January 26, 2009
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RESOLUTION GETS COMMITTEE APPROVAL' />O'SCANLON VETERAN'S INFORMATION SHARING |
A concurrent resolution sponsored by Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon designed to help the federal government and state locate and notify transitioning veterans of available outreach services was approved today by the Assembly Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee.
“Many of our soldiers return from war suffering from various physical and mental ailments and are in need of treatment and/or counseling services”, explained O’Scanlon, R-Monmouth and Mercer.” Upon their discharge, the Department of Defense (DOD) notifies their recorded home state of their imminent return. However, if they decide to relocate to another state, the DOD has no way of tracking their whereabouts. As a result, many of our veterans are falling through the cracks. This resolution will go a long way in assisting military personnel who have returned from active duty and are transitioning to veteran status in receiving important information about a variety of outreach services that are available to them.”
ACR-199 urges Congress to enact legislation authorizing DOD to share veteran information with the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs (DMAVA) and similar agencies in other states.
The U.S. Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs, under a jointly sponsored Seamless Transition Program (STP), are in the process of coordinating their veteran databases. The program is designed mainly for injured service members; however, the coordination efforts help to increase veterans’ awareness of the services and benefits available to them. If the DOD shared its veteran database with the DMAVA, it would be able to provide outreach services to all of New Jersey’s veterans, making sure they are aware of the services and benefits available to them.
“The men and women of our Armed Forces and their families sacrifice all for the good of our great nation,” said O’Scanlon. “The least we can do is make sure they receive every bit of information regarding benefits and other services they deserve, including counseling, employment and re-employment workshops, home loan programs, healthcare and more.”
The resolution now heads to the full Assembly for a vote.
