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MVA Monthly Thread Newsletter - May 2026

County of Los Angeles, California sent this bulletin at 05/31/2026 03:00 PM PDT

The official monthly newsletter of the Los Angeles County Department of Military and Veterans Affairs

MAY
ISSUE 5 | VOL 2

TOP NEWS

Building a Team of Teams Response

Veteran Crisis Negotiation Team training on May 28 united multiple organizations dedicated to improving coordination, building relationships, and strengthening responses for veterans in crisis.

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Steeped in Sisterhood and Shared Experience

The Women Veteran Tea Party on May 29 brought women veterans to the Tea Rose Garden in Pasadena for tea, conversation, and activities that fostered friendship, encouragement, and cross-generational connections.

The 2026 Veterans Treatment Court Symposium on May 6–8 brought justice, behavioral health, and veteran-serving partners to Bob Hope Patriotic Hall to improve outcomes and strengthen support for justice-involved veterans.

Featured Events

Women veterans, leaders, advocates, and community partners from across the country will gather in Los Angeles for the 3rd Annual Women Veterans Summit: Expanding Horizons, the event's first year as a national summit. Held on June 12, 2026, at Bob Hope Patriotic Hall, the summit will feature speakers, workshops, networking opportunities, and resource connections designed to support women veterans at every stage of their journey. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn from leaders, connect with peers, and explore new opportunities for growth and success.

The experience begins with the CalVet Women Veterans Reception & Trailblazer Awards on June 11, 2026, also at Bob Hope Patriotic Hall. Together, these events offer two days of connection, recognition, and opportunity while celebrating the leadership, service, and impact of women veterans.

All Events this Month

Multiple Dates- Understanding the Veteran Experience Training - Virtual and In-Person Options

Mondays - Sepulveda Bunker Social @Sepulveda VA
Mondays - West LA Bunker Social @West LA VA
June 6 - Santa Clarita Valley Veterans Comedy Show - Laughter that Empowers @Santa Clarita

June 11 - Staff Training - Office Closure @All Offices

June 11 - CalVet Women Veterans Reception & Trailblazer Awards @BHPH

June 12 - 3rd Annual Women Veterans Summit - Expanding Horizons

June 17 - June Veterans Advisory Commission Meeting @BHPH

June 19 - Holiday Office Closure

Events listed reflect those MVA | VPAN will be hosting or participating in.

SEE ALL EVENTS

SERVICE SPOTLIGHT

Individual Spotlight

Ricky Valenzuela
Veterans Service Representative II of the LA County Department of Military and Veterans Affairs

"Ricky Valenzuela has been a God Send!"

— Kevin Petersen
Veteran who received assistance with a VA disability claim at Antelope Valley Veterans Center in May 2026

3rd Quarter FY26;
Quarterly Award Winners

Quarterly Award winners earn added recognition, receive special prizes, and advance to the annual LA County Veteran Service Awards.

VPAN Supervisorial District:
VPAN SD5 - JVS

Program Manager:
Sandra Lopez (VPAN SD2 - SHARE!)

Veterans Service Officer:
Ana Poblete

MVA Support Service Staff:
Jorge Reynoso

Battle Buddy:
Levy Lopez (VPAN SD1 - JVS)

Support Line Agent:
Christopher Waters (DMH VMFS)

DMH VMFS Support Service Staff:
***TIE*** Valerie Molina, Christopher Waters, & Briona Castillo

Community Partner:
Sally Bishai (JVS SSVF)

Creative Solution:
Joel Castellanos (MVA)

Volunteer:
Ray Collins (Disabled American Veterans)

April Monthly Award Winners

LA County Veteran Service Award winners gain recognition, advance to the quarterly competition, and boost their professional profiles.

Veterans Service Officer:
Karla Montalva (MVA)

MVA Support Service Staff:
Nareh Alexani

Battle Buddy:
Steven Barrios (VPAN SD1 - JVS)

DMH VMFS Support Service Staff:
Mitch Bikovsky

Community Partner:
Jennifer Turner (JVS SSVF)

Creative Solution:
Brianna Banuelos (MVA) & Sarah Vongsack (DMH-VMFS)

Honorable Mentions

This category recognizes nominees who have already won the same category during the current fiscal year and are therefore ineligible to win again.

VPAN Supervisorial District:
VPAN SD1 - JVS

MVA Program Manager:
Leo Chirinos (VPAN SD1 - JVS)

Battle Buddy:
Eric Friend (VPAN SD5 - JVS)

Special Note: Three groups were nominated in individual categories this cycle (BHPH 2nd floor, MVA Homeless Services Division & MVA Intake Team).

While it’s not feasible for groups to participate in individual categories, the team will seriously consider adding some additional quarterly (not monthly) group categories in the new fiscal year which starts July 1st, 2026.

Spotlight on Services

The Los Angeles County Veterans' Internship Program helps veterans gain paid work experience, develop new skills, and compete for permanent County positions through 12- to 24-month internships across a variety of career fields.Click to edit this placeholder text.

LEARN MORE ABOUT VIP

Veterans can access free wellness resources that promote well-being, reduce barriers, strengthen resilience, and create stronger connections to services and opportunities that support long-term health, personal growth, and overall quality of life.

CONNECT WITH FREE TOOLS

PHOTO HIGHLIGHTS

VIEW ALL ALBUMS

Women Veteran Tea Party brought women veterans to the Tea Rose Garden in Pasadena May 29, for tea, conversation, and camaraderie. Attendees built friendships and shared experiences in an elegant setting.

VIEW ALL PHOTOS

Veteran Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) Training on May 28 brought together partners at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center to strengthen collaboration, share best practices, and enhance support for veterans in crisis.

VIEW ALL PHOTOS

Participants walked from the Santa Monica Pier to Los Angeles National Cemetery on May 25 during A Walk to Remember, honoring fallen service members through remembrance, reflection, and community.

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Celebrating service and community, Supervisor Kathryn Barger's 28th Annual Tribute to Veterans and Military Families honored veterans, service members, and military families across Los Angeles County on May 23.

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Connecting with veterans, military families, and residents, MVA participated in County Expo Day at the LA County Fair on May 2, sharing resources, services, and opportunities available across Los Angeles County.

VIEW ALL PHOTOS

The 2026 Veterans Treatment Court Symposium on May 6–8 brought justice, behavioral health, and veteran-serving partners to Bob Hope Patriotic Hall to improve outcomes for justice-involved veterans through collaboration.

VIEW ALL PHOTOS