HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 01231990 - 1.54 -054
To BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
FROM: GARY VILLALBA Coontra
VETERANS SERVICE OFFICER C
DATE'. JANUARY 23, 1990 co qy
SUBJECT: DEPARTMENT NAME CHANGE OF THE VETERANS' RESOURCES �vu"`�
CENTERS IN RICHMOND AND CONCORD
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AM JUSTIFICATION
RECOMMENDATION:
Change the department name of the Veterans ' Resources Center
(Richmond and Concord) to the statutory name "County Veterans .
Service Office" (CVSO) per Section 970 of the Military and
Veterans Code of California.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: $1, 200 (estimated) .
Basic costs will consist of stationery, rubber stamps, door
signs, business cards, office brochure, postage for mass mailing.
Unbudgeted department revenue will offset this cost.
BACKGROUND/JUSTIFICATION:
On July 1, 1981, our department name was changed to "Veterans'
Resources Center" upon recommendation to the Finance Committee by
two Vietnam veterans . These veterans held the belief that our
statutory name implied that we were actually part of the ..
Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) , formerly the Veterans
Administration. They viewed us with the same mistrust as they
did most federal agencies .
The 1981 name change did not alter the fact that the CVSO
provided quality and comprehensive services and advocacy to all
veterans, their dependents and survivors . In fact, the name
change created more confusion and misunderstanding than it was
intended to eliminate.
The current recommendation is based upon the following: ,
1 . The perception of mistrust that some Vietnam veterans hold
toward government agencies is not supported by fact or
evidence regarding the services that we provide, no matter
what our services are called.
We are aware of the special needs of Vietnam veterans and we
respect and accommodate those as we do the unique needs of
other veteran classifications . We also serve the interests
of various dependent/survivor groups . (See Page 2)
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: X YES SIGNATURE; 0.14T- M
RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
APPROVE OTHER
SIGNATURE(S):
ACTION OF BOARD ON APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED x OTHER
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
1 HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
k UNANIMOUS (ABSENT AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
AYES: NOES: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD
ABSENT; ABSTAIN: OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN.
CC: County Administrator ATTESTED _
JAN 2 3 199_0
All County Departments PHIL BATCHELOR, CLERK OF THE BOARD OF
Veterans Service Officer SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
M382/7-83 BY "' ��� ,DEPUTY
2 .
2 . Confusion exists among clients and federal, state and local
agencies as to who we are. Referrals to our offices are done
so in the name of CVSO by the VA and other national organiza-
tions . CVSO is a nationally-recognized name. Many people
have indicated their frustration in attempting to contact our
office after a referral is made. Some . referrals are delayed
and lost due to this problem.
3 . The name "Veterans Resources Center" creates the impression
for many that we offer instant cash assistance for food,
housing, transportation, etc .
4 . We are often mistaken for the Vet Center and Veterans
Assistance Center, both located in Concord, which offer
specialized psychological counseling and employment
assistance, respectively.
5 . Our department receives annual state subvention and Medi-Cal
cost avoidance funding based upon the CVSO name. Most of our
correspondence is received in the CVSO name.
6 . I endorse the County Counsel opinion of September 30, 1980
which advised that " . . .county offices, officers and other
officials should be called by their statutory names where
such names are specified in statute. . . "
In short, I believe it will be in the best interest of the
veteran community, the general public and our program
efficiency that we conform to our national and state
recognized name, "County Veteran Service Office. "
Thank you for your consideration.