Overview
DVS is committed to honoring the service and sacrifice of all those who have served in the United States Armed Forces and New York State Militia--and we are likewise committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in our agency’s programs and outreach to ensure no veteran is left behind in New York State.
We are renewing and expanding our outreach and services to ensure we serve all veterans and family members, regardless of age, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, sex, marital status, disability, branch or era of service, or discharge status. By welcoming and including all of New York’s veterans, we work to ensure veterans and their family members can access all of the local, state, and federal benefits and services for which they are eligible.
Questions? Email [email protected]
Diversity
We are committed to honoring and serving our state’s veterans, who are broadly diverse in race and ethnicity, age, national origin, gender and gender expression, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, disability status, service era, branch of service, location of service, and experience while serving in uniform. Highlights of our diversity efforts include outreach and programs for:
- Women Veterans
- LGBTQ+ Veterans & Families
- Native American Veterans & Families
Equity
We are committed to confronting and responding to bias, harassment, and discrimination, and a policy of equal opportunity for all veterans and family members to access the benefits, services, and recognition they have earned. Highlights of our efforts to ensure equity of access for veterans and families to benefits, services, and opportunities include:
- Veterans Human Rights Conferences
- Language Access for Veterans & Families
- Support for Homeless Veterans
- Programs for Incarcerated & Justice-Involved Veterans
- Addressing Veteran Experience with Military Sexual Trauma, Sexual Violence and Intimate Partner Violence
- Addressing Veteran Experience with HIV / AIDS
Inclusion
We are committed to pursuing efforts to ensure veterans and family members of all backgrounds and experience are visible, appreciated, and honored by our fellow New Yorkers.
We describe these three areas as important factors for consideration, likening them to planning a Veterans Day parade:
- Diversity is when all veterans are invited to the parade.
- Equity means that every veteran gets to carry a banner that represents them.
- Inclusion is when all veterans are able to march.
Questions? Email [email protected]