Congresswoman Angie Craig Secures Increases in Support for Military Families and Rural Mental Health Services
Press Release
U.S. Rep. Craig had two critical amendments included in today's bipartisan passage of the National Defense Administration Act (NDAA). The first is a $30 million increase in support services for active duty Army families. The bill also includes Craig's bipartisan Seeding Rural Resilience Act, which would increase rural mental health services.
"I am proud today's legislation includes Minnesota priorities. Our military families need our support as their loved ones are fighting to protect our American values. That's why I fought for an increase in the Army Community Service Account to be included in the NDAA," said Rep. Craig. "Today's legislation also includes my bill to increase rural mental health resources that meet farmers where they live. Mental health issues in our rural areas has increased as farmers have come under intense stress from low prices, trade issues and now a global health crisis. The time to increase these services is now."
Rep. Craig's amendment in support of Military Families would add $30 million to the Army Community Services account to provide:
family assistance,
victim advocacy,
financial counseling,
employment readiness and
other similar support services at installations where 500 or more military members are assigned.
Rep. Craig's Seeding Rural Resilience Act would:
Implement a Farmer-Facing Employee Training Program that requires the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide voluntary stress management training to Farm Service Agency, Risk Management Agency and National Resources Conservation Service Employees.
Form a partnership between the Department of Health and Human Services and USDA to create a $3 million PSA to increase public awareness of farm and ranch stress and destigmatize mental health care in rural communities.
Direct the Secretary of Agriculture to work with state, local, and non-governmental stakeholders to collaborate and determine best practices for responding to farm and ranch mental stress.
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