Morano asks about most urgent challenge and recommended council action
Morano asks what the most urgent challenge is and what action the council should take. Nicole identifies discharge upgrades and sustained funding for legal service providers as most urgent. Mata emphasizes the need for better data systems to identify and serve LGBTQ+ veterans.
Let me, I'll end with this.
I mean, part of the reason that we chose this specific topic is because it's Pride Month.
And I'd love to come back a year from now and see how we've done.
The committee, me as a council member, the council as a body, you guys as an agency.
Of all the challenges that are facing LGBTQ plus veterans in New York City today, which one, in your opinion, is the most urgent and what specific action should the city council take to address it?
I think for us, discharge upgrades and access to those services are the most primary focus.
I think also the providers that provide these services are definitely, there's the question about funding and sustained funding.
So that is something that we view as more urgent as we understand that this issue can only primarily be dealt with by lawyers.
And that is something that we are really tracking to ensure that if we do see that influx, which we hope of more people reaching out for their benefits, there's that support that will meet them.
And what we hope to do is to have, again, better systems in place to ensure that veterans, one, not only self-identify, but also LGBTQ plus veterans can self-identify.
I really look forward to having further conversations with Councilmember Carr.
We came up with various ideas.
We would like also want part of the ideas to hold meetings with LGBTQ plus veterans so we can work together.
And if the census itself doesn't ask the LGBTQ.
Plus questionnaire, then how can we do it collectively for LGBTQ plus veterans, but so they can get the support that they need.
So we are, again, we are exploring what data collection might may look like for LGBTQ plus veterans, but in general, general for all veterans to ensure that holistically they're fully supported.
So I do hope that
as well one year from now, DVS does have better data systems in place.
So we can, again, I could just come in here and say this is how many LGBTQ plus veterans we served and this is how many veterans, LGBTQ plus veterans are in New York City.
So I do hope a year from now we are in a better place.