SCSD Teams Up with FSU’s IMS To Create New V-PACT Program

Posted by Fionnula Ulik on

The School of Communication Science and Disorders (SCSD) is collaborating with the Florida State University (FSU) Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences (IMS) program to create the Veterans Peer Assistance & Collaboration Team (V-PACT).

V-PACT is a team of students and professionals that will engage with and provide support for veterans diagnosed with communication disorders who are also facing psychosocial challenges related to their impairments. Through small-group settings, peer groups will offer communicative and psychosocial support for veterans, serving as both support networks and opportunities for interactive learning.

V-PACT will include five undergraduate IMS students, three SCSD graduate students, clients within the FSU Speech and Hearing Clinic, Dr. Erica Miller (IMS), Dr. Selena Snowden (SCSD), Mrs. Ellen Nimmons (SCSD), and Dr. Chelsea Alexander (SCSD). 

“Collaboration between these two programs recognizes the strength of multidisciplinary approaches in tackling difficult issues in communication and aging,” said Snowden. “Given their common goals in appreciating the value of a holistic approach to healthcare, partnership between these two programs was only natural.”

Motivated by the increasing awareness of the communication issues veterans face as they age, V-PACT aims to bridge the gaps by empowering participants through peer support and student interaction. It strives to have a long-lasting, positive impact on both the veterans and students involved, enhancing veterans’ mental well-being through emotional support, guidance, and resources while providing students with new learning opportunities and experiences. 

Student training occurred between February and March 2025, with two V-PACT sessions taking place this April. The initiative will continue through the summer of 2025, with hopes for expansion. Snowden shared that the program’s early success could pave the way for future partnerships, enabling V-PACT to reach a larger population across more diverse medical environments as FSU Health continues to grow.