Rep. Takano to Unveil Warriors' Peer-Outreach Pilot Program Act at Press Conference at Riverside City College

Press Release

Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) unveiled the Warriors' Peer-Outreach Pilot Program Act (H.R.3056) and will formally announce the legislation during a press conference on Tuesday, August 20 at Riverside City College.

The Warriors' Peer-Outside Pilot Program Act will establish a three-year peer-outreach pilot program for veterans intended to improve veterans' higher education outcomes, as well as their utilization of other resources and services.

The pilot program will create work-study positions for veterans who are currently enrolled at a four-year, two-year, or technical college and are using Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits, or veterans who have graduated from such an institution in the past year-and-a-half and used Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits. These veterans will work part-time providing peer-outreach and peer-support services to veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn.

"With the War in Iraq over and the War in Afghanistan winding down, creating opportunities for our returning veterans should be a priority for Congress," said Takano. "I'm proud to announce the Warriors' Peer-Outreach Pilot Program Act and believe that its goal of putting heroes back to work to help their fellow veterans who are having difficulty navigating higher education is one both Democrats and Republicans can support."

At the end of the pilot program, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs will submit a report to Congress, including any recommendations regarding the extension or expansion of the program.

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