U.S. Senator Jerry Moran, member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee and Senate Defense Communities Caucus Co-Chair, has sponsored bipartisan legislation to better connect veterans with the services, resources and benefits available in their communities to help them transition back to civilian life.

With nearly 250,000 service members expected to separate from military service over the next five years, the bipartisan Connect with Veterans Act would give veterans the ability to access information they choose to receive regarding services and benefits from local, state and federal entities or programs by creating a voluntary directory of contact information connection the veteran to their local communities.

According to Associationof Defense Communities, the most important part of the transition from service member to civilian life occurs during the short time period after a service member leaves the military.  The bill aims to help service members quickly access the resources they need to effectively transition in their communities, especially those living in rural communities.

Participation in the program is voluntary and a veteran’s contact information would only be shared with his or her permission. Veterans’ personal information will be kept safe and secure.