TAPS Among VSO Participants in Education Roundtable Event on Capitol Hill
Organization Addressed How Education Services Can Better Serve the Families of America’s Fallen Heroes, Including Provisions of the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - July 14, 2017
ARLINGTON, Va. -– The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) joined more than 25 other veteran service organizations (VSOs) in an Education Roundtable event yesterday on Capitol Hill.
Held at the Veterans of Foreign Wars office in Washington, the event brought together organizations to discuss the provisions introduced in the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017 (H.R. 3218).
“Representatives from TAPS Education Services were on hand specifically to talk about the challenges faced by the families of America’s fallen military members as they seek to use the various education benefits available to them,” said Kathy Moakler, TAPS Director of Survivor Advocacy. “One of the aspects of the bill most important to TAPS families is the expansion of the Yellow Ribbon Program to Fry Scholarship recipients, which has been one of our top priorities."
TAPS Senior Coordinator for Education Support Services Ashlynne Haycock is scheduled to testify in support of the bill at a hearing Monday, July 17 at 7:30 p.m. at 334 Cannon House Office Building. The hearing can be viewed live online at https://veterans.house.gov/.
Haycock is also the surviving daughter of Army Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey Haycock who died while training to deploy in 2002 and Air Force Senior Airman Nichole Haycock, who died by suicide in 2011. Ashlynne was one of the first recipients of the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John Fry Scholarship.
ABOUT TAPS
The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) is the national organization providing compassionate care for the families of America’s fallen military heroes and has offered support to more than 70,000 surviving family members of our fallen military and their caregivers since 1994. TAPS provides peer-based emotional support, grief and trauma resources, grief seminars and retreats for adults, Good Grief Camps for children, case work assistance, connections to community-based care, online and in-person support groups and a 24/7 resource and information helpline for all who have been affected by a death in the Armed Forces. Services are provided free of charge. For more information go to www.taps.org or call the toll-free TAPS resource and information helpline at 1.800.959.TAPS (8277).