NCServes-Coastal celebrates a year of connecting hundreds of veterans, Marines and Sailors to the right services and care from Wilmington to Goldsboro to Morehead City

JACKSONVILLE, N.C. –  Launched a year ago in Jacksonville, NCServes Coastal is part of a statewide rollout of four regional NCServes networks across North Carolina funded largely by the Walmart Foundation and local philanthropic partners.  The four NCServes networks span from Asheville, to Charlotte, to Central Carolina (Triad, RDU/Fayetteville) and the coastal counties covering the majority of North Carolina’s population and installation communities, from the “Mountains to the Sea.”  This coverage means veterans have better access to a wider array of services and care than their counterparts in other states that do not have such networks, which collectively are known as AmericaServes.

“Public and private dollars working together allows everyone to do more,” said Ilario Pantano, National Director of America Serves and former Director of Veterans Affairs for the state of North Carolina. “Thanks to the generosity of the Walmart Foundation, community partners here on the coast and all over North Carolina are connected to each other with a cutting edge software platform linking dozens of North Carolina Community Colleges, Universities, county veteran service offices, county unemployment offices, healthcare providers, and non-profits all via software and friendly live care coordinators standing by to help. More than 250 partner agency are part of the state wide safety blanket working to ensure that no one falls through the cracks.” Pantano continued, “And for those Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines that may leave North Carolina at the end of their tour, our national expansion into 14 cities and states, from New York City and Rhode Island to San Antonio and Seattle ensure that high quality care will meet them whereever they land, with whatever their needs might be, from getting a job to getting the lights turned back on.”

• The Four North Carolina NCServes networks, and one South Carolina Network have served 5,000 clients with 11,000 unique needs with the help of 250 local provider partners.
• The Four North Carolina NCServes networks have served almost 600 US Marine Veterans and more than 40 active duty Marines.
• NCServes-Coastal fielded 1,089 requests from 549 unique clients in its first year with help from 55 local provider partner.
• Three most requested services: Housing & Shelter 32%, Employment 14%, and Utilities 12%
• Veterans, military members and families in need of assistance or more information visit AmericaServes or call 1-844-435-1838.

A well-known and respected community partner coordinates each of the NCServes Communities and serves as the quarterback institution to direct the veteran or family member to the right service provider in a timely way. The first network, NCServes-Metrolina launched in 2015 in Charlotte in partnership with the Charlotte Bridge Home. In 2016, NCServes-RDU-Fayetteville and NCServes-Coastal launched in partnership with USO of North Carolina and the Eastern Carolina Human Services Agency (ECHSA). In August 2017, NCServes-Western launched in partnership with the Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry (ABCCM).

Similar success stories are playing out across the country as a dozen communities from Seattle to San Antonio and New York City to Rhode Island are activating coordinated networks as part of a nationwide community of practice known as AmericaServes. The AmericaServes Community of Practice (CoP) comprehensively addresses the needs of the local population and catalyzes improved access to services in order to support success in civilian life. The AmericaServes CoP is led by the Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) at Syracuse University with the support of the global consulting firm Accenture. Together, they have deployed a solution that blends technology and human capital. The result brings together the best regional public, private and nonprofit sector providers to deliver real-time service to the military connected community.

NCServes Coastal is made possible by the IVMF at Syracuse University, Eastern Carolina Human Service Agency (ECHSA), USO of NC, The Walmart Foundation and Accenture.

Veterans, military members and families in need of assistance or more information should go to AmericaServes or call 1-844-435-1838. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 13 from 1-3 p.m. at the Jacksonville Country Club Ballroom, 2201 Country Club Road, Jacksonville, NC 28546.

About AmericaServes
AmericaServes is the country’s first coordinated system of public, private, and non-profit organizations working together to serve veterans, transitioning service members, and their families. Administered by the Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) at Syracuse University, AmericaServes’ vision is that every service member, veteran, and their family can easily access the full range of comprehensive services required to achieve their unique goals, and to provide a superior service experience to matching participants’ first-class military service.  For more information, visit AmericaServes and follow AmericaServes on Facebook and Twitter.

About the Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University
The Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) is the first interdisciplinary national institute in higher education focused on the social, economic, education, and policy issues impacting veterans and their families. Through its professional staff and experts, the IVMF delivers leading programs in career, vocational, and entrepreneurship education and training, while also conducting actionable research, policy analysis, and program evaluations. The IVMF also supports communities through collective impact efforts that enhance delivery and access to services and care. The Institute, supported by a distinguished advisory board, along with public and private partners, is committed to advancing the lives of those who have served in America’s armed forces and their families. For more information, visit IVMF and follow the IVMF on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Contact: Stephanie Salanger, Institute for Veterans and Military Families, ssalange@syr.edu, 315-443-5690