Your guide to NYC's public proceedings.
AGENCY TESTIMONY
DVS partnerships and initiatives for veteran outreach and support
0:22:15
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147 sec
Commissioner Hendon outlines DVS's strategy for reaching and supporting veterans through partnerships and various initiatives. He emphasizes the importance of multiple 'touches' or interactions to effectively engage with the veteran community.
- Describes the 'Connect, Mobilize, Empower' strategy for veteran engagement
- Highlights the concept of needing at least seven 'touches' for effective outreach
- Mentions specific initiatives like Mission VetCheck, VetConnect NYC, and partnerships with community organizations
James Hendon
0:22:15
The best way for us to break through in reaching our veterans, including those who do not self identify, is to work with our partners and allies.
0:22:22
Now that we have offerings in each of our charter mandated areas and started on July 1, a platform that can appropriately receive those who come to us in the form of a new look, VetConnect NYC.
0:22:31
Over the coming weeks, DVS will engage with all whom we can to help spread the word.
0:22:36
We will start with our city council members, community boards, borough presidents, state assembly members, state senators.
0:22:43
Thanks to the change in VetConnect, we can divide our veterans' contact information along all of those lines.
0:22:47
The city council evolution paved the way for us to disaggregate data through other districts geographically.
0:22:52
Thank you for that.
0:22:54
Next, we will focus on engaging New York City's major community benefits organizations, not just those that are veterans specific.
0:23:00
This will help us identify veterans who are untethered, those who have not self identified.
0:23:05
The ask of community benefits organizations will be to share the collateral that we provide and ask the Local Law 37 questions.
0:23:12
They are, paraphrasing, have you or any member of your household ever served in The US Armed Forces, and do you consent to being contacted by DVS?
0:23:20
The objective for us is to inspire and motivate veterans who have not self identified to do so and to take advantage of what we and our partners have to offer.
0:23:28
This ties back to our overall strategy: Connect.
0:23:30
We learn who our veterans are.
0:23:32
Mobilize.
0:23:33
Veterans learn who we are, and they discover our offerings.
0:23:36
And Empower.
0:23:37
We serve them.
0:23:38
Our approach hinges on the concept of touches.
0:23:41
You need at least seven touches or occasions when a person interacts with your product or offering in order for it to translate into a possible conversion.
0:23:48
We, the Department of Veterans Services, do not have the resources to perform all seven touches alone.
0:23:53
Even if we could, that would not be the best way.
0:23:56
It is best for it to come from different sources through different angles.
0:24:00
Prior to the new VetConnect, prior to having so many capabilities available, and prior to this touches approach, DVS saw our number of veterans and families serve increase over the past three years, FY 2223, and '24, from 01/1968 to 03/10800.
0:24:18
With limited resources and a tough economic backdrop, we have labored since 02/2019 to get to this point.
0:24:24
I truly believe that this expansion plan will work.
0:24:27
We owe the council and the broader veteran community a more detailed short and long term plan.
0:24:32
We accept that feedback.
0:24:33
Today, I wanna assure people there's a lot of work, a lot of intentionality, and a lot of thought behind what is occurring.
0:24:38
We appreciate the support and patience from everyone as this all comes together.