Arlington introduces Robert C. Dunovan as new veterans services director

Robert C. Dunovan, the newly appointed director of veteran services for the town of Arlington, introduced himself to the Select Board by Zoom on May 18 and outlined his background, clinical training and priorities for the job.

Dunovan said he joined the U.S. Army in 2005, served as a military policeman and deployed to Iraq (20062008) and Afghanistan (20092010). He described nearly 13 years in the Army in leadership and investigative roles and said that treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury changed the course of his life. He earned a master's degree in social work from Simmons University in 2021 and said he has worked in clinical programs supporting veterans, including a Home Base partnership between Mass General Hospital and the Red Sox Foundation.

"Once I realized there was a path toward healing, I became passionate about helping others find the emotional courage to seek support themselves while also reducing the stigma surrounding mental health within the veteran community," Dunovan said.

Dunovan told the board he began the job in late January but that a recent family bereavement delayed his full start; he thanked the community for its patience. He said he plans to focus on outreach to multi-generational veterans and on connecting more veterans to benefits and services. During his remarks he cited a report from the office of the veteran advocate that, as presented to the board, says Arlington's veteran community "contributes more than 24 million annually" to the local economy and estimates a 5:1 return on investment for town support of veteran services; the presentation also stated that about 17% of Arlington veterans currently receive state annuities or federal benefits.

Board members welcomed Dunovan and expressed condolences for his recent loss. Select Board member Diane Mahan praised his willingness to share his experience and noted the value of his social-work background; she asked Dunovan to share a résumé or CV with the board so members and residents could see his credentials in writing.

Dunovan described his regular office schedule and how he will communicate it to veterans: he said he is generally remote on Mondays for training, in the office Tuesdays and Wednesdays from about 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursdays 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and off on Fridays when he does clinical work. He agreed to provide the board with written materials and asked for the board's help publicizing hours so older veterans know how to reach him.

The board thanked Dunovan and expressed support for his work; Dunovan said he looks forward to participating in Arlington's Memorial Day events and to serving local veterans and their families.

Ending: The board did not take any formal action during the introduction; members directed staff to receive Dunovan's materials and to support outreach on office hours and services.