VA Secretary McDonough Joins LSC for Virtual Forum on Supporting Veterans with Substance Use Disorder

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WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) is hosting a virtual forum focused on the importance of holistic support for veterans, particularly those dealing with substance use disorder (SUD). It will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 19 from noon-1:15 p.m. ET on Zoom.

U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) Denis McDonough will deliver the keynote remarks, discussing the impact of civil legal aid for veterans and the VA's work to support those with SUD. He will share real-life examples and data underscoring the transformative role of legal assistance. Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (IL-3), who serves on the Committee for Veterans Affairs, will also give remarks.

They will be joined by members of LSC leadership including LSC Board Chair John G. Levi and Danielle Brooks, LSC's chief human resources officer and an Army veteran.

More than one in 10 veterans has been diagnosed with a substance use disorder, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The VA reports that two out of 10 veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder also have SUD. Individuals with SUD frequently encounter legal barriers to obtaining or maintaining access to medication-assisted treatment. Legal aid providers can help address the legal issues that prevent treatment and recovery.

A panel discussion, "Supporting Veterans with Substance Use Disorder," will look at the specific needs of the veterans community and how holistic, wrap-around services can meet those needs. Will Gunn, LSC's vice president for legal affairs and general counsel, will moderate the discussion. Gunn is the former general counsel for the VA and a retired Air Force colonel. The panelists include:

• Judge Taryn Heath, Honor Court docket at Stark County Court of Common Pleas in Canton, Ohio
• Robert Keating, managing attorney of Colorado Legal Services' Pueblo office
• Patrick J. Murphy, former Under Secretary of the Army, former U.S. Congressman (PA-8) and current co-founder and executive chairman of WorkMerk, a veteran-owned, service-disabled worker technology business
• Amy Romero, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Rhode Island and member of the Department of Justice's Servicemembers and Veterans Initiative
  

The forum will highlight the stories of veterans who have benefitted from the help they received from LSC-funded legal aid organizations.

The event is open to the public. Register here for the Zoom link.