Q&A
VAB's recommendation for personnel support and technology management
0:35:21
ยท
145 sec
Council Member Holden and Commissioner Hendon discuss the Veterans Advisory Board's (VAB) recommendation for providing personnel support and technology management assistance.
- DVS has offered to help VAB get a work-study position since 2021.
- The VA work-study program allows veterans using VA benefits to work up to 25 hours per week.
- DVS posts work-study opportunities on their website and in their newsletter.
- Commissioner Hendon mentions the challenge of providing dedicated staff to VAB, as it's not common practice for advisory boards in NYC.
- The DOD SkillBridge program is mentioned as another potential source of support for VAB.
Robert Holden
0:35:21
So in you know, what and again, I'm referring to all these 2023 annual reports because those are the latest we have.
0:35:28
I think the the 24 is coming out.
0:35:30
It should be out, sometime in the next few months.
0:35:33
But, in the 20 in this 2023 annual report, the VAB, re the VAB's report recommended providing personnel support for the VAB, including through legislation to ensure continuity of staffing and technology management.
0:35:53
So this is something where we can both both offices can help.
0:35:57
So can DVS describe any step any steps it has taken or plans to take to provide dedicated staff or technology support to assist VAB with scheduling, meeting, logistics, record keeping, things like that, and other operational needs.
James Hendon
0:36:14
So we've, we've had an open offer to the VAB to, you know, help get a work study for them.
0:36:21
This goes back to 2021.
0:36:22
And so we just stand by with that as far as getting that job description so we can put it out.
0:36:27
Right now, we post our VA work study opportunities on our website.
0:36:31
We post it in the, the initiatives tab where VA work study so at nyc dot gov slash vets initiatives tab VA work study.
0:36:42
And so we also include it in our newsletter.
0:36:43
And so for us, once we have a job description, we're happy to get the word out and hope that we can get someone.
0:36:48
For the VA work study program, that's someone who's currently using the, the if they're currently using their VA benefits, be it for vocational rehab or post 911 GI bill, etcetera, they are able to work for up to 25 hours per week, as a work study where they're paid, you know, tax free to provide that that that assistance.
0:37:05
So we're hoping that could be a way to do this.
0:37:07
Another thing, what's what's tough about this one from a broader angle, mister chair, there are more than 200 boards and commissions in New York City as far as New York City boards and commissions, 17 of which are advisory boards of some sort.
0:37:20
And none of those advisory boards have dedicated staff.
0:37:23
So we're trying to do this in a way where within what we can touch, we can try to get some support to these folks.
0:37:29
Because I fear that when we talk about having the dedicated staff, that it escalates beyond just being about us, but about these other 17 advisory board.
0:37:37
And I feel like that's a discussion that's beyond my pay grade.
0:37:39
So now it's really trying to help with the VA work studies.
0:37:41
There's another program called DOD SkillBridge that's available as far as providing folks who are transitioning out of
Robert Holden
0:37:46
the military who can work full time supporting the board.