Gov. Maura Healey signed an govt order Friday transforming a council tasked with advising the governor on veterans’ providers, a transfer she stated reveals the administration’s “dedication” to advocating for the rights of former service members.
The Governor’s Advisory Council on Veterans’ Services will meet 4 instances a 12 months and be tasked with producing a written report each two years, a change from the annual reporting requirement former Gov. Charlie Baker his model of the council.
Healey’s order comes after she created a brand new govt workplace centered on veteran’s providers earlier this 12 months and appointed former state Rep. Jon Santiago — a captain within the United States Army Reserve — to guide it.
“This council represents another step forward in our mission to prioritize the diverse experiences of our service members and will play a crucial role in our efforts to elevate veterans’ services statewide,” Healey stated in a press release.
Baker issued an analogous advisory council order in 2016, tasking a 12-member physique with advising him on points associated to veterans and the way greatest to assist the group, in line with the order. Members on his model of the council had been unpaid and served for 3 years.
Healey’s model follows an analogous path, although it lays out extra pointers for who will serve on the council.
The membership should characterize “not only geographically diverse parts of the commonwealth, but also including indigenous veterans and reflecting our inhabitants’ diversity of race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, immigration status, and economic status,” the order stated.
Santiago will function chair of the council and embrace the chair of the Women’s Advisory Council of Veteran Affairs.
“The council shall review and assess federal and state laws and regulations and existing programs and services relating to veterans to enhance the lives of veterans and their families in the commonwealth,” Healey’s govt order stated.
Santiago stated the Healey administration “stands firmly committed to supporting and engaging veterans of all backgrounds and zip codes.”
“The membership of this esteemed council will encompass the diverse range of experiences among thousands of service members across our state,” he stated in a press release.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”