When our brave men and women in America's Armed Forces return home, it is sometimes a difficult transition back to civilian life. While most veterans are aware of the government benefits they're entitled to, connecting to specific services can be a challenge. Some of the needs are job searches, retraining, housing, and even medical or mental health care.

We are fortunate to have a program through the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CDVA) that makes the reintegration process easier for veterans and their families. They have an online registration process that you can find at www.calvet.ca.gov, or visit in person at a local County Veterans Service Office. Veterans need only fill out a short form and check a few boxes indicating the general areas of assistance they are interested in. The CDVA will then email the requested information, or if requested, a trained referral specialist will personally contact the veteran to assist them every step of the way.

This one-stop approach eliminates the "run-around" too many vets have reported encountering in the past. It doesn't matter if you came home last week or forty years ago, either. Veterans of any era can avail themselves of this service.

Oftentimes, we hear Californians proclaim that their tax dollars are not spent wisely. In this case, however, I can think of no better use than to help our heroes. If you know someone who is finding it hard adjusting after separating from our Armed Services, please refer them to our CalVet or my office, and we will offer a path to their much deserved and earned services.

Republican Anthony Cannella is the 12th District State Senator. He started out his political career on the Ceres City Council.