VA&R                               

  2011-2012
Veterans Administration & Rehabilitation

"In the spirit of God and Country, we serve Veterans, military, and their families." This is what the Auxiliary was founded to do and the words by which we all dedicate our time.  Our National President's theme is "Honor Their Service" and Department President Ann's theme is to "Believe, Dream, and Succeed." This is our goal - to help our Veterans in any way possible. To help them improve their lives with knowledge, awareness, and a new attitude!

The Department of New York will be focusing on the same objectives as our National Organization.  The areas are as follows:
Homeless Veterans:
Objective:  The main objective is to bring awareness to the plight and ever increasing number of homeless veterans.  Across our nation there are homeless veterans including approximately 6,500 female veterans.

Please note: The Department of Veterans Affairs has a new national call number for homeless veterans. Please place this number in your Posts, community centers, homeless shelters, VAMC, local churches, hospitals and schools. The number is free and confidential.  Posters are available through our National web site  www.alaforveterans.org/  The number is 1-877-4AID Vet  (1-877-424-3838). You can also view the following link. http://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/NationalCallCenter.asp

The Department of New York will be focusing on conforming to the same format as our National Organization.  The following areas are as follows:

1.       Homeless Veterans
2.       Recruit ten new volunteers into the VAMC and outpatient clinics
3.       Ride to Recovery (R2R)
4.       National Creative Arts Festival

Click on link below, then Click on the blue button at The Veterans Site and help a homeless and hungry veteran get a free meal, at no cost to you.
http://www.theveteranssite.com/tpc/ERV_060411_VET

HOMELESS VETERANS

Objective:  The main objective is to bring awareness to the plight and ever increasing number of homeless veterans.  Across our nation there are approximately 154,000 homeless veterans including approximately 6,500 female veterans.

Action Steps:

a)   Our job is to educate unit members about homeless veterans.  An alarming number of homeless veterans have mental illness and substance abuse, some have both.

b)   Every VAMC has a homeless veteran’s coordinator.  Contact the coordinator and see what your unit can do to help.  Find out if your VAMC has a stand down at that medical center.

c)   Identify homeless shelters in your area and find out if there are veterans living there.  You will be able to ascertain how many men/women there are.

d)   Contact local elected officials and make them aware of the fact that many of the homeless are veterans who sacrificed their freedom for ours and theirs.

e)   Units should collaborate with the Posts VA&R Chairman and the Sons of the American Legion and work on this project as a Legion family to triple efforts.

VOLUNTEERS

Objective:  Increase volunteer services within our thirteen VAMC’s, and outpatient clinics, also outside the VAMC through Field Service and home Service by 10 new volunteers per Department.

Action Steps:

a)   Educate our members about volunteering in any of the above mentioned areas.

b)   Identify your unit volunteers and see what would be a meaningful assignment for them.  See what skills members possess and have them volunteer in that particular area.  Maybe they would like to team up with another volunteer. This would be a great way to get out Junior’s and younger Sons of the American Legion involved.

c)   Put special emphasis on the Units methods of recruiting, retaining, motivating and recognizing volunteers.  Have a special event annually for your volunteers to recognize their efforts and outstanding dedication to our veterans.

d)   Promote veteran related outreach volunteers for members living in rural communities with no access to VA facilities.  Locate veterans living in your local community through the assistance of the VAMC, VA clinics, local nursing homes and your local Posts.

e)   Develop a youth service project for student volunteers to assist VAVS Representatives.  Get the youth involved in the Holiday Gift Shop Program.

RIDE TO RECOVERY (R2R)

Objective:  Increase participation in Ride to Recovery events.  Encourage fundraising and volunteer participation for all scheduled events.

Action Steps:

a)   Contact local VA facility to find out if a Ride to Recovery is scheduled in your area.  Offer the VA Committee Chairman assistance by serving as a site coordinator or be part of a committee involved in the Ride to Recovery.  Perhaps a fundraiser can be held on the unit/county level.  Seek out donations from local businesses, they love to be involved.  Cooking for the wounded warriors is another way to help - our auxiliary members love to cook.

b)   Contact local VA facilities and find out if they have Spinning Recovery Labs and outdoor cycling programs.  This is a great way for injured veterans to overcome obstacles they face in their daily lives.  The cycling plays an important part in the veteran’s recovery and rehabilitation.

c)    If your VA facility does not have Spinning recovery labs, find out if it can be instituted at that facility.

d)   Participate in a Ride to recovery event in any way feasible, whether it’s through donations or just cheering a veteran on, a smile, a handshake, a handmade sign, a salute, a simple “thank you.”  This is another way to get the Juniors and SAL members involved.

e)  Sponsor a wounded warrior for the R2R.

NATIONAL CREATIVE ARTS FESTIVAL

Objective:  The National Organization is a corporate sponsor of the Creative Arts Festival and would like to raise $150,000 for this ongoing project.

Action Steps:

a)   Promote the annual competition to be held this year in  Boston, Massachusetts, October 8 - 14, 2012

 where veterans compete and show the progress and recovery made through recreation therapy.

b)   Each Department is asked to increase their donations under this project by 18 cents per member.

PROGRAMS:

VA Medical Center (VAMC) & Outpatient Facilities
The American Legion Auxiliary fills a vital role at VA facilities (VAMC’s and outpatient clinics) across the country enabling facility and program administrators to stretch their resources with our guaranteed aid and assistance so they can concentrate on the delivery of core services.

Field Service and Home Service
Field service volunteers provide service to veterans outside a VAMC. Volunteers complete a Field Service orientation Course initiated by the American legion Auxiliary.  Field service volunteers maintain their own record keeping and dollars spent. Home service volunteers do project and work for active-duty military/veterans and /or families from the home and also maintain their own recordkeeping and dollars spent.  

Family Support Network
Assist the families of active duty military who need help with the daily needs of a household.

Heroes to Hometown
The American Legion has designed this program to assist the service member who has been severally injured by contacting individuals in their respective communities to assist the families with everyday needs.  Information on these programs is available through your local VAMC facilities.  www.legion.org

Homeless Veterans Initiatives
Work collaboratively with the VA Homeless Veterans Programs, The American Legion and National coalition of Homeless Veterans to encourage active participation in homeless veteran’s initiatives. www.natinalhomeless.org

Welcome Home Celebrations
Provide assistance to your local VAMC in supporting returning servicemen and women and their families in the community.  VA supports this initiative by providing them with information about the opportunities available to them through the VA system.  Every VAMC has been mandated to sponsor Welcome home Celebrations in their facilities and community.

Fisher House
Provide volunteer resources and annual donations to Fisher House.  www.FisherHouse.org

Support American Legion Programs
Promote The American Legion’s legislative efforts that support programs at the Department and Post level to increase awareness of and participation in programs and resources to assist transitioning service members  from military service to civilian life while maintaining the highest quality of life.

National Salute to hospitalized Veterans
Annually salute America’s heroes; more than 98,000 veterans of the U.S. armed Services who are cared for every day in VA Medical Centers during the week of February 14^th.

National Volunteer Month (April)
Encourage the American Legion Family, to recognize and celebrate the important work that volunteers do every day on behalf of veterans.  Hold a special event for your volunteers.

Holiday Gift Program
A chairman is appointed by the Department President.  This program supplies gifts with no cost to family members of a hospitalized or out-patient Veterans family.

Warriors Family Assistance
This program is reportable under VA&R but will be covered by another member of the Committee.

They Marched For Us. Let’s Walk For Them
The Sons of The American Legion and the American legion Auxiliary are teaming up for a Statewide walk-a-thon to raise funds for our Veterans residing in our thirteen Veterans medical centers, Five New York State Veterans Homes, help with expenses for The Fisher House, at the Samuel S. Stratton Veterans Medical Center in Albany and the many Homeless Shelters across New York State.  The Walk-a-thon is scheduled for April 14^th 2012 in a city or town near you.

Veterans History Project
To preserve the memories and incidents of our U.S. wartime veterans.  Take the time to sit with a veteran to collect and record their experiences of their service to our country.

Stand Downs
Stand downs are typically one to three day events providing services to homeless veterans such as food, shelter, clothing, health screenings, VA and Social Security benefits counseling and referrals to other necessary services.

National Cemetery Program
The Department of Veterans Affairs; national Cemetery administration maintains 123 national cemeteries in 39 states (and Puerto Rico) as well as 33 soldier’s lots and monument sites. A comprehensive listing of the facilities and services can be found on their website at www.cem.va.gov/listcem.htm

New York National Cemeteries are:
Albany Rural Cemetery Soldiers’ Lot – Albany NY, Bath National Cemetery-Bath NY, Calverton National Cemetery- Calverton NY, Cypress Hills National Cemetery- Brooklyn NY, Long Island National Cemetery- Farmingdale NY, Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery-Schuylerville NY, Woodlawn National Cemetery-Elmira NY. Check with your nearest National Cemetery and ask if a Wreath Across America program is conducted there.  Join in by donating a wreath or laying a wreath in honor of our fallen hero’s.

RESOURCES:

1. VA&R Guide provided through the Auxiliary

2. Women & Families:   Miliary Family Network – www.eMilitary.org  866-205-2850 

3. National Military Family Association  -  www.nmfa.org  800-260-0218

4. Women Veterans Health Program – www.va.gov.wvhp

5. Enrollment in VA Health Care System – www.va.gov/elig

6. Survivor Benefits – www.vba.gov/survivors

7. VA Center Facilities – www.va.cog/directory/guide

8. The Commissary.... http://www.commissaries.com/stores/html/store.cfm?dodaac=N&page=case_lot_dates

9. Federal Benefits for veterans & dependents – www.va.gov/opa/vadocs/fedben/pdf

10. National Center for PTSD – www.ncptsd.va.gov

11. History of Veterans Day – www.va.gov/vetsday

12. Tricare Fact Information – www.tricare.osd.mil

WEBSITES LISTED BELOW:

Women & Families

1. Military Family Network – www.eMilitary.org  866-205-2850

2. National Coalition of Child Care Resources & Referral Services – www.naccrra.org  703-341-4153

3. National Military Family Association – www.nmfa.org  800-260-0218

4. www.military.com – This site is full of info pertinent to military families. A variety of FREE online newsletters are offered.

5. Women Veterans Health Program – www.va.gov/wvhp

6. Center for Women Veterans – www.va.gov/womenvet 

7. Zion-House – a transitional home for Homeless Women Veterans of the US Military – www.ZION-HOUSE-AVON.org

GUIDELINES FOR REPORTING- You can fill out the form using your computer keyboard.  Make a copy for your records. If you do not have access to a computer, please make sufficient copies of the report form for use throughout the year.

NOTE: Work done at your Post is not reportable under any committee UNLESS you are preparing a dinner/breakfast for ALL Veterans, including your Post members. This work should be reported for Patriot Day, Sponsor a wounded warrior for the R2R.Veteran's Day, and Memorial Day etc.

Work done at VA Hospitals-If you are a VAVS Volunteer, then the hours are recorded as Regular Volunteer and are reported under VAVS.  Otherwise, if you are not a Regularly Scheduled Volunteer, your hours are recorded under an Occasional Volunteer.

Work done in a VA Facility contracted out by VA Hospital- Same rules apply as for work done at the VA Hospital.  If you are not a VAVS Volunteer, your hours are reportable under Field Service.

Work done at a Nursing Home or State VA Nursing Home-If you have completed the course and possess your card for an accredited Field Service Representative, your hours are reportable under Occasional Field Service.

Work done within a member’s home to benefit Veteran- Hours spent on cooking and serving for other than a family member, knitting or crocheting lap robes etc., are reportable under the Home Service Program.

ALL OTHER WORK DONE IS REPORTED VA&R.
Gift Shop Reports- Report only by the Gift Shop Chairman to the Department VA&R Chairman.

UNIT AND COUNTIES
Report ALL activities, hours and donated values for work done at a VAMC to your VAVS Representatives.  Whenever you take anything or go to the hospitals, you must sign in as either an Occasional or Regularly Scheduled Volunteer.  Value of goods must be logged in at the VA for the purpose of reporting and thank you recognition.  The VAVS Representatives are to report this information to the Department Hospital Workers Chairman.

DEPARTMENT AWARDS:

UNIT AWARD:
To the Unit who submits the best report on their year round VA&R Program. Entry should not exceed 500 words written in narrative form. Each entry must include a cover sheet with the Unit name and number, VA&R Chairman, name, address, and telephone/email. County name, District number and the number of words noted in the lower right hand corner. Each entry should be enclosed in a folder or notebook binder. Do not include photos, clippings or other articles. Due: May 01, 2012 and mailed to Department Chairman Diane Gerber -55 Ontario Ave, Staten Island, NY 10301

COUNTY AWARD:
To the County who submits the best report on their year round VA&R Program. Entry should not exceed 500 words and be written in a narrative form. Each entry must include a cover sheet with the County name, District number, County Chairman’s name, address, and telephone/email. The number of words noted in the lower right hand corner. Each entry should be enclosed in a folder or notebook binder. Do not include photos, clippings or other articles.
Due May 01, 2012 and mailed to Dept. Chairman Diane Gerber – 55 Ontario Ave, Staten Island, NY 10301

JUNIOR GROUP- JUANITA LOCHNER AWARD:
To the Junior group who reports the most outstanding service benefiting our hospitalized veterans. Each entry must be typewritten in narrative form not to exceed 500 words. The number of words noted in the lower right hand corner. Entries must include a cover sheet with Name of the Unit/County, District and the name and address of the Junior Advisor and the name of the County VA&R Chairman. Entries may include photos and clippings. The entry must be in a folder or notebook binder. Due May 01, 2012 and mailed to Department Chairman Diane Gerber – 55 Ontario Ave, Staten Island, NY 10301.

LINDA MOSEMAN RAYMOND AWARD:
To be awarded in Two Categories: Category #1, 10-99 Members, Category #2 100 Members and above who make the largest donations to the "Warrior’s Family Assistance" Program.

NATIONAL AWARDS:

Cover sheet is required for all awards, include the following:

Title of Award Entry:
a) Unit name and number
b) County name and district
c) Chairman’s name, address, phone, e-mail
d) Date and location where the event was held.
e) Word count in lower right hand corner

Honoring Their Service Award:
A citation plaque will be presented to the Unit that implements and carries out the Most Outstanding Event that brings honor and recognition to our veterans and/or service members at any VAMC or VA facility, veterans home, Fisher House, vet centers, homeless veterans shelter or any facility where more than 60% of the residents are veterans. Entry must be typewritten in narrative form not to exceed 1,000 words. Pictures and newspaper articles may be included but not to exceed 6 pages. Entry cannot be in a bound book or hard cover. Due to Department Chairman May 1st, 2011. Entries will be submitted by Dept. Chairman to national committee member Rosemarie Hauck – JUNE 1, 2012.

Department VA&R Program Awards:
A citation plaque will be presented to the Department Chairman in each division who reports the Most Outstanding Overall VA&R program as per the goals stated in this Plan of Action. Entry must be typewritten in narrative form not to exceed 1,000 words. All entries must be postmarked June 1, 2012 and sent by the Department Chairman to the National Division Chairman.

Field Service Volunteer Hours Award:
A citation plaque will be presented to a Field Service volunteer serving the greatest number of hours from April 1, 2011 – March 31, 2012, in each Division for Junior and Senior members. Units should send their nominees to the Department Chairman by May 1, 2012. Unit is required to certify hours of any nominee – the Department Chairman may ask for this information. Submit entries to Department Chairman by May 1st, 2012. The Department Chairman will then send the top hour volunteer Junior and senior volunteer to National Division Chairman by June 1, 2012.

Home Service Volunteer hours Award:
A citation plaque will be presented to a home service volunteer serving the greatest number of hours from April 1, 2011-March 31, 2012, in each Division for Junior or Senior members. Units should send their nominees to the Department Chairman. Unit is required to certify hours of any nominee – the Department chairman may ask for this information. Submit to Department Chairman by May 01, 2012. Department Chairman will send top hour volunteer Junior and senior volunteer to National Division Chairman by June 1, 2012.

National Veterans Creative Arts Festival (NVCAF) Contribution Recognition:
The NVCAF will recognize Department that contributes at the Bronze, Silver and Gold level. This recognition will be made at the 2012 festival. ALA National Headquarters will submit qualifying donations to NVCAF staff in July. Donations considered are those received in the national office August 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012.

Unit VA&R Program Awards :
A citation plaque will be presented to a Unit Chairman in each Division reporting the Most Outstanding Overall VA&R program as per the goals stated in this Plan of Action. Entry must be typewritten in narrative form not to exceed 1,000 words. Units will submit entries to the Department Chairman by May 01, 2012. Department Chairman will mail entries to National Chairman no later than June 1st, 2012.

VAVS VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD/ALA NAC NOMINEE:
The Department VA&R Chairman or ALA Department director of hospital volunteers will make nominations for consideration. A Department nomination must be prepared in a narrative format not to exceed 500 words and may include up to two letters of recommendation. This award will be made to the nominee who has given extraordinary service to our nation’s veterans through the American Legion Auxiliary VA&R program and the VAVS program. Specifically this nominee must serve in an established VA assignment and be defined as a regularly scheduled volunteer. In addition, we are looking for an individual who is actively involved working with veterans in any one of the following areas: outpatient clinics; nursing homes; homeless veteran programs; hosted veteran-related functions outside the VA; or visiting veterans confined to their homes (as assigned by VAVS). The national winner will receive $500 to be donated to the VAVS facility of her choice or to Veterans Creative Arts Festival in recipient’s name, and she will be profiled in the National Auxiliary magazine. In addition, the ALA will forward her name as our candidate for the VAVS National Advisory Committee Volunteer of the year.

Volunteer Recruitment & Service Department Award:
A citation plaque will be presented to the Department in each Division with the largest increase of regularly scheduled volunteers and regularly scheduled volunteer hours at a VA Medical Center from April 1, 2011 – March 31, 2012. The award winner will be determined by the national VAVS Representative through verification of Department hours and number of volunteers as recorded by VAVS.

100 Percent VAVS Meeting Attendance:
An "Attendance Card " will be awarded to each representative and deputy who has 100 percent attendance to VAVS committee meetings at her assigned facility. The national VAVS representative will verify the winners from VA records.

10,000 Hour Volunteer Service Award:
A special volunteer citation will be awarded to the eligible volunteer and a $100 donation will be sent, in eligible volunteers’ name to the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival Fund. Volunteer must have accrued 10,000 hours of volunteer service in a VA facility. Verification of hours must be received at national Headquarters by June 1, 2012.

20,000 Hour Volunteer Service Award:
A special volunteer citation will be awarded to the eligible volunteer and a $200 donation will be sent, in eligible volunteers’ name, to the National Creative Arts Festival Fund. Volunteer must have accrued 10,000 hours of volunteer service in a VA facility. Verification of hours must be received at National Headquarters by June 1, 2012.

Homeless Veterans Outreach Award:
The ALA, TAL, SAL come together annually to select a Department that has done an outstanding job in the area of homeless veterans outreach. Award nominations are solicited each fall and the winners are recognized at national convention and the National NCHV Conference held each June in Washington, D.C. For more information visit: www.ALAforVeterans.org

Hour bar Recognition for Field, Home, and Hospital Volunteers:
Volunteers are recognized when specific hour milestones are reached: 50, 100, 300, 500, and 1,000. After the first 1,000 hour bar is awarded the next bar will be earned in 1,000 hour increments. Hour bars are provided at no cost to Departments; however the appropriate pin can be obtained from Emblem Sales at Department's expense.

AWARDS ARE DUE TO DEPARTMENT CHAIRMAN BY MAY 01, 2012.

REPORTING PROCEDURE: Note, there are only two reporting dates this year. Reporting-How-When-Why

Unit Chairmen: Please use the Unit Report Form and send it to your County Chairmen by November 1, 2011, March 1, 2012
County Chairman: Please use the  County Report Form and send it to the Dept. Chairman by November 10, 2011, March 10, 2012

Please adhere to all deadlines and rules under awards. Mail to: Diane Gerber, Department Chairman

Diane Gerber, Chairman
VA&R / Field Service
Email: Email:icannone@aol.com