Congressman Brad Wenstrup joined his Ohio Representatives Max Miller and Troy Balderson on April 26, 2024 to co-sponsor H.R. 8140, the Supporting Every at-Risk Veteran In Critical Emergencies (SERVICE) Act.
Representatives Lou Correa and Dale Strong sponsored the bipartisan legislative bill.
The proposed legislation would create a pilot program through the United States Department of Justice to award grants to States and local law enforcement agencies to create Veteran Response Teams (VRT). The Attorney General would be responsible for implementing the SERVICE Act.
These teams would be composed of military veteran law enforcement officers, who respond to other veterans in crisis or emergency. The VRT would be available twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week to respond to cases where a veteran is in crisis.
These situations may include mental health or substance abuse incidents. After the initial response, the Team would connect the veteran to the community and resources of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
“We have a responsibility to take care of the people who have served our country and their mental health before they reach a breaking point,” declared Representative Brad Wenstrup. “I hope the House passes this legislation so that the pilot program can help service members across the country.”
The VRT would establish a system of communication and information sharing with the VA and other community resource agencies and a working relationship with the Veterans Justice Outreach Specialist.
The Response Team must also develop a close working relationship with the local justice system and the Veterans Court, if applicable, including veterans upon entry into the court system and local detention facility, with notification to the local VA office for coordination and appropriate services.
According to the most recent VA statistics, there were 6,392 veteran suicides and 40,020 non-veteran suicides in 2021. A significant majority of the veterans who committed suicide were not receiving any medical services or care at the VA.
Recent VA studies suggest that strides can be made toward the prevention of veteran suicides with greater community-based intervention and coalition-building and by increasing awareness of and access to mental health services.
“I am proud to support the SERVICE Act legislation that will create a pilot program to fund veteran response teams in law enforcement agencies across the country,” said Rep. Wenstrup, “modeled after the incredible success of the Cincinnati Police Department’s Military Liaison Group.”
The Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) recognized the Cincinnati Police Department Military Liaison Group and the Cincinnati Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) in 2021.
Both agencies received the L. Anthony Sutin Award for Innovative Law Enforcement and Community Partnerships Award. “This Cincinnati, Ohio team is being honored for their innovative and impactful work with military veterans,” noted the Washington D.C. award presenter.
“They (the veterans) shouldn’t have to be alone when they’re going through a crisis,” said Rep. Max Miller. “Our veterans and their families sacrificed for us, often in dark times. We will always be there for them, especially when they need us the most.”
My Opinion: H.R. 8140 The SERVICE Act has been already endorsed by the American Legion and the Vietnam Veterans of America. It should be passed to provide assistance to our veterans in crisis or emergency.
BioSketch: John Plahovinsak is a 32-year retired Army veteran, who served from 1967 to 1999. He is the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Department of Ohio’s Hospital Chairman and Adjutant of DAV Chapter 63 (Clermont County). He can be contacted at: plahovinsak@msn.com.