In continuing her effort to prevent veteran suicide as chair of the IL House Veterans Affairs Committee, State representative Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego, who is a United States Marine Corps. veteran, has been appointed to the Illinois delegation invited to participate in the Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide among service members, veterans and their families, in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
“As the co-chair of the Illinois Taskforce for the Prevention of Veteran Suicide and chief sponsor of the subsequent legislation from that taskforce, it is an honor to be appointed to this delegation to continue the important work of meeting the needs of my fellow veterans,” said Kifowit. “Preventing veteran suicide and working towards a system of support for not only our veterans, but for active service members and their families should be a priority for the entire State.”
Kifowit has been appointed to the IL Governor’s Challenge delegation team, which is led by Dr. Theresa Glaze, who is the statewide Chief of Social Work for the IL Department of Mental Health. The delegation team of leaders is comprised of both public and private experts in their respective fields to develop an implementation plan to prevent suicide among service members, veterans, and their Families in conjunction with the VA national strategy and incorporating best practices from the CDC. The Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide among Service Members, Veterans and their Families is a joint initiative between the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Kifowit has been named to the Illinois delegation, and brings not only a veteran perspective to the distinguished group, but invaluable experience working for veterans as chair of the IL House Veterans Affairs committee, leader in the IL State Veterans Suicide Prevention taskforce and her extensive involvement on the local level with veterans from many veteran organizations.
“I am proud that Illinois has accepted the invitation to be a participant in The Governor’s Challenge as we continue to fight for our veterans and their families, so that they can receive the support they need and prevent veteran suicide,” said Kifowit. “We must continue to do everything we can to honor the service of those who have served, are currently serving, and their families, by being there for them in appreciation for the service me and my fellow veterans have provided for our country.”
For more information about the Governor’s Challenge or efforts to prevent suicide among veterans, please contact Kifowit by emailing stephanie.kifowit@att.net.
—Representative Stephanie Kifowit, IL House District 84