VETERANS SERVICE AGENCY REPORT
August 7, 2025 - 12:00 PM
Director's Report
* Local Activities
o Our Administrative Assistant April Barschow has achieved accreditation by The National Association of County Veterans Service Officers and cross accreditation with DAV, to provide a wider range of services to our local veterans and surviving spouses. April has already assisted with claims submissions and will receive her full access PIV card soon.
o On six separate dates in June and July, our Clerk Sheldon Dillon assisted Sharon Ferber at the Community Assistance Center to distribute pallets of food.
o On May 20th, I attended the drug pillar meeting along with ATI, Vet 2 Vet staff, VA Mental Health, and Camille O'Brien, Department of Community Services Drug Task Force Coordinator. Our discussion revealed that Veterans involved with the treatment court would also benefit from the resource guide our office created.
o On July 10th, Camille and Peer Court Navigator Emma Carlson visited our office to further discuss VA programs and treatment options.
o On Tuesday June 17th, I met with Congressman Josh Riley and the Veterans' Advisory Board in Binghamton. Over 18 directors and advocates from Counties in the Hudson Valley participated. Topics discussed included cancelled VA programs, to increased wait times for medical appointments. Community Care billing was also identified as needing reform. Congressman Riley will address these concerns in a new Bill.
o Our office has continued to conducted wellness checks for elderly veterans and those suffering from food insecurity within the community. Working closely with our Divisional and County partners we have located and assisted many vets that have never contacted our office or enrolled with VA healthcare. A higher number of our elderly clients are struggling with the cost of groceries and heating their homes.
o Our annual required VSO training provided by National Association of County Veteran Service Officers was completed Ju...
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