ValueOptions® Joins Hero Health Hire to Promote Employment of Disabled Veterans

NORFOLK, Va., Nov. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- ValueOptions^®, the nation's largest independent behavioral health and wellness company, announced today that it has joined Hero Health Hire, a coalition of companies and other entities in the health care industry that are united with the goal of employing disabled veterans.

Hero Health Hire was launched in Washington, D.C. at an industry summit that included the U.S. Secretary of Labor, members of Congress, and representatives of a number of government agencies and the military. Hero Health Hire includes companies, associations and hospitals from across the spectrum of health care that collectively employ thousands of employees.  Each has committed to working to help veterans find and retain jobs in health care.

ValueOptions has a long history of supporting the military and military families. Through contracts with the U.S. Department of Defense and Humana Military Healthcare Services, ValueOptions has provided behavioral health care assistance to the military for more than 20 years.

"We are proud to be a part of Hero Health Hire," said Heyward Donigan, ValueOptions President and Chief Executive Officer. "Our veterans have made extraordinary sacrifices for their country, and deserve our utmost support here at home. We welcome the talents and experiences our 'heroes' bring to the health care industry."

Each month, tens of thousands of "Wounded Warriors" – brave men and women in our military who have been injured or become ill during service – transition out of the military only to struggle as disabled veterans in the civilian workforce. Many may be interviewing for a job or writing a resume for the first time, unsure of how military skills and experiences might translate or what accommodations may be needed for transition to a civilian workplace. 

The health care industry – including behavioral health care providers, insurers, health plans, pharmaceutical companies, device manufacturers and hospital networks – is considered the fastest growing industry in our economy, requiring talented individuals to help meet multi-generational health care needs. The industry is also uniquely positioned to understand and support the needs of our nation's Wounded Warriors.

Hero Health Hire unites the health care industry with government agencies and the military to understand and eliminate the barriers to employment facing Wounded Warriors, and to develop ways to support veterans in their transition.

Retired Maj. Gen. Elder Granger joins Hero Health Hire

The Hero Health Hire initiative also recently announced that retired Maj. Gen. Elder Granger, M.D., has been named honorary chairman of the initiative. Granger, currently co-founder and president of The 5Ps LLC, served the military for 37 years, most recently as deputy director of TRICARE Management Activity for the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs. In his role, Granger will provide valuable insights as partner companies establish their internal programs, serve as a liaison to the military community to help raise awareness about the program, and provide additional support as the program expands.

"I am honored to join the Hero Health Hire initiative and help our nation's disabled veterans and all veterans find meaningful employment opportunities with America's leading health care businesses," said Granger. "Hero Health Hire comes at a critical time for our veterans, and I look forward to working with these businesses to recruit more disabled veterans and assist them in their transition."

About Hero Health Hire:

Hero Health Hire, founded in 2011, is a coalition of health care industry organizations dedicated to helping disabled veterans obtain and maintain positions within the workforce that are well-suited to their skills, presenting professional, financial and personal stability for them and their families into the future. ValueOptions has joined participating organizations that include AGIS Network, APS Healthcare, Apollo Health Street, BlueCross BlueShield of Louisiana, CareCore National, Centene Corporation, Cigna, Express Scripts, Health Net, Horizon Healthcare of New Jersey Inc., Humana Military Healthcare Services, Independence Blue Cross, Logisticare, Loyola Recovery Foundation, Regence, Magellan Health Services and TriWest Healthcare Alliance. For more information about the initiative, including resources for disabled veterans and information on joining the Hero Health Hire program, visit www.HeroHealthHire.com. 

About ValueOptions^®, Inc.

ValueOptions^®, Inc., the nation's largest independent behavioral health and wellness company, provides services to more than 30 million individuals through a variety of contracts with federal, state and county agencies and, additionally, with health plans and employers. ValueOptions specializes in management for all behavioral health issues and promotes health and wellness through innovative programs. The mission of ValueOptions is to help people live their lives to the fullest potential.

SOURCE ValueOptions Inc.