Ashley Cohen

PASADENA (May 2026) — Nestled in the lush greenery and vintage charm of the Tea Rose Garden in Pasadena, women veterans from across Los Angeles County found more than tea and pastries during the Women Veteran Tea Party on May 29. They found shared stories, new friendships, and the company of others who understood their experiences. 

For Lindree Roy, a former Army nurse and veteran of 18 years of military service, attending the tea party was a natural extension of her connection to the veteran community. Roy learned about the event after stopping by a veteran outreach booth at the Los Angeles County Fair, where she received information about the gathering. 

Roy said she makes a point of connecting with fellow veterans whenever she has the opportunity because of the camaraderie and understanding they provide. 

“Being here with so many females, it warms my heart,” Roy said. “They went through the same things — basic training, doing their jobs, caring for military personnel. That brings tears to my eyes and warms my heart.” 

Hosted through a collaborative effort of Veteran Peer Access Network (VPAN) SD1, Jobs. Vision. Success. Southern California (JVS SoCal), America’s Job Center of California (AJCC), and the Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program (HVRP), the event offered women veterans an opportunity to spend time with others who share the unique experiences of military service. 

Around the tea tables, conversations brought together women with a wide range of military and life experiences. Attendees included veterans from different eras of service, recently separated veterans, entrepreneurs, caregivers, and current National Guard members, creating opportunities to share perspectives, advice, and encouragement. 

The activities encouraged attendees to get to know one another while having fun. A round of bingo had women moving from table to table discovering shared experiences and sparking conversations. An activity booklet guided participants through creating goals and reflecting on future aspirations. A fashion show brought volunteers to the front of the room to showcase their outfits, while raffles and scratch-off prizes added excitement throughout the afternoon. 

One conversation that stood out to Liz Lopez, a U.S. Army veteran and Team Lead Career Coach with Jobs. Vision. Success. Southern California (JVS SoCal), involved a woman currently serving in the National Guard who sought guidance from veterans who had already navigated the transition to civilian life. 

“She asked us straight out, ‘How do you navigate the veteran world? How do you know about career choices? How do you know about opportunities when you’re out?'” Lopez said. 

The exchange reflected one of the opportunities the event created for women veterans from different generations and backgrounds to share experiences and advice. 

For Lopez, that sense of community was exactly what organizers hoped the event would provide. 

“This was an opportunity to have community, and an opportunity to have fun,” Lopez said. “I think we were successful in that. That’s what they deserve.” 

For Veronica Hernandez, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and Peer Support Specialist with VPAN SD1 – JVS SoCal, the atmosphere throughout the day reflected that goal. 

“Everyone was mingling, everyone was talking,” Hernandez said. “Everyone was exchanging numbers and networks. It was just fun to sit down, have a cup of tea, enjoy the pastries, and spend time together.” 

Hernandez said events like the tea party are especially important because many women veterans may not realize how many others share similar experiences. 

“When I first started that event with the rage room and I gathered all these females, I was surprised and shocked to see how many are out there and hiding,” Hernandez said. “The majority of us live in isolation, and just the fact that we unite and have each other’s back and tell each other, ‘Hey, have you heard about this event? Have you heard about this resource?’ That’s what it’s all about.” 

The event also highlighted the creativity and leadership of women veterans. Hernandez shared a coloring book she created specifically for women veterans, inspired by her desire to provide something uplifting and relatable. 

“I just wanted to show the female veterans that there is something for them,” Hernandez said. “A lot of us go through a lot of mental health issues, and just to have a distraction, something that they can relate to.” 

Roy said the gathering reinforced the value of opportunities that bring women veterans together. 

“As a female veteran, you’re not alone,” Roy said. “There’s others out there. It’s a blessing when you come here for something like this because you know you’re not.” 

As the event concluded, attendees exchanged contact information, shared resources, and continued conversations that began around the tea tables. Every participant left with a prize, but many also left with new connections, fresh perspectives, and a broader network of women veterans representing different generations and experiences of military service. 

Story by Ashley Cohen, Public Information Associate, Los Angeles County Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and photo by Layla Romero, Public Information Staff Assistant, Los Angeles County Department of Military and Veterans Affairs

LOS ANGELES (May 2026) — The 2026 Veterans Treatment Court Symposium brought together expertise from across Southern California to strengthen veteran treatment courts and improve outcomes for veterans involved in the justice system. 

The symposium agenda included sessions on serving veterans in custody, Veterans Crisis Response, new and emerging legal updates, trauma responses in justice-involved veterans, clinical considerations and life circumstances for service members and their families, reentry support in Los Angeles County and lived experience perspectives. Additional programming included discipline-specific breakout sessions, a mentor bootcamp track and a networking reception designed to strengthen collaboration among attendees. 

Supporting justice-involved veterans often requires an understanding of veteran culture and coordinated engagement among courts, law enforcement, behavioral health providers, and community organizations. 

“Veterans don’t want to be treated like they’re broken,” stated Dave Weiner, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Secure Measures during the Veterans Crisis Response panel discussion. 

Sessions focused on custody-based programming and reentry explored how structure, mentorship and continuity of care can support veterans transitioning back into the community. Speakers described partnerships that connect veterans with housing, employment opportunities, educational resources and behavioral health support. 

“They talk with each other about how to overcome barriers, as well as get connected with more community resources,” said Army National Guard veteran Janelle Brown-Peters, Assistant Director of Admissions Planning and Data at California Western School of Law. 

Throughout the symposium, presenters emphasized that no single organization could meet every need alone and that collaboration across agencies remains essential to long-term success. 

“We’ve been building these relationships over time, and we’ve been able to get out of our own egos and silos. This is for the best interest of the veteran and the community as a whole,” said Sgt. Patrick V. Blanchfield-Gadut, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Veteran Mental Evaluation Team (VMET), during the Veterans Crisis Response panel discussion on coordinated support systems. 

The symposium concluded with discussions centered on lived experience perspectives, family impact and the importance of support for veterans and their families navigating transition, recovery and reintegration. 

“Just ask. You—or someone in your family—may have military service and be eligible for resources you may not even know exist for yourself, your spouse, your children, and your family,” said Orange County Superior Court Family Court Judge Mary Kreber during the Lived Experience panel. 

Discussions throughout the symposium reinforced the importance of early intervention, coordinated partnerships and continued investment in programs that help veterans access stability, support and opportunities for long-term success. 

The symposium highlighted the value of understanding veteran culture and experiences when serving justice-involved veterans. Organizations looking to build their knowledge and strengthen veteran-informed practices can participate in free virtual and in-person training offered by Secure Measures. Upcoming training dates and registration information are available at www.secure-measures.com/pages/events-calendar. 

Story by Layla Romero, Public Information Staff Assistant, Los Angeles County Department of Military and Veterans Affairs

LOS ANGELES (April 2026) — What began as a routine Pathway Home Operation in Compton on April 2 became a turning point for 73-year-old Army veteran Ronald Branscomb, guided by a network of partners and his own commitment to stay on track. 

“I was sleeping in the back seat of a friend’s car. You’re not getting steady sleep. It takes a lot out of you,” Branscomb said about his situation leading up to the encounter. 

After losing his identification and his phone, Branscomb lost contact with his caseworker and access to services, pulling him back into homelessness, but things began to turn around when he encountered deputies from the Veteran Homeless Outreach Services Team (VHOST). 

“When he saw us, he recognized the uniform and knew we were there to help,” said Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. John D. Strosnider, a Marine Corps veteran assigned to VHOST. 

Immediately after that interaction, partners including the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), the Los Angeles County Department of Homeless Services and Housing (HSH), People Assisting the Homeless (PATH), the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Homeless Outreach program, and Homeless Outreach Program Integrated Care System (HOPICS) coordinated efforts to stabilize Branscomb’s situation and link him to support, including securing temporary lodging through a hotel voucher. 

“You never know what someone is going through on their own,” said Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Julian Ayon Jr., an Army veteran with VHOST who first approached Branscomb. “When you get them to the right people, it becomes a whole different situation for them.” 

With a place to rest and regroup, Branscomb was then referred to the Veteran Peer Access Network (VPAN) in Supervisorial District 4 (VPAN SD4), Veterans Stand Together, where he met Veteran Peer Specialist Luis Lopez, who helped him get a phone and move forward with replacing his identification. 

“It’s incredibly rewarding to be able to help my comrades. Ronald is an Army veteran—a brother in arms—even though we served in different eras,” said Lopez. “There’s a bond of camaraderie we share, rooted in the belief that you never leave a fallen brother behind. That bond is why we do this work: so a veteran knows they’re not fighting alone and that someone has their back.”

Though they served in different eras, Branscomb and Lopez share a common bond as Army veterans, a connection that helped build trust and understanding in those early moments. 

“It feels good. This is a chance for me to rest and get my thoughts back in line,” Branscomb said after settling into his room. “I wasn’t good at doing it by myself. I see good help now, so I’ve got to stay focused and be available.” 

From there, Lopez stayed alongside Branscomb, helping coordinate with the Los Angeles County Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (MVA) Homeless Services Division (HSD) to move him toward more stable housing. On April 15, he moved into St. Andrews, a supportive housing site in Downtown Los Angeles, a significant milestone in his path toward stability. 

For Branscomb, this moment marked a change. After years of instability, he spoke about approaching what comes next with a renewed sense of focus. 

“Working with people who really care gives me hope,” Branscomb said. “It makes me want to stay committed and keep moving forward.” 

Story by Ashley Cohen, Public Information Associate, Los Angeles County Department of Military and Veterans Affairs

LOS ANGELES (April 2026) — On the morning of Saturday, April 25, the Warrior Heritage Foundation (WHF) hosted a food distribution at Bob Hope Patriotic Hall, where veterans, students, and community partners packed and distributed food boxes for more than 100 foster families connected to the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). 

The effort was supported by a $25,000 donation of shelf-stable food from Amazon and carried out with volunteers from the Los Angeles County Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (MVA) and student groups from the University of Southern California (USC), reflecting a shared commitment to service that extended beyond the veteran community. 

“A sense of service is what leads many to join the military,” said Patricia Garza, Operations Director with WHF and lead coordinator for the event. “It’s about continuing to give back after service and finding ways to support other communities in need in a way that brings people together.” 

Throughout the morning, volunteers packed hundreds of boxes full of food, loaded them into cars, and handed out coffee and donuts to families as they arrived, offering small comforts alongside essential support.  For some, the day was more than service. It was personal. 

Jose Jimenez, a Marine Corps veteran and USC student, has legal guardianship of his younger siblings after receiving support through DCFS, giving him a direct connection to the families arriving that morning. 

“Seeing these families, that was me at one point in time,” he said. “Being able to serve them and help them out and give them a smile, it’s a real full-circle moment for me, it’s a real blessing.” 

He said something as simple as a food box can make a meaningful difference for families navigating multiple challenges. 

“It gives us something, one less thing to worry about,” he said. “Because there’s already so many things that are going on in our lives.” 

Across the room, volunteers worked side by side, moving boxes and greeting families as they arrived. 

“I love service,” said Simone Bent, Veterans Claims Assistant III, MVA. “Service is one of the biggest ways to instill change.” She said what stood out most was the mix of people showing up. “We have individuals who are in school, younger generation. We have older individuals. It’s a collective effort, and it gives me hope.” 

She also emphasized the importance of how veterans are understood through that work. 

“We’re not a vulnerable population,” Bent said. “We’re strong… we just need a hand up. We need empathy, not sympathy.” 

For student volunteers like Tehya Romero, a USC sophomore and Naval ROTC midshipman, the day reinforced her connection to service. 

“Everyone says you want to be part of something greater than yourself,” Romero said. “And I think it’s totally true.” She added, “I’m so glad I got to come out and just help out, be part of something greater than myself.” 

By the end of the morning, hundreds of boxes had been distributed, but for many, the impact was found in the connections made along the way. 

“Being able to do something like this… I’m serving people in my community, and it makes my day a lot better,” Jimenez said. 

Story by Ashley Cohen, Public Information Associate, Los Angeles County Department of Military and Veterans Affairs

LOS ANGELES (April 2026) — For James DeBacco, a second chance was not a single moment. It was a decision, made day after day, to rebuild a life with purpose. 

After serving 30 years in prison, DeBacco, a Marine Corps veteran, reentered the community in 2019 facing a reality familiar to many justice-involved individuals: limited opportunities and an uncertain path forward. 

“I didn’t know what to do with my life,” he said. “Because who’s going to hire somebody like me? I didn’t have any skill sets.” 

Today, DeBacco serves as a Veterans Treatment Court liaison with the Los Angeles County Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (MVA) Justice-Involved Veterans (JIV) Division. He is also completing his doctorate, continuing a path shaped by growth, accountability, and service. 

His path to that work began long before his release. DeBacco grew up in foster care and later served in the military before his incarceration. After his release, he faced the challenge of rebuilding stability and navigating unfamiliar systems. 

“You go through life and you don’t know anything,” DeBacco said. “And it takes people that trust you and want to believe in you to actually allow yourself to start believing in yourself.” 

For DeBacco, that turning point came through education, connection and the people who saw him beyond his past. He earned an associate’s degree in human services with a focus on addiction studies, followed by a Bachelor of Science degree and a Veteran Services certificate from California State University, Los Angeles. He later completed his Master of Social Work at USC. 

“I live by a simple philosophy, that I’m trying to elevate myself to the highest level that I can so that I can reach back and lift others up to join me,” he said. 

DeBacco also confronted difficult experiences from his military service, including surviving military sexual trauma, something he said was critical to his ability to move forward. 

“That’s not easy to even talk about,” DeBacco said. “But it was being able to talk about that… that enabled me to move forward.” 

That personal experience now informs his work with justice-involved veterans. In his role with the JIV Division, DeBacco helps veterans navigating the court system connect to housing, behavioral health care, benefits and other support that can help stabilize their lives. 

“Where I’m at today in my life is light years from where I’ve come from,” he said. “But it’s because of those experiences that I’ve gone through as how I’m able to reach across the aisle and talk to judges, talk to DAs, and openly have communication and conversations with people that I used to hold contempt.” 

In Veterans Treatment Court, DeBacco works with justice system partners to connect veterans to treatment, services and support aimed at long-term stability. 

“To be a part of the Justice-Involved Veterans Division has got to be the greatest honor that I could ever acknowledge in my life because it really shows that what we’re trying to do is to change lives,” he said. 

That mission is rooted in understanding the trauma many veterans carry, whether from combat, military sexual trauma, personal hardship or the difficult transition from military to civilian life. 

“Trauma is real,” DeBacco said. “But the bottom line is that many veterans don’t really understand when they’re experiencing trauma.” 

For DeBacco, veteran-specific support matters because military service leaves an imprint that is not always visible to others. 

“Veterans go through experiences that nonveterans will never understand,” he said. “From the moment you sign your name on that dotted line, from the moment you step off that bus and for Marines who land on those yellow footprints, your world now becomes transformed.” 

That understanding shapes how the JIV Division approaches its work. DeBacco said the goal is not to excuse harm or erase accountability, but to recognize the humanity of veterans who are struggling and help them access treatment, services and a path forward. 

“Just because you’ve made some poor decisions and bad choices in your past doesn’t mean you’re thrown away,” he said. 

In Veterans Treatment Court, DeBacco sees that transformation take shape over time. 

“It’s exciting to see somebody go through a 12- to 18-month process, get their life back on track and be rebirthed back into society,” he said. 

Second Chance Month, observed each April, recognizes the importance of creating real opportunities for people impacted by the justice system to rebuild their lives. For DeBacco, that meaning is deeply personal. 

“I think having a second chance is priceless,” he said. “Having people believe in you for who you are, not for what you’ve done in the past and risen above, but who you are in the moment and what you represent as a human being in the present.” 

Today, DeBacco is helping others find the support, patience and belief that helped change his own life. Through the JIV Division, that work continues across Los Angeles County, connecting justice-involved veterans to services, dignity and the possibility of a different future. 

Story by Ashley Cohen, Public Information Associate, Los Angeles County Department of Military and Veterans Affairs

LOS ANGELES (April 2026) — Los Angeles County is accepting applications for Chief Deputy of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (MVA), a key leadership role shaping how veterans access services across Los Angeles County.

This position helps lead the work that connects veterans and their families to housing, employment, mental health care, and earned benefits, in coordination with County departments, community partners, and policymakers to improve access and outcomes.

From initiatives like the Veteran Peer Access Network (VPAN) to homeless services and suicide prevention efforts, this role supports programs that meet veterans where they are and help move them forward.

What this role does:

• Leads operations and strategic direction for veteran services across LA County
• Oversees a team of approximately 70 staff
• Works across County leadership and partners at all levels
• Strengthens programs that expand access to benefits, housing, and career pathways

Who should apply:

• Experienced leaders with at least five years managing complex programs or operations
• Background in areas such as personnel, budgeting, contracts, or administration
• Experience working with diverse stakeholders, including government, nonprofits, and community partners
• Strong ability to develop programs, manage resources, and drive results
• A bachelor’s degree is required; advanced degrees and veteran experience are valued

Salary Range: $152,556 – $237,255

View full details and apply: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/lacounty/jobs/4971205/chief–deputy-military-veterans-affairs-uc

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