[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6502010,"mediaKeyId","5614652-31ea2f273d5cb822d8089358c066e052","parentId",5614652,"title","Votes at a glance: VAC approves minutes and member-list agenda item; rejects pre-meeting member calls","audioSeconds",1176,"startMs",5056000,"endMs",6232000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5614652-31ea2f273d5cb822d8089358c066e052&start=5056&end=6232","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5614652-31ea2f273d5cb822d8089358c066e052/thumbnail_5056000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6502010/El-Paso-City/El-Paso-County/Texas/Votes-at-a-glance-VAC-approves-minutes-and-member-list-agenda-item-rejects-pre-meeting-member-calls","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6502010-901f2e68c4797e3f641dfab37b1ef009/orig.mp4?Expires=1770429134&Signature=iKDkeur9zQhAug3RBCe~2llAeNw1KuzsLJ8NXiMJVOAlCVQhPwGeXePTKnT6XVIo2~rRlYg9Adq84aqZzlyH4urlsObr2Y5cC5-vMecvTrQ7RgS1y9kix3CEOtYbfqJ3vESIW94WRue7EcWl9boG~I1HOHNUAJzkQ-4SpG5YRNTuXnf1q2aYhqavYKFVlbywBdQeLkjrdTdOb4jnmULr-XG3h~GT-YBpr8UjNODB0wdK3JivItj68CcYoQd9NyqCPvPONJ0ZcC6U6k1zpoRVoBoiphHs5Tjnf9olnx8y2lQFanrgqtK26Ai-N4WU2UIX6f5dQMPmGCB6A9Q-yNdQ1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of El Paso TX","date","2025-08-21T18:32:43.903Z","article","At the Veterans Advisory Commission meeting commissioners took several procedural votes: they approved minutes for the July 17, 2025 meeting; approved adding names of VAC members and their assigned subcommittees to future agendas; rejected a proposal to require staff to call VAC members before meetings; and approved adjournment.

Details of recorded actions:

1) Approval of minutes for July 17, 2025. Motion: \"motion to approve\" (mover/second not specified in transcript). Outcome: approved. Evidence excerpt: \"I motion to approve. Second... All in favor, say aye. Aye. Any nays? Alright.\" (transcript block starting near s377).

2) Add VAC members and subcommittee assignments to the agenda. Motion: VAC member moved to add member names/subcommittees to the meeting agenda; another member seconded. Outcome: approved. Evidence excerpt: \"I'll motion to add add it to the agenda... I'll second... Anybody in favor, say aye... The action has been approved.\" (transcript blocks near s4847–s4890).

3) Contact protocol for VAC members before meetings. Motion to continue staff outreach (calls/texts) before meetings was put to a vote after discussion of reminders. Outcome: disapproved (the commission decided staff should continue standard email reminders but not be required to call members prior to meetings). Evidence excerpt: \"Time to take a vote... Any nays?... We got 1 nay... I say no as well... disapproved.\" (transcript blocks near s5056–s5113). The chair clarified staff will continue to send email reminders as normal but will not be required to call.

4) Adjournment. Motion: \"I have a motion to adjourn.\" Outcome: approved. Evidence excerpt: \"I have a motion to adjourn. Second... All in favor, say aye. Aye.\" (transcript block near s6226).

Ending: The VAC recorded these procedural outcomes and proceeded with remaining agenda items and announcements.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee 08/21/2025","oneSentenceSummary","During the meeting the Veterans Advisory Commission approved minutes from July 17, 2025, voted to add VAC member names and assigned subcommittees to future agendas, and voted down a proposal to require staff calls to members prior to meetings. The meeting adjourned by motion.","taxTitle","El Paso City, El Paso County, Texas","taxId",2792,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6502014,"Opportunity Center: VA-led three-day surge contacted 313 unhoused people; veterans may be undercounted",777,2883000,3660000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5614652-31ea2f273d5cb822d8089358c066e052&start=2883&end=3660","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5614652-31ea2f273d5cb822d8089358c066e052/thumbnail_2883000.jpg","/articles/6502014/El-Paso-City/El-Paso-County/Texas/Opportunity-Center-VA-led-three-day-surge-contacted-313-unhoused-people-veterans-may-be-undercounted","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6502014-43d85a893ea0461c1030848403506662/orig.mp4?Expires=1770429134&Signature=I1Gza3WvS7SMI76YZDYVhXbB6oChtI0JgyNusQx-tom85OQSM-LjIk0oLtpQPulpMER0BSm61pVB2zsG7vy4YUABKeruV3DBWOi05KVV67EGdVTbZuUXKlgziOeOtBlaHOkUHN56yDMIhL-v-Z9qj17Cnt2FhRCW71peKM86jabTlnWQPhzSxwk3lSocYTGQpG34DKGhY0wQUT6-j3fmK1HndujU7sEdZIIlf7fjuSeHqMsviw1-B4-ChE4AQ134V2qWpuqYMYIv6RG-YViFwAR6BRd9qxJYmIZdTpDFZL3ehFuFZpd1BxDRN7S85bmzUbt66nzs-7vEIdA2QY86pQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","John Martin, deputy director of the Opportunity Center for the Homeless, told the Veterans Advisory Commission that a VA-led outreach surge on three days in late July contacted 313 unhoused people in El Paso, completed assessments for 157 and identified 13 unhoused veterans by assessment (8.3% of assessed) but noted debriefing suggested the veteran count could be 27 (17.2%).

Martin said the outreach divided the city into six geographic areas tied to El Paso Police Department command centers and used more than 85 volunteers and community partners. He said the welcome center and El Paso Helps collaborative are increasing engagement; the welcome center served nine unhoused veterans in 2023, 54 in 2024 and 92 in the first six months of 2025.

Why it matters: The surge shows rising contact with unhoused individuals and highlights a veteran population with an older average age (Martin said the average age for unhoused veterans is 60 compared with 46 for non-veterans). Martin warned that ARPA/treasury funding that currently supports many homelessness initiatives expires in December 2026 and that sustained resources will be required to continue the current level of humanitarian engagement.

Martin said that of the 313 people contacted, teams completed assessments for slightly more than half (157). He described the El Paso Helps initiative, funded with ARPA/Treasury dollars, and said the collaborative includes the Opportunity Center, Amistad and United Way, alongside city police and fire. He said the surge was mandated by the VA and that an after-action report would be developed and shared with partners.

Martin also described capacity limits: the Opportunity Center’s Veterans Transitional Living Center and Veterans Shelter together provide 40 beds; the Welcome Center creates a waiting-area engagement point so the center does not lose individuals when no beds are immediately available. He noted a capacity expansion and renovation plan that includes approximately $15 million in renovation work to add beds and housing units, and that the Veterans Transitional Living Center (opened 2023) is now solar powered.

Ending: The Opportunity Center asked the VAC and partners to plan for ongoing outreach beyond a one-off surge, and to consider funding strategies before ARPA/Treasury funds expire in late 2026.","The Opportunity Center described a VA-mandated three-day outreach that encountered 313 unhoused people across El Paso, completed 157 assessments and identified between 13 and 27 unhoused veterans; organizers warned ARPA-funded homelessness efforts expire in December 2026 and urged sustainable funding.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6502017,"Endeavors to open 45,000-square-foot Health and Wellness Center in El Paso; grand opening slated for Nov. 13",276,1962000,2238000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5614652-31ea2f273d5cb822d8089358c066e052&start=1962&end=2238","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5614652-31ea2f273d5cb822d8089358c066e052/thumbnail_1962000.jpg","/articles/6502017/El-Paso-City/El-Paso-County/Texas/Endeavors-to-open-45000-square-foot-Health-and-Wellness-Center-in-El-Paso-grand-opening-slated-for-Nov-13","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6502017-fdae0c5f210c0bba65069641247bddc4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770429134&Signature=oDujPvjLRPGkTdPzviSm54ifik88gjSJI7lCSTIN4A3z-Z-MIsFaE5J9itUwPxKs0j4HH4iGjEkNTIGv2HNzucyJNM6N5lpiGK2bUiESkWYFqArcOXpzT-kZ7i5DHZzszGips6h9Fe30BAQKOLjgXRAhoVybYsbEf9OCZ46nkGxQGvLxdiU~C4MZVfXY3Fnv9OQpVYFeAkoZ0Yv6yikTuBaCBmJicDUvkKIsBeKmG1EbniQoPcMztD6rRiGzGlED5oJkMPj~n4aKyXN502XZTz3vhYlS03~knBWwpw1wMOeq14iQQu8tt9mfx-9hQu7nxjS9PaHnH2dUGDhzo8LMhg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Endeavors representatives told the Veterans Advisory Commission that the Endeavors Health and Wellness Center, a multi-tenant facility near William Beaumont, is expected to begin operations in mid-September and hold a grand-opening on Nov. 13.

The center’s address was given during the meeting as 12135 Pebble Hills Boulevard, 79936. An Endeavors representative said the facility is roughly “a little over 45,000 square feet” and will house medical and wellness support, mental-health counseling, fitness space adapted for wounded warriors, offices for partner organizations and community space. The representative said Endeavors will lease space to partners including Cohen Clinic, its SSVF (Supportive Services for Veteran Families) program, University of El Paso, and said Wounded Warrior Project was “looking at finalizing a lease.”

Why it matters: The center consolidates clinical and community programs aimed at veterans and other vulnerable populations, creating a local hub for case management, mental-health treatment, workforce readiness and wellness programs.

Program details provided in the meeting: the facility will offer fitness classes (yoga, HIIT, Zumba), mindfulness and meditation, personal training and adaptive equipment including a TRX system; medical services discussed include chiropractic care, massage therapy, psychiatry and primary care pending partner agreements; the Cohen Clinic and an SSVF program will be on site. Endeavors said the center will offer transportation to appointments with 24-hour notice and will provide childcare with restrictions for unattended children under age 10.

Endeavors said they are offering tours Monday–Friday between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. and are coordinating VIP and council-member tours with city and county officials; they also reported talks with VA leadership about leasing space, but said no lease was finalized.

Questions from commissioners included program certifications for courts (for example, anger-management certification for Veteran Treatment Court) and coordination with the VA. Endeavors representatives said they had previously pursued certification work with the treatment court and remain willing to meet with court staff to align curriculum and credentials.

Ending: Endeavors invited VAC members and council members to visit the center once operational; the group reiterated plans for a mid-September operational date and a Nov. 13 public grand opening.","Endeavors told the VAC its new Endeavors Health and Wellness Center at 12135 Pebble Hills Blvd. will begin operations mid-September with clinical, wellness and community services, tenants including the Cohen Clinic and potential partners such as Wounded Warrior Project and University of El Paso.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6502018,"VA representative briefed VAC on extended clinic hours, new El Paso medical center and paused childcare plan",662,437000,1099000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5614652-31ea2f273d5cb822d8089358c066e052&start=437&end=1099","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5614652-31ea2f273d5cb822d8089358c066e052/thumbnail_437000.jpg","/articles/6502018/El-Paso-City/El-Paso-County/Texas/VA-representative-briefed-VAC-on-extended-clinic-hours-new-El-Paso-medical-center-and-paused-childcare-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6502018-4fa000ac9a1b18d9bccafcafa939a320/orig.mp4?Expires=1770429134&Signature=Yo1NK70ZMz84CDKpJ86F3oL0QW45LV~L2JQaDSm361ffjmU00WlERbbyPkhI6DQAV7wfPVkuBCeu7o6L2c9FpA9zR5h66l35CE9FytWSZr6Cx~KrNyXJ3Q6k1NUQKCJW-3WmDiir9xHAtm09JHNPkCSKmM3YYO914dIs5AkHObWfreDH87mASfhuSzILFLNtZ6W-UssxfnS2A1aTjBGEwNtCfrnYgx8Glv-mSjT1crSOBa3OuO1H7AgEPj6vvIN55c-AdD~l~gQOzFJ0Z3rVw9~SnPff6hMbeZx-W6s9HwA9E0QsdH26sKRxmpaQnlTU63nxmSz7FyyZfCse1oqnsA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A VA health system representative told the Veterans Advisory Commission (VAC) that the VA is piloting extended clinic hours and remains on schedule and budget for a new El Paso health center, but that a plan to reimburse childcare for veterans is paused by the VA secretary's office.

The VA representative said a “veteran tele town hall” is scheduled for Sept. 4 from 5 to 6 p.m. for veterans who use the El Paso VA health system and encouraged veterans to take the incoming phone call. The representative described an “extended hours clinic” at the main Piedras Street facility, saying it “starts at 04:30 and it's gonna go up to about 07:30PM, Monday through Friday” on a walk-in, first-come basis. The representative described the extended-hours service as a pilot and said expansion to additional hours, more providers or weekend service would depend on veteran demand.

Why it matters: The extended-hours clinic is intended to increase access for working veterans who have difficulty getting care during normal business hours. The pause on childcare reimbursement — a barrier identified in past VA reports for women veterans — directly affects access to care for some veterans and their families.

The representative said the pilot clinic does not currently provide on-site x-ray, laboratory or pharmacy services, and that prescriptions issued during extended hours use community-care-network pharmacies when needed. On the new VA health center, the representative reported construction progress: “we're actually looking to top off our steel there in the next month to 2 months” and said interior work will follow.

Commissioner Brian Kanoff (District 1) asked whether any naming discussions had occurred for the new facility. The VA representative described the process as starting “at the grassroots level” where the community nominates a name, which is then carried to a congressional office to sponsor legislation to name a VA facility. The representative said he had discussed the naming process with the congresswoman's office.

On childcare, the VA representative said the proposed reimbursement model for childcare that El Paso had planned is “halted as of March 2025,” attributing the pause to the new administration and a memo from the VA secretary's office. He said the pause is under review and that more information could come with the VA secretary's office guidance in the upcoming fiscal cycle.

Commissioners and attendees pressed for more detail on women-veteran peer groups and local childcare options. Melissa Hartcroak, speaking during the meeting, said a women veteran peer group “started June 26” and meets “every Thursday at 10AM at the South Central Seabach … located at 350 Revere Street,” and said the group generally requires a referral from a primary care manager. Participants discussed an Armed Forces YMCA children’s waiting room; one attendee said that the YMCA-run space is funded through donations and that its availability for veterans depends on its funding.

The VA representative also invited veterans to a Whole Health Summit in Las Cruces the next day and repeated the Sept. 4 tele-town-hall date.

Ending: The VAC did not take any formal action on VA programs during the meeting; commissioners asked VA staff to return with additional details on childcare status, women-veteran supports and community partnerships if more information becomes available.","At a Veterans Advisory Commission meeting, a VA health system representative outlined a pilot extended-hours clinic and construction progress on a new VA health center, and said a planned childcare reimbursement program has been paused by the VA secretary's office as of March 2025.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: VAC approves minutes and member-list agenda item; rejects pre-meeting member calls

Opportunity Center: VA-led three-day surge contacted 313 unhoused people; veterans may be undercounted

Endeavors to open 45,000-square-foot Health and Wellness Center in El Paso; grand opening slated for Nov. 13

VA representative briefed VAC on extended clinic hours, new El Paso medical center and paused childcare plan