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Multiple callers urge Board to fund Veterans Affairs Commission; commissioners request staff and IT support
Summary
During public comment and through multiple commissioners, attendees urged the Board of Supervisors to provide the Veterans Affairs Commission with staffing, a commission secretary and IT resources to improve outreach and service coordination for veterans.
A string of public callers and several members of the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Commission told the Board of Supervisors on June 15 that the commission lacks basic administrative support and funding to perform its advisory and outreach role.
Commissioners and callers described operational shortfalls including absence of an official email system, no commission secretary, no IT support and limited capacity to apply for grants. Victor Olivieri, president of the Veterans Affairs Commission, said the commission has operated without staff or funding "for far, far too long." He said the lack of support meant the commission could not adequately assist hundreds of veterans in need, including help to secure federal benefits.
"We represent and advocate for one of the most marginalized and disadvantaged groups in the city," Olivieri said during public comment. "We desperately need a commission secretary to help us manage the work that we do." Other callers and several commissioners echoed that request, noting that comparable advisory bodies routinely receive staff assistance and that veterans27 services and claims work benefit from coordinated outreach.
Commissioners proposed several remedies, including assigning a host agency for the commission, budgeting for a full-time commission secretary, and giving the commission basic IT and administrative support to manage public notices, email communications and event planning. Speakers said the lack of an account for official communications affects the commission27s ability to identify itself and coordinate with city departments.
The Board did not vote during public comment on funding for the commission; callers requested supervisors take the issue up in budget and administrative discussions.
Ending: Commissioners and veterans urged supervisors to allocate funding and assign administrative responsibility so the Veterans Affairs Commission can expand outreach, apply for grants and coordinate benefits claims work across city agencies. Several supervisors acknowledged the requests and said their offices would follow up.
