The Task Force to Assist Retiring Veterans ("Suffolk County
TARV" or "Task Force") is hereby established to assess the various
programs and incentives currently available to aid and support retired
and retiring veterans in Suffolk County in their ability to remain
in our communities during retirement, and to enjoy the quality of
life they have earned and merit through their invaluable sacrifice;
and to develop various strategies for implementing new policies and/or
programs to assist veterans who want to remain in Suffolk County throughout
their retirement.
The Suffolk County TARV shall consist of the following eight
members:
A. The Presiding Officer of the County Legislature, or his or her designee;
B. The Chair of the Veteran and Consumer Affairs Committee of the County
Legislature, or his or her designee;
C. The Chair of the Ways and Means Committee of the County Legislature,
or his or her designee;
D. The Chair of the Seniors and Human Services Committee of the County
Legislature, or his or her designee;
E. The County Executive, or his or her designee;
F. The Director of the Suffolk County Veterans Services Agency, or his
or her designee;
G. A representative of the Suffolk County Women Veterans Advisory Board,
to be appointed by the Legislature; and
H. The Director of the Suffolk County Office for the Aging, or his or
her designee.
The Chairperson of the Task Force shall be selected by a majority
of the membership of the Task Force.
The Task Force shall hold its first meeting no later than 30
days after the oaths of office of all members have been filed for
the purpose of organization, and the selection of a chairperson, vice
chairperson and a secretary.
Members of said Task Force shall serve without compensation
and shall serve at the pleasure of their respective appointing authorities.
The Task Force shall hold regular meetings, keep a record of
all its proceedings, and determine the rules of its own proceedings
with special meetings to be called by the Chairperson upon his or
her own initiative or upon receipt of a written request therefor signed
by at least three members of the Task Force. Written notice of the
time and place of such special meetings shall be given by the Secretary
to each member at least four days before the date fixed by the notice
for such special meeting.
Five members of the Task Force shall constitute a quorum to
transact the business of the Task Force at both regular and special
meetings.
The Task Force shall cooperate with the Legislative Committees
of the County Legislature and make available to each Committee's use,
upon request, any records and other data it may accumulate or obtain.
The Task Force shall be charged with examining and evaluating
the programs and incentives currently available to retired and retiring
veterans for assistance in areas including, but not limited to, housing,
heating, nutrition, mental health, wellness, continuing education
and other support services in Suffolk County; determining if these
programs are being underutilized by veterans and the reasons for such
underutilization; identifying obstacles and challenges to retired
veterans effectively participating in available programs and incentives
and proposing solutions to address these issues; identifying unmet
needs in the target population; and developing recommendations and
strategies for new programs and/or incentives to aid retired or retiring
veterans who wish to remain in Suffolk County throughout their retirement.