Multnomah County has changed the name of its Aging and Disabilities Services division to Aging, Disabilities and Veterans Services. The change was announced Thursday, Nov. 6 as the Board of County Commissioners proclaimed Tuesday, Nov. 11 in observance of Veterans Day.
“Multnomah County is providing unprecedented leadership in assuring veterans have access to benefits,’’ said Eric Ensley, supervisor of Veterans’ Services.
As the county with the most veterans in Oregon -- about 42,000 - Ensley and the board thanked members of the armed services and their families for their service to our country.
Under the leadership of Commissioner Diane McKeel, Multnomah County Chair Deborah Kafoury called out the increased investment in former service members:
- Multnomah County is a leading supporter of the SERVe Project, a grant to teach supervisors supportive behavior and military culture so they can better support employees who are returning veterans. The U.S. Department of Defense funded-program is a partnership with Portland State University and Oregon Health and Sciences University. Currently the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office has made the training mandatory to all supervisors, said Michelle Matthews, military project coordinator for SERVe. “I know when I returned, people didn’t know how to use the strengths I had,’’ she had. “I’d like to thank Commissioner McKeel and her staff and the HR folks here for their support.’’
- Multnomah County continues to provide flexible funds to support Operation 424, an innovative partnership with the city and housing agencies that has helped house more than 424 homeless veterans.
- The county hosts a Veterans Employee Resource Group to support 400 employees who are former service members.
Commissioner McKeel said Veterans Day is a time for Americans to honor every service member who has ever worn one of our Nation’s uniforms. But it is also personal, as her son, Jeff, is a long-serving Marine.
“Throughout our history, Americans have answered the call to duty and served our country with honor and dignity, including Oregonians currently deployed in conflicts overseas,’’ said Andrez Posada of the Veterans Employee Resource Group. “After completion of their service, Multnomah County is committed to providing the respect and care that our veterans have earned, including improved access to employment, benefits, housing, and healthcare. We urge Multnomah County residents and businesses to join us in this important charge.”