Item No.
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
BY: RUBY PICON, MANAGEMENT ANALYST
DATE: JUNE 25, 2024
SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) BETWEEN
THE CITY OF DOWNEY AND NATIONAL VETERANS TRANSITION
SERVICES, INC. (AKA REBOOT) FOR THE OPERATION OF THE CENTER
FOR MILITARY VETERAN REINTEGRATION (CMVR)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City Council will consider approving a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Downey and National Veterans Transition Services, Inc. for the operation of the Center for Military Veteran Reintegration (CMVR) at the Downey City Library. If approved, the CMVR will continue to offer peer to peer support to veterans with transitioning from military service and reintegration to civilian life, with career and workforce development assistance, understanding benefits and resources that are available, and information about health and wellness programs.
RECOMMENDATION
That the City Council:
Approve a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Downey and National Veterans Transition Services, Inc. (aka Reboot) for the Operation of the Center for Military Veterans Reintegration (CMVR) through June 30, 2025.
BACKGROUND
California is home to over 1.8 million veterans, making it the largest veteran population within any state in the United States, with Los Angeles County having the highest concentration of veterans in the State. There are numerous veterans support groups in LA County and surrounding areas that provide support and resources to help veterans reintegrate into work and civilian life. However, these groups are limited in their ability to address the psychological transition from military to civilian culture.
The National Veterans Transition Service, Inc. (NVTSI), a non-profit established in 2010 by a group of retired Navy and Marine Corps officers and workforce development professionals, created REBOOT workshops to meet an acute need for a military to civilian transition program. By addressing transition issues at their root cause, NVTSI and its
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) BETWEEN THE CITY OF DOWNEY AND NATIONAL VETERANS TRANSITION SERVICES, INC. (AKA REBOOT) FOR THE OPERATION OF THE CENTER
FOR MILITARY VETERANS REINTEGRATION (CMVR)
JUNE 25, 2024
PAGE 2
2 network of partners helps transitioning service members, veterans, and spouses bridge the gap between military and civilian worlds and empowers them with resiliency and self- sufficiency.
ANALYSIS
As part of efforts to serve the needs of the veteran community, the City of Downey partnered with NVTSI in October 2021 for a limited time period for the operation of a Virtual Center for Military Veteran Reintegration (CMVR). The virtual CMVR provided veteran’s employment-training opportunities and resources to facilitate veterans’ successful reintegration into civilian life and secure meaningful employment.
Subsequently, on April 21, 2022, the City Manager approved an agreement for the establishment and operation of a CMVR in the lobby of the Downey City Library. The CMVR was staffed by Veteran Peer Access Network (VPAN) specialists on designated days and times and provided peer to peer support to veterans with transitioning & reintegration, career & workforce development, benefits & resources, and health & wellness. Approximately, 117 veterans were assisted at the CMVR in 2023.
In addition, in 2023, the CMVR hosted:
- Three one-day REBOOT Your Life Workshops
- Financial Literacy Workshop
- Resume Writing Workshop
- Finding Your Purpose Workshop
City staff has been working over the last few months with CMVR representatives to draft an extension to the MOU. The extension of the MOU aligns with the City Council’s Fiscal Year 2023-2024 budget goal to enhance veterans outreach and resources.
Proposed CMVR Operations
The activities of the CMVR will continue to take place primarily in the Downey City Library, but may also make use of other City facilities for special events. The CMVR will be staffed by VPAN Specialists on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Any changes to the staffing plan will be communicated to Library and City Manager staff. The CMVR will also continue to host periodic events and workshops for veterans, including one day Reboot Workshops, information sessions with local employers, and information sessions with veteran support groups. The proposed MOU will expire on June 30, 2025.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Quality of Life, Neighborhood & Infrastructure
Public Engagement
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) BETWEEN THE CITY OF DOWNEY AND NATIONAL VETERANS TRANSITION SERVICES, INC. (AKA REBOOT) FOR THE OPERATION OF THE CENTER
FOR MILITARY VETERANS REINTEGRATION (CMVR)
JUNE 25, 2024
PAGE 2
3 FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this item.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Downey and National Veterans Transition Services, Inc.
1 MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN
CITY OF DOWNEY AND THE NATIONAL VETERANS
TRANSITION SERVICES, INC. (AKA REBOOT)
This Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) is made and entered into this 25th day of June, 2024 by and between the City of Downey, a municipal corporation and charter city (hereinafter the “City”) and the National Veterans Transition Services, Inc. aka Reboot, a California nonprofit public benefit corporation and tax exempt organization pursuant to Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3) (hereinafter “NVTSI”). The City and NVTSI are collectively referred to herein as the “Parties”.
WHEREAS, the National Veterans Transition Services, Inc. aka Reboot was established in 2010 by a group of retired Naval and Marine Corp officers as a private sector non-profit organization to conduct a no-cost three-week, cohort-based workshop called “REBOOT” (reverse boot camp) that builds emotional, psychological, social, and professional skills necessary for successful reintegration into civilian life; and
WHEREAS, California is home to over 1.8 million former service members, making it the largest veteran population of any state in the United States, and approximately 12,000 military veterans will settle in Los Angeles County each year, joining the 325,000 veterans currently residing; and
WHEREAS, there are numerous veteran support groups in LA County and surrounding areas that provide services to veterans; however, these services are not integrated for the veteran customer, making it difficult to find the help when they need it; and
WHEREAS, none of the existing veteran support groups addresses the mental transition from the military mindset to civilian culture, and the REBOOT workshop helps close the gaps; and
WHEREAS, the City of Downey and NVTSI entered into an Agreement for the establishment and operation of a virtual Center for Military & Veteran Reintegration on October 27, 2021; and
WHEREAS, the Parties extended that Agreement through March 21, 2023; and
WHEREAS, the Parties desire to enter into a new MOU for the period ending June 30, 2025 for the provision of the same services; and
2 WHEREAS, NVTSI understands that its promises and obligations as set forth in this MOU were an inducement for the City to proceed with the MOU, and City would not have entered into this MOU without NVTSI’s promises and obligations as set forth herein.
City and NVTSI therefore agree to the following terms:
1. The City will provide a table at front of the Downey City Library for a Veteran Peer Access Network (VPAN) Peer Specialist to be located at. The City will also provide conference room space, audio, visual equipment, and internet access for CMVR events.
2. The City will assist with advertising CMVR schedule and events through existing City communication channels, including City website and social media.
3. NVTSI will coordinate VPAN staffing of the CMVR on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. NVTSI may periodically evaluate the staffing plan based on personnel shortages and CMVR traffic. Any changes to staffing plan will promptly be communicated by NVTSI to Downey City Library and City Manager Office staff.
4. As needed, VPAN Peer Specialists will conduct private meetings with veterans in the Chamber of Commerce office adjacent to the Downey City Library. A separate agreement for the use of this space will be executed by NVTSI and Chamber of Commerce.
5. NVTSI will periodically conduct REBOOT workshops and organize CMVR events.
6. NVTSI will follow safety and operating guidelines established by the Downey Public Library and other City facilities. Prior to conducting events, NVTSI shall complete City’s facility rental forms, obtain City approval for use of facilities, provide requested insurance and pay required fees. NVTSI will conduct post event clean up and ensure facilities are returned to normal state after events.
7. NVTSI will maintain the CMVR website.
8. On an annual basis, NVTSI will provide a written report to the City to include the number of workshops conducted and number of veterans served.
9. To the fullest extent permitted by law, NVTSI shall indemnify, hold harmless and defend City, and any and all of its respective officers, employees, and agents from and against any and all claims, losses, costs, or expenses, including attorneys’
3 fees and costs, arising out of or in any way related to the alleged intentional, reckless, negligent or otherwise wrongful acts or omissions of NVTSI and NVTSI’s officers, employees, servants, agents, contractors or subcontractors in the performance of this MOU.
10. The MOU can be terminated by any Party upon the issuance of written notice to the other Party, not less than 30 days before proposed termination date. This 30- day notice may be waived by the written consent of both Parties.
11. Any notices or invoices required by this MOU shall be given to the respective Parties at the following address, or at such other address as the respective Parties may provide in writing for this purpose:
CITY: City of Downey
11111 Brookshire Ave
Downey, CA 90241
Attn: City Manager
NVTSI : National Veterans Transition Services, Inc.
8880 Rio San Diego Drive Lightwave Ave,
Suite 900
San Diego, CA 92108
ATTN: President/National Executive Director
12. NVTSI shall not assign, transfer, convey, pledge or otherwise dispose of its rights or obligations under the MOU without prior written consent of CITY.
13. NVTSI shall comply with all applicable laws in performing its obligations under this MOU.
“CITY"
City of Downey
By:________________________________
Roger Bradley
City Manager
4 ATTEST:
_______________________
Maria Alicia Duarte
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
________________________
John M. Funk
City Attorney
"NVTSI"
National Veterans Transition Services, Inc.
By: _________________________________
President/National Executive Director
ATTEST:
_______________________
Secretary