NYC Department of Veterans' Services (DVS)
December 2019 Newsletter
DVS's monthly newsletter shares information about DVS programs & initiatives, upcoming and recent events, and news affecting NYC veterans and their families. To recommend content or find more information, please connect with us at www.nyc.gov/vets, on social media @nycveterans, or via email at press@veterans.nyc.gov.
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What's Next for DVS in 2020
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DVS will kick off 2020 with a large-scale Partner Convening. The event will host community advocates, city agencies, and veteran service organizations to discuss DVS's upcoming initiatives and programs. We'll explore new ways to collaborate with our community partners so we can best address the needs of the veteran community.
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Sending Student Veterans to
SVA's National Conference
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DVS has partnered with CUNY to send a select group of high-performing student veterans to Los Angeles to attend the Student Veterans of America's 2020 National Conference (NatCon 2020). This opportunity has been made possible by AT&T and the Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City, with additional support from A&E.
SVA's annual National Conference is the largest gathering of student veterans, advocates, and stakeholders in higher education in the world. Student veterans who attend the conference have the opportunity to engage in leadership and advocacy training, network with employers, and discover resources offered by veteran service organizations.
NatCon 2020 begins Friday, January 3rd.
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We have begun recording interviews for the second season of SITREP, the official DVS podcast.
SITREP Season 2 will highlight underrepresented groups within the veteran community, giving a platform to those who normally go unheard. New episodes will be available January 2020.
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On March 19th, 2020, DVS will host the Stronger Together Awards, a celebration of the service and contributions military women have made to our country. We will recognize outstanding women veterans, community advocates, and caregivers for their achievements in leadership and service.
Stay tuned for more details on this exciting event!
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Apply to Become a Service2Service Mentor
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Friday, January 3rd, is the final day for NYC government employees to apply to become a Service2Service mentor.
We're looking for career public servants who are eager to provide professional guidance to veterans, military spouses, and AmeriCorps alumni interested in joining city government. As a Service2Service mentor, you will play a key role in helping participants further their careers and access a professional network.
Interested in becoming a Service2Service mentor? Apply here.
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Training for Mental Health Providers Treating PTSD
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DVS has partnered with the Research and Recognition Project to provide a 4-day training for licensed mental health professionals to teach the Reconsolidation of Traumatic Memories (RTM) protocol - a breakthrough approach to treating those struggling with symptoms of PTSD.
The training is free and is available to licensed mental health professionals. Participants can receive 24.5 Continuing Education credits.
Click here to register or to reserve seats for your identified licensed staff. Enter Scholarship Code: NYCRTM for free registration.
When:
Monday, January 6th - Thursday, January 9th | 9 am - 5 pm
Where:
CUNY Central Office
Room 725 (7th floor conference room)
205 East 42nd Street
New York, NY 10017
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Appreciation Event
Team DVS ended Veterans Month with an Appreciation Event co-hosted by our agency partners. We joined the NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services, the NYPD, the NYC Department of Finance, and Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer for an event to celebrate veterans employed by the city government.
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Women Veterans Memorial
AC Cassandra Alvarez gave remarks at a tribute ceremony honoring women who served during World War I. The event took place at the Central Park memorial grove, the only memorial in Manhattan to honor women veterans. AC Alvarez stated: "The truth is, women have done incredible acts of public service since the birth of this country, and this moment is a timely opportunity to remember these heroes."
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Conversation with Veterans
DVS Commissioner James Hendon gave remarks on the discriminatory practices in employment and housing against NYC veterans at the Conversation with Veterans event hosted by the NYC Commission On Human Rights. Commissioner Hendon quoted Nelson Mandela when he emphasized the importance of educating veterans on their protected rights: “To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity.”
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Swearing-in Ceremony
On Dec. 18th, Commissioner Hendon visited the Fort Hamilton Military Entrance Processing Station to officiate the Oath of Enlistment and offer words of encouragement to incoming service members: "Live in the moment and remove fear as you begin to lead."
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Kathryn T. Cross
On Dec. 5th, Gold Star mother Kathryn T. Cross hosted a Holiday tribute event for Gold Star Families and military spouses at the Loews Regency Hotel. Team DVS was honored to attend.
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The New York City
Dentists Give Back Group
On Dec. 9th, the New York City Dentists Give Back Group, led by Dr. Bernard Fialkoff, provided free dental services to veterans who lacked coverage. Twenty-five dental offices across NYC scheduled appointments with veterans in need. DVS honored all participating dental offices with a Certificate of Recognition for donating their professional services.
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Featured Events & Resources
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For a complete calendar of upcoming events, visit OurVeterans.NYC
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Your Brain on the Military
Intrepid Sea, Air, & Space Museum
West 46th St, New York, NY 10036
Friday, January 17th | 3 pm - 5 pm
The Intrepid Museum and the New York-Presbyterian Military Family Wellness Center will host a special event for current and former service members and their families to explore the impact of military service on the brain. Hear from researchers and veterans as they unravel myths and realities about veterans and mental health.
WHEN
Friday, January 17th | 3 pm - 5 pm
WHERE
West 46th St & 12th Ave
Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
Pier 86
New York, NY 10036
Open to veterans, current service members, and military families.
Register here.
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The Mission Continues:
Martin Luther King Jr. Day Service Project
Mosaic Preparatory Academy
141 East 111th, New York, NY 10029
Saturday, January 18th | 11 am - 3 pm
In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, members of the Mission Continues will deploy to Mosaic Preparatory Academy in East Harlem to build a positive learning environment for students. Join the Mission Continues New York Service platoons for this incredible service project.
WHEN
Saturday, January 18th | 11 am - 3 pm
WHERE
Mosaic Preparatory Academy
141 East 111th
New York, NY 10029
Open to all.
Register here or contact Daniel Perez at dperez@missioncontinues.org or 716-397-3979.
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U.S. Census 2020 Employment Application Session
James J. Peters VA Medical Center
130 W Kingsbridge Rd, Bronx, NY 10468
Friday, January 24th | 11 am - 3 pm
The United States Census presents an Employment Application Session for veterans interested in applying to work for the 2020 Census.
The average pay rate for U.S. Census employees is $25.00 - $27.50 an hour. To apply for a position with the U.S. Census attend the Employment Application Session or apply online here.
WHEN
Friday, January 24th | 11:30am - 2pm
WHERE
James J. Peters VA Medical Center
130 W Kingsbridge Rd
5th Floor, Suite 5C-19
Bronx, NY 10468
The Employment Application Session is open to veterans only.
No registration is required to attend this event.
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ECONOMY
Veteran households in the US are economically better off than those of non-veterans
Pew Research Center
U.S. military veterans and their families have consistently had higher standards of living than non-veterans over the past 40 years, according to a new Pew Research Center analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data. Households headed by veterans, on average, have higher incomes and are less likely to be in poverty. This is especially true for veterans in racial or ethnic minority groups and those with less education.
More veterans struggled to find work last month, even as the national unemployment rates fell
Military Times
Veteran unemployment rose again in November even as the national jobless rate decreased slightly, with about 35,000 more veterans reporting problems finding work than the month before.
BENEFITS
Service members will see an increase in housing allowance basic pay in 2020
Stars and Stripes
The basic housing allowance rate will increase by an average of 2.8% and basic pay will increase by 3.1% for servicemembers starting January 1, according to a Defense Department statement.
GI Bill repayments for tens of thousands of student veterans will wait until next summer
Military Times
Tens of thousands of student veterans shortchanged in their housing stipends last year will have to wait until summer 2020 before they start seeing that money paid back, Veterans Affairs officials stated.
Thousands of student veterans will get less money as part of Forever GI Bill change.
Stars and Stripes
About 21,000 student veterans will see lower living stipends next semester after the Department of Veterans Affairs finally implements a law that alters how students are paid when they attend satellite campuses. For veterans who take classes at satellite or branch campus, their monthly allowances — which they use for housing, utilities, and food — will be based on the cost of living in the city where they’re taking classes, rather than defaulting to their school’s main campus. About 59,000 veterans are expected to receive increased payments because of the change, but about 21,000 will get less money, the VA estimated. GI Bill benefits go to about 500,000 students each semester.
STUDENT VETERANS
For-profit college’s access to veteran education benefits the focus of a new investigation
Military Times
Included in the new federal budget bill adopted by Congress this week is the latest attempt by lawmakers to grapple with the issue of how much access for-profit colleges should have to veterans education benefits. By next summer, officials from the Departments of Education, Veterans Affairs and Defense must submit new reports to Congress on how changing the “90/10 loophole” would affect those schools, with a specific focus on how many for-profits may be forced into financial problems if they lose access to the benefits.
GOLD STAR FAMILIES
Gold Star families, hit by surprise tax bills, get relief in budget deal
Military Times
Gold Star families hit by unexpected, large tax bills earlier this year will see that debt erased under language included in the massive federal budget deal passed by Congress this month.
WOMEN IN THE MILITARY
Nearly 60 percent of women experience stalking in the ranks, study finds
Military Times
A new study looking into the prevalence of stalking in the rank-and-file paints a grim picture of a military already fraught with questions that suggest a toxic culture.
HOMELESSNESS
Number of homeless veterans declines across the United States
Military Times
The departments of Housing and Urban Development and Veterans Affairs say the number of homeless veterans nationwide has declined slightly. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson told reporters that the number of veterans who are homeless fell by 2 percent between 2018 and 2019.
VA
VA ends the star-rating system of its hospitals
Stars and Stripes
The Department of Veterans Affairs has done away with the five-star rating system that it used to grade its hospitals for the public.
Congress to VA: Tell us your plan for adding diseases to Agent Orange presumptive list
Military Times
The massive federal funding bill would require Veterans Affairs leaders to reveal whether they plan to add new diseases to the Agent Orange presumptive conditions list.
MILITARY SUICIDE
Historic data on military suicide shows no clear link with combat operations
Military Times
Contrary to public assumptions, increased combat operations do not lead to more military suicides and may actually result in fewer troops engaging in self-harm, according to a new analysis of historic Defense Department data.
SPACE FORCE
President Trump has signed the Space Force into existence
Task and Purpose
Roughly 16,000 active-duty and civilian personnel that comprise Air Force Space Command are now assigned to the U.S. Space Force following President Donald Trump's signing of the fiscal 2020 National Defense Authorization Act. During the signing ceremony, Trump appointed Gen. Jay Raymond as the first Chief of Space Operations. Raymond, who also leads U.S. Space Command, will report to the secretary of the Air Force and sit as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
2020 ELECTION
Ahead of 2020 election, lawmakers alarmed over foreign agents targeting veterans on social media
Stars and Stripes
Veterans are a key target for online fraud and attempts to meddle in U.S. elections, with bogus web pages and charities aimed at the military community pushing propaganda and disinformation to gin up political discord, tech industry leaders and lawmakers said. In September, Vietnam Veterans of America, a nonprofit veterans advocacy group, released a report that found veterans are a big target of foreign agents who spread disinformation, sow political division, attempt financial scams through bogus charities and recruit spies.
Military Times questionnaire: What will the Democratic presidential candidates do for troops, veterans?
Military Times
So far, the race to replace President Donald Trump as commander in chief hasn’t focused much on how Democratic hopefuls would run the military. To fix that, Military Times reached out to the Democratic campaigns in recent weeks with a series of military- and veterans-focused questions that have been overlooked in the broader national election conversation. Here are the candidates’ responses…
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DVS in Your Borough
Connect with DVS without leaving your borough! Hours and locations below:
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Brooklyn: Brooklyn Workforce 1 Career Center, 9 Bond Street, 5th floor: Mon & Wed 10-Noon, 1-4 pm
Bronx: Bronx County Building, 851 Grand Concourse, Room 209: Wed & Thu 10-Noon, 1-4 pm
Manhattan: 1 Centre Street, 22nd Floor, Room 2208:
Mon & Thu 10-Noon, 1-4 pm
Queens: Queens Borough Hall, 120-55 Queens Blvd, Room 222: Mon & Thu 10-Noon, 1-4 pm
Staten Island: Staten Island Borough Hall, 10 Richmond Terrace, Room G-25: Tue & Wed 10-Noon, 1-4 pm
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