The purpose for this thesis project was to write a grant proposal for funds to provide mental health education to families of the United States Army Reserve and National Guard members. The literature review has shown that family members of National Guard and Reserve might go un-served and that services to those families are limited. The literature review also revealed that there is a need to educate such families because mental illness affects the family as a unit and they are limited on the services they can access. The potential funding source identified was the United States Department of Health and Human Services and the host agency was the Veteran's Affairs Hospital of Long Beach.

The goal of the grant was to develop a program and provide educational classes to the targeted families and familiarize them with the mental illnesses and symptomology that have become the signature wound of combat veterans. The education will also teach them coping skills they can use to minimize the anxiety and stress that builds up due to the mental illness. Securing the funding was not a thesis requirement.