Long Beach HD Unveils First-Ever Veterans Strategic Plan

Long Beach CA

28 March, 2022

7:21 AM

Description

Press release from the City of Long Beach: March 23, 2022 Long Beach, CA – The City of Long Beach Veterans Affairs Commission (Commission) recently presented its Veterans Strategic Plan (Plan) to the Long Beach City Council following a reception celebrating the city's veterans at the Civic Center Plaza. The city's rich military history spans nearly a century and today, nearly 17,000 veterans call Long Beach home. "I am excited about the release of the first veteran-focused strategic plan in the City's history," said Mayor Robert Garcia. "The plan explores the strengths and needs of our city's vibrant veteran community and prioritizes opportunities for supporting and celebrating veterans." As part of their strategic planning process, the Commission interviewed nearly 50 veteran community stakeholders, engaged nearly 200 veterans in community input sessions and analyzed demographic data. The Commission found that: Long Beach veterans have employment and education rates comparable with those of non-veterans Housing is unaffordable for veterans, particularly for post-9/11 veterans The percentage of Veterans age 65 and older increased by nearly seven points, from 40.9 to 47.6, between 2012 and 2019 The suicide rate for veterans under the age of 40 is more than three times higher than that of the non-veteran population under 40 The City took the first step towards recognizing its vibrant veteran community when it established the Commission in 2016. The recommendation for a veterans-focused strategic plan was originally brought to the City Council in 2017 by Vice Mayor Rex Richardson, cosponsored by Councilmember Roberto Uranga, and supported by the entire City Council. "Our Long Beach Veterans deserve dignity, respect and a city that is committed to supporting them," said Vice Mayor Richardson. "After years of collaboration with community groups and stakeholders, I'm proud that the Veterans Strategic Plan is finally complete, representing a critical step towards ensuring our local veterans can thrive." The five core goals identified by the Commission are as follows: Long Beach recognizes veterans for their strengths and as valued members of our community, and regularly celebrates and honors them. Veteran-serving organizations and agencies coordinate well to ensure that veterans successfully transition from military service to civilian life. Veterans, including traditionally underserved populations such as veterans who: are women, are seniors, have low income, are part of the LGBTQ+ community, and have disabilities, readily access the resources and services they need in the areas of housing, education, employment, and mental and physical health and well-being throughout their lifetimes. Veterans who are precariously housed or who are experiencing homelessness have access to affordable housing and the supportive services they need to remain housed. An Office of Veterans Support is established in the Health and Human Services Department to serve as the infrastructure to carry out the goals, objectives and strategies outlined in the strategic plan. "There is no one size fits all approach to connecting veterans to resources and services both as they transition from military to civilian life and throughout their lifetimes," said Long Beach Health Department Director Kelly Colopy. "The Veterans Strategic Plan serves as a guiding document for coordinating the City's efforts to serve those who have served our country." More information about the Long Beach Veterans Commission and the full Veterans Strategic Plan is available at longbeach.gov/veterans. This press release was produced by the City of Long Beach. The views expressed here are the author's own.