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Council Member Lee asks about veterans' mental health services and Bridge to Home program
3:13:22
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96 sec
Council Member Linda Lee inquires about mental health services for veterans and the Bridge to Home program. The DOHMH Commissioner provides limited information due to the program being under different jurisdictions.
- The Bridge to Home program is run by Health and Hospitals, not DOHMH
- DOHMH does not have specific service delivery programs only for veterans
- DOHMH complies with a local law requiring documentation of veteran status
Linda Lee
3:13:22
And then I had a quick question around services related to veterans actually.
3:13:31
Sorry, let me just find.
3:13:40
So just really quickly, on 03/19/2025, Mayor Adams and Department of Veterans Services Commissioner described the efforts that the administration has been making to connect veterans in New York with mental health services.
3:13:54
During the FY '26 preliminary plan, the administration highlighted the Bridge to Home program as an effort the city will take to ensure that mentally ill homeless New Yorkers are receiving the services they need.
3:14:06
So my question is, are any of those hundred beds in the Bridge to Home program allocated or set aside for veterans?
Michelle Morse
3:14:13
Thank you for that question.
3:14:15
The Bridge to Home program is very exciting.
3:14:17
It is a health and hospitals program, so I'm not able to comment on that.
Linda Lee
3:14:22
Okay can we follow-up with that then if possible because I would love to figure out how many of those beds also could be allocated for veterans.
3:14:30
And what programs dedicated to veterans does DOHMH provide?
Michelle Morse
3:14:37
We don't have any specific service delivery that's only for veterans.
3:14:43
That does come through the Veterans Affairs services, but we certainly do we comply.
3:14:48
There is a local law that specifically asks us to document how many people are veterans, and my understanding is we are in compliance with that law.