Ventura – Services available to Ventura County veterans who may be living with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), will be highlighted at the Ventura County Board Of Supervisors meeting today, Tuesday, May 20 at 8:30 am, in the Hall of Administration, 800 Victoria Ave in Ventura, in honor of the upcoming Memorial Day weekend. Immediately following the board meeting, a tour of the One Stop Center, which serves local veterans, among others, will be offered by third district Supervisor Kathy Long and fourth district Supervisor Peter Foy. The One Stop Center is located at the Public Health Auditorium, 3147 Loma Vista Road, Ventura, 93003.

Media is invited to attend and cover the tour (at approximately 12 noon). Photo and interview opportunities with the supervisors, Mike Powers, Director of the Health Care Agency and US Navy Capt Brad “Brick” Conners from Naval Base Ventura County will be available.

“PTSD is just one of the many issues vets in our county are dealing with. As a first stop for many vets looking for help, we want to direct vets to the services provided by the county and our partners, as well as local health and mental health care providers,” said Supervisor Kathy Long who co-chairs the Health Care Oversight Committee with Peter Foy.

Supervisor Peter Foy said “The quality of life we enjoy here in Ventura County is due in large part to the service of these brave men and women. They choose to live here because of our outstanding quality of life. Let’s work together in partnership with our friends at the navy base, our community partners and with our outstanding health care agency to do what we can for them.”

According to the RAND Corporation, PTSD affects veterans from World War II, the Korean and Vietnam Wars, the Gulf Wars and the current wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. The RAND study estimates that 20 percent of all Iraq and Afghanistan veterans suffer from PTSD or major depression – over 300,000 soldiers in all.

Captain Brad “Brick” Conners, Commander of the Naval Base Ventura County, and home to over 18,000 sailors, enlisted personnel and civilian employees, will present the Board of Supervisors with a Commanders Commendation for the county’s efforts to combat PTSD. “This county has a great quality of life and we want to recognize the county’s health care agency for all they do to help our navy vets in this area,” said Captain Conners.

According to Michael Powers, Director of the Health Care Agency, “As we honor our veterans this Memorial Day, we hope to highlight the services available to the men and women who have so bravely served our country through the Health Care Agency, our community partners and the One Stop Center for the homeless.”