MVA TODAY
The Monthly Newsletter for
LA County Department of Military & Veterans Affairs
Executive Changes
Like many County Departments, the Los Angeles County Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (MVA) has implemented many changes since reopening Bob Hope Patriotic Hall in the wake of the past two years of COVID restrictions.
The department has new leadership! Last February, General Ruth Wong retired after nine years as MVA Director, and Stephanie Stone, USN (ret) was selected as MVA’s Acting Director. Dimitri de Silva is the Acting Deputy Director.
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New Website Allows For Online Appointments
MVA has a new website that incorporates the ability to make appointments with the Waitwhile app. Veterans and their families can now go to mva.lacounty.gov and find VSO office locations, make appointments and check into appointments at over 24 field offices throughout Los Angeles County.
MVA's accredited Veteran Service Officers (VSO’s) are located at twenty-two field offices and five VPAN Rally Points throughout the County in all Supervisorial Districts to assist veterans and their families with benefits and compensation claims.
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Actively Working with Incarcerated Veterans
MVA VSO’s continue assisting incarcerated veterans at Twin Towers, Men’s Central Jail, Women’s County Jail and Pitchess Detention Center, and are making inroads at Avenal State Prison.
There, VSO Reymundo Borjon connected with Weldon, an Iraq combat veteran with 17 years of service in the Marine Corps. With an other-than-honorable discharge for carrying a concealed weapon on base, Weldon was not able to get benefits or compensation. However, Rey was able to set up a video conference with him to ask the necessary questions, changed Weldon’s discharge status, and (with psychologist’s diagnosis of PTSD), filed a claim by obtaining an electronic signature.
Joining the Nationwide Movement to Reduce Veteran Suicide
MVA looks forward to assisting national, statewide and local efforts to reduce the alarming rate of veteran suicide and raise awareness of this critical issue. If you or someone you know needs help, call the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255, and press 1.
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MVA acknowledges June as Pride month. As National Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen H. Hicks said, "Pride Month is a time to come together to honor the contributions of LGBTQ+ service members."
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