Jordan Demands Restoration Of Dwyer Veterans Support Program
New York State Senator Daphne Jordan has advocated for full funding of the Joseph P. Dwyer Peer-to-Peer Veterans Support Program as part of the 2021-22 State Budget to ensure the continued delivery of life-saving counseling services and support for America’s military veterans. Governor Cuomo’s 2021-22 Executive Budget proposal did not include any funding for the Dwyer Program, meaning that the state legislature will need to restore funding for this important program. Last year’s 2020-21 State Budget provided approximately $4.5 million in funding.
Since 2019, the Dwyer Program has successfully secured $100,000 for Columbia County, $145,000 for Rensselaer County, and $185,000 for Saratoga County, respectively as part of the 2019-20 State Budget and the 2020-21 State Budget. Saratoga County’s Peer-to-Peer program, in particular, has been continually recognized for its excellence in helping veterans and serves as a model for the entire state. Senator Jordan’s letter included the support of the directors (all of whom are military veterans) of the Veterans Service Agencies for Rensselaer County, Saratoga County, and Columbia County: Peter Goebel, Frank McClement, and Gary Flaherty, respectively.
In her press release, Senator Jordan said “The Joseph P. Dwyer Veterans Peer-to-Peer Support Program has proven incredibly effective at helping our military veterans and delivering the essential counseling services so important for our heroes dealing with PTSD, TBI, and depression. The State Budget absolutely must prioritize Dwyer Program funding – and the state legislature should work in a bipartisan fashion to make these funding restorations a reality within the final 2021-22 State Budget. I’ll continue advocating for the Dwyer Program and our nation’s heroes who have sacrificed everything in service to our country and defense of our freedom.”
Senator Jordan also called for the release of 2020-21 Dwyer Program funding, and residual 2019-20 funding.