VA Launches Partnership for NGO Outreach

Peake: VA Tapping the Power of Communities

WASHINGTON (Jan. 7, 2009) — The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has
announced a new partnership to help non-government organizations (NGOs)
plan, improve and carry out their own programs on behalf of veterans,
their families and their survivors.

“VA has a track record of success in working with non-profit groups and
businesses that have their own programs for veterans, but we can do
more” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake. “By tapping
into the power and resources of NGOs, we can ensure more veterans,
families and survivors receive not only VA services, but also other
assistance in their own communities.”

Under the new NGO Gateway Initiative, launched today with the Veterans
Coalition Inc., a non-profit organization formed more than two years ago
by several major national veterans groups, the Veterans Coalition is
available to assist NGOs in identifying the unmet needs of veterans,
families and survivors, working with VA to help minimize duplication of
effort and confusion among NGOs with programs for veterans. In
addition, the program will encourage continuous feedback from NGOs on
issues such as physical and mental health, employment, and satisfaction
with government services and benefits affecting veterans.

“The Veterans Coalition is dedicated to marshalling energy and resources
from all communities to better serve service members, veterans and their
families”, said Harry Walters, chairman of the Veterans Coalition and
former administrator of the Veterans Administration. “Together we can do
a better job than any of us can do alone.”

VA will provide a senior-level, career federal employee to serve as an
ombudsman to assist NGOs with their programs to serve veterans. To
ensure a cooperative relationship, VA’s deputy secretary will serve as a
non-voting advisory liaison to the group’s board of directors.

VA has a long tradition of working with national veterans service
organizations on programs benefitting all veterans. VA also has had
close relationships with private-sector groups, churches, charities and
other non-profit organizations that provide housing for homeless
veterans. This new gateway initiative is one more way to extend
services to our veterans.