Kaufer's veterans peer outreach legislation moving forward

Sep. 7--KINGSTON -- State Rep. Aaron Kaufer recently said that many veterans returning from service are facing difficulties transitioning to civilian life.

Kaufer, R-Kingston, has introduced House Bill 2022 and he announced that the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee unanimously supported this legislation.

The bill now goes before the full House for consideration.

"Today so many veterans are struggling to return to civilian life after putting their lives on the line to defend our freedoms," Kaufer said. "My legislation will serve to offer an additional opportunity for veterans and their families to best understand how to use the resources available to them and to stress the importance of community engagement and positive interaction between the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA), its partners and the people whom they serve.

"We are a grateful nation to the men and women who have served us proudly, and we are there to support them in their time of need."

House Bill 2022 assigns the following duties to the DMVA:

--Coordinate with network partners, which include other state agencies, county directors of veterans affairs, veterans service organizations, the health care provider community, and nonprofits identified by the department, that provide programs and services to veterans and their families.

--Conduct outreach seminars, town halls and similar events for participants.

--Provide information regarding programs, resources and services available to be used by network participants, which include family, friends, loved ones and neighbors, who can regularly interact and offer peer outreach and support for veterans.

For more information about this outreach, or any other state-related issue, contact Rep. Kaufer's district office in Luzerne, 161 Main St., by calling 570-283-1001. Information can also be found online at RepKaufer.com, or Facebook.com/RepKaufer.

Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.

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