Senator Toomey Works to Help Returning Vets Transition to Civilian Life

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) is working to enable state and county veterans affairs officials to more effectively reach out to and assist separating service members who will reside in their states and counties. The legislation was first suggested by Berks County Veterans Service Officer Dale Derr.

Sen. Toomey succeeded in adding an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act, which passed the House of Representatives today. The measure would require the Defense Department to provide the contact information for separating service members to state veterans affairs departments so they, and county veterans service offices, can reach out to separating and newly discharged service members as early as possible during their transition to civilian life. The amendment contains the text of Senator Toomey's Service Members Transition Improvement Act of 2014.

"We must make sure that veterans returning to civilian life will get the assistance they need to access the benefits they have earned," said Sen. Toomey.

"Too often our new and old military veterans comment that they didn't know there were services available to them at county and state government agencies. Senator Toomey's bill would help to establish a more positive veteran-to-government contact early for the new veterans, which will have a lasting effect on the health and care for each veteran. His proposed improved link up with county and state services during transition from the military is an outstanding response to the public's request for better and more appropriate ways to honor the military service of our citizens," said Dale Derr, Director of the Berks County Department of Veterans Affairs.

"Sen. Toomey's legislation will provide us with the latest information on the separating and transitioning veterans. Currently, we receive the information on the Department of Defense Form 214. This information may be outdated. To provide the fastest and most effective service we need the present contact information. I thank Sen. Toomey for introducing this legislation as it will immensely help the new veterans and their families," said Dr. Tom Splitgerber, former President of the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers.

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