Our Warriors Need Your Help

Please remember and honor them every day.
With your help, we've sent 68,292 helmet pad upgrade kits to our Heroes

Project Victory is looking to serve active duty and veteran military of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom who are experiencing the following symptoms:

• Trouble with memory, attention or concentration
• Difficulty organizing tasks
• Blurred vision or eyes tire easily
• Easily angered or irritated
• Difficulty inhibiting behavior- impulsive
• More sensitive to sounds, lights or distractions
• Impaired decision-making or problem-solving
• Feeling tired all the time
• Headaches or ringing in the ears
• Slowed thinking, moving, speaking or reading

If you are active or veteran military or are a family member whose loved one is exhibiting these symptoms, Project Victory may be able to help.

TIRR Foundation, in collaboration with Memorial Hermann|TIRR received a three-year grant for Project Victory from the Iraq-Afghanistan Deployment Impact Fund of the California Community Foundation. The grant provides for cognitive, physical, psychological, vocational and educational services to aid active or veteran military who have screened positively for or have been diagnosed with mild to severe traumatic brain injury or post concussive symptoms while in combat or stateside. The goal of Project Victory is help wounded service members recover and successfully re-integrate back into the community.

Frequently Asked Questions

1.  Who is eligible to receive rehabilitation services within Project Victory?

Project Victory works with military personnel, and veterans of recent military service, who served in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) or Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and who have screened positive for post concussive symptoms or have been diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury.

 2.  Will I have to pay for services?

 No.  Services within Project Victory are provided at no cost to the client and without regard to age, ethnicity or gender.  Project Victory has been funded by a grant given to TIRR Foundation by the Iraq Afghanistan Deployment Impact Fund of the California Community Foundation. 

 3.  I do not live in the Houston area, where will I live while in the program?

Project Victory provides cost free temporary housing during treatment.  During the intake process, please let us know if you will need housing provided for you.

4. Who is the rehabilitation service provider for Project Victory?

 Project Victory rehabilitation services are provided at the Transitional Learning Center in Galveston, TX and TIRR Memorial Hermann’s Outpatient Rehabilitation facility located in Houston, TX.  Evaluations will begin at the residential facility in Galveston to ensure client safety and independence.  Higher level community re-integration therapy and counseling will take place at the Houston location. 

5. What rehabilitation services can I expect to receive?

Patient care within Project Victory begins with comprehensive evaluations to identify deficits and create an individual rehabilitation plan.  The evaluation process includes assessments in the areas of  neuropsychology, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, and family psychosocial.  Based on the rehabilitation plan, the following therapies and counseling may be provided: physical, occupational, speech, cognitive, psychological, family educational and vocational counseling.  Higher level interventions may also be provided including balance/vestibular therapy, visual therapy, and state of the art treatment for complications.

6.  Where will I receive medical care while in rehabilitation?

All patients will be seen by the medical director, Dr. Brent Masel, at the Transitional Learning Center.  Dr. Masel is a well known neurologist in the field of brain injury.  Additional medical needs will be discussed after Dr. Masel’s comprehensive evaluation. 

7.  How long will I be able to stay in the rehabilitation program of Project Victory?

Each patient’s length of stay is determined by the treatment team following a two week evaluation period.  However, patients typically remain in the program for six to ten weeks.  

 8.  Is Project Victory a government program?

No.  Rehabilitation services are provided by the Transitional Learning Center in Galveston, TX and TIRR Memorial Hermann Outpatient Program.  Project Victory is not funded, administered or affiliated with the Department of Defense or Veterans Administration.

 9.  Are there any restrictions to applying for Project Victory?

Applicants must have served in OEF or OIF and have screened positive for post concussive symptoms or have been diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury.

Project Victory rehabilitation services are provided without regard to age, ethnicity, gender or financial cost to the service member.  When calling to apply, you will receive important information on qualifying medical conditions and required documentation.

 10.  How do I apply?

Contact Shawn Brossart by phone or email, listed below.

Shawn Brossart, LCSW, MBA
Program Coordinator, Project Victory
Ph:  409-797-1400
Fax: 409-797-1401
Email: sbrossart@tlcgalveston.org

All messages will be returned the same or next day with the exception of weekends.

Project Victory Application and Admission Process                        

To be considered for admission to the program, the following information is needed:

1. Verification of service in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) or Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF).
2. A copy of medical records (pertinent treatment in the last 6 months; treatment related to the injury/diagnoses; CT scans, MRIs, neuropsychological and/or psychological testing).
3. A copy of medical record(s) indicating diagnosis of post concussive syndrome (PCS), traumatic brain injury or positive screening for TBI or PCS.  If the candidate is a veteran, the VA form 199 is helpful. 

After the above paperwork is received, Project Victory staff will contact the candidate for a telephone interview. 

 Once the candidate is accepted to the program, the following items are required: 

1. A copy of the candidate’s profile so that the treatment team is apprised of military recommendations and restrictions for the individual.  (Needed for Active Duty Military Only)
2. At least a 30 day supply of current medications and a copy of the current prescriptions.  State license requires that we have a copy of all prescriptions on file.  These can be brought to the admitting facility the first day. 
3. Community organizations such as Angel Flight and Air Compassion for Veterans typically provide free air transportation to Houston.  Financial assistance is provided for veterans through USA Cares.  Please ask Project Victory staff for additional information.  (Veterans)
4. If possible, a compact disc with recent MRIs, CTs, and/or medical tests and scans.  These discs are sent with the candidate to pertinent medical appointments.  (ALL)
5. An acceptance letter and list of what to bring will be forwarded to the candidate upon acceptance to the program. 

Email ophelm@operation-helmet.org
with questions or comments
about Operation Helmet.
 © 2013 Operation Helmet
Last modified: 05/20/13