Q&A
DVS outreach efforts and database challenges
0:32:50
·
132 sec
Commissioner Hendon explains DVS's methods for connecting veterans and their families to mental health services, including in-person events, virtual outreach, and community partnerships. The discussion also covers challenges with veteran databases and outreach efforts.
- DVS uses various modalities for outreach, including in-person events, virtual events, and social media
- DVS has contact information for over 135,000 veterans in New York City
- Budget constraints limit direct mailing capabilities
- Challenges in reaching and identifying veterans and their families are discussed
Robert F. Holden
0:32:50
Yeah.
0:32:50
Other than what you mentioned, can you provide an overview of how DBS connects veterans and their families to mental health services?
0:32:57
Particularly those dealing with PTSD through resources like VetConnect.
0:33:04
And and how does this how does this get to the veterans?
0:33:08
This these these these pieces that you you gave us.
0:33:11
How do that get get to to work?
James Hendon
0:33:14
For us, a lot of it is is the in person piece, not the Fertil folks add to this.
0:33:17
There's an in person aspect as far as different events where we may have a president who may table or attend.
0:33:22
And then there's also the virtual events or the things that we are promoting online and things we push out on social media.
0:33:28
There's also going on offense as far as sending I know that we regularly will send materials to our various community board offices too as far as getting things in their hands, so they know what's going on.
0:33:37
We just use different modalities to try to get this stuff down range.
Robert F. Holden
0:33:40
And how many the database of of veterans in New York City, how many how many veterans are on that list?
0:33:47
Do you know offhand?
0:33:48
For
James Hendon
0:33:48
us, we've we we have over 135,000 veterans contact information.
0:33:53
As far as New York City veterans, we've
Robert F. Holden
0:33:55
So for for for you to do a mailing is is impossible.
0:33:59
It means giving you
James Hendon
0:34:00
a buzz.
0:34:01
It's a financial it's a financial piece.
0:34:02
We're doing everything outside of something that that is costly to try to hit this.
0:34:07
So yes.
Robert F. Holden
0:34:07
Right?
0:34:08
So that's that's the question.
0:34:10
We could reach a lot more if you had the budget, if you had even one mailing.
0:34:17
And I know it's it's it's an issue, but I I think we've been trying to come up with creative ways to do that.
0:34:24
But, you know, you you said you you do outreach and, you know, you go through us.
0:34:31
You inform the spouses or partners, children, other family members of veterans, about mental health support available to them.
0:34:39
Do we have a number of how many actually take advantage of those programs?
0:34:44
I'm talking about the spouses or family members.
James Hendon
0:34:48
We've got to get to our data and get back on that.
0:34:49
I can tell you our numbers of veteran family and military families touched.
0:34:52
If you look at our PMR, our MMR numbers that they've gone up.
0:34:55
But when it comes to Ts and not exactly those who are in that family bucket, we'll get back to you with those answers to just so we can give you the exact response.
Robert F. Holden
0:35:02
Yeah.
