Thread by @RosiePalfy

During his State of the Union Address, President #Biden announced his 4-part Unity Agenda. It includes “Supporting America’s Veterans and Their Families, Caregivers, and Survivors.”
whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/…) #veterans #SOTU #SOTU2023

Last year the #Biden Administration expanded benefits for #veterans, #caregivers & survivors. In 2022, @DeptVetAffairs processed an all-time record 1.7 million @VAVetBenefits claims & delivered $128 billion in earned benefits to 6.1 million veterans & survivors. #POTUS

Priorities include reducing #veteran #suicide with the following proposed actions:

•Support states and territories.
•Increase lethal means safety
•Expand outreach to #justice involved veterans.
•Expand Access to #Legal Support Services.

•Expand access to peer support & mental #health services

#Military service increases the risk of #mentalhealth problems & adjustment challenges for #veterans. VA will increase the number of peer specialists working in medical centers by 350 over the next 7 years. #PeerSupport

•Ensuring access to affordable, stable #housing for low-income #veterans
@POTUS’ upcoming budget will triple the number of extremely low-income veterans who can access rental assistance over the years ahead.

Between 2020 & 2022, the number of #veterans experiencing #homelessness declined by 11%. More than 40,000 veterans received permanent #housing in 2022 alone. #HousingFirst #EndVeteranHomelessness

•Deliver high-quality job training to veterans & spouses

About 200,000 service members transition from #military to civilian life each year. @USDOL’s Veteran Employment & Training Service (DOL-VETS) will implement its #Employment Navigator Partnership Pilot. #jobs #jobtraining

In last year’s State of the Union, President #Biden called for #Congress to pass legislation to address #military toxic exposures. In August 2022, President Biden signed the bipartisan PACT Act into law. #SOTU #veterans #PACTAct

The PACT Act is the most significant expansion of benefits & services for toxic exposed #veterans in more than 30 years. Critical action was taken to help reduce veteran #suicide, including transitioning the Veterans Crisis Line to “988, press 1.” #military #ToxicExposures

Access to #reproductive #health services for women #veterans, supported more than 2.3 million children living with wounded, ill, or injured #military service members through @FLOTUS’ Joining Forces Initiative. #WomenVets #WomenVeterans #DisabledVets #DisabledVeterans

Again, this is the link to @POTUS’s 4-part Unity Agenda. It includes “Supporting America’s Veterans and Their Families, Caregivers, and Survivors.” whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/…) #veterans #SOTU #SOTU2023

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