Dear John,

Today, Senator Baldwin and Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) reintroduced the Commitment to Veteran Support and Outreach Act, a bipartisan bill to authorize federal funding for county veterans service officers (CVSOs).

Out of the estimated 19 million veterans in the United States, only a small fraction utilize the care and benefits they’ve earned from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). CVSOs are often the first to inform veterans of their eligibility in these programs and services, particularly in rural areas. CVSOs are local county employees who are nationally accredited by the VA to help veterans process their VA claims. These employees are responsible for successfully processing more than $42 billion in claims annually for direct compensation and pension benefits for veterans. They also provide assistance to veterans on a range of benefits and services, including compensation benefits, home loans, education benefits and job placement assistance. Unfortunately, there is currently no federal funding support directly available for CVSOs.

“County Veteran Service Officers are often the first point of contact for our veterans to access the benefits and services available to them—particularly in rural communities,” said Senator Baldwin. “It is nothing short of our duty to ensure that those who bravely serve our country can better access and utilize their VA benefits with ease. This bipartisan legislation will make federal investments to help connect veterans and their families to the resources and care they’ve earned.”

Senator Baldwin's bipartisan Commitment to Veteran Support and Outreach Act will authorize $50 million annually for five years for competitive grants to expand the work of CVSOs or comparable entities. The VA will award grants to states in order to improve outreach to veterans, assist in the development and submittal of claims on behalf of veterans, hire additional CVSOs, and train CVSOs for VA accreditation. To receive funds, a state must submit an application including a detailed plan for the use of these funds, how they will meet underserved veterans’ needs, and other relevant information. States must also show that that these federal funds do not simply supplant current state or local funding. By increasing the number of CVSOs, states will be better able to leverage their local and federal resources to serve our veterans. 

Supporters of Senator Baldwin’s bipartisan bill, including the Wisconsin State Association of County Veterans Service Commissions and Committees (WSACVSC), Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs, National Association of Counties (NACo), National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs (NASDVA), and National Association of County Veteran Service Officers (NACVSO), agree:

“I, as both President of the Wisconsin State Association of County Veterans Service Commissions and Committees and Chair of the NACo Veterans & Military Services Committee do hereby state that all of the membership of both organizations are in full support of the CVSO Act,” said Tom Snider, Vice-Chair Winnebago County Veterans Service Commission, President for WSACVSC, and Chair NACo Veterans and Military Services Committee. “It is high time we act to provide ‘support and outreach’ to address the fact that we are still losing an average of 22 of our brothers and sisters to suicide on a daily basis. Any and all steps we can take to identify those in urgent need will be appreciated.” 

“The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs supports Senator Tammy Baldwin’s bill to expand financial support to County and Tribal Veteran Services Offices,” said Mary Kolar, Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs . “This funding will provide additional resources towards increased efforts to reach veterans who have not yet connected to critical services and benefits. Our strong partnerships with Wisconsin’s County and Tribal Veterans Service Officers, Veteran service organizations, and private-sector partners, help meet the needs of veterans and their families, and ensure they are receiving the health care and other benefits and services they have earned by virtue of their military service and personal sacrifice. We thank Senator Baldwin for leadership and her commitment to assisting veterans.”

"As President of the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs, I would like to express our support for the Commitment to Veteran Support and Outreach Act and applaud Senator Tammy Baldwin for reintroducing this legislation,” said Thomas Palladino, President of the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs. “This proposed grant program will definitely assist the State Departments of Veterans Affairs in the efforts to improve outreach and assistance to veterans and their family members.  It will directly help with funding and training for State, County, local and Tribal government service officers. After passage, we look forward to working with the VA in the preparation of implementing regulations." 

“NACVSO applauds the introduction of the bipartisan Commitment to Veteran Support and Outreach Act by Senator Tammy Baldwin,” said Herm Breuer, NACVSO President. “Federal investment for County, Tribal, and State Veterans Service Officers is an investment in the men and women who served this Country. It is critical to ensure that veterans seeking to utilize their VA benefits have continued and expanded access to advocates right in their communities that can help guide them through the bureaucratic VA systems to secure the services they need.”

Read more about Senator Baldwin's bipartisan Commitment to Veteran Support and Outreach Act and her work to help support CVSO efforts to provide needed services and solutions for our veterans that will improve their health and well-being here.