The Heinz Endowment has renewed its funding of Syracuse University’s Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) with a $ $446,000 grant to continue advocating for data-driven policies and support for military families. The grant will help fund IVMF’s work advancing national policies to improve the lives of veterans and their families through metric analysis and empirical evidence. This data will potentially guide government agencies working on behalf of those who have served.
“The Heinz Endowment has enhanced our ability to advocate for military families through a combination of strategic communications, research and outreach to policymakers as well as the veteran community,” says Mike Haynie, vice chancellor and executive director of IVMF. “To make a difference in the lives of veterans of this generation and future generations, IVMF needs to work with government leaders and provide research that will set military families up for success. This grant will be instrumental in our ability to do so.”
The grant will help build on the momentum of successful government advocacy the past year. IVMF’s full support of the recently passed Senate Bill 785 (Commander Scott Hannon Mental Health Improvement Act of 2019) addressed veteran suicide, one of the most pressing needs in the veteran community. On May 12, Haynie appeared before a subcommittee on economic opportunity of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
“Our work to support veterans and military families in making successful, fulfilling transitions to civilian life is only possible with accurate, well-informed data,” said Megan Andros, senior program officer for veterans at The Heinz Endowments. ”IVMF’s research shines a light on the unique challenges veterans and their families face, and we are confident that their policy agenda will better help inform policymakers so they can successfully advocate for them. We are grateful for the trusted partnership we have with Syracuse University and IVMF, and we look forward to continuing to work together in bringing awareness and positive change to the lives of veterans and their families.”
“IVMF’s research and analytics, supported by a preeminent R1 research institution like Syracuse University, can help governments make strategic investments and legislation.” says Haynie. “I want to thank the Heinz Endowment for empowering IVMF to bring awareness of issues facing military families to the highest level of government leadership.”
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