Budget cuts could shutter veterans suicide prevention program, lawmakers say
A state-funded program that gives traumatized military veterans a chance to receive one-to-one counseling from other veterans is slated to be eliminated, according to two Brooklyn lawmakers who are fighting to save it.
Assemblymembers Nicole Malliotakis and Felix Ortiz said they are working with veterans’ organizations to prevent the Paul P. Dwyer Veteran Peer Support Project from having to shut down. The seven-year-old program has prevented veterans from committing suicide, the two lawmakers said.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s executive budget includes a $3.7 million cut that would virtually wipe out the Dwyer program, according to Malliotakis, who said the governor is also seeking a $1.1 million cut to other mental health and support programs for veterans.