About face: SLO County Veterans Services has worked 'relentlessly' toward improvement, says department head
By Chris McGuinnessThe old photos of SLO County's Veterans Services Office (VSO) are grim. They show walls with large splotches of crumbling plaster and cardboard boxes carelessly stacked against counters.
"The condition of the office was very poor," Veterans Services Officer Christopher Lopez told members of the SLO County Board of Supervisors June 11. "The carpet was torn and stained in several areas. There was only one working scanner, and our computers were outdated and working very slowly."
That was two years ago, and how the office looked was the least of the department's problems. Lopez, hired in 2016, took over a VSO whose reputation had been damaged after its last full-time administrator left under a cloud of questions about the department's money-handling practices. Since then, the office has transformed, both physically and operationally, improving its ability to get more SLO County veterans and their families the services and support they are entitled to.
"Our office now presents itself as a well-organized and efficient department," Lopez told the board during a presentation at its annual budget hearings.
Lopez, an Army veteran, was hired in February 2016 following the short tenure of interim Veterans Services Officer Paul Porter. The last full-time service officer, Dana Cummings, voluntarily resigned from the position in 2015, shortly after an audit by SLO County
Since Lopez took over, he said he and his staff worked to improve the look and operations of the office. In addition to addressing the poor state of the office itself, Lopez reorganized the department's hierarchy, adding two supervisor positions to improve efficiency, staff morale, and productivity.
The total number of claims filed by the office on behalf of local veterans or their families with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs increased from a low of 2,485 in
Lopez credited the improvement to his office staff, which he described as "relentlessly working toward continuous improvement." At the budget hearing, SLO County 5th District Supervisor Debbie Arnold noted the department's changes.
"The stats are showing improvement," she said.
Lopez's presentation included a video message to the board from local veteran William Cattaneo, who said he'd seen the difference in service levels at the office firsthand.
"I feel good coming here," Cattaneo said. "The caring people help you with any difficulties you might have."
This year, the VSO also hosted "The Wall that Heals," a mobile replica of the Vietnam War memorial. The wall, which was installed at Madonna Inn's meadow in April, drew more than 12,000 visitors, according to Lopez.
"Our office was truly honored to host such a powerful event," he said.
The department plans to continue improving and expanding its services. Recently it started working with veterans in the SLO County Jail, and will likely return to the board in the future to request an additional staff member to help expand other programs.
The improvements that Lopez said have taken place at the office not only rehabilitated the department's
"These changes have provided an opportunity to communicate and advocate for veterans and their dependents in a way that wasn't possible before," he said. Δ
Staff Writer Chris McGuinness can be reached at cmcguinness@newtimesslo.com.
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