The Californer - Governor and First Partner Visit VA Campus, Meet with California Veterans

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LOS ANGELES ~ On Monday, Governor Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom visited the West Los Angeles Veterans Affairs campus to tour a new supportive housing site and meet with California veterans receiving services. The visit highlighted the historic investments made in behavioral health and housing resources for veterans.

The Governor spoke of the need to serve veterans in return for their service to the country. "Too many veterans can't escape the battlefront, even here on the home front – and because of that, we have lost too many of these heroes to suicide, while many more struggle with other behavioral and physical health concerns," said Governor Newsom. "California is building an accessible network of resources for veterans and their families, while we tackle the deadly stigma around mental health that isolates and endangers so many of our heroes. We are home to the nation's largest population of veterans, who all deserve to be connected, respected, and protected."

First Partner Siebel Newsom echoed this sentiment: "Veterans and their families make tremendous sacrifices, both physically and mentally in heroic service to our country. It is essential that we honor and support them by ensuring their needs, especially related to mental health, are met when they come home. As we remember and pay tribute to servicemembers we've lost, I'm proud that California has remained steadfast, through policies and investments, in our commitment to the veterans who call this state home."

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Undersecretary Russell Atterberry also commented on Memorial Day approaching: "As Memorial Day approaches, we honor our fallen – those who gave their lives in service to our nation. We also remember their sacrifices by caring for the veterans who are still with us. California is creating more housing for veterans and investing in behavioral health services to ensure the well-being of our veterans and their families."

California is home to 1.6 million veterans - more than any other state - so Governor Newsom has made significant investments into CalVet programs focused on providing comprehensive behavioral health services such as those offered at West Los Angeles VA campus. These include California Veterans Health Initiative (CVHI), Veterans Housing & Homelessness Prevention Program (VHHP), Veterans Support To Self-Reliance Pilot Program (VSSRPP), Behavioral Health Services Program (BHSP), California Transition Assistance Program (CALTAP) as well as additional staffing at Veterans Homes of California for clinical social workers, psychologists & psychiatrists.

These investments have led to unhoused California veterans experiencing behavioral health challenges successfully moving into stable permanent housing with accessible & affordable services & care for them - a much needed step towards honoring & supporting those who have served our country so bravely & selflessly.

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