EDMOND — The Free Press of Mankato, Minn., on veterans and homelessness
Everywhere there is a homeless population, it is likely some of the homeless are veterans.
The problem is getting well-deserved attention recently from the Department of Veterans Affairs. About 131,000 of the nation’s 24 million veterans may be homeless on any given night, and about twice as many are homeless each year, according to VA estimates. Some say that number could climb another 10 percent to 15 percent in the economic downturn.
The VA is pledging $3.2 billion toward its five-year goal of curbing the number of homeless vets. Part of the motivation is attributed to the fact that those who served in Iraq and Afghanistan become homeless much more quickly than other vets have.
As with most initiatives to fight a problem, focusing on prevention makes much sense. The new VA commitment adds $400 million to its efforts to prevent homelessness. The Washington Post reports that 85 percent of the funds will go toward health care costs, an acknowledgment that homelessness is often secondary to health problems, especially mental health issues and substance abuse.
Another good thing about this push is that it doesn’t start from scratch. The department will expand partnerships with the Small Business Administration, the Department of Housing and Urban Development and other existing veterans programs at every level of government.
Vietnam Veterans of America applauded the government’s newly announced goal but cited a need to do more to diagnose and treat post-traumatic stress disorder; improve treatment for substance-abusing veterans, who comprise about a third of the homeless veterans population; eliminate a backlog in providing compensation to veterans too ill to work; and pay attention to the needs of female veterans.
After Veterans Day, we’re reminded of all the sacrifices men and women in the service have made. The government’s renewed attention toward some of their issues is a step in the right direction.
Opinion
11-20 Editorial: other view
- Opinion
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OUR VIEW: Feb. 14 vote about ideas
If you read any of the letters to the editor in the past two weeks regarding Tuesday’s District 2 Edmond school board race, then you already know that this election is not about the individual candidates so much as it’s about what type of school board do Edmond residents really want governing their school district?
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What are your presidential 10 Commandments?
As we brace for the upcoming presidential campaign, we should be honest about our responsibility in the process. Before we get pushed, pulled, bribed, frightened, bullied, flattered, fooled or charmed into voting for a candidate, let’s take a mature thoughtful look at what the profile of the president should look like. In order to do that, let’s do an exercise. Sit down with a pencil and paper and draft your proposal for the Ten Commandments to be obeyed by the president. Let me share some of my suggestions.
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What would Reagan do today in Oklahoma?
As we celebrated the 101st anniversary of Ronald Reagan’s birth on Feb. 6, several of us at Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs started discussing what Reagan might do today. Here are some of the ideas we came up with.
- LETTER: School counselor says Roy ready to help all students
- LETTER: Supporter calls Duncan 'a firecracker'
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Consequences of an overregulated nation
Overreaching government regulations are costing jobs and killing our economy. They are a heavy burden on our nation and its citizens — in some cases worse than our nation’s increasingly out-of-control debt.
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LETTER: Supporter: Duncan shows passion for children’s needs
To the Editor:
The families in the Edmond Public School District are fortunate to have Kathleen Duncan as their advocate on the Edmond Board of Education. Duncan has worked tirelessly for the welfare and benefit of the Edmond schools’ students. -
LETTER: Teacher supports Duncan’s re-election
To the Editor:
On Feb. 14 patrons of District 2 have an opportunity to re-elect the current president of the Edmond School Board, Kathleen Duncan. Duncan has served as a board member for 10 years. When people move to the Oklahoma City area, they buy a home here because of the exceptional quality of Edmond Public Schools. This speaks to Duncan’s goal of “Excellence in Education for All Edmond Public School Students.” -
LETTER: Supporter: Duncan understands diverse issues
To the Editor:
Kathleen Duncan understands the diverse issues that effect our schools. She carefully studies the district’s issues and works tirelessly as an advocate for all students. Her votes as a board member have an impact for years to come and she takes that responsibility very seriously. - LETTER: Reader says incumbent's personal agenda in the way
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OUR VIEW: Feb. 14 vote about ideas
