Veterans Advisory Board recommendations: DVS pledges responses, process improvements and commitments on Dwyer funding

The New York City Department of Veterans Services told the Council—s Veterans Committee it will take a series of administrative steps to implement recommendations from the Veterans Advisory Board—s 2024 annual report, and outlined actions to stabilize Dwyer peer‑support funding and improve board operations.

DVS Commissioner James Hendon testified that the Veterans Advisory Board (VAB) has matured and now focuses each public meeting on 1–2 charter‑mandated topics (health care, housing, benefits, education and employment). The department said it would publish a public response to the VAB—s annual report within 90 days and will broaden its outreach to notify community benefits organizations, community boards and education councils when VAB meetings are scheduled.

On the PFC Joseph P. Dwyer veteran support grants, Commissioner Hendon said the department—s FY26 allocation will be recognized by the mayor—s Office of Management and Budget as belonging to DVS at the start of the fiscal year to avoid the FY25 routing error that delayed payments. DVS said it will work with state partners to establish a direct state‑to‑DVS flow for future Dwyer funding.

The board had also recommended that new VAB appointments receive full three‑year terms and that members be required to attend most public sessions in person in the borough they represent. DVS indicated support for those steps and said it will work with mayoral and council appointment offices to improve seat‑fill and borough balance. The department also committed to codifying daily operating norms and bylaws to preserve continuity across administrations.

Ending: DVS offered several administrative commitments and said it will post a written response to the VAB report within 90 days. The department requested continued council engagement on funding, appointments and codifying VAB operating rules.