Bill Would Send “Welcome Home” Letters to Michigan Veterans

Northville, MI (Law Firm Newswire) May 28, 2015 – A proposed bill would task Michigan’s newly formed Veterans Affairs Agency with sending “welcome home” letters to U.S. military veterans returning from active duty. The letters would include information about services and tools for transitioning to civilian life.

“Veterans face significant hurdles when returning home, one of the biggest of which is not knowing which services are available or how to access them,” said Jim Fausone, a veterans attorney in Northville, Michigan. “This bill could ensure that all returning veterans receive the most accurate information about available services in a format they can read and refer to in the future.”

Returning veterans face higher rates of unemployment and homelessness than the general population. In addition, many veterans battle health issues and/or mental health problems like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression.

The bill, which was sponsored by State Sen. Jim Stamas, R-Midland, was approved by the Senate Veterans, Military Affairs and Homeland Security Committee. The bill will now make its way to the floor of the Michigan Senate, which will vote on the matter.

Currently, the Veterans Services Division within the state’s Workforce Development Agency is responsible for contacting returning veterans with “welcome home” letters.

The bill would assign the task to the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, which was created in 2013, instead. The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency is designed to be a comprehensive resource for the state’s veterans, helping veterans to connect with tools and organizations in their communities.

Veterans who need resources or who have questions can contact the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency by visiting www.michiganveterans.com or by calling 1-800-MICH-VET.

Learn more at http://www.legalhelpforveterans.com Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC 41700 West Six Mile Road, Suite 101 Northville, MI 48168 Toll Free Phone: 800.693.4800