SENATE APPROVES DORGAN AMENDMENT TO BOOST PROGRAM TO HELP DEPLOYED SERVICE MEMBERS
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
CONTACT: Justin Kitsch
or Brenden Timpe
PHONE: 202-224-2551
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – The U.S. Senate approved a provision sponsored by Senator Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) late Tuesday that will ensure military personnel returning from war service have access to outreach services that help them reintegrate into civilian life. Dorgan said the program will be helpful to hundreds of thousands of military members around country who have been or will be deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan and other parts of the world, including thousands in North Dakota.
After discussing the need for a program with the North Dakota National Guard, Dorgan worked with Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) to introduce legislation for the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program, which works with service members and their families to ensure they have access a number of services before, during and after deployments. Examples of those services include:
• Marriage counseling
• Services for children
• Suicide prevention
• Substance abuse awareness and treatment
• Mental health awareness and treatment
• Financial counseling
• Anger management counseling
• Domestic violence awareness and prevention
• Employment assistance
• Preparing and updating family care plans
• Services to address the unique needs of service members in rural or remote areas
“The men and women who serve in our armed services make enormous sacrifices on behalf of our country, and we have an obligation to ensure they have access to these services to give them a hand while they’re away and once they return,” Dorgan said. “But they are not always aware that help is available. That’s why I worked with the North Dakota National Guard on this legislation to ensure our troops get the services they need.”
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