Addressing Military Veterans’ Economic and Broadband Needs

USA Cares and Connected Nation are asking leaders to consider using a portion of the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund–which recently allocated $350 billion across states, territories and tribal governments to use for pandemic-related economic recovery activities–to provide immediate relief and long-term support for veterans and military spouses. USA Cares works daily with veterans struggling with financial needs and other challenges that made adapting to life outside the military difficult. Connected Nation, dedicated to helping local communities, states, and federal agencies create and implement solutions to their broadband and digital technology gaps, is setting up veterans and military spouses for long-term success through its Digital Works program. Together, they help veterans and military families with their immediate needs while setting them up for long-term success. The Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds provide enough money to address both needs and still tackle other issues. US leaders have an unprecedented opportunity to help veterans and military spouses in their states, counties and cities, but they must act now.

[Trace Chesser is the president and CEO of USA Cares and Tom Ferree is the CEO and chairman of Connected Nation.]