Leaders From 30+ NYS Agencies & Organizations to Discuss Better Meeting the Needs of NYS Veterans

ALBANY, NY (05/23/2008)(readMedia)-- Commissioners and executive leadership representing more than 30 New York State agencies, local governments, armed forces, care providers and related organizations will gather on May 23, 2008, to explore and discuss ways to better provide a coordinated, collaborative system of services for veterans in New York State. This invitation-only roundtable discussion and workshop on veteran’s issues will be held from 8:00am-4:30pm at the Hilton Garden Inn on New Scotland Avenue in Albany.

Estimates show that New York State is home to approximately one million veterans, many of whom have returned from the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Returning from deployment, veterans and guard members can face a host of challenges including coping with injuries, re-integrating into family life, confronting social problems or dealing with emotional/mental health issues.

Michael F. Hogan, PhD, Commissioner of the New York State Office of Mental Health, said, “The nature of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan—plus the multiple deployments of many military men and women—means that we must provide better supports to soldiers and their families. We also know that coverage of the war and of the challenges that veterans and their families face have opened some old wounds. This workshop will help us pull resources together across New York State to meet these needs. We are honored to assist in this work.”

Major General Joseph Taluto, the Adjutant General and Commander of the New York National Guard, said, “The 16,000 members of the New York Army and Air National Guard are acutely aware of the challenges veterans face daily. We in the Guard have implemented our own programs to help our Soldiers reintegrate back into home and work following deployments. This can mean coping with issues of mental and emotional health and substance abuse and any assistance New York State can provide will be welcome.”

Karen M. Carpenter-Palumbo, Commissioner of the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, said, “These military men and women have done their duty for our country and it is our duty to ensure that they – and their families – are offered the highest quality of addiction treatment services. Through this collaboration, New York State will be better prepared to meet those needs, whether it is addiction treatment, mental health or other issues impacting them when they return home.”

Jim McDonough, Director, NYS Division of Veterans' Affairs, said, “This workshop is a first step in providing a seamless approach to addressing the needs of the returning veteran as well as their family members. The State Division of Veterans' Affairs plays an important role in taking care of its veterans and families through its veterans counselors throughout the state. This collaboration is an effort to ensure that state agencies and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs are working together for the betterment of New York’s veterans.”

The agency leaders will hear from a panel of veterans who will describe and discuss some of the challenges faced by veterans returning home from active duty. They will also hear from a panel of family members, who will provide their perspective on challenges and issues that surface when their loved ones return home from deployment. Specific areas to be discussed include physical and emotional health, economic challenges, strengthening children and families, and access to services for veterans and their families.

The agency representatives will then be asked to share their knowledge and expertise, and participate in developing solutions. This roundtable and workshop is the first step toward a collaboration working to cut across individual agency jurisdictions as it addresses the needs of returning veterans and their families.