Press Release

Department of Youth and Veterans' Services Recognized

County Legislature Issues Department Proclamation for Efforts to Assist Children and Veterans in Community

FONDA - The Montgomery County Legislature issued a proclamation to the Department of Youth and Veterans' Services Tuesday. Each month the Legislature has been selecting departments to recognize within the county in hopes of giving the public a better understanding of what their job entails.

The department has eight employees, including two full-time employees, two part-time clerical workers and four part-time van drivers. Department of Youth and Veterans' Services Executive Director Brenda Rava and Veterans Service Officer/ Veterans Director Randy Weaver are full-time staff. Dawn Hanson is a senior clerk/ typist for the department and Shannon Rockwell is a clerk/ typist. Some duties of the clerical staff are fielding calls, making appointments and coordinating transportation schedules. Joe Inglese, Kim Cotton, Tom Carter and Rick Smith are motor vehicle operators for the shuttle service.

Rava said the Youth Bureau promotes positive youth development through county-wide integrated planning, funding, monitoring, coordinating and developing youth and family services programs for youth aged 0-21.

Rava works with the New York State Office of Children and Family Services to secure funding for the county. She advertises the available funding and takes applications. Youth development programs such as the St. Johnsville Youth Center or Canajoharie Community Youth Center may apply for the funding, as well as other youth recreation programs, youth serving agencies or programs. Rava said the Montgomery County Youth Advisory Board, which consists of approximately 16 community members, oversees allocating the funds from the state's Office of Children and Family Services.

Rava said the county also budgets outreach funding for the Youth Department. She advertises for mini grants that are available for programs such as little league, youth football or youth related events at the Walter Elwood Museum.

Another aspect of her job is monitoring different youth programs throughout the year and preparing state-aid claims for funding reimbursements.

Rava said one of the biggest undertakings of her department is annually planning Youth Day. Youth Day started as a celebratory event for the Youth Bureau's 30th anniversary. Due to its popularity, it became an annual event where children come to the grounds surrounding the County Annex Building to participate in a number of activities.

"It's a fun, safe, educational day for our youth," Rava said. "We want them to benefit from all the different services available to them."

The Youth Department has also assisted in bringing Summer Meals Programs to western portions of Montgomery County. Summer Meals Programs ensure children continue to receive nutritious meals when school is not in session. The Youth Department also raises awareness about human trafficking and the sexual exploitation of youth through billboards, awareness conferences and different presentations. The department has also created Go Bags, filled with personal care items and information for at-risk youth in the community.

"It's important to try and work collaboratively with everyone in our community to best serve the needs of our youth and families," Rava said.

Montgomery County's Veterans' Service Agency assists veterans in obtaining entitlement or benefit services from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and the New York State Department of Veteran Affairs. Rava is responsible for the administrative oversight of the department to include budget, payroll and personnel matters in the Veterans' Services Department.

Weaver assists veterans and their families in receiving medical, disability, pension and educational benefits. Services of the department also include assisting veterans with burial benefits, applying for real property tax exemptions, receiving military medals or providing transportation services to the Albany Stratton VA Medical Center. Weaver said not many counties provide a free shuttle service. The motor vehicle operators who run the service pick up veterans from all over Montgomery County so they can get the health related services they need at the VA Medical Center.

"They pick them up at their house in the morning and bring them back at the end of the day," Weaver said. "The drivers have a good relationship with all of the veterans they transport."

Weaver said he sees veterans each day. Sometimes he assists a spouse or family member of a veteran. When they come to the office, Weaver conducts an initial interview to determine their background and discharge information. The interview helps him determine which type of compensation they are eligible for. If the veteran does not have transportation to the office, Weaver will travel to their home to meet them. He may also assist them in setting up health care or aid in the financial responsibility of moving into a nursing home.

"Most of them are really grateful," Weaver said. "It helps them out immensely financially," he continued. "In some cases it really changes their lives because they are getting taken care of and getting the help that they need."

Weaver said his goal is to access more veterans and increase the amount of benefits they receive. He said there are approximately 3500 veterans living in Montgomery County.

"I want to continue doing this by issuing flyers, going to the local veterans' organizations and getting the word out about our services," he said.

Weaver is also hopeful to get the veteran suicide rates down by providing programs and services throughout the county.

Rava said there is a lot of support between the staff in the Youth and Veterans' Services Department.

"We work together, there is collaboration and support between the employees," she said.