13-R154

2013 -- S 0579

Enacted 03/20/13

 

 

S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N

RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THE DIVISION OF VETERANS' AFFAIRS TO STUDY IMPLEMENTING A VETERANS ADMINISTRATION CHILD CARE DEVELOPMENT FUND PROGRAM FOR RHODE ISLAND VETERANS

     

     

     Introduced By: Senators Raptakis, Bates, Pichardo, Ottiano, and Felag

     Date Introduced: February 28, 2013

 

 

     WHEREAS, Since 2001, over two million American military personnel have been

deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan; and

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island, along with the rest of the country, is witnessing the return of

our mothers and fathers, husbands and wives, and sons and daughters from the field of battle; and

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island despite its small size, has borne a significant share of sacrifice

in these recent conflicts; and

     WHEREAS; The call back rate of the state’s own National Guard to active duty status is

the second highest in the entire United States, with over 10,000 unit deployments; and

     WHEREAS, The number of veterans living in Rhode Island who served in the Gulf Wars

is three times higher than the national per capita average, and is expected to grow as troops begin

to withdraw from Afghanistan; and

     WHEREAS, Returning combat veterans, many of whom are single parents, need access

to child care services in order to better seek civilian employment opportunities, job training,

additional educational opportunities, and medical and behavioral healthcare services; and

     WHEREAS, The US Veterans Administration (VA) offers a child care subsidy program

to assist all active service members and veterans with child care costs for dependents aged 6

months to 12 years old, at specific pre-approved, licensed centers; and

     WHEREAS, Currently there are no VA-approved centers located in Rhode Island, with

the closest center located in Boston; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

respectfully requests that the Rhode Island Division of Veterans Affairs study the feasibility of

implementing a VA Child Care Subsidy Program in Rhode Island; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Rhode Island Division of Veterans’ Affairs.

     

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LC01875

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