Georgia is creating a $750,000 grant program to support mental health programs for service members, veterans and their families through legislation signed into law by Gov. Brian Kemp on Tuesday.
The Georgia Department of Veterans Service will offer grants to nonprofit groups to provide House Bill 414 mental health and addiction services to those groups.
Republican Kemp told a group of lawmakers and veterans at a state capitol ceremony in Atlanta that the effort was modeled after a clinic in Hinesville near Fort Stewart that opened last year. The Cohen Family Clinic provides free services to military members, veterans and their families and is operated by Aspire Health Partners. The Florida-based nonprofit operates a similar clinic in Tampa.
“For far too long, many of those who have sacrificed so much for freedom have struggled in silence with mental health issues,” Kemp said Tuesday. “Whether due to stigma, lack of resources, or a variety of other obstacles, these heroes have not been able to get the help they need and deserve.”
To receive a grant, an applicant must demonstrate that they employ evidence-based practices, train staff to understand the military, and connect clients with other mental health services after discharge. Priority is given to locations within 50 miles (80 kilometers) of a military base.
Applications for grants should be available soon.
Kemp also signed Tuesday Senate Bill 21, which overhauls the board of the Georgia Veterans Service Foundation, and House Bill 175, which creates a retired military license plate and allows disabled veterans to exempt their vehicle from taxation even if they don’t use it current disabled veteran license plate.
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