|
For Immediate
Release
12/12/07
Contact:
Brian Grove
(717) 787-7428
Baker's Bill to Improve
Veterans' Outreach Programs Becomes Law
HARRISBURG – Legislation sponsored by Senator Lisa Baker
(R-Luzerne) that will improve and better coordinate
veterans outreach assistance and support programs in the
Commonwealth was signed into law today by the governor.
“Our goal is to better manage the continuum of services
across state, county, and independent programs, so that our
veterans can receive the support they need to regain their
mental, physical and economic health, to reconnect with
themselves and their community and resume productive lives,”
said Baker, “I’m so pleased that we were able to move this
measure through the Legislature quickly, and that we
received such strong support for it.”
Baker, who serves as chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs
and Emergency Preparedness Committee, said the new law will
provide financial assistance to the Veterans Administration
accredited service officer programs offered by nationally
chartered veteran service organizations. These include the
American Legion, AMVETS, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, and the Disabled American Veterans.
“Given the complexity of the federal claims process, our
large veterans community, and the demonstrated success of
similar efforts, the need for a more effective veterans
outreach program here in Pennsylvania is tremendous,” Baker
said. “I believe this law will help to provide better, more
coordinated services to our vets.”
The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans
Affairs will coordinate the program and work to enhance the
availability of veterans' assistance throughout the state,
to measure performance and program outcomes, and most
importantly, ensure the continual improvement of services to
Pennsylvania's veterans.
Since August 1990, Pennsylvania has ranked fourth in the
nation for the number of armed service members serving on
active duty with at least one in four of today’s soldiers
returning from combat seeking federal Veterans
Administration compensation for service-connected injuries
or illnesses.
Click photo for larger view
Additional Information:
Supporting
Pennsylvania Veterans
 Print this page
E-mail
this page
Back |
