Q&A
NYC's Vet to Vet program inspired by LA County's model
1:28:04
·
73 sec
Lauren D'Mello, Executive Director of Mental Health at DVS, explains how NYC has been inspired by LA County's Veteran Peer Access Network to create their own Vet to Vet program. This initiative aims to engage and support veterans in the community.
- The Vet to Vet program involves VA work-study participants going into the community
- Outreach locations include universities, VSOs, local legions, and employee resource groups
- The program focuses on engaging, supporting, and educating veterans about available resources
- Participants can work up to 25 hours a week and are paid through the VA work-study program
Lauren D'Mello
1:28:04
Hi.
1:28:04
So we have Build with LA County because they're similar in size, veteran population needs.
1:28:12
And so we were looking at their veteran peer access network where they have a group of veterans that go out into the community to engage.
1:28:19
So support, consult with teach about programs.
1:28:23
Similarly, we have started a vet to vet program where we are currently onboarding the VA work study, where they can go out to the community with a similar model of engaging, supporting, educating, identifying our veterans.
Robert F. Holden
1:28:37
So so what they go to, like, they go to the BSOs or how how do they reach the veterans or they just have a database?
Lauren D'Mello
1:28:44
Yeah.
1:28:45
So we're still onboarding for the program, but in theory, they would to various locations where veterans congregate.
1:28:50
It could be student veterans at local universities.
1:28:54
It can be BSOs.
1:28:55
It can be local legions.
1:28:57
It can be employee
Robert F. Holden
1:28:58
resource groups.
Lauren D'Mello
1:28:59
Employee resource groups.
1:29:00
H plus h.
1:29:01
So So various locations just where we can get our messaging out there.
Robert F. Holden
1:29:06
I'm sure that those do they get paid?
1:29:09
The the people that go on they don't get paid.
1:29:11
They volunteer.
Ellen Greeley
1:29:13
They get paid through the VA.
Robert F. Holden
1:29:15
Oh, they do get paid.
Ellen Greeley
1:29:16
VA work study.
1:29:17
Yeah.
1:29:17
Mhmm.
Robert F. Holden
1:29:17
Yeah.
