FLAG After-Action Report/Minutes 1.9.23

After Action Report 1.9.23

San Diego Veterans Coalition – Family Life Action Group (FLAG)

Co-Champions: Ron Stark, Marianne Delatorre, Lauren Ramos

Member Organizations

• Ron Stark, SDVC President and Mental Health Systems
• Lisa Marcolongo, The Elizabeth Hospice
• Tracy Owens, Support the Enlisted Project (STEP)
• Wilford Smith, MHS Courage to Call
• Jenna Pryor, PsychArmor
• Guadalupe Garcia, Southern Caregiver Resource Center
• AmyVets’ Community Connections
• Maggie Meza, Blue Star Families
• Akia Isom, Military One Source
• TBD, Hiring Our Heroes
• Mike Maus, VA Caregiver Support Program
• Andy Cramer, ExtendaTouch
• Danny Shaffield, Us4Warriors
• Dylan Fisher, North San Diego Business Chamber
• Brett Hall, CHIP
• Marianne Delatorre, Elizabeth Dole Foundation
• Fisher House
• Matt Feldhaus, Headstrong
• Big Brothers Big Sisters San Diego
• Farima Tabrizi, HomeSmart Realty
• John Campbell, Smorgborg

Key Discussion Points

Jamboard Workspace: https://jamboard.google.com/d/18aESY5Ns-NmMbkTwxU7JJADzQip2gOMFHMfI9Epmd0s/edit?usp=sharing

• Reassess SDVC FLAG Goals for the upcoming year
  • Broaden advocacy and action to create annual letter reporting critical issues and trends affecting veteran families
  • Write letters to policy and decisionmakers to build awareness, partnerships, and solutions around critical issues affecting veteran families
  • Increase participation in caregiver programming and self-identification amongst caregivers. Integrate caregiver planning implementation
    • Quarterly caregiver organization updates
  • Bridge connection to Deployment Readiness Officers to support veteran family transition
  • Childcare remains a persistent issue for veteran families especially for spouses looking to return to the workforce
• Tara and John Campbell describe their ongoing work to build a directory for FLAG organizations to strengthen referral partnerships and collaboration

Next Steps:

• FLAG Survey – Respective goals and commitments
• Review and finalize toolkit
  • Referral workflow
  • Checklist and Impact Report

Events:

• FLAG Bennington Oak Tree Memorial
• SDVC Announcements:
  • https://sdvetscoalition.org/announcements/
  • https://sdvetscoalition.org/events-calendar/

Upcoming FLAG Meetings