Ulrich, chair of council vet's committee, sets new agenda

onrockaway.com

Rockaway's online Newspaper

Budget sets legal, mental health help

Posted 9:40 p.m. on June 26.

     Councilman Eric A. Ulrich Chair of the Veterans Committee, lauded the inclusion of an unprecedented $400,000 in city funding for a comprehensive Veterans Initiative in FY2015. 

     The initiative, introduced by Ulrich, will help bridge the gap in care to support veterans’ employment, mental health, and legal programming administered by local non-profit providers. 

     Funding will also support services for women veterans and post 9/11 service-members.

      "New York City is proud to support our veterans and their families. This initiative will provide critical funding for programs that will help our veterans find good paying jobs, access quality mental health services and get free legal assistance when they need it most. It will also address the many needs of a growing and diverse female veteran population in our city, and the complex issues returning service-members face." said Ulrich. 

    Five reputable organizations were designated to administer each respective component: NYC Helmets to Hardhats, Mental Health Association of New York City, New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG), Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), and Service Women’s Action Network (SWAN). Employment. 

     NYC Helmets to Hardhats, connects National Guard, Reserve, and retired and transitioning active-duty military service members with skilled training and quality job opportunities in New York City’s construction industry. This allocation will assist with recruiting, counseling and mentoring a minimum of 200 veterans for training and career placement in positions as insulators, boil makers, carpenters, plumbers, electricians, and other promising employment opportunities in the local construction field. 

     Mental Health: The Mental Health Association of New York City, Veterans Mental Health Coalition, is a broad based organization that supports improving access to, and quality of, a range of services for veterans with mental health needs. This funding will develop a training series for NYC direct providers on military cultural competence, specific issues, and challenges. Funding will also support the development and implementation of a plan for innovative outreach to connect NYC veterans with local mental health direct providers. 

     Legal: New York Legal Assistance Group, Veterans Justice Project, provides free legal counseling to NYC veterans who cannot afford to hire a private attorney. City Council support will bolster NYLAG veteran’s services on a broad range of matters which include: family law, housing, public benefits, healthcare and home care, financial planning, and consumer protection. Post 9/11 Veterans. 

     Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), is the first and largest organization for new veterans and their families, with nearly 300,000 members and supporters nationwide. Funding will support IAVA’s Rapid Response Referral Program – a NYC centric case management system that connects veterans with leading service providers and support networks. 

     Women Veterans Services: Service Women’s Action Network (SWAN), advocates for women veterans on a range of issues including employment, health care, and VA services and benefits. Funding will provide program assistance to women veterans in New York City who have experienced or continue to experience discrimination relating to their military service.