An ambitious and timely plan to broaden the work of AmeriCorps now includes a new avenue for military veterans to lend a hand to other veterans, active-duty troops and their families.

In recent weeks, Congress has been working on measures that would eventually increase the number of participants in the national service program to 250,000. At the moment, AmeriCorps - launched by President Bill Clinton in 1993 and expanded by President George W. Bush after the 2001 terror attacks - has about 75,000 workers.

Last week, the Senate approved a change to the expansion plan to include 5,000 people for a new "Veterans Corps." The provision was sponsored by Virginia's Mark Warner. A similar measure, introduced by Rep. John Sarbanes of Maryland, was passed by the House.

President Barack Obama, who touted an expansion of AmeriCorps on the campaign trail, is expected to sign the legislation once the House and Senate versions are aligned.

Among other things, Warner's plan calls for the Veterans Corps to aid wounded and disabled veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, assist the families of active-duty troops, and help veterans pursue educational opportunities, including job training.

The program is modeled after AmeriCorps and affiliated programs that pay workers a modest yearly stipend, generally $11,000, to cover living expenses and help defray the costs of education. Participants perform a variety of community services, including tutoring children and building houses in poor communities.

The Veterans Corps concept is a worthy addition to efforts to expand national service at a time when it's sorely needed.

With unemployment rates rising, the Veterans Corps could be a valuable transition for service members, particularly wounded vets. The effort also holds potential to strengthen -- and close gaps -- in existing public and private programs for service members and their families.