The Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness at Penn State (Clearinghouse), in collaboration with the Survey Research Center (SRC) at Penn State, has announced an expanded partnership with the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP). With $390,000 in support from WWP, the Clearinghouse and SRC will conduct the fourth wave of their Warrior Survey to further efforts to identify and highlight emerging trends among WWP warriors over time and understand the impact of different factors on quality of life.
Since 2010, the Clearinghouse has been at the forefront of applied research and evaluation focused on the well-being of military service members, veterans and their families. Through its long-standing partnership with the SRC, the Clearinghouse has led multiple data-collection efforts, including the Veterans Metrics Initiative (TVMI), which provided key insights into post-9/11 veterans’ reintegration experiences, according to Daniel F. Perkins, principal scientist at the Clearinghouse. Both the Clearinghouse and SRC are units under Penn State's Social Science Research Institute.
“This effort is a collaboration with WWP to deepen the transition experiences of wounded warriors, ensuring that their voices inform policies and programs designed to support their success,” said Perkins, a Social Science Research Institute co-funded faculty and professor of family and youth resiliency and policy in the College of Agricultural Sciences. “By working closely with WWP and other key stakeholders, we will refine and expand our understanding of what works best for warriors as they navigate military and post-military life.”
The WWP study will be structured into five key phases to ensure a comprehensive approach: designing the survey, preparing for survey administration, administering the survey, preparing the data and analyzing the data/supporting the report. These phases will help researchers collect and interpret key data regarding post-9/11 service members' transitions. The findings will then guide improvements in support services, inform advocacy efforts and contribute to the evidence base that shapes national policies that affect military-affiliated populations.
This newly funded research builds upon three previous waves of survey data. The Clearinghouse and SRC will employ a collaborative approach and maintain biweekly meetings with WWP to adapt the research to emerging needs.
“The Clearinghouse’s commitment to rigorous, actionable research has been instrumental in shaping service member and veteran support programs,” Perkins said. “This support allows us to continue translating data into meaningful insights that benefit service members and veterans nationwide.”
This initiative aligns with the Clearinghouse’s broader mission to advance the health and well-being of military-affiliated populations. According to Perkins, the organization has a strong track record of working with public and private partners, including The Heinz Endowments, The Pew Charitable Trusts and the May & Stanley Smith Charitable Trust, to conduct impactful research that drives policy and program improvements.
About Wounded Warrior Project
Wounded Warrior Project is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) veterans service organization transforming how America’s injured post-9/11 veterans are empowered, employed and engaged in their communities. WWP supports warriors through and beyond their transitions to civilian life with services in mental health, physical health, peer connection, career counseling and financial wellness.