Your guide to NYC's public proceedings.
AGENCY TESTIMONY
Challenges with VetConnect NYC platform and Dwyer Veterans Support Program implementation
0:24:43
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122 sec
Commissioner Hendon addresses the challenges faced in implementing the VetConnect NYC platform and the Dwyer Veterans Support Program. He explains the reasons for delays and the steps being taken to overcome these obstacles.
- Discusses issues with the city's digital procurement platform, Passport, affecting both initiatives
- Explains the technological innovations required for VetConnect NYC to comply with local law 37
- Highlights the progress made in distributing Dwyer program resources to local veteran organizations
James Hendon
0:24:43
Theme number four, smart growth.
0:24:46
When speaking to the question of what should DBS look like over its next ten years, it is not feasible to offer numbers without being able to defend those numbers in what have been and may continue to be difficult economic times.
0:24:57
I'll provide what I think is a good framework for the next five years.
0:25:00
Don't wanna say ten years because things change so much, things beyond our control.
0:25:04
But some caveats.
0:25:05
It takes time to grow an organization.
0:25:07
And then there's a spiritual return on investment to these suggestions.
0:25:10
We should always do right by our US military service members and their loved ones.
0:25:14
That said, the monetary return on investment arguments can be made on the net effect of these additions as well.
0:25:19
And then one last caveat, the current breakdown of DVS, organizationally and otherwise, is outlined in our preliminary budget hearing testimony from 03/25/2025.
0:25:30
What follows is what I believe DVS could look like as a DPS two point zero.
0:25:34
Regarding smart growth, the thing that I will say speaking to tomorrow's policymakers, do not manufacture a crisis.
0:25:40
When you're in an environment like this where resources are scarce, there are leaders who will engineer a situation where they inspire veterans and their loved ones to come to their organizations for help knowing that they are unable to triage the need.
0:25:53
The point is to tell benefactors and prospective financiers, look at all the veterans who need me.
0:25:57
I do not have the resources to support them.
0:25:59
Please fund my work.
0:26:01
While that may be a practice for some nonprofit and for profit organizations, for DVS as a government veteran services agency, we cannot operate that way.
0:26:09
We must calibrate what we and our partners are able to offer to the intensity with which we promote those offerings citywide.
0:26:15
DVS must stand ready to receive and triage a growing number of clients who approach us to do otherwise is to do harm.
0:26:21
Everything that we're doing is predicated on having the right composition, disposition, and strength to engage New York City's entire veteran community working with partners and to deliver the resources that US military service members past and present and their families all need, also working with allied organizations and stakeholders.
0:26:38
Responses to scorecard recommendations.
0:26:41
For leadership, strategy, and direction, we're happy to publish a short and long term plan.