This is what you missed!  

The USC Military and Veterans Programs (MVP) has managed the collaborative and hosted monthly LAVC meetings since 2012.  We meet on the second Wednesday of every month.

July 8, 2020, Los Angeles Veterans Collaborative

Our Higher Education Co-Chair Jessica discusses veteran enrollment in higher education. John Gutierrez, Deputy Director of Veteran Services at JVS SoCal, and Vanessa Lopez, Representative of Workforce Services, explain the impact of COVID-19 on local veteran employment. Our Co-chair to the Recreation and Rehabilitation workgroup, Howard Brodwin, shares a few words in remembrance of Angela Madsen, United States Marine Corps Veteran, Paralympian, and LGBTQ activist.

May 13, 2020, Los Angeles Veterans Collaborative (LAVC) on Zoom

Dr. Carl Castro, the Director of the USC Military and Veterans Programs, spoke about his recent article examining the impact of COVID-19 on the Veteran Community. To access the presentation recording and full article please click on the links below:

Dr. Carl Castro Presentation 

Impact of COVID-19 on mental health care for Veterans: Improvise, adapt and overcome 

February 12, 2020, Los Angeles Veterans Collaborative (LAVC)

We want to thank our panelist, Dr. Daniel Perkins,  Dr. Rakesh Jetly, and Dr. Eric Vermetten for highlighting the discussions of the 2020 Military Research Summit focusing on Moral Injury.  

We also want to thank our guest speaker, Dr. Barbara Van Dahlen, the Executive Director of the President’s Roadmap to Empower Veterans and End a National Tragedy of Suicide (PREVENTS) Task Force.  She  discussed the multi-agency national effort focused on mental health and suicide prevention among veterans.   Her presentation slides are available on the link below:

PREVENTS PPT

January 8, 2020 Los Angeles Veterans Collaborative (LAVC)
 
A special thank you to our guest speakers, Jane Austin and Teresa Banko. 

Jane Austin is the co-owner of Hollywood Stuntworks and a proud member of the American Legion Post 43 Auxiliary. She served on the boards of Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists for 12 years and the merged SAG-AFTRA National Board for two years. She currently sits as Chair of the LA Conservatory Committee, Vice-Chair of Stunt and Safety Committee, and as a Vice-Chair to the LA Military and Family Support Committee.  

Teresa Banko, Executive Director of the UCLA/VA Veteran Family Wellness Center and the Co-Chair of the Access & Engagement working group provided an update on the services being offered through the Veteran  Family Wellness Center.  
 

December 11, 2019 , Los Angeles Veterans Collaborative (LAVC) 

 Jim Zenner, Mental Health Clinical Program Manager of the  Countywide Outpatient Services Division with the LA County Department of Mental Health (DMH) provided an update on the Veteran Peer Access Network (VPAN) and the developing LAVC partnership between the USC Military and Veterans Programs, LA County DMH and the Office of Military and Veterans Affairs.   

 The Legal & Re-Entry and Housing and Homelessness working groups hosted guest speaker, Antonio Chapa, District Director and Veterans & Homeless Liaison of the Los Angeles County's First District Southeast Regional Office. He discussed issues surrounding veteran homelessness.  

October 9, 2019, Los Angeles Veterans Collaborative 

A special thank you to our guest speakers Irving Pacheco & Evadney Hamilton from California Complete Count - Census 2020. Please email them with feedback and any VSOs that are interested in partnering with them for Census outreach to HTC Veteran populations:  [email protected]

September 11, 2019, Los Angeles Veterans Collaborative 

We partnered with the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (DMH) and the office of Military Veterans Affairs to host a panel discussion in remembrance of the events of September 11, 2001.  A special thank you to the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department Color Guard, the Valley Veteran Honor Guard, and Elliott McKenzie for their presentation and support. We also want to thank our panelist Mike Talleda, Daniel Luczak, Kari Mercer, and Tai Sunnanon for sharing their stories with us. Thank you to our moderator Nathan Graeser.

August 14, 2019, Los Angeles Veterans Collaborative 

Jeff Daly, Second Vice Commander at the American Legion Post 43 and Lorez Barber USC MSW graduate 2019, present the Salute Report.  


October Salute Report 

July 10, 2019, Los Angeles Veterans Collaborative

Guest speaker Melanie Martins, ASW CPRP Veteran Systems Coordinator at the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LASHA), presents the Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count Results.  

June 12, 2019, Los Angeles Veterans Collaborative

Women Veterans' working group members develop strategies to ensure that the needs of female veterans are met.   

May 8, 2019, Los Angeles Veterans Collaborative

Panelist Mark Williams shares his inspiring story of struggles and success. Such a moving and inspirational day commemorating Mental Health Awareness Month and the dedicated work of the Community Veteran Justice Project.

August 12, 2020, Los Angeles Veterans Collaborative

Dr. Carl Castro, Director of the USC Military and Veterans Programs speaks about the joint effort underway to secure the LAVC's sustainability. Kelly Armaly, Consultant, with the Southern California Grantmakers (SCG), shares SCG/ VPAN Request for Proposal (RFP) opportunities at the local level. Tony Madril, LCSW, shares information about an ongoing pilot study examining the benefits of Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy in the treatment of PTSD.

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