New York Codes, Rules and Regulations › Title 9 - EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT › Subtitle A - Governor's Office › Chapter I - Executive Orders › Part 8 - Executive Orders (Andrew M. Cuomo) › Section 8.34 - Executive order no. 34: continuing the new york state council on returning veterans and their families

Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 28, July 10, 2024
WHEREAS, thousands of New York State residents are veterans
					 who have served in armed conflicts over the last several decades, including
					 Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq;
					 and
WHEREAS, many currently deployed military personnel,
					 including National Guard and Reserve members, have returned and will return
					 from ongoing conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq; and
WHEREAS, a significant number of veterans who served on
					 active duty in armed hostilities are at risk to return home with - or later
					 develop - physical disabilities, medical conditions, mental illnesses and/or
					 substance abuse disorders, including but not limited to traumatic brain injury
					 and post traumatic stress disorder, impacting not only those veterans but their
					 families as well; and
WHEREAS, the prolonged nature of the economic recession on
					 the national and state level has had a detrimental impact on the employment
					 opportunities available to returning veterans; and
WHEREAS, it is important to assure that all available
					 resources are marshaled to help returning veterans and their families in
					 addressing these challenges; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to ensure that federal, state and
					 other funding and service resources which are or become available to help
					 veterans and their families, especially those experiencing multiple challenges,
					 are coordinated as well as possible and used in the most effective and
					 efficient manner; and
WHEREAS, it is critical that veterans and their families
					 are aware of and have access to such resources and services; and
WHEREAS, increased public awareness of the sacrifices and
					 needs of returning veterans and their families is essential to help returning
					 veterans transition back into their home communities and workplaces; and
WHEREAS, it is crucial to recognize that veterans returning
					 from active duty bring with them skills, training and experience which could be
					 used in a variety of job settings, and that any barriers to the application of
					 such skills, training and experience where appropriate should be identified and
					 eliminated; and
WHEREAS, the New York State Council on Returning Veterans
					 and Their Families was established by Executive Order 12 issued by Governor
					 David Paterson on November 11, 2008 to address a number of the issues set forth
					 above; and
WHEREAS, the extended duration of the ongoing military
					 conflicts and the consequential increase in the number of veterans returning
					 therefrom makes it important to continue such Council but with a reinvigorated
					 membership and updated mission, and to take prompt action to identify ways in
					 which veterans can obtain credit for the skills, training and experience they
					 acquired while in military service for purposes of securing employment with
					 state or local governments; and
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ANDREW M. CUOMO, Governor of the State
					 of New York, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and
					 Laws of the State of New York do hereby order as follows:
1. The New York State Council on Returning
				  Veterans and Their Families (the Council) is hereby continued, and its
				  membership and mission are broadened as set forth below.
2. The members of the Council shall consist
				  of the Director of the Division of Veterans' Affairs, the Commissioner of the
				  Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, the Commissioner of the
				  Department of Health, the Commissioner of the Office of Mental Health, the
				  Adjutant General of the Division of Military and Naval Affairs, the
				  Commissioner of the Department of Labor, the Commissioner of Homes and
				  Community Renewal, the Commissioner of the New York State Department of
				  Economic Development, the Commissioner of the State Education Department, the
				  President of the Higher Education Services Corporation, and the Director of the
				  Office for the Aging, or their designees, and additional members appointed by
				  the Governor, including one representative of local government, one or more
				  veterans or family members of veterans, one representative of an organization
				  that provides behavioral health services to veterans, one representative of an
				  organization that provides substance abuse services to veterans, and an
				  individual with academic expertise in veterans' affairs. The Director of the
				  Division of Veterans' Affairs or a designee thereof shall serve as the Chair of
				  the Council.
3. A majority of the
				  members of the Council shall constitute a quorum and all recommendations of the
				  Council shall require approval of a majority of the total members of the
				  Council.
4. No member of the
				  Council shall be disqualified from holding any public office or employment, nor
				  shall he or she forfeit any such office or employment by virtue of his or her
				  appointment hereunder. Members of the Council shall receive no compensation for
				  their services but shall be allowed their actual and necessary expenses
				  incurred in the performance of their functions hereunder. All members of the
				  Council shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor and vacancies shall be
				  filled by the Governor. The Governor may appoint additional voting and
				  non-voting members to the Council as necessary.
5. The Council is charged with making
				  recommendations to assist in the coordination of State strategy to accomplish
				  the following:
a. Increase public awareness
				  of the needs of returning veterans and their families and the value that
				  veterans offer to communities as a result of their service;
b. Conduct education and outreach to ensure
				  that veterans and their families are aware of available resources and services
				  to help them address physical health and mental health and substance abuse
				  problems resulting from active duty;
c. Properly identify veterans and their
				  families and ensure that they are aware of and have access to available
				  benefits and services;
d. Identify
				  and eliminate barriers to the prompt and accurate diagnosis of physical
				  disabilities, medical conditions, mental illnesses and/or substance abuse
				  disorders affecting returning veterans and their families;
e. Identify and eliminate barriers to service
				  so that veterans, particularly those with more than one disability or
				  condition, have sufficient access to needed resources and services;
f. Encourage the development of a viable
				  referral network, including peer-to-peer systems;
g. Maximize the resources available to help
				  returning veterans and their families address physical disabilities, medical
				  conditions, mental illnesses and/or substance abuse disorders arising from
				  active service, including funding and services available through federal, state
				  and non-governmental sources;
h.
				  Coordinate resources and services available for returning veterans and their
				  families that address physical disabilities, medical conditions, mental
				  illnesses and/or substance abuse disorders resulting from active duty to
				  maximize efficiency and effectiveness;
i. Provide returning veterans with assistance
				  in locating appropriate housing as needed and resolving housing-related
				  difficulties;
j. Assist with the
				  credentialing of military specialties into civilian occupations, so that the
				  skills, education, training, experience, and credentials acquired by veterans
				  during their military service can be used to expand their employment
				  opportunities;
k. Provide returning
				  veterans with information and assistance in meeting their academic goals,
				  including information and assistance regarding scholarship opportunities and
				  higher education loans; and
l. Any
				  additional matters as directed by the Chair of the Council or the Governor or
				  his designee.