Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara announced that the final state budget includes local funding for the Joseph P. Dwyer Veteran Peer Support Program in Schenectady and Montgomery Counties as part of a broader effort to strengthen veteran mental health services and suicide prevention programs across New York State.

The budget includes $109,200 for Schenectady County and $104,000 for Montgomery County through the Joseph P. Dwyer Veteran Peer Support Program, which connects veterans with peer support services, outreach programs, and mental health resources in their local communities.

The announcement comes as veteran suicide rates continue to rise in New York. According to recent data from the New York Health Foundation citing federal VA data, the veteran suicide rate in New York reached 24.9 per 100,000 in 2023 – more than double the rate of the general population.

“Far too many veterans struggle in silence, and too many families have experienced the devastating impact of veteran suicide,” said Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara. “Programs like the Dwyer Program save lives because they connect veterans with people who truly understand what they’ve been through.”

Having served in the United States Army Reserve, Santabarbara said supporting veterans and military families remains an important priority. He said he has participated in local Dwyer Program events and has seen firsthand the impact the program has had in Schenectady and Montgomery Counties by helping veterans access support, reconnect with services, and avoid isolation.

The final state budget also includes support for county veterans service agencies, veterans homes, housing assistance programs, workforce support services, benefits assistance, long-term care services, and community-based outreach efforts serving veterans and military families across New York State.

“Too often, veterans who are struggling never ask for help,” Assemblyman Santabarbara said. “That’s why local outreach, peer support, and suicide prevention programs are so important. We need to continue making sure veterans know they are not alone and that support is available right here in their own communities.”