GLENFIELD – Successful programs to connect veterans in Pittsburgh and beyond with health care and meaningful employment were examined during a public hearing of the Senate Majority Policy Committee hosted by Sen. Devlin Robinson (R-37) and chaired by Sen. Dave Argall (R-29) today.
“While serving our country, our service members gain valuable skills that can benefit the commonwealth after they complete their time in the military. By doing everything we can to help connect them with relevant roles and support them as they transition back to civilian life, we honor their sacrifices,” Robinson said. “Today, we heard practical ways in which we in the legislature can help our veterans adjust and thrive in our workforce. I look forward to bringing this conversation back to Harrisburg.”
Brig. Gen. Mark Goodwill, the director of the Joint Staff of the Pennsylvania National Guard, began the hearing by sharing the work the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs does to support veterans returning from deployment.
Marc Migala, the director of Veteran Care Services for UPMC, detailed UPMC’s work to connect directly with VA medical centers to provide health care to veterans. Veterans Care Services was created in 2019 and has rapidly expanded across the state. In the past four years, 12 UPMC facilities have established VA Registered Nurse Liaisons, professionals who work directly with veterans to guide them through the health care process.
Sean Foley, the senior council representative with Millwright Local 443, and Erick Dickson, council representative with the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters, shared how their organizations hire veterans through programs like Helmets to Hardhats, which connects veterans to jobs in the construction industry.
Jack Lyden, the executive director of Pittsburgh Hires Veterans, shared the strategies his organization used to place veterans into 153 jobs last year. Representatives from Per Scholas shared how their organization has provided technical training to more than 30,000 veterans since 1995 without charging a dime for tuition.
“Helping our veterans find meaningful employment and connecting them with available services is the least we can do when they return home to their families,” said Argall. “We should never leave behind any of our friends and neighbors who dedicated their lives to defending our nation and our freedoms.”
Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33), the chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, expressed his gratitude to Sens. Argall and Robinson for hosting a public hearing dedicated to veterans. He emphasized, “It is important that we, as state government, prioritize our veterans. We do a lot in Pennsylvania, but we can always do more!”
“Along with the great work Sen. Camera Bartolotta (R-46) and Sen. Elder Vogel (R-47) are doing by taking the lead on Senate Bill 133, which would expand property tax exemptions for veterans, our committee is also working on Senate Bill 144, the Global War on Terror bonus and Senate Bill 64, which would create a veterans business logo. This collaborative approach promises to enhance support for those who have served,” Mastriano continued.
Video of the full event and written testimony can be found here.
CONTACT: Jim Brugger (Argall)
Allison Dutrey (Robinson)