Claudia Bustamante
Claudia Bustamante is communications manager for the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work Center for Innovation and Research on Veterans & Military Families (CIR), where she writes about research, donors, faculty and students within the military social work program. She has also worked as a journalist covering human interest issues in Mexico and Cape Town, South Africa, and K-12 education for The Press-Enterprise in Riverside. She has a master’s in journalism from the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.
Stories by Claudia Bustamante:
Bay Area veterans in bad shape: Many are jobless, homeless, depressed or suicidal
USC survey finds the region is unprepared to meet service members’ needs. The situation is worse than in other parts of California.
Returning veterans discussed at state’s Senate VA Committee hearing
Vets concerned that employers and co-workers may assume they have PTSD or are prone to violence, researcher says.
USC mental health clinic’s opening celebrates vision for veterans
The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic offers free care to vets and families dealing with PTSD and other issues.
USC military center to begin Bay Area veterans study
The study will poll 1,000 veterans on transition challenges, employment, finances, housing, health and access to services.
Study reveals national needs for Chicago veterans
Many who served after the Sept. 11 attacks experienced transition challenges and needed time to figure out what to do after the military.
Getting a stronger grip on mixed feelings of combat veterans
New USC study points to better support for former military members who become civilians.
Visiting scholar brings international focus to military transition issues
David Pedlar joins USC School of Social Work, where he’s gathering best practices on improving transition for veterans.
Gifts help USC make LA the most veteran-friendly place in the country
Funds from two local foundations boost a Los Angeles network that bridges gaps in services for service members.
New project helps veterans connect to resources through texts
Text2Vet is a way for veterans to access resources as they transition back to civilian life.
USC-UCLA study to focus on experiences of LGBT service members in military
It will be one of the first U.S. Department of Defense-funded research projects of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender populations.
Chicago veterans to get the benefit of USC research
USC military center launches a new study that will provide Illinois leaders with detailed data.
Gift will boost community partners’ help for veterans
The grant provides much-needed resources that are so scarce.
Study recommends ways to stem military sexual assault
Hold leaders accountable and reduce retaliation, researchers advise, rather than take a one-size-fits-all approach to prevention.
How can we end homelessness among female veterans?
A four-part approach serves as a call to action for the government and philanthropic groups.
Anniversary gift supports military social work scholarships
Marking 25 years of giving, the Smith Charitable Trust awards grants to five social work programs.
Chairman of Joint Chiefs lauds USC, LA’s efforts to support veterans
Gen. Martin Dempsey says Los Angeles County’s success can be a model for the rest of the nation.
Global experts convene to drive military research
Unemployment, homelessness, combat injuries and mental health are addressed at a two-day summit.
Technology’s role in preparing military social workers
Three-year study at USC will examine ways to meet the needs of veterans and families.
Veteran swaps military service for social justice
A soldier who left boot camp for Iraq found a path to USC, which gave him the chance to work with peers.
To help returning veterans, USC center shares its research with national leaders
LA needs mechanism to harness its resources and develop new approaches to care that can be used elsewhere, says USC director.
Family’s tradition of helping vets marches on
The Mischel Yellow Ribbon Scholarship Fund will help veterans and military spouses in USC’s Master of Social Work program.
Military spouse turns VA frustration into MSW pursuit to help others
The social work program allows her to get specialized education working with military populations.
Most veterans return to L.A. unprepared for civilian life, USC report finds
Few veteran services focus on prevention of chronic conditions, such as unemployment and homelessness.
Israeli defense expert to research PTSD as visiting scholar
Colonel will train mental health officers during his yearlong tenure at USC School of Social Work.