Rep. Negrete McLeod Holds Field Hearing In Fontana
Fontana, CA - Today, Rep. Gloria Negrete McLeod (D-Chino) held a field hearing on veterans’ issues in the City of Fontana. Veterans and their families filled the City’s council meeting room to capacity as panelists from local, state, and federal governments, as well as representatives from non-profit organizations, testified before Rep. Negrete McLeod.
“We need to find out how to provide a more coordinated approach in supporting Veterans in the Inland Empire,” said Negrete McLeod. “With different government agencies providing different services to Veterans, individual cases can fall through the cracks. This field hearing was an opportunity to find out what is being done at the state and federal levels to ensure accessibility to services for every veteran.”
Panelists included representatives from the Veterans Benefits Administration, CALVET, & San Bernardino County Veterans Affairs Department who spoke about the various issues facing veterans in the Inland Empire which include: homelessness, mental health, job training, among other issues discussed in the field hearing. Veterans and community members spoke at the conclusion of the hearing.
“I appreciate all veterans who shared their stories and input on how the community and both the state and federal government can better serve this population,” explained Negrete McLeod. “As servicemen and women return to their communities, the biggest challenge facing veterans is the ability to support themselves and their families. Today’s hearing was a step in the right direction for creating proactive and substantive steps in better serving the veteran population.”
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More information on the panelists along with their written testimonies from the field hearing.
