Offender Re-Entry, Purple Heart Award and Social Security Disability Workshop -- November 4, 2010

With nearly 5,000 people every year returning to Marion County from our state's prison system, I have emphasized the need for programs that help ex-offenders transition successfully back into society and halt the cycle of recidivism. This week I visited Workforce, Inc, a local non-profit organization that helps ex-offenders transition back into the community through job training and supportive services. Recently I was able to help secure an $800,000 grant for Workforce, Inc. through the Department of Health and Human Services. The federal grant will help create 40 new job opportunities for ex-offenders in the Indianapolis area. This grant will do more than put Hoosiers back to work. It is giving people a second chance to put their lives back together and stay out of the judicial system. It doesn't do our economy or our nation any good to simply feed a revolving door into our prisons and jails.

A true American hero received a long overdue honor this week when I presented Air Force Staff Sgt. Christopher Seligman with the Purple Heart for wounds he received in combat while serving in Iraq. While deployed to Baghdad in 2007 as a driver on a police transition team convoy, Staff Sgt. Seligman sustained a traumatic brain injury when an improvised explosive device exploded near his vehicle. Because of Seligman's quick action, he and his passengers were able to escape the attack with their lives. Seligman was not previously awarded the Purple Heart for his heroic actions because until recently, traumatic brain injuries were not recognized for this medal because they often leave no visible signs of damage. I am proud of Staff Sgt. Seligman and the rest of our men and women in uniform for their service to our country.

Many Hoosiers are eligible for Social Security Disability, but they don't know what medical evidence they need or what the proper procedure is to ensure that they receive those benefits. To help answer these questions my office and the Social Security Administration are hosting an informational workshop to help explain medical and non-medical criteria, the appeals process and best practices when applying for disability benefits. The workshop will take place Wednesday, November 10 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Riley Meeting Room at the Central Public Library. The Central Library is located in downtown Indianapolis at 40 E. St. Clair. I encourage anyone who is seeking Social Security Disability to attend to have your questions answered by representatives from the Social Security Administration and my office.

Thank you for reading the Carson Courier. Please do not hesitate to contact me with your thoughts and concerns. For more information, please visit my website at https://www.carson.house.gov and my new Congressional Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/CongressmanAndreCarson. I value your views and your input which help me to better represent the people of Indiana's 7th District in Congress.