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Q&A
Strategies for improving veteran self-identification rates
0:54:07
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107 sec
Council Member Holden and Commissioner Hendon discuss strategies to improve veteran self-identification rates, acknowledging the challenges in communicating with veterans who don't self-identify or lack digital access.
- Hendon emphasizes the importance of data sharing and collaboration among various government entities to reach more veterans.
- The strategy involves multiple touchpoints, including city agencies, assembly members, state senators, and community boards.
- Hendon suggests that reaching out to veterans' family members may also help improve self-identification rates.
Robert F. Holden
0:54:07
And it's not gonna get easier with the veterans aging over the years.
0:54:11
It's it'll get tougher.
0:54:13
Tell me tell me how we could improve the numbers, and this is is big for you, commissioner, about the veterans self identifying.
0:54:23
How do we move the needle if we can't communicate with veterans through the mail, or you're limited to communication?
0:54:32
How do we get, like you mentioned one where with city agencies can certainly ask the questions.
0:54:38
But what, you know, are you a veteran or anybody served, you know, in your family as a veteran, that kind of question.
0:54:43
But how else do we move the needle?
0:54:46
Because that's the most frustrating thing I've seen, where where they don't self identify it.
James Hendon
0:54:51
I think that us all doing this together is key.
0:54:56
In other words, this is why the data sharing is so important.
0:54:59
This is why for us, when we live in a world where you know who all the veterans are in your district, that you will go out and try to get the word out to them about any offerings, resources available.
0:55:07
But the same thing for that assemblyman, same thing for that state senator, same thing for that board president, and so on and so forth.
0:55:13
So for us, if we're able to and that that community board.
0:55:15
So if we share this information, and these are agreements that we put into place a few years ago.
0:55:19
We started signing agreements so that once we knew we'd be able to land the plane here from a data disaggregation standpoint, we get out there.
0:55:26
So if everyone is reaching out, at some point, the dam breaks.
0:55:30
If enough of us, all of us, as far as those who are in public positions who are able to obtain this data, is when all of us are reaching out like this, it's gonna make those impact.
0:55:39
And it many times may not be about the veteran.
0:55:41
It may be getting that veteran's spouse to come online.
0:55:44
It may not it may be about getting that veteran's child to come online or someone else.
0:55:47
And so for me, I'm hoping that when we are all multipliers within our respective circles in penetrating these things, I
Robert F. Holden
0:55:53
think that'll change change the situation.