CIR News
Join the Los Angeles Veterans Collaborative!
31 Oct 2012 | posted by Center for Innovation and Research | in CIR News Archive
CIR administers the Los Angeles Veterans Collaborative – a group of community members focused on serving veterans and military families. The Collaborative meets monthly, and is open to all of those interested in serving military-impacted populations.
The Collaborative maintains five Working Groups, each focused on a different topic:
- Behavioral Health
- Career Advancement
- Families & Children
- Housing & Homelessness
- Legal & Re-Entry
Visit the Collaborative’s webpage for more information, including contact information for the Working Group Co-Chairs, past meeting agendas and minutes, and an RSVP link for the upcoming meeting. Join us at the next meeting!
LA Dodgers Donate Tickets to Servicemembers and Veterans
19 Sep 2012 | posted by Center for Innovation and Research | in CIR News Archive, Past Events
The Los Angeles Dodgers recently contacted CIR to donate tickets to servicemembers, veterans, and their families to attend the Dodgers vs. St. Louis Cardinals game on September 16! CIR sent out the call to its veteran community partners and military contacts in the LA-area and received a huge response. The Dodgers generously donated nearly 600 tickets to the game in order to show their appreciation for veterans, servicemembers, and their families in Los Angeles.
Thank you, LA Dodgers!
CIR Policy Brief: The Military Child within the Public School Education System
17 Oct 2011 | posted by Center for Innovation and Research | in CIR News Archive
THE MILITARY CHILD WITHIN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL EDUCATION SYSTEM
September 2011
Hazel R. Atuel, Ph.D.
Monica Christina Esqueda, M.Ed
Linda Jacobson
In this policy brief, the authors explore the particular needs of military children as well as the issues they face in the public school system. Finally, they propose some practical approaches to help alleviate the stress and challenges that these children encounter in the school environment.
To download this policy brief, click here.
OC Stand Down for Homeless Veterans
9 Sep 2011 | posted by Center for Innovation and Research | in CIR News Archive
1st Annual Orange County Stand Down for Homeless Veterans
Date: Saturday-Sunday, 17-18 September 2011
Location: Grounds of Santa Ana College in Santa Ana, CA
Sponsors: Veterans First; the Rancho Santiago Community College District; the American GI Forum Rudy Escalante Chapter; and a coalition of community-based, non-profit organizations and government agencies
Website: www.ocstanddown.org
Registration will be open to pre-registered and walk-up attendees from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 17 only. During the event, attendees will be able to access basic services such as medical care, mental health and substance abuse counseling, aid in receiving their veteran’s benefits from the federal and state Departments of Veterans Affairs and employment and housing assistance. Also, attendees will receive showers, new clothing, hot meals, as well as a chance to connect with their fellow veterans.
For more information on the Orange County Stand Down or for donation or volunteer opportunities, please visit the
event website or contact Veterans First at (714) 547-0615.
Servicemembers and Veterans March in LGBT Pride Parade
28 Jul 2011 | posted by Center for Innovation and Research | in CIR News Archive
Veterans march in LGBT Pride Parade, San Diego
On July 16, approximately 200 active duty servicemembers and veterans marched in the San Diego LGBT Pride Parade for the first time. Although the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy remains in effect, the services are currently prohibited from investigating or discharging servicemembers under the rule.
For more information and photos of the event, click here and here.
For more information on DADT, click here.
The repeal of DADT is expected this fall, and many are anticipating the policy changes regarding same-sex married military couples and families that will accompany the repeal. The Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN), a legal aid and advocacy organization which represents servicemembers and their families against discriminatory policies and regulations, has published a guide providing LGBT servicemembers with an overview of laws and policies relevant to their military status.
The Military Acceptance Project (MAP), founded by graduate students and faculty of the USC School of Social Work’s San Diego Academic Center to promote social justice, equality, and fair treatment for all military servicemembers, also provides information and support regarding military service for LGBT servicemembers.
Upcoming Event – LOCATION CHANGE: Homeless Female Veteran Stand Down in Long Beach, CA
7 Jul 2011 | posted by Center for Innovation and Research | in CIR News Archive
This month, U.S. Vets, the Women’s Bureau of the U.S. Department of Labor, and Women Veterans of America will co-sponsor a Homeless Female Veteran Stand Down in Long Beach, CA. The Stand Down will be held on July 15 at Rainbow Lagoon Park and will showcase various services and resources available to women veterans, including medical and mental healthcare services.
For more information about this event, please contact Kelly Jenkins-Pultz (jenkins-pultz.kelly@dol.gov).
Upcoming Event: Hiring Fair for Veterans in Los Angeles
15 Jun 2011 | posted by Center for Innovation and Research | in CIR News Archive
California is home to the highest population of unemployed veterans in the entire country, with more than 100,000 currently looking for jobs. On Sunday, July 10, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce will co-host a hiring fair for veterans at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, CA. The event, Hiring Our Heroes Los Angeles, is part of a broader initiative to help veterans find employment. Through March 2012, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce will host 100 hiring fairs with local chambers of commerce across the country to find jobs for the 1 million veterans currently unemployed in America.
To pre-register for the event, click here. If you are interested in being a national or regional sponsor of Hiring our Heroes, email hiringourheroes@uschamber.com for more information.