Lt. Governor Brown Launches Maryland’s Commitment to Veterans New Website

General Assembly Expands Program to Serve All Maryland Veterans

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (April 27, 2009) – Maryland’s Commitment to Veterans today launched its new website www.veterans.maryland.gov featuring user-friendly navigation, up-to-date features and comprehensive information to serve veterans and their loved ones.

“Maryland’s Commitment to Veterans is working to ensure that veterans and their families get the services and care they need and that no veteran falls through the cracks of a dated VA system,” said Lt. Governor Anthony Brown. “Maryland continues to lead the nation and the creation of this website enables our heroes to easily learn about the services available and quickly connect with knowledgeable staff.”

Last year, the O’Malley-Brown administration introduced to the General Assembly one of the most comprehensive veterans packages in the nation, featuring the cornerstone of the Veterans Behavioral Health Initiative that set aside $2.3 million for behavioral health services for veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan.  During the 2009 Maryland legislative session, the scope of the initiative was expanded to serve all veterans of Maryland.

"Maryland is answering the call to assist our veterans and their families just as they answered the call to protect and defend the nation," said John M. Colmers, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Secretary. "This website will help veterans and their families quickly access mental health services, health care, housing and much more from any state or federal agency."

Maryland’s Commitment to Veterans provides for four regional resource coordinators to navigate veterans to behavioral health services available in all parts of the state. If VA services are not available in a timely, accessible manner, the regional resource coordinators work with local partners to find adequate care until VA services can be provided.

"One of our critical tasks is to reach out to Maryland's veterans to ensure they are aware of the resources available to them,” said General  James A. Adkins, Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary. “This website will be instrumental in our efforts to make sure all our veterans and their families are well informed.”

The Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs is also launching their newly redesigned website this week at www.mdva.state.md.us. The site features educational opportunities, veteran memorials information and an online version of their popular biannual newsletter. Last month, veterans were introduced to an extensive Maryland Veterans Network of Care portal, available online at www.networkofcare.org.

---

Media Contact:
Kara Turner; 410 974-2399
kturner@mdva.state.md.us