Dan Cirucci: Christie: Vets4Warriors Will Continue

Saturday, July 4, 2015

Christie: Vets4Warriors Will Continue

New Jersey Governor Christie today announced that the Vets4Warriors Program, operated by Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care, will be able to continue operations with State support. This announcement follows news that the U.S. Department of Defense may discontinue federal funding for the program. New Jersey’s Fiscal Year 2016 budget includes $8 million to ensure and expand access to health care for veterans in our State; a portion of those funds will be used to support the Vets4Warriors program.

“The Vets4Warriors Program offers an invaluable resource to our nation’s service men and women in need,” said Governor Christie. “I am committed to continuing mutual efforts with our congressional delegation in preserving funding for this important program. In the meantime, the State of New Jersey will maintain program funding for this year as we work to identify and explore resource options for the future.”

Governor Christie’s action demonstrates the Administration’s strong commitment to New Jersey veterans and their families. This includes creating and enhancing assistance tools that provide financial support and peer counseling services through the New Jersey National Guard State Family Readiness Council, as well as expanding the Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs’ successful Veterans Haven program to provide access to services for homeless veterans in the northern part of the state. In addition, the Administration has taken measures to connect veterans and employers to help military service members transition back into the civilian labor market through initiatives such as Helmets2Hardhats, Operation Hire a Jersey Hero and the VETeach program. Governor Christie also has signed legislation that awards high school diplomas to veterans who dropped out to serve in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam and strengthens the support network for military families after the death of a service member.

The Vets4Warriors Peer Support Line, which is available 24/7 and toll-free to all active duty, Reserve and National Guard members, is staffed entirely by veterans. The unique structure of Vets4Warriors allows individuals to receive support in a completely confidential, personal, non-threatening way from other veterans, who know the challenges of military life and the rigors of the transition to civilian life, since they have lived through it themselves.

Chris Kosseff, President of Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care expressed the sentiments of many in reaction to the news saying “I want to express my deepest gratitude to the Governor and the Legislature for keeping Vets4Warriors alive to support our service members and veterans and for keeping 40 veterans employed doing this important work; we look forward to continuing to serve those who keep us safe and free.”

Since its inception in December 2011, Vets4Warriors has made over 130,000 veteran contacts and has continuously employed over 40 New Jersey veterans.

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About Dan Cirucci

He's been cited by the late Rush Limbaugh, quoted in the New York Times, featured at Real Clear Politics and Lucianne.com and interviewed across all media.

He's Dan Cirucci, the founder and editor-in chief of the Dan Cirucci Blog, a Save Jersey blog columnist, frequent guest on the Matt Rooney radio show and one of the most widely honored public relations professionals in his field. He's also been a public relations consultant to numerous organizations and individuals and hosted The Advocates on RVN-TV.

Inducted into the Philadelphia Public Relations Hall of Fame, for many years he served as a Lecturer in Corporate Communication at Penn State University. A former President of the Philadelphia Public Relations Association (PPRA) he has lectured at Rowan University, Temple University, The College of New Jersey and Arcadia University. He has conducted workshops on public relations for thousands of participants throughout the nation and has taught countless others the art of public speaking. He has also advised numerous lawyers, judges, public officials and political candidates.

Cirucci is a prolific writer and his op-ed pieces have appeared in the Philadelphia Daily News, Philadelphia Inquirer, Courier-Post, Broad and Liberty and other print and online platforms.

A native of Camden NJ, Cirucci is a former President of the Philadelphia chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators. Cirucci served as Associate Executive Director of the Philadelphia Bar Association for nearly 30 years. He served as Chair of Penn State University's Professional Advisory Board for the Corporate Communication major at Penn State Abington and on the Pennsylvania Bar Association's Judicial Selection Commission.

He received his MA degree from Rowan University and his BA from Villanova University. He has been named a Distinguished Alumnus of Rowan's public relations program and received the E. A. "Wally" Richter Leadership Award, the highest honor from the National Association of Bar Executives' Communications Section. He has also been honored by numerous other local, state and national groups.

In his hometown of Camden, Cirucci taught fifth grade at the Ulysses Wiggins Elementary School named for the founder of the Camden NAACP. There he was one of the first teachers in the country to teach African-American history to inner city students. He later served as editor of a local weekly newspaper, as Assistant to the Township Manager of Cherry Hill Township and as Associate Director of Communications at the New Jersey State Bar Association.

Cirucci's passions include all things Italian, politics, the popular culture, books and authors, art, communication, music, theatre, movies, dining and travel.

He and his wife Carole have two grown children and seven grandchildren.

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