Morano asks what Intro 928 would change operationally
Morano asks what operational changes Intro 928 would create given DVS already has two liaisons. Mata and Nicole explain the bill would add reporting requirements beyond just discharge upgrades, capturing broader community needs and outreach data.
If DVS already has two designated liaisons, what operational changes would Intro 928, Minority Leader Carr's bill, actually create?
What would be different?
Well, first of all, I want to thank Councilmember Carr for that intro because it really pushes an agency even further to provide that support to LGBTQ plus veterans.
Even though we had one liaison, now we have two.
And having the second liaison.
At first, when it came to DVS, we will focus primarily on the upgrade discharge, which Nicole, my colleague, will elaborate further.
But now.
Now, with the second liaison, we will go even further on upgrading our intake process.
Again, the VA or the census itself doesn't ask that question about LGBTQ+.
So the goal is through this second liaison to work in conjunction with Councilmember Carr and the LGBTQ plus committee and the LGBTQ plus I.
LGBTQIA plus mayor's office to ensure that we can together develop an intake process where individuals feel comfortable of disclosing that information.
Also, operationally, what would change is the reporting requirements on this because currently the only we report on local law for which is in regards to discharge upgrades.
But we know and we respect that this community reaches out to us separate of just discharge upgrades.
So by being able to take what our liaisons are doing and translate it into data and into reporting, that gives us a better picture of what the needs of the community are in addition to discharge upgrades.
We're really looking forward to implementing that piece of it.