Initiatives

The NYC Department of Veterans' Services (DVS) has several initiatives to support the CIty's veteran community. See below to learn more about DVS programs and initiatives:

• Big Apple Transition Assistance Program (TAP): A transition assistance program for transitioning servicemembers and their families that provides information about the many programs and services unique to New York City.


• Ending Chronic Veteran Homelessness: The DVS Housing and Support Services team has housed over 1,000 homeless veterans and stood up an aftercare unit to help ensure that the veterans whom DVS houses remain housed, avoiding a return to housing insecurity.


• The ETS Sponsorship Program supports service members through the transition process from military to civilian life through mentorship and peer support.


• The Final Honors Program: The Final Honors Program program ensures that eligible unclaimed and homeless veterans are given dignified burials at a national cemetery.


• The Military Family Advocate (MFA) Program is a collaborative initiative between NYC Public Schools and the Department of Veterans' Services, designed to enhance engagement with Veterans and military families.


• Mission: VetCheck: an initiative that allows volunteers to make supportive check-in calls to New York City veterans. Volunteers provide their peers with vital information on essential public services, COVID-19 resources and testing locations, and online mental health support.


• VA Claims Unit: In 2020, accredited DVS staff members began helping NYC veterans and their families process Veterans Affairs (VA) claims.


• VA Work-Study at DVS: DVS supports VA Work-Study positions.


• The Veteran Business Leadership Association (VBLA) supports Veterans who are seeking support and assistance with running a business and in their pursuit of New York City Government contracting opportunities.


• VetBizNYC: In 2021, DVS launched VetBizNYC, an interactive map that identifies Veteran-owned businesses across NYC.
  


• Veteran Voices Project: The Veterans Voices Project is an oral history project designed to preserve the story of NYC's veteran community.


• Veterans on Campus: Veterans on Campus is an initiative to assist academic institutions to support their student veteran body.