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Veterans Affairs Commission says outreach grew and seeks standalone VSO site in Hayward
Summary
Greg Owens, chair of the Alameda County Veterans Affairs Commission, reported on countywide outreach, stand‑down events that served 180+ veterans, and first‑ and second‑quarter VSO contact and award totals; commissioners recommended a standalone VSO in Hayward and monthly VSO statistics to track progress.
Greg Owens, chair of the Alameda County Veterans Affairs Commission (VAC), briefed supervisors on Sept. 22 with an annual update that highlighted outreach to campuses and veterans‑service sites, new initiatives and suggestions to expand the County Veterans Service Office (VSO).
Owens described countywide outreach that rotates VAC meetings among colleges and veterans memorial buildings and highlighted recent stand‑down events. At a recent stand‑down at Saint Vincent de Paul in Oakland the commission reported serving more than 180 veterans with a range of services, including medical vans, legal aid, job and housing referrals, showers and free meals.
Owens provided quarterly VSO metrics transmitted to the commission: in the first quarter the VSO recorded 1,704 contacts (including 544 emails and 270 phone calls), entered 416 claims and secured awards totaling $672,941.12; in the second quarter contacts rose to 2,210 with 1,248,049 in new awards. Owens said those increases show progress but noted many veterans still do not reach the office.
The VAC recommended pursuing a standalone VSO location (staff said a Hayward site on Foothill Boulevard is planned, with IT work now completed and a move possible by year‑end) to reduce co‑location with other services and improve veteran visibility and access. Owens and other commissioners asked for more frequent VSO reporting — monthly or bimonthly rather than quarterly — to monitor service levels.
Anthony Simpson, the County’s new veteran service officer, said the VSO is collaborating with VAC and the Veterans Treatment Court and expects traffic to increase when the standalone site opens. Jennifer Stevens Pierre, VSO program manager, described pilot "virtual desk" options and a Fremont satellite and urged caution on opening more in‑person satellites given staffing constraints.
Supervisor Bass and colleagues thanked the commission for outreach efforts and encouraged continued coordination with community groups and the county to broaden awareness of stand‑down and other events.
