The Department of Veterans' Services (DVS) on April 8th, 2016, making DVS the first standalone City agency in the country dedicated to serving Veterans and their families. Since that time, the agency has moved rapidly to connect, mobilize, and empower New York City's Veteran community in order to foster purpose-driven lives for New York City Service Members – past and present – in addition to their caregivers, survivors, and families. DVS fulfills this mission by providing New York City's Veterans with essential services and programs focused on pivotal areas such as economic empowerment, housing security, benefits, health and wellness, and culture.