On the eve of Veteran's Day, North Carolina makes strides towards improving the lives of its veterans through extended service hours and a new digital hub initiative. The state's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Military and Veterans Affairs announced the launch of two notable programs—AskMeNC and extended hours for NCServes. Governor Josh Stein acknowledged the difficulty veterans face in seeking help and expressed his support for these initiatives designed to connect veterans with healthcare, housing, employment, and peer support, as reported.
Both programs aim to streamline the support process for North Carolina veterans, who number over 600,000, as NCDHHS Secretary Dev Sangvai noted, "Veterans deserve care and wellness that are coordinated and streamlined – anything else would be unfair," as mentioned on the North Carolina Office of the Governor website. The state, backed by community partners and its agencies, is focusing on removing obstacles to care and simplifying access to essential services. NCServes, specifically, has been a keystone in connecting veteran households with over 150,000 services since its inception in 2014, and the anticipated expansion expects to serve an additional 2,000 veterans in the first year.
As detailed on the Office of the Governor website, NCServes operates through Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry's Veterans Services of the Carolinas and collaborates with Vaya Health. The extended service hours, which include evenings and weekends, aim to cater better to the varying schedules of veterans and their families. Working together with more than 5,000 community organizations, these groups collectively advocate for a meshed support system that can provide immediate care when it's most needed.
The launch of AskMeNC represents a step forward in digital resource allocation, serving as a platform for services like healthcare, housing, benefits navigation, and education. It leverages the coordination system of NCServes, acting as a linchpin to state and community resources for service members, veterans, and their families. The importance of these initiatives is underscored by various reports showing the challenges faced by veterans such as those highlighted in the 2023 VA Community Care Network Review and HUD’s Annual Homeless Assessment Report, in which disconnected systems have often led to veterans experiencing hardships. The National Center on Homelessness Among Veterans (2024) found that veterans engaged in coordinated systems are significantly more likely to achieve stable housing and sustained employment.
Concurrent with these efforts, NCDHHS has introduced the Connections app, a partnership with CHESS Health to support veteran mental health through peers and coping tools. The state is also fostering the North Carolina Institute of Medicine's Task Force on Veterans’ Health, focusing on various aspects to enhance the support and care given to veterans. NCDHHS also highlights the availability of the 988 Lifeline Chat and Text for immediate mental health crisis support, providing a 24/7 resource that is confidential and accessible to all, with targeted support for veterans.
