(TRENTON) – Legislation Assembly Democrats Jack Conners, Cleopatra Tucker and Paul D. Moriarty sponsored to establish a veteran-to-veteran peer support telephone hotline was advanced Thursday by an Assembly panel.
The bill (A-2616) would make permanent a program started by the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, in conjunction with the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.
“The helpline is a great idea that receives and responds to calls from veterans, service members and their families,” said Conners (D-Burlington/Camden). “We sadly know all too well that many of our veterans need a helping hand once they’ve returned home, and hopefully a peer support program like this will encourage them to seek help when they need it.”
“This program provides New Jersey veterans and their families with access to a comprehensive network of mental health professionals specializing in post traumatic stress disorder and other veterans issues,” said Tucker (D-Essex). “It’s a great program and we should ensure it’s here to stay.”
“The services are free and confidential, and since its inception, the helpline has fielded more than 6,000 calls,” said Moriarty (D-Gloucester/Camden). “It’s a valuable program that has already helped thousands of veterans in need after their service, and we need to make sure it continues to help veterans for years to come.”
The bill was released by the Assembly Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee chaired by Conners.
