Madison – This week, Governor Evers directed $10 million to support veterans’ mental health services, employment and housing. $4.5 million will be donated to veteran mental health initiatives, including emergency services, peer support and community-based programs. Another $1.5 million will be directed to the Veterans Outreach and Recovery Program (VORP), a critical effort to help Wisconsin’s veterans. His representative Dave Considine (D-Baraboo) issued the following statement regarding the investment:
“I am encouraged to see this important investment in Wisconsin veterans. They need and deserve help in the critical areas Governor Evers has invested in.” , I co-authored with fellow Democratic members of the Mental Health Commission on Congressional Bill 753 of 2021, which provides seven FTE positions for VORP. So this additional staffing will allow us to better serve our veterans.Unfortunately, Republicans on the committee did not allow this bill to receive a hearing or a vote. was also rejected by Republicans in the 2021-22 biennial budget, $1.5 million would fully cover the bill’s provisions in a one-off.
“I am grateful that, under Governor Evers’ leadership, the state has been able to make such an investment in veterans. We also tie in financial assistance, housing and utility assistance, billing and benefits assistance, employment and education services, etc. Increase funding for VORP and other veteran services to improve the health, well-being, and livelihoods of veterans. We are making meaningful investments in