Governor Gavin Newsom announced a proposed plan to overhaul California’s mental health care system, with provisions for ending veterans homelessness. (Photo: Gage Skidmore)

This week’s roundup of California veterans news covers a proposed overhaul of California’s mental health care system, the VA’s 2023 plans for combating veterans homelessness in 2023, and among other stories, an update on Veterans Village of San Diego.

Readers can send veterans-related stories to news@calegion.org. 

Statewide: California Veterans News

• On Sunday, Governor Gavin Newsom unveiled a new plan to tackle mental illness in California. Funded by public bonds, the plan would see the construction of “thousands of new community behavioral health beds in state-of-the-art residential settings to house Californians with mental illness and substance use disorders” and “provide more funding specifically for housing homeless veterans.” The plan will be placed on the next major California ballot.
• Per Leo Shane III, Air Force Times, the VA is once again planning to place at least 38,000 homeless and at-risk veterans into stable housing this year. Last year, the department succeeded in surpassing this goal, finding stable opportunities for over 40,000 veterans across the United States. The VA is still focusing its efforts on Los Angeles, widely believed to be the epicenter of veterans homeless in the country. Our full story: VA updates homeless veterans goals for 2023, Los Angeles to remain focal point

Orange County Veterans News

• The Placentia post office at 1400 N Kraemer Blvd. has been renamed after Army Pfc. Jang Ho Kim, who was killed in action in Iraq in 2006.

San Diego County Veterans News

• Per inewsource, San Diego County has lifted the admissions freeze placed on Veterans Village of San Diego seven months ago. The freeze was placed after a series of deaths and health hazards were identified on the center’s campus. VVSD is still on Corrective Action Notice, meaning county officials are monitoring the campus.
• Public Affairs Officer Amy Forsythe, a Marine veteran who served five tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and who currently serves in the Navy Reserves, has been inducted into San Diego County’s Women’s Hall of Fame for her work in military journalism. 

Recent Veterans Posts & Videos From California American Legion

• Samsung American Legion Scholarship Recipients Visit Washington
• The American Legion Uniform
• Congressman Ruiz Presented with Distinguished Public Service Award
• Washington Conference: Veteran homelessness must be discussed
• Department Oratorical Contest Photos

Important Veterans & Military Holidays in March

• March 3 — Navy Reserve Birthday
• March 13 — K-9 Veterans Day
• March 15 — Anniversary of the first caucus of The American Legion
• March 25 — National Medal of Honor Day
• March 26 — Anniversary of the U.S. victory at the Battle of Iwo Jima
• March 29 — Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day

Author: Christian Southards

Coming from a family with a proud military background and wanting to contribute his writing skills to a worthy cause, Christian began writing for the California American Legion in August of 2020. His father is a 25-year Army Veteran and his grandfather served in the Navy during Vietnam.