2022 Executive Budget Expands Services for Veterans
Poughkeepsie, NY … Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro has announced his 2022 Executive Budget, which will be released on Wednesday, Oct. 27th, will continue his support for local veterans by expanding access and support for veterans to obtain stable employment, housing, education, counseling, and transportation. To raise awareness of the broad range of services the County’s Division of Veterans’ Services offers, as well as other resources available to veterans and their families, Dutchess County will join numerous state associations by participating in “Operation Green Light” by illuminating the County Office Building in the City of Poughkeepsie in green lights from Nov. 7-13th.
County Executive Molinaro said, “Dutchess County is committed to making a significant impact in our veterans’ lives, connecting them to resources that will help them succeed in our community, and enjoy the gratitude and support they so richly deserve. My 2022 Executive Budget continues to fund innovative and effective ways to assist our veterans – from finding housing and providing rides to medical appointments to offering the life-saving mental health services they need to deal with post-traumatic stress or other issues. Our veterans have given their all for their country, and Dutchess County will always stand up for its heroes.”
County Executive Molinaro’s proposed 2022 Executive Budget contains numerous services and programs that directly benefit veterans, including:
- An additional vehicle for the County’s VetZero ride program, which, in partnership with Hudson River Housing, provides free transportation to the Castle Point Veterans Administration Medical Center and medical appointments throughout the County. With reliable transportation to appointments, veterans are better able to receive the help they need to improve their health and wellbeing. In its first year of operation, the VetZero program provided over 1,000 free rides; the additional van will provide twice as many rides to veterans in need.
- $225,000 to partner with Mental Health America (MHA) to provide Housing, Employment, Reintegration and Outreach (HERO) programming, as well as employment training and transitional services for homeless veterans or those at-risk of being homeless. This funding will help strengthen their employability by offering certifications and skills training, as well as on-the-job training and apprenticeship opportunities.
- Continued partnership with MHA’s Vet2Vet program, which is funded by New York State funding secured by Senator Sue Serino and provides one-on-one peer mentor counseling; support groups that provide a safe place to listen, share and spend time with peers who understand the experiences and challenges veterans face; and social events that provide opportunities for veterans to interact and share. This program’s goal is to reduce veteran suicides by providing a support community, offering hope, and changing lives.
- Continued support for the Tom Zurhellen Grant Fund, which provides one-time funds to help veterans maintain or gain housing as well as access job training and employment, education, and transportation.
- Additionally, the 2022 Executive Budget proposal includes funds to build a memorial along the Veterans Memorial Highway (Saint Andrews Road, CR-40A) in Hyde Park to honor the bravery of local veterans.
Dutchess County will continue support of veterans with “Operation Green Light,” an initiative created by the New York State Association of Counties, New York State Council of Education Associations, the New York State County Veteran Service Officers’ Association and the 62 counties of New York State. The initiative asks New Yorkers to change one light in their house to green and calls on our government partners across the state to illuminate municipal buildings and assets green during the week of Veterans’ Day as a way to publicly recognize and thank our veterans for all of their service to our country.
County Executive Molinaro will present his 2022 Executive Budget Address on Wednesday, October 27th at 11 a.m. at the Dutchess Community College Aviation Center at Hudson Valley Regional Airport in Wappinger, in advance of the November 1st deadline required by the Dutchess County Administrative Code. This presentation can be viewed online at dutchessny.gov. Later that evening at 5:30 p.m., County Executive Molinaro and Budget Director Jessica White will host a countywide virtual tele-town hall forum. Residents will have the opportunity to participate in a live conversation about the 2022 County Budget, learn more about budget plans and share questions and feedback.