AGENCY TESTIMONY
Implementation of VA's SQUARES system for identifying veterans
0:15:54
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Commissioner Hendon details the integration of the VA's Status Query and Response Exchange System (SQUARES) into the workflow of the Department of Homeless Services (DHS).
- SQUARES is a web-based application that allows quick and accurate identification of veterans
- It provides real-time information on an individual's VA eligibility
- DHS intake centers now use SQUARES to identify veterans more efficiently
- The system helps prevent misclassification of veterans as non-veterans
- Ongoing training and system improvements are necessary to maximize effectiveness
- SQUARES is particularly important for identifying veterans ineligible for VA services who must rely on city and state programs
James Hendon
0:15:54
SQUARES is a web based application that allows VA employees and external organizations, including homeless service providers, law enforcement agencies, and local, state, and federal agencies to screen a list of clients in order to identify those clients who are veterans.
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Squares also relays identified veterans eligibility for VA health care.
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Through Squares, DHS intake centers now can now quickly and accurately identify whether a homeless individual is a veteran, enabling faster connections to VA benefits, health care, and housing support programs.
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The system works by allowing users to submit identity attributes such as name, date of birth, Social Security number, and gender, and receive real time information regarding the individual's VA eligibility.
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This streamlined process ensures that veterans are not mistakenly classified as non veterans, which in the past led to delays in accessing critical resources.
0:16:40
The introduction of SQUARES into DHS workflows represents a major step forward in ensuring that every veteran who interacts with New York City's shelter system is properly identified and connected to available federal and local resources.
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However, ongoing training and system improvements are necessary to maximize its effectiveness, particularly in cases where veterans are ineligible for VA services and must rely on city and state programs.
0:17:00
As we look to the future, it is crucial that we continue refining our intake and identification processes, expand our capacity to serve out of state veterans, and champion sustained funding from all sources to meet the growing demand for veteran specific homelessness support.
0:17:14
By addressing these larger trends with strategic planning and interagency collaboration, we can build upon our successes and ensure that New York City remains a leader in providing housing stability and care for all veterans in need.