SHAHEEN, AYOTTE: FUNDING SECURED FOR NEW HAMPSHIRE NATIONAL GUARD DEPLOYMENT CYCLE SUPPORT PROGRAM

(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) today announced that the New Hampshire National Guard will receive $535,000 to support the Guard’s Deployment Cycle Support Program (DCSP). Shaheen and Ayotte have been strong advocates for the DCSP program and have worked with Pentagon officials to underscore the clear benefits of the program.

“This New Hampshire Deployment Cycle Support Program has a tremendous track record of success in providing critical services to our returning Guard members and their families,” said Senator Shaheen. “We ask a lot on the men and women of our National Guard to protect U.S. interests and abroad and keep Americans safe. They made a solemn commitment to our state and our nation, and they continue to make great sacrifices, engaging in multiple deployments in some of the most dangerous regions in the world. It is critical that they have a strong support network in place. New Hampshire’s National Guard support program is a model initiative, and I am pleased that we have found funding needed to continue operation of this essential program.”

“The Deployment Cycle Support Care Coordination Program is a common-sense, cost-effective initiative that helps our service members and their families before, during, and after deployments,” said Senator Ayotte.  “This program—which has a proven track record in the areas of suicide prevention, mental health care, employment, and prevention of homelessness—represents a model for the Department of Defense.  It’s critical that this program continue to receive federal support, and this announcement is welcome news.”

"Sens. Shaheen and Ayotte have understood all too well that a tour of duty does not end when the soldier comes home from war," said Maj. Gen. William Reddel III, the adjutant general of the New Hampshire National Guard. "The reintegration back into family and civilian life is a long and sometimes difficult process. We want to ensure our service members and their families receive the support they need, and frankly, deserve. They have sacrificed for our state and nation in ways that most of us cannot imagine."

The program is designed to meet the needs of service members, veterans, and their families who do not live on or near military installations.  An integrated partnership between the New Hampshire National Guard, the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Easter Seals, and civilian and veteran service organizations, DCSP combines public funding and private resources to establish an integrated, sustainable, and fiscally-responsible service delivery framework.

DCSP is designed to prepare and support service members and their families during the full cycle of mobilization, deployment, and reintegration.  In fiscal year 2012, 966 service members and veterans were enrolled in the program.  Including their family members, a total of approximately 2995 individuals were served by the program last year.