CHICAGO (AP) -- Illinois has a new screening program for all returning National Guard troops and a 24-hour hot line to help veterans with combat-related stress.
Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs Director Tammy Duckworth says the program is the first of its kind in the nation. She says it will help plug gaps at the federal level in care for soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.
The $8 million program will screen returning Guard troops for traumatic brain injury and post traumatic stress disorder.
Duckworth is an Iraq veteran who lost her legs when a rocket-propelled grenade hit the helicopter she was copiloting.
She and Governor Rod Blagojevich launched the program Tuesday at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.
The toll-free help line is 1-866-554-4927.
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