[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6600490,"mediaKeyId","3040626-b9e2056ba55439e06f3ca47d6cc972e6","parentId",3040626,"title","VAC approves minutes, discusses annual council update timing and handles member resignation","audioSeconds",1991,"startMs",88000,"endMs",2079000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3040626-b9e2056ba55439e06f3ca47d6cc972e6&start=88&end=2079","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3040626-b9e2056ba55439e06f3ca47d6cc972e6/thumbnail_88000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6600490/El-Paso-City/El-Paso-County/Texas/VAC-approves-minutes-discusses-annual-council-update-timing-and-handles-member-resignation","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6600490-d0896e1ef4700c58bc5b84ac47863cf4/orig.mp4?Expires=1773620481&Signature=I97SXXSCgeu-NS0niKANNQfR~iBVTgQBkx9Xv23mhpRVUO0YF13FzV8-kEkPKbJY8u0ULTH665qAbNIPqaGbuZkfIusKRAIoTDDltK9NsPEAQhD1ew3NO6FquVRyazSZgDNK6U~NKkpwG6zYUvHmawX0M5VyYF76bAiimUvTKUuTsF-EWrG5z5EyXCesXwQbbUU~ilsTO4WUp90u-5gsKod0Z8zksyHX~chF~BxujZ5MeR8ecY2nDz1JgtEnjhvh5vW6zP8ZQWHwnZbAMc4Vat8VnfGEHeSqsf3DHERPiy6UYexs80218-sCrgH7nQCmgR2pgiVj~SVNqKpcPiMnUg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of El Paso TX","date","2025-04-17T17:08:10.61Z","article","The Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee approved the March 20 minutes and ended the April 17 meeting with routine adjournment motions; the meeting also addressed committee governance, an impending annual update to City Council and a committee member’s resignation.

Minutes and adjournment

A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes from the March 20 meeting; the chair announced the minutes were approved. Later, a motion to adjourn passed by voice vote.

Annual update to City Council: request to reschedule

Paul Albright briefed the committee that staff reviewed the presentation slides planned for the VAC’s April 28 annual update to City Council and found items that were vague, had unclear direction, or raised legal concerns. Albright said the office recommended canceling the April 28 presentation and reconvening in early June for a special VAC session to rework slides and avoid presenting recommendations that could imply staff direction the committee does not have authority to give. He said the VAC bylaws require seven days’ notice for meetings and the state Open Meetings Act requires three days; staff will follow the VAC bylaws and circulate proposed dates by email.

Membership change and vacancy process

Committee members reported receiving a resignation email from Miguel Rulades (District 7). A committee member noted that, under the bylaws, a resignation becomes effective immediately unless a future date is specified; the committee indicated the vacancy will be processed by the council representative nominating a replacement for City Council approval.

Next meeting and procedural notes

The VAC confirmed its next regular meeting date as Thursday, May 15, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. The committee discussed making a separate special session to rework the April 28 slides and to avoid entering executive session during a public presentation (legal issues would trigger an executive session and would require the committee to mute online participants and remove public attendees for that portion).

Ending

No formal votes were recorded to remove a member; staff and committee members agreed to follow the bylaws and proceed with council nomination and approval to fill the District 7 vacancy.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee 4/17/2025de","oneSentenceSummary","At its April 17 meeting the Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee approved March minutes, discussed postponing its April 28 annual update to City Council because of legal/clarity concerns, and recorded a resignation that will require a city council nomination to fill the vacancy.","taxTitle","El Paso City, El Paso County, Texas","taxId",2792,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6600495,"City’s veteran and military affairs office reports defense grant, honor flight details and new programs after ADC expo",703,2230000,2933000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3040626-b9e2056ba55439e06f3ca47d6cc972e6&start=2230&end=2933","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3040626-b9e2056ba55439e06f3ca47d6cc972e6/thumbnail_2230000.jpg","/articles/6600495/El-Paso-City/El-Paso-County/Texas/Citys-veteran-and-military-affairs-office-reports-defense-grant-honor-flight-details-and-new-programs-after-ADC-expo","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6600495-e8f794688e0cf2181ddcd28402ddd0b9/orig.mp4?Expires=1773620481&Signature=iZEw843QvXT78V3aZtsrReJHAJH~22b17NWNCxPEW3hsJOKu9xhVVtaz~8RbTFb4VZyKmrG3AmTzFrB2TIn92A3XL~Xy3yBBsBhDZm2wMJpzeJjXJ27vJYzq3pC2nITDFCwUWsxQd4ooehkpQ-bACK45KejJldlScX5Q54IcCDH0Z8TZpiw317EOcbwJiD68EVc3X67Ay-Bn080ziZVNS~AqTw~zNaBwXbT3Jlq3ryi8l21NQ0UP17-jVTYiIYUFB~gfcjeWxllEttLZMbwaJf7sDwBKoLpD9~ciWuVGCztRFBX4rQq2aoz-c1LLQv-CQQZKSa4f0agtL9EJznPTGA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Luther (Division of Veteran and Military Affairs) and Paul Albright updated the Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee on April 17 about recent defense-community work, city events and new programs meant to support veterans and military families.

Highlights reported to the committee included a pending Department of Defense grant to fund a land-use study outside the airport, a K9s for Warriors cohort coming to the region, Honor Flight dates, and a range of outreach events such as Coffee with Veterans and Community Salutes.

Why it matters: The items combine economic-development and direct-service work that affect large numbers of veterans and service providers. The defense grant would fund engineering/land-use study work that the city said will help coordinate Fort Bliss land and FAA-owned airport land for potential joint projects. The K9s for Warriors initiative would bring trained service dogs to area veterans at no cost, and Honor Flight events recognize older veterans’ service with escorted trips to Washington, D.C.

Key items reported

- Defense grant and land-use study: Paul Albright said City Council recently approved a defense grant application totaling “almost over $400,000” to fund a land-use study outside the airport that would coordinate FAA, Fort Bliss and city land uses to enable projects such as a joint police and fire academy. The city said the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation is reviewing the grant application.

- American Defense Communities (ADC) expo and leadership: Staff attended the ADC annual expo, and Paul and Luther said El Paso is being recognized for several initiatives, including a bridge program that provides unpaid internships to transitional service members, veterans, spouses and dependents.

- K9s for Warriors and service-dog training: Luther said a K9s for Warriors cohort will be scheduled in the coming months to bring trained service dogs—rescued dogs trained and matched to veterans—to local veterans; the program was described as free of charge for eligible veterans and uses partnering organizations for training and placement.

- Rio Grande Honor Flight: The office provided departure/arrival information and asked for community support. Luther said the Honor Flight arrival is April 26 at 5:30 p.m. at El Paso International Airport and asked committee members to attend either departures or arrivals to honor veterans. (Committee members also referenced departures on earlier dates in the meeting transcript; the April 26 arrival time is the city’s stated arrival notice.)

- Outreach events: The office reported an ongoing Coffee with Veterans program (first two Thursdays each month, 8:30–10:30 a.m.), a Community Salutes event that drew about 700 attendees and more than 50 future enlistees, and a Borderplex Service Provider Summit planned for September to synchronize service providers ahead of a March expo.

- Expo and claims activity: Staff said the March expo drew about 2,000 attendees and on-site staff assisted with more than 100 claims filings.

Ending

Staff asked VAC members to help spread word-of-mouth about events and to attend Honor Flight and Coffee with Veterans activities when possible; the office said more program specifics would be distributed by email.","City staff told the VAC on April 17 that El Paso is taking a lead role in defense-community initiatives, reported a pending Department of Defense land-use grant of about $400,000, previewed a K9s for Warriors cohort, and announced Honor Flight arrival and Coffee with Veterans schedules.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6600501,"Employment committee brief: local supporters back childcare pilot bills to help training parents",148,1296000,1444000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3040626-b9e2056ba55439e06f3ca47d6cc972e6&start=1296&end=1444","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3040626-b9e2056ba55439e06f3ca47d6cc972e6/thumbnail_1296000.jpg","/articles/6600501/El-Paso-City/El-Paso-County/Texas/Employment-committee-brief-local-supporters-back-childcare-pilot-bills-to-help-training-parents","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6600501-df52e66fe0acc920e3f704b393182920/orig.mp4?Expires=1773620481&Signature=BebXqlWja28Is5lNG5tSGeVMzr4tzNkhQACqeT01Q2xvKjHFDQ4E6dTRr3PErMkcxO1GWg4kAo63PRa-HId2IRkeLB0b9RjQ0Azb2Tgdf08o13ZlRR9S3apGpmjVoMrJ6lmPWuW2IkWnxH86FSwbvqClOXIsge64Kv7uLdzOJFJ~AeEwtzKlmTJw6-WjKVWzV5pnN7iecmfD5Qa3QnHJ-Umh8it9edhBT6EDOALyxAYq6JZlX70LHyR2cAWH5cn6fWmKIBsXggw7RzqT0N1UjLL46aDKYhLh9GRYShrvGBLlHbdNFBVDJFe--rXWTPd3O5JLLer12fzDB-EBG2l1kA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Employment Committee reported to the Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee on April 17 that state lawmakers introduced legislation to fund a childcare pilot in El Paso to support low-income parents enrolled in short-term workforce training programs.

The committee’s update said Sen. Blanco and State Rep. Bridal introduced SB 1249 and HB 2652, respectively, to create a certified caregiver/childcare pilot program that would fund licensed child care outside traditional hours for low-income and single parents enrolled in a short-term training program through Workforce Solutions/Borderplex.

Why it matters: Committee members said the pilot targets parents enrolled in training programs, supports certification of caregivers, and aims to remove childcare barriers to employment training. The committee noted it will monitor the bills as they move through the legislative process and encouraged city and county support.

Key details

- The update said the bills would provide $450,000 for the program, cover up to six months of childcare per eligible family and initially target about 30 families; the pilot was described as expiring in 2029 with reporting to the legislature by 2028.

- Workforce Borderplex Solutions’ Jono Hurd was listed as unable to attend the committee meeting; the employment subcommittee said more planning is needed for an upcoming trades fair (tentatively targeted for September). The subcommittee is not fixed to the September date and may move it to the following year to ensure proper planning.

Ending

The Employment Committee said it will monitor SB 1249 and HB 2652, encourage city and county support and provide future updates to the VAC as the bills advance.","The Employment Committee reported support for state bills establishing a certified childcare pilot in El Paso that would fund training-friendly child care; committee members described the pilot as $450,000 for up to 30 families and expiring in 2029.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6600505,"El Paso County veterans develop updated online resource guide, plan briefings for service providers",149,199000,348000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3040626-b9e2056ba55439e06f3ca47d6cc972e6&start=199&end=348","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3040626-b9e2056ba55439e06f3ca47d6cc972e6/thumbnail_199000.jpg","/articles/6600505/El-Paso-City/El-Paso-County/Texas/El-Paso-County-veterans-develop-updated-online-resource-guide-plan-briefings-for-service-providers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6600505-39f63499b3589d9d84973cf819f3f833/orig.mp4?Expires=1773620481&Signature=MNS5x1BJkkhP3n78UdArN3okxMxea0ik3RFNdTzGbEg~7UDbjD21333IWk2uesQF1xOMmNczNqo4hO9fOj-MkFWPUAR3J8jh9eshXw4ktaIOr-TwMrWEjiQUBXDW0cYANmG2njJOCpwfjYzOfOhnx2PiyTft20MkQSO9ZtOni7qAVpa-JUJPHCglGkYXmVjmnhL5pTFgi-J1QYrA5HSaGq0ETyH0gqDUBomHc6KRjLvXn~C1N5FG9Yp2J9BcrdwvdP759JNR2e1F9YSa-wA6Z3rQxyStZCOXalY-qXbXlg~X3wM83XYYggC6PRvjexIGZXmVLuVPUKicb66GFD~~UA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mike Barnes, representing the El Paso County Veterans Advisory Board, told the Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee on April 17 that the county is reviving a veterans resource guide that had fallen out of service and is being rebuilt as an online product.

Barnes said the county verified agencies on the earlier guide and is scheduling briefings so each provider can explain the services they offer veterans and families. He said the resource will be hosted on the county website as a searchable online product and will be available as a printable PDF.

Why it matters: The guide is intended to centralize social, medical and benefits information for veterans, families and for county and city staff who refer veterans to services. Barnes said the county’s IT staff and webmasters are working on a product the committee can review \"in the next couple months.\" He asked the committee to expect outreach and to coordinate on content validation.

Key points

- Barnes said the county had initiated the effort about eight years ago but the previous product had not been maintained. The renewed effort will include verification of provider program details and a validation process to avoid unvetted endorsements.

- Barnes told committee members the resource will be web-hosted with a printable PDF option and that IT policy and legal review will guide how providers are listed to avoid suggesting formal endorsements.

- Barnes also announced the county Veterans Advisory Board’s next meeting would be May 13 at 10:00 a.m. at the County Courthouse.

Ending

Barnes closed by asking for continued cooperation between city and county staff as the resource is finalized and briefings are scheduled.","Mike Barnes of the El Paso County Veterans Advisory Board told the committee the county is rebuilding an online veterans resource guide, validating agency listings and planning briefings; IT will provide a draft in the coming months.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6600508,"Gentiva Hospice tells advisory committee veterans often enroll late, urges earlier referrals and veteran volunteers",594,535000,1129000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3040626-b9e2056ba55439e06f3ca47d6cc972e6&start=535&end=1129","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3040626-b9e2056ba55439e06f3ca47d6cc972e6/thumbnail_535000.jpg","/articles/6600508/El-Paso-City/El-Paso-County/Texas/Gentiva-Hospice-tells-advisory-committee-veterans-often-enroll-late-urges-earlier-referrals-and-veteran-volunteers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6600508-981b4a180269f40d4753efcf84d04518/orig.mp4?Expires=1773620481&Signature=MzC81t0jwATKWYi-su6zL7TX3y5rFxpBI86Q~CCFONUN4pcsPpWbOkzTu3aFc5PmmWEAksq-SuHLflsF18x~197azJ-ZlVniX2WG~-IAll56pQbEx1YH1TkKV1Wc5VP5~HTBNxsBcEEfNfP2kuAdhOYOUIv8Ydx3A-ohhldz~OpridkgwlPWj~RDM94gj-xxwyBdS0Z0MJvWjhjo140MJvO5Op0qCyBw6ZOTup2GCW8s1uJTAv44c-MqUNkAJkjsNdmjhc7B3w4cyGANjNUfyUaHMw21J1Q6Ly3W8WdC6bMkDE0WV5qHsQw7QYstitc8M6iFZhNtt~MKbEicd1YzNw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Desiree Yearwood, executive director of Gentiva Hospice, told the El Paso Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee on April 17 that hospice providers often see veterans only hours or days before death and urged earlier referral and outreach to increase use of the full hospice benefit.

Yearwood said hospice provides medical symptom control, pain management, spiritual care, volunteer companionship and bereavement support, and that those services can be covered by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Medicare Part A and Tricare. She said Gentiva follows families for bereavement support up to 13 months after a patient’s death and provides volunteer respite care and short-term contracted respite stays when needed.

Why it matters: Yearwood argued that earlier hospice enrollment allows staff and volunteers to deliver more of the care and nonmedical supports—such as spiritual care, volunteer companionship and family education—that improve end-of-life experiences for veterans and their families. She said many veterans are not enrolled in VA benefits and therefore do not always learn about end-of-life supports that are available to them.

Key details and examples

- Yearwood said the program participates in the national We Honor Veterans partnership and that Gentiva’s El Paso operation provides a higher-than-required proportion of volunteer-delivered care (12–14% of hands-on care, she said, compared with a 5% minimum). She described bedside final-salute ceremonies and volunteer support that can facilitate veterans’ end-of-life wishes, including an example in which volunteers helped arrange an at-home wedding for a terminally ill service member.

- On coverage, Yearwood said hospice can be accessed via the VA (for service-connected veterans), Medicare Part A (no copays or deductibles once on hospice) and Tricare; Gentiva also works with Texas Medicaid and commercial insurers when applicable. She said hospice enrollment does not always require prior VA enrollment because Medicare Part A can cover hospice regardless of VA enrollment status.

- Services described included volunteer companionship and respite (including short contracted respite stays), symptom and pain management, spiritual care from chaplains, social-worker–led family support and bereavement counseling for up to 13 months after death.

Questions and community concerns

Committee members asked whether hospice referrals must come through the VA; Yearwood said referrals can come either from the VA or directly to hospice and reiterated hospice coverage options. A committee member noted that veterans with dishonorable discharges who lack VA eligibility may still access hospice services through Medicare, and Yearwood confirmed Gentiva works with Medicare and other payers.

Volunteer and outreach request

Yearwood asked the committee to help Gentiva recruit veterans as volunteers to provide bedside companionship for veteran patients, saying veteran volunteers often provide a better peer match than younger student volunteers. She also asked for permission to do community education and enrollment outreach to help veterans learn about hospice benefit eligibility and timing.

Ending

Yearwood’s presentation closed with a request that the committee allow Gentiva to perform community education and to partner on recruitment of veteran volunteers and information events so more veterans can access hospice services earlier in the course of illness.","At the April 17 Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee meeting, Gentiva Hospice described hospice services available to veterans, said many veterans come to hospice very late, and asked the committee to help with outreach and veteran volunteer recruitment.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

VAC approves minutes, discusses annual council update timing and handles member resignation

City’s veteran and military affairs office reports defense grant, honor flight details and new programs after ADC expo

Employment committee brief: local supporters back childcare pilot bills to help training parents

El Paso County veterans develop updated online resource guide, plan briefings for service providers

Gentiva Hospice tells advisory committee veterans often enroll late, urges earlier referrals and veteran volunteers