To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Administration
Agenda Section: Consent
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
title
Letter of Support for Commitment to Veteran Support and Outreach Act (H.R.984/S.106)
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Authorize the Chair to sign the Letter of Support.
2. Direct the County Administrative Office to send the letter of support to the county's federal representatives.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
N/A
DISCUSSION:
California is home to over 1.8 million former service members, the largest veteran population of any state in the United States. Humboldt County is home to over 6,700 veterans - or 6.1% of our population - with a majority of those having served during the Vietnam era.
Veterans, particularly those who are recently transitioning into civilian life, older adults, those experiencing homelessness or housing insecurities, and veterans with disabilities, are often unaware of the benefits that they may be eligible for through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). County Veterans Service Officers (CVSOs) are county employees who assist veterans in accessing a range of benefits, including service-connected benefits, enrollment in VA health care, VA home loans, education benefits and available job placement assistance.
CVSOs' primary focus is to assist the veteran to navigate the federal benefits system, however these offices are funded almost entirely by counties. There is currently no federal funding directly available for CVSOs.
The Commitment to Veteran Support and Outreach (CVSO) Act (H.R. 984/S. 106) has been re-introduced in the 118th Congress with bipartisan support. The legislation would offer federal funding for CVSOs for the first time, authorizing annual award grants over five years to expand and support CVSOs. The VA would award competitive grants to CVSOs, through the states, to create, expand or support CVSOs, prioritizing areas with high rates of vetera...
Click here for full text