Welcome

OPERATION GREEN LIGHT began as a collaboration between the NYSAC, NYSCEA, the NYS County Veteran Service Officers' Association, the ETS Sponsorship Program, and the 62 counties of New York State. The mission is to show support for Veterans of all military conflicts, with a special emphasis on the Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as raise awareness about the challenges faced by many Veterans and the resources that are available at the county, state, and federal level to assist Veterans and their families.

A letter from Governor Kathy Hochul

As a result of these efforts, in May 2022 the 2022-23 New York State Budget was approved with $10.7 million for human services and veterans community services organizations, $250,000 for the Veterans Mental Health Training Initiative, and extended the hire-a-vet tax credit for three years.

In an acknowledgement of this success in New York, the National Association of Counties (NACo) has made a move to get behind Operation Green Light nationally. NACo's mission is to strengthen America’s counties, serving nearly 40,000 county elected officials and 3.6 million county employees nationwide. OPERATION GREEN LIGHT - Phase 2 and a national effort - is underway. 

OPERATION GREEN LIGHT FOR VETERANS: COUNTY TOOLKIT

OPERATION GREEN LIGHT seeks to empower and connect counties and soon-to-be new Veterans and their families through a coordinated and cohesive transition process. OPERATION GREEN LIGHT improves relocation outcomes and reduces the stress for new Veterans and their families as they preparare and move into their selected destination communities. 

In OPERATION GREEN LIGHT - Phase 2 - we will make community connections with transitioning service members 6-12 months before they leave the military. There is a pre-transition advantage for the participating counties - success happens when preparation meets opportunity. Through OPERATION GREEN LIGHT States and counties and will be connected early and directly to transitioning service members through local sponsors and County Veteran Service Officers (CVSO). Please consider becoming an ETS Sponsor - read more about being Sponsor here.

As counties and communities, our objective is to develop attractive career, housing, and educational relocation options for new Veterans and their families. Let's start working together! Counties and County Veterans Service Officers can lead the way and facilitate additional processes, such as maximizing the use of the care and benefits Veterans have earned.

The connection happens here. DD Form 214 information will be available about your incoming Veterans - with their consent and participation - months before you would normally receive it. 

Please join us as we band together in service to uplift our communities.

Founding Partners