activity
20. Identify 3 differences in applying EMDR therapy to working with children
EMDR Part 2 -
1. Describe 3 strategies to identify and effectively resolve clinical problem areas in the utilization of EMDR therapy
2. Identify 2 internal and external resources that clients need to have in place
3. Identify 2 clinical situations where EMD would be appropriate as an intervention
4. Distinguish between EMD and the EMDR standard protocol
5. Distinguish between adult-onset trauma and developmental trauma
6. Identify when you would target an adult-onset trauma versus applying the standard protocol
7. Describe 2 clinical symptoms that may indicate the need to assess for dissociation
8. Describe the 3 different categories of resources
9. Describe 3 examples of specific resources to use with difficult or resistant clients
10. Describe the procedural steps for closing down incomplete sessions
11. Describe the protocol to initiate an incomplete session for processing to resolution
12. Describe one therapy-interfering behavior that may need to be addressed in order for treatment to proceed
13. Describe a treatment plan to choose and prioritize targets appropriate for EMDR treatment
14. Describe 3 strategies for dealing with highly emotional responses
15. Describe 3 strategies for dealing with dissociative symptoms
16. Distinguish between a simple phobia and a process phobia
17. Describe 3 cautions for using EMDR therapy with addictions and compulsions
18. Identify one category of memory appropriate for targeting with combat veterans
19. Describe 3 strategies to treat complex trauma-related disorders
20. Describe 3 ways that EMDR therapy demonstrates cultural competence as an intervention
Consultation (10 hours) TBD
Proof of Completion: Documentation of course completion to include CEUs will be provided to each completing participant.
Trainers must be EMDRIA Approved EMDR Training Providers
EMDR Training - EMDR International Association (emdria.org)

CEU requirement from the following institutions:
ASSOCIATION OF SOCIAL WORK BOARD (ASWB) AND NEW YORK STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, STATE BOARD OF SOCIAL WORK (NYSED) REQUIREMENTS
AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION (APA) AND NEW YORK STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, STATE BOARD OF PSYCHOLOGY (NYSED-P) REQUIREMENTS
NATIONAL BOARD FOR CERTIFIED COUNSELORS (NBCC) REQUIREMENTS
Contractor will outline training schedule for instruction and consultation. Training to be completed no later than September 30, 2023. Contractor will work with RCS to establish dates of training.

Location: Virtual
Contractor Personnel Security Requirements: No Contractor/Subcontractor employees shall be permitted access to the Department of Veterans Affairs' computer systems at any time.
Government Responsibilities
RCS Office of Policy and Oversight will provide the list of students to contractor in advance of the first training.
RCS District leadership will ensure student schedules are clear so that they may focus on each iteration training.

Attachments/Links