TITLE
Recommendation to receive and file the Citywide Strategic Plan on Veterans. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The City of Long Beach (City) took the first step towards recognizing its rich military history, spanning more than a century, and its vibrant Veterans’ community, comprised of nearly 17,000 Veterans, when the City Council signed an Ordinance officially establishing a citywide Veterans Affairs Commission (Commission), on February 9, 2016. The Commission began holding monthly meetings in January 2017, and on November 7, 2017, the City Council directed the City Manager to work with the Department of Health and Human Services and the Commission to develop a Veterans Strategic Plan (Plan).
The Commission engaged in a strategic planning process from September 2018 through March 2020. As part of this process, the Commission carried out extensive research on the challenges and opportunities Veterans face and reviewed and analyzed demographic data on the City’s Veteran population. It also conducted interviews with 46 Veterans’ community stakeholders, engaging 180 Veterans in five separate community input sessions. Stakeholders included leaders of local Veteran-serving organizations and elected officials. Sessions were held at places where Veterans gather to determine and refine the goals, objectives, and strategies identified in the Plan. The four core goals are as follows:
1. Long Beach recognizes Veterans for their strengths and as valued members of our community, and regularly celebrates and honors them.
2. Veteran-serving organizations and agencies coordinate well to ensure that Veterans successfully transition from military service to civilian life.
3. Veterans, including traditionally underserved Veteran populations such as women, seniors, low-income, LGBTQ, and Veterans with 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 lif...
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