“The war in Iraq is over. The war in Afghanistan is moving to a new phase — we’re transitioning to Afghan lead. Over the past decade, nearly 3 million service members have transitioned back to civilian life, and more are joining them every day. . .

“Our veterans are some of the most highly trained, highly educated, highly skilled workers that we’ve got. These are Americans that every business should be competing to attract. These are the Americans we want to keep serving here at home as we rebuild this country. So we’re going to do everything we can to make sure that when our troops come home, they come home to new jobs and new opportunities and new ways to serve their country.

“Now, this has been a top priority of mine since I came into office. Already, we’ve helped 600,000 veterans and their family members go back to school on the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill. We’ve hired over 120,000 veterans to serve in the federal government. We’ve made it easier for veterans to access all sorts of employment services. We’ve set up online tools to connect veterans with job openings that match their skills.

“Michelle and Jill Biden have worked with the private sector, with businesses, to secure a pledge of 135,000 jobs for veterans and their families. And with the support of Democrats and Republicans, we’ve put in place two new tax credits for companies that hire veterans. . .

In my State of the Union address, I proposed a new initiative, called the Veterans Jobs Corps, to put veterans back to work protecting and rebuilding America. And today, we’re laying out the details of this proposal. . .

Over the past few years, tight budgets have forced a lot of states, a lot of local communities to lay off a lot of first responders . . . Over the past three years, my administration has made it possible for states to keep thousands of first responders on the job. But today, we’re announcing that communities who make it a priority to recruit veterans will be among the first in line when it comes to getting help from the federal government. . .

So we want to prioritize veterans and we want to help states and local communities hire veterans to firehouses and police stations all across the country.

The second thing we want to do is to connect up to 20,000 veterans with jobs that involve rebuilding local communities or national parks. . . They’ve already risked their lives defending America. They should have the opportunity to rebuild America. We’ve got roads and bridges in and around our national parks in need of repair. Let’s fix them.

Of course, Congress needs to fund these projects. Congress should take the money that we’re no longer spending on war, use half of it to pay down our debt, and use the rest to do some nation-building here at home, to improve the quality of life right here in the United States of America — (applause) — and put our veterans to work . . .

And for veterans who want to do something else — maybe put their leadership skills to use starting a small business — we’re going to start offering entrepreneurial training to our veterans. We want service members prepared for battle — and for professional success when they come home. . .

We should remember from our veterans that no matter what the circumstances, those men and women in uniform — a lot like the firefighters in this fire station — work together. Act as a team. Finish the job. That’s what we’ve got to do when it comes to our nation’s recovery. . .

This is a nation that exists because generations of Americans worked together to build it. This is a nation where, out of many, we come together as one. Those are the values that every veteran understands. Those are values that this fire station understands. We’ve got to make sure that we return to those values. And if we do, then I guarantee you we’ll remind everybody around the world just why it is the United States is the greatest country on Earth.

“I’m inspired to see our nation’s medical schools step up to address this pressing need for our veterans and military families. By directing some of our brightest minds, our most cutting-edge research, and our finest teaching institutions toward our military families, they’re ensuring that those who have served our country receive the first-rate care that they have earned,” said First Lady Michelle Obama.

As part of First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden’s Joining Forces initiative, the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) committed to creating a new generation of doctors, medical schools, and research facilities that will make sure our heroes and their families receive the care worthy of their sacrifice. Recognizing veterans, service members and their families’ dedication and commitment, 130 schools associated with the AAMC and AACOM pledged to leverage their missions in education, research, and clinical care to train the nation’s physicians to meet the unique health care needs of the military and veterans communities.

Together, the AAMC and AACOM are committing to improve the education in their medical schools, the research in their laboratories, and the clinical care in their hospitals to better address the health issues that military families face. Specifically, these organizations are committing to:

· Train their medical students as well as their current physicians, faculty, and staff to better diagnose and treat our veterans and military families;

· Develop new research and clinical trials on PTSD and TBI so that we can better understand and treat those conditions;

· Share their information and best practices with one another through a collaborative web forum created by the AAMC; and

· Continue to work with the VA and the Department of Defense to make sure that everyone is providing the best care available.

“Because of our integrated missions in education, clinical care, and research, America’s medical schools are uniquely positioned to take a leadership role in this important effort,” said Darrell G. Kirch, M.D., president and CEO of the Association of American Medical Colleges. “Medical schools have long recognized the sacrifice and commitment of our military, veterans, and their families. The relationship between the Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers and academic medicine dates back to the end of World War II and serves as a model for successful partnerships between public and private institutions. Our work with the White House on Joining Forces is a natural extension of our efforts in this area and renews our commitment to the wellness of our nation’s military.”

“A central component of the White House Joining Forces Initiative is wellness, and I am pleased to announce AACOM’s participation in a new Joining Forces effort that could have a significant impact on the health and well-being of our nation’s veterans.” Dr. Stephen C. Shannon, President and CEO, American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine.

Examples of universities stepping up to provide for veterans and their families include:

· Virginia Commonwealth University where they’re leading a groundbreaking project to provide resources and training to health care providers, volunteers, and community members throughout Virginia who can help ease the transition home for veterans with TBI and PTSD.

· The University of Pittsburgh where researchers are developing a new imaging tool that allows the visualization of the wiring of the brain in vivid high definition, which could lead to new breakthroughs in the diagnosis of TBI.

· The University of South Florida where they are working with the Department of Defense and the VA to create a first-of-its-kind Center for Veterans Reintegration, which will mean a single, cohesive research, treatment, and education facility for veterans and families.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden created Joining Forces to bring Americans together to recognize, honor and take action to support veterans and military families as they serve our country and throughout their lives. The initiative aims to educate, challenge, and spark action from all sectors of society to ensure veterans and military families have the support they have earned. The initiative focuses on key priority areas – employment, education, and wellness while raising awareness about the service, sacrifice, and needs of America’s veterans and military families. More information is available at: www.JoiningForces.gov .

The following is a list of the 130 universities and colleges participating in this program:

· University of Alabama School of Medicine

· University of South Alabama College of Medicine

· University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine

· Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University

· AT Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine of Arizona

· University of Arizona College of Medicine

· Loma Linda University

· Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California

· Touro University California College of Osteopathic Medicine

· Stanford University School of Medicine

· UC Davis Health System

· University of California, Irvine School of Medicine

· David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA

· Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific

· Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine

· University of Colorado School of Medicine

· Yale School of Medicine

· Georgetown University School of Medicine

· George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences

· Howard University College of Medicine

· Florida State University College of Medicine

· Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine Florida International University

· Nova Southeastern University College os Osteopathic Medicine

· University of Florida College of Medicine

· USF Health Morsani College of Medicine

· Emory University School of Medicine

· Medical College of Georgia at Georgia Health Sciences University

· Mercer University School of Medicine

· Morehouse School of Medicine

· University of Hawaii at Manoa, John A. Burns School of Medicine

· Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine

· University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine

· Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University

· Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine

· Rush University Medical Center, Chicago

· Southern Illinois University School of Medicine

· The Chicago Medical School in conjunction with the Lovell Federal Health Care Center

· University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine

· University of Illinois College of Medicine

· Indiana University

· University of Kansas Medical Center

· University of Kentucky College of Medicine

· University of Pikeville Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine

· Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans

· Tulane University School of Medicine

· Boston University School of Medicine

· Harvard Medical School

· Tufts University School of Medicine

· University of Massachusetts Medical School

· Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

· Uniformed Services University of the Health Science’s F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine

· University of Maryland School of Medicine

· University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine

· Michigan State University College of Human Medicine

· Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine

· University of Michigan Medical School

· Wayne State University School of Medicine

· University of Minnesota Medical School

· Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences College of Osteopathic Medicine

· Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine AT Still University

· Saint Louis University

· University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine

· University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Medicine

· Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine

· University of Mississippi School of Medicine

· Creighton University School of Medicine

· University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Medicine

· The Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University

· Wake Forest School of Medicine

· University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine

· University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences

· Dartmouth Medical School

· Cooper Medical School of Rowan University.

· University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey – New Jersey Medical School

· University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey – Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

· University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey – School of Osteopathic Medicine

· University of New Mexico School of Medicine

· University of Nevada School of Medicine

· Hofstra North Shore – LIJ School of Medicine

· New York Institute of Technology New York College of Osteopathic Medicine

· State University of New York Upstate Medical University

· Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine

· University at Buffalo State University of New York School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences

· Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine

· The Ohio State University

· Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine

· University of Cincinnati College of Medicine

· University of Toledo College of Medicine

· Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine

· Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine

· University of Oklahoma College of Medicine

· Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine

· Pacific Northwest University of Health Science College of Osteopathic Medicine

· Commonwealth Medical College

· Drexel University College of Medicine

· Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University

· Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine

· Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

· Penn State University College of Medicine

· Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

· Temple University School of Medicine

· University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

· Universidad Central del Caribe School of Medicine

· Ponce School of Medicine and Health Sciences

· Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine

· University of South Carolina School of Medicine

· University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Greenville

· University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine

· Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine

· Meharry Medical College

· Vanderbilt University School of Medicine

· Baylor College of Medicine

· The Texas A & M Health Science Center College of Medicine

· Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine

· Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine Paul L. Foster School of Medicine

· The University of North Texas Health Science Center Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine

· The University of Texas School of Medicine at San Antonio

· University of Texas Medical School at Houston

· University of Utah School of Medicine

· Eastern Virginia Medical School

· University of Virginia School of Medicine

· Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine

· Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine

· Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine

· University of Washington School of Medicine

· Medical College of Wisconsin

· University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

· The Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine at Marshall University

· West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine

· West Virginia University School of Medicine

“Far too many of our men and women in uniform don’t seek help when they’ve been sexually assaulted. A lot of that is due to a fear of retribution from their attackers—often superiors—if they say anything,” said Congresswoman Chellie Pingree. “They go it alone for fear of jeopardizing their careers, which is a tragedy. We need to better protect these veterans so they feel comfortable getting help. Letting them know their conversations are confidential is a big step. As we address the critical problem of military sexual assault, we have to continue breaking down barriers that keep victims from getting the assistance they need and deserve.”

Pingree is a cosponsor of legislation, the Strong Act, which would also make this change in policy.

As a member of the House Armed Services Personnel Subcommittee, Pingree has been a strong advocate for victims for military sexual assault. She has introduced legislation that would make it is easier for victims to claim benefits for post-traumatic stress disorder arising from their assault, and is also working directly with the Veterans Administration to make this change. Pingree has also been working with administration officials to change the wording of security clearance applications so that victims of military sexual trauma do not have to disclose counseling they received for their assault—one reason service members may not seek counseling is because they fear it will hinder their application.

In 2010, the Pentagon says there were 3,000 reported cases of military sexual trauma, but estimates that only 10 percent of cases were reported.

In September, President Obama called on Congress to enact tax credits that will help get veterans back to work. The Returning Heroes Tax Credit provides businesses that hire unemployed veterans with a maximum credit of $5,600 per veteran, and the Wounded Warriors Tax Credit offers businesses that hire veterans with service-connected disabilities with a maximum credit of $9,600 per veteran.

“When I sent Congress a jobs bill I proposed a tax credit for any business that hires a veteran who’s been unemployed for at least four weeks. I proposed an even bigger tax break if a business hires a veteran who’s been unemployed for at least six months. And if a business hires an unemployed veteran with a disability related to their service, I proposed doubling the tax break that we already have in place,” said President Obama. “Today, because Democrats and Republicans came together, I’m proud to sign those proposals into law. And I urge every business owner out there who’s hiring to hire a veteran right away.

Returning Heroes and Wounded Warrior Tax Credits

Under the Recovery Act, employers who hired certain unemployed veterans were eligible for a tax credit of up to 40 percent of the first $6,000 of wages, for a maximum credit of $2,400. This credit expired at the end of 2010.

On November 21, 2011, the President signed into law two new tax credits:

The Returning Heroes Tax Credit is a new hiring tax credit that will provide an incentive for businesses to hire unemployed veterans.

Short-term unemployed: A new credit of 40 percent of the first $6,000 of wages (up to $2,400) for employers who hire veterans who have been unemployed at least 4 weeks.

Long-term unemployed: A new credit of 40 percent of the first $14,000 of wages (up to $5,600) for employers who hire veterans who have been unemployed longer than 6 months.

The Wounded Warrior Tax Credit will double the existing tax credit for long-term unemployed veterans with service-connected disabilities.

Maintain the existing Work Opportunity Tax Credit for veterans with service-connected disabilities (currently the maximum is $4,800).

A new credit of 40 percent of the first $24,000 of wages (up to $9,600) for firms that hire veterans with service-connected disabilities who have been unemployed longer than 6 months.

Executive Actions to Get Veterans Back to Work

Earlier this year, the President also announced a series of executive actions to help get veterans back to work.

These initiatives include:

Veteran Gold Card: Post-9/11 veterans can now download the Veteran Gold Card, which entitles them to enhanced services including six months of personalized case management, assessments and counseling, at the roughly 3,000 One-Stop Career Centers located across the country. This could help serve the more than 200,000 unemployed Post-9/11 veterans. The President directed the Department of Labor to launch this initiative in his August 5, 2011 speech at the Navy Yard.

My Next Move for Veterans: The Department of Labor has launched My Next Move for Veterans, a new online resource that allows veterans to enter their military occupation code and discover civilian occupations for which they are well qualified. The site also includes information about salaries, apprenticeships, and other related education and training programs.

Creating a Veterans Job Bank: The Administration launched the Veterans Job Bank, at National Resource Directory, an easy to use tool to help veterans find job postings from companies looking to hire them. It already searches over one million job postings and is growing. In a few easy steps, companies can make sure the job postings on their own websites are part of this Veterans Job Bank. These resources can be accessed at www.whitehouse.gov/vets

Joining Forces: In August, the President challenged the private sector to hire or train 100,000 veterans or military spouses by the end of 2013. The President also asked First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden to lead these efforts with the private sector as part of their Joining Forces initiative. In just over 100 days, more than 1,500 private sector companies have stepped up and already employed more than 18,000 veterans and spouses. In addition, these private sector companies have committed to hiring 135,000 veterans and spouses by the end of 2013, exceeding the President’s challenge. Also included in these private sector employment efforts is a dedicated commitment to hire 5,000 wounded warriors.

Challenging Community Health Centers to Hire 8,000 Veterans in Three Years: The Obama Administration challenged Community Health Centers to hire 8,000 veterans – approximately one veteran per health center site – over the next three years. The health reform law provides funding for community health centers to serve more Americans and hire more workers. The National Association of Community Health Centers will also contribute to this effort and joined the Administration in announcing this Community Health Center Veterans Hiring Challenge.

Helping Veterans Become Physician Assistants: To fast-track medics into jobs in community health centers and other parts of the health care system, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) pledged to open up career-paths beyond nursing and expand opportunities for veterans to become physician assistants. Through this initiative, HRSA will begin to give priority in physician assistant grant awards to universities and colleges that help train veterans for careers as physician assistants.

Together, these initiatives and the tax credits will lower veteran unemployment through increased hiring, improve resources for veterans to translate their military skills for the civilian workforce, and provide veterans with new tools to aid their search for jobs.

“As a grateful state, we must continue to honor military service members by providing them with an alternative to incarceration: proper treatment for mental health and substance abuse problems resulting from military service,” said bill sponsor Rep. Maeghan Maloney, D- Augusta, in her comments to Legislative leadership. “The establishment of veterans’ treatment courts will address the unique challenges veterans face as a result of their honorable service.”

Maloney worked with Maine Congressman Mike Michaud’s office to advance the legislation and gain federal support for the program. She was able to amend her proposal to include the federal funding that will be made available to Maine, resulting in no fiscal impact to the state.

Maloney also discussed the issue with Maine Supreme Court Chief Justice Leigh Saufley, who supported her efforts and is starting a veterans’ treatment court in Augusta. Togus will pay for a veterans’ health administrator to attend the court, and volunteer veteran mentors will assist the veterans. If the bill becomes law, all involved in the veterans’ treatment court can attend a free national training twice a year.

“We know we can get federal dollars to support this program that will put a strong support system in place for our veterans who have been at war for a decade,” said Maloney.

Veterans Treatment Courts operate similar to Drug Courts, but serve only military veterans suffering from substance abuse and mental illness.

There are 150,000 veterans in Maine. Nationally, one in five veterans report symptoms of mental disorder.

“In other states, State Veterans Courts have proven very beneficial to our veterans,” said Congressman Michaud. “In addition to providing greater access to VA services, these courts have seen a significant reduction in rates of recidivism.”

Legislative leaders had originally voted against allowing the measure to be heard in 2012 during a meeting last month of the Legislative Council, which is made up of the 10 Republican and Democratic leaders of the State Legislature. Rep. Maloney asked the legislative leaders to reconsider their decision today during a hearing of the Council.

“Veterans are returning from Afghanistan and Iraq every day and need our help to adjust back to society,” said Maloney. “Thankfully this legislation will now move forward so we can stop treating some veterans like criminals instead of as the heroes they are.”

The Council must approve any new bills for the second session of the Legislature, which is typically reserved for top priority or emergency measures.

The bill was one of 15 proposals that were approved to be considered by lawmakers in 2012.