In April 2009, President Barack Obama signed the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act of 2009 (Serve America Act), a landmark piece of legislation that refocused our country’s approach to national service. In part, the new law provided the impetus for the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) to better engage the Veterans and military families community in national service.
Since the passage of the Serve America Act, CNCS has stepped forward to serve the Veterans and military families community. In addition to receiving increased and improved support services, Veterans and military families may benefit from participation in national service programs and improve their employment prospects, educational opportunities, and personal wellness.
The Serve America Act enhanced CNCS’s authority to provide national service opportunities to the Veterans and military families community. From the language of the Serve America Act, CNCS has identified the following issue areas to help guide and evaluate its progress in supporting Veterans and military families:
- Provide services and support to military families
- Increase volunteer opportunities for Veterans and military families
- Improve Veterans and military families’ education and certification opportunities
- Improve Veterans’ and military families’ employment prospects
- Increase Veterans’ and military families’ access to benefits
- Improve services to military children
- Improve transportation options, particularly for Veterans with disabilities
- Facilitate Veterans’ participation in disaster preparedness programs
- Improve wellness opportunities for Veterans and military families.
This report highlights CNCS programs and grantees that showcase the best of what national service has to offer the Veterans and military families community.