Jason Chakot

The meeting focused on the renaming of the NYS Division of Veterans' Services to the NYS Department of Veterans' Services and the corresponding title changes within the department. A significant accomplishment was the opening of the Sampson Veterans Cemetery. The department highlighted the implementation of Veterans Welcome Center digital kiosks and the upcoming launch of mobile vans to provide outreach services. Discussions included the upcoming Honor Flight event, the Faith in Service initiative, the Restoration of Honor Act, the Veterans Treatment Court, and the renaming of "Peddler's License" to "Vendor's License." The meeting also covered gender identity training, plans for the New York State Fair, and an upcoming Parks and Recreation event.

The commission meeting covered various topics, including the recent completion of the Sampson Memorial Cemetery project in Seneca County. Discussion included the upcoming Division's Annual Training (September 27 - October 1, 2021), focusing on Veterans Treatment Courts, the Outdoor Recreation Act, suicide prevention, and a new ETS Sponsorship to proactively assist transitioning service members. Other topics included food insecurity among veterans, the creation of a roster to share with the state bar, the identification of unidentified veterans buried in potter's field, concerns about the misuse of funds by non-profit organizations, improving VA services, and challenges faced by veterans in accessing benefits. The meeting also addressed issues such as claims past their one-year deadline, difficulties for VSOs in reaching out to veterans, and inequities in assistance programs for homeowners versus renters.

The meeting addressed key issues including the hiring of a director for the Division of Veterans' Affairs, the upcoming National Association of State Directors (NASDVA) meeting, the Blue Water Navy issue, and changes in VA Health Administration's community care coverage. Discussions also covered the VA's overhaul of mileage and appointment wait time requirements, a class action suit regarding the family caregiver program, the ear plug class action suit, and the need for a metrics system to evaluate Veterans' organizations receiving state funding. Other topics included the Dwyer Peer to Peer budget, the creation of a comprehensive statewide guide for Veterans' resources, and the availability of surplus equipment to Veterans Owned Small Businesses.

The meeting covered various topics, including the impact of the pandemic on Veterans Day events, financial constraints affecting Aid to Localities grants, updates on the Restoration of Honor Act and its implementation in Suffolk County, the Division's Appellate Unit's work on appeals, a new partnership with the National Veterans Legal Services Program (NVLSP), challenges related to healthcare for Veterans living across borders, an overview of the Division's finances concerning the Blind Annuity Program and the Gold Star Parent Annuity, updates on personnel hiring, accreditation of Veterans Service Agencies, the Campaign Against Hunger program, the Hanna Act and Suicide Prevention Act grants, Veterans Treatment Courts, and the Honor Flight program.

The meeting included updates from the New York State Division of Veterans' Affairs on the Development Team's progress in processing veterans' claims, which showed a 40 percent faster processing time and a 70 percent success rate. Discussions also covered claims processing procedures, a review of division employees and offices, and the Veterans Administration Cares Commission Plan, including concerns about potential closures of VA medical centers in Canandaigua and Manhattan. Other topics included the expansion of the Syracuse VA Medical Center, challenges in connecting veterans with benefits, and the need for more outreach and volunteer training. Updates from the Division of Military and Naval Affairs covered extended tours of duty for soldiers in Iraq, recruiting challenges, the Patriot Plan for burial benefits, and the Veterans Oral History Program. The agenda for the next meeting will include recruiting volunteers to assist with veterans' claims and soliciting recommendations for appointments to the Board of Visitors for New York State Veterans Homes.