Explaining Service Member Disengagement

Client

CUNY Graduate Center, Labor Market Information Services

Problem/Quesiton

The NYC Mayor’s Office of Veterans Affairs needed to understand exactly why NYC’s military veterans and their families were hesitant to engage with Veterans Affairs and related services. Federal funding for the City depended in large part on how well it attracted, served and retained NYC veterans but active participation in events and benefits had been falling.

Outcomes

On behalf of and in collaboration with CUNY Graduate Center’s Labor Market Information Services I led multiple focus groups and interviews to gain insights on why NYC’s Veterans are reluctant to engage with their community and participate in programs and services benefitting Veterans.  I co-designed research instruments and assisted in planning a research conference to share findings and recommendations with a research and policy audience involved in Veterans’ affairs and engagement which were shared with VA leaders, veterans and other stakeholders at convening following our research analysis.