By Michael Aron
Chief Political Correspondent
Lawmakers gathered in Mt. Holly to get the word out that a valuable program for veterans has been saved.
The Department of Defense dropped its support for the Vets4Warriors program, a 24-hour nationwide hotline run out of the Rutgers Center for Behavioral Health Care.
So legislators in the recent budget negotiation put in $8 million to replace the federal government’s $5.3 million and keep the phones active.
“This was done with a Republican governor and a Democrat legislature, with a Democrat budget, to include funding to insure that we step up and do what we’re supposed to do,” said Senate President Steve Sweeney.
“Too many of our veterans, especially our younger veterans, are not joining veterans organizations and typically it was easy to get information to our veterans through the VFW, the Marine Corps League, the Jewish War Vets, American Legion,” said Sen. Jim Beach.
Officials said an average of 20 American soldiers per day commit suicide, while many others struggle with post-traumatic stress and physical wounds.
At the hotline, they can talk to a peer who who knows what they’ve experienced.
“We often say it’s a stigma-free zone. We’re here to help not judge. So no matter what their issue is, no matter how hard of a challenge they’re going through, we stay with them throughout the challenge, no matter how long it takes,” said Major Gen. Mark Graham.
“It’s the only place where someone can call 24/7 and talk to a veteran. There is no other service that does that,” said Rutgers Behavioral Health Care President and CEO Chris Kosseff.
The program began in New Jersey in 2011 serving just reservists and national guard.
The Defense Department picked it up in 2014 for all active and former personnel, then dropped it in a recent round of budget cuts.
It employs 40 veterans at the call center in Piscataway.
All calls are answered within 20 seconds, according to the program literature.
Democrats and Republicans supported it today.
“New Jersey once again is leading the way on these important issues, setting the path for the nation. All the bickering in Washington and can’t get something as common sense as this done, we come to New Jersey, people work together in a bi-partisan way to get the job done for people who need it,” said Asm. Herb Conaway.
The federal fundingfor Vets4Warriors expires this Saturday. With the state funding in place, officials say there will be a seamless transition.