**FIELD ADVISORY COUNCIL**

**September 5-8^th^, 2006**

**8am -- 4:30 pm**

**MINUTES**

+---------+------------------------------------------------------------+
| *       |                                                            |
| *ATTEND |                                                            |
| ANCE:** |                                                            |
|         |                                                            |
| Stan    |                                                            |
| Poel,   |                                                            |
| D       |                                                            |
| irector |                                                            |
|         |                                                            |
| Wanda   |                                                            |
| Was     |                                                            |
| hington |                                                            |
| Program |                                                            |
| Analyst |                                                            |
|         |                                                            |
| Walt    |                                                            |
| We      |                                                            |
| rkhoven |                                                            |
|         |                                                            |
| C       |                                                            |
| hairman |                                                            |
|         |                                                            |
| William |                                                            |
| K.      |                                                            |
| Wilson  |                                                            |
|         |                                                            |
| Se      |                                                            |
| cretary |                                                            |
|         |                                                            |
| Jerry   |                                                            |
| Shutter |                                                            |
|         |                                                            |
| George  |                                                            |
| Sands   |                                                            |
|         |                                                            |
| William |                                                            |
| Johnson |                                                            |
|         |                                                            |
| Karen   |                                                            |
| Petty   |                                                            |
+---------+------------------------------------------------------------+

**                                                                                                                                                                                          
                                                        **

+---+---+--------------+----------+----------+------------------------+-----+---+
|   |   | **ITEM**     | *        | **PRE    | **PRESENTATION**       | **  |   |
|   |   |              | *TOPIC** | SENTER** |                        | DAT |   |
|   |   |              |          |          |                        | E** |   |
+===+===+==============+==========+==========+========================+=====+===+
|   |   | **APPROVAL   | N/A      |          |                        |     |   |
|   |   | OF MINUTES** |          |          |                        |     |   |
+---+---+--------------+----------+----------+------------------------+-----+---+
|   |   |              |          |          |                        |     |   |
+---+---+--------------+----------+----------+------------------------+-----+---+
|   |   | **ANN        | N/A      |          |                        |     |   |
|   |   | OUNCEMENTS** |          |          |                        |     |   |
+---+---+--------------+----------+----------+------------------------+-----+---+
|   |   |              |          |          |                        |     |   |
+---+---+--------------+----------+----------+------------------------+-----+---+
|   |   |              |          |          |                        |     |   |
+---+---+--------------+----------+----------+------------------------+-----+---+
|   | * |              | None     |          |                        |     |   |
|   | * |              |          |          |                        |     |   |
|   | O |              |          |          |                        |     |   |
|   | L |              |          |          |                        |     |   |
|   | D |              |          |          |                        |     |   |
|   | B |              |          |          |                        |     |   |
|   | U |              |          |          |                        |     |   |
|   | S |              |          |          |                        |     |   |
|   | I |              |          |          |                        |     |   |
|   | N |              |          |          |                        |     |   |
|   | E |              |          |          |                        |     |   |
|   | S |              |          |          |                        |     |   |
|   | S |              |          |          |                        |     |   |
|   | * |              |          |          |                        |     |   |
|   | * |              |          |          |                        |     |   |
+---+---+--------------+----------+----------+------------------------+-----+---+
|   |   |              |          |          |                        |     |   |
+---+---+--------------+----------+----------+------------------------+-----+---+
|   |   |              |          |          |                        |     |   |
+---+---+--------------+----------+----------+------------------------+-----+---+
|   | * |              | Ori      | Stan     | Introductions were     | *   |   |
|   | * |              | entation | Poel     | made by the            | *9/ |   |
|   | N |              | to Field |          | individuals on the FAC | 6/0 |   |
|   | E |              | Advisory | BRS      | and National           | 6** |   |
|   | W |              | Council  | Director | Consultants.   Mr.     |     |   |
|   | B |              |          |          | Poel reviewed the      |     |   |
|   | U |              |          |          | three day agenda,      |     |   |
|   | S |              |          |          | stated the missions    |     |   |
|   | I |              |          |          | and goals of the FAC.  |     |   |
|   | N |              |          |          |                        |     |   |
|   | E |              |          |          |                        |     |   |
|   | S |              |          |          |                        |     |   |
|   | S |              |          |          |                        |     |   |
|   | * |              |          |          |                        |     |   |
|   | * |              |          |          |                        |     |   |
+---+---+--------------+----------+----------+------------------------+-----+---+
|   |   |              | BVA      | Tom      | Mr. Miller gave an     | *   |   |
|   |   |              | briefing | Miller   | update on the BVA. He  | *9/ |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | stressed that the BVA  | 6/0 |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | would welcome input    | 6** |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | from everybody.        |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | Currently the          |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | Appropriation bill     |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | allow for more BRC     |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | staff, VICTORS,        |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | VISORS, and BROS to    |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | support the continuum  |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | of care.  However      |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | there are no resources |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | at this time.  There   |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | are 75 BROS positions  |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | still pending before   |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | the Senate.  There are |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | 35 approved with       |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | funding.  In the       |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | future Mr. Miller      |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | plans to do more site  |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | visits to the BRCs.    |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | Jerry Shutter          |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | emphasized that the    |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | visit would be         |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | beneficial to the      |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | BRCs.                  |     |   |
+---+---+--------------+----------+----------+------------------------+-----+---+
|   |   |              | Guidance | Dr.      | Dr. Beck thanked       | *   |   |
|   |   |              | on       | Lucille  | participants, then     | *9/ |   |
|   |   |              | e        | Beck     | talked about their     | 6/0 |   |
|   |   |              | ffective |          | role on the FAC. She   | 6** |   |
|   |   |              | Field    |          | explained that the FAC |     |   |
|   |   |              | Advisory |          | is an extension of the |     |   |
|   |   |              | Council  |          | National Program       |     |   |
|   |   |              | op       |          | Office with            |     |   |
|   |   |              | erations |          | representation from    |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | the field.  Dr. Beck   |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | explained the chain of |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | command and relations  |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | with the network       |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | offices.  She stressed |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | the FAC will need to   |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | know about Polytrauma, |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | seamless transition,   |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | Hybrid title 38, and   |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | education/training.    |     |   |
+---+---+--------------+----------+----------+------------------------+-----+---+
|   |   |              | Social   | Kristin  | Ms. Day began by       | *   |   |
|   |   |              | Work     | Day      | speaking about a       | *9/ |   |
|   |   |              | Service  |          | parallel process. She  | 6/0 |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | mentioned that social  | 6** |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | work focus on persons  |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | in their environment   |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | and they are the only  |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | services that do this. |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | The main objective is  |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | keeping independence.  |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | She invites all VIST   |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | Coordinators to        |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | participate in the     |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | national conference    |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | call. This past year   |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | they have had 700 MSW  |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | students in the VA     |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | system.  Bill Johnson  |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | asked about the        |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | different VIST         |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | background (Blind      |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | Rehabilitation/Social  |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | Work). George Sands    |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | mentioned his concern  |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | about a to prepare     |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | with a changing        |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | background? Ms. Day    |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | suggested catching     |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | what is deliverable;   |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | what is needed for the |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | patient.               |     |   |
+---+---+--------------+----------+----------+------------------------+-----+---+
|   |   |              | Pro      | Shasta   | Ms. Hood gave a        | *   |   |
|   |   |              | sthetics | Hood     | briefing on her        | *9/ |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | background with        | 6/0 |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | Prosthetics.  She      | 6** |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | mentioned that         |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | Scriptalk seem to be   |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | the main focus. In FY  |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | 05, 949 were issued,   |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | in FY 06, 512.         |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | Prosthetics support    |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | the CATS program and   |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | has the funds for      |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | training.              |     |   |
+---+---+--------------+----------+----------+------------------------+-----+---+
|   |   |              | C        | Stan     | Mr. Poel presented on  | *   |   |
|   |   |              | ontinuum | Poel     | establishing a full    | *9/ |   |
|   |   |              | of Care  |          | continuum of care.     | 6/0 |   |
|   |   |              | --       |          | BRS will enhance       | 6** |   |
|   |   |              | Seamless |          | services to the        |     |   |
|   |   |              | Tr       |          | veteran will be        |     |   |
|   |   |              | ansition |          | treated with absolute  |     |   |
|   |   |              | of       |          | care.  Acuities of     |     |   |
|   |   |              | OIF/OEF  |          | 20/70 may be looked at |     |   |
|   |   |              | service  |          | by BRS as a mode of    |     |   |
|   |   |              | members  |          | care.                  |     |   |
+---+---+--------------+----------+----------+------------------------+-----+---+
|   |   |              | O        | Dr. John | Dr. Townsend began     | *   |   |
|   |   |              | ptometry | Townsend | with what Optometry is | *9/ |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | like in the VA. Over   | 6/0 |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | 2.1 million veterans   | 6** |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | received eye care in   |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | FY 05. He described    |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | the hiring process of  |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | Optometrists in the    |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | VA.  He announced that |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | the best research is   |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | done in the Blind      |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | Centers. If the        |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | continuum of care is   |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | funded and released,   |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | outcome measure will   |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | be needed for all      |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | stages of vision       |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | rehabilitation,        |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | whether its VISOR,     |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | VICTORS, or BRC. What  |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | program will they      |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | benefit from the       |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | best?  Dr. Townsend    |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | described Optometrist  |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | as being unique due to |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | being into functional  |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | rehabilitation.  He    |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | pointed out not every  |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | facility does low      |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | vision. The Vision     |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | Impairment Advisory    |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | Board (VIAB) is        |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | looking at the         |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | continuum of care      |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | needs. This could mean |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | basic, intermediate or |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | advance care. The      |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | advance low vision     |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | model was modeled      |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | after VICTORS. This    |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | could mean more        |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | VICTOR/VISORS.  Of     |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | course funding would   |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | be needed as well as   |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | outcome measures.      |     |   |
+---+---+--------------+----------+----------+------------------------+-----+---+
|   |   |              | Role of  | Paul     | Stan Poel reported on  | *   |   |
|   |   |              | the      | D        | past planning meeting  | *9/ |   |
|   |   |              | National | \'Andrea | which focused on the   | 6/0 |   |
|   |   |              | Con      |          | role of the National   | 6** |   |
|   |   |              | sultants | Belin    | Consultants. He        |     |   |
|   |   |              |          | da-Bruce | briefly went over      |     |   |
|   |   |              |          | Hawkins  | recommendations.       |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          |                        |     |   |
|   |   |              |          | Rita     | Each National          |     |   |
|   |   |              |          | Hutton   | Consultant gave an     |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | overview of their      |     |   |
|   |   |              |          | Mike     | responsibilities and   |     |   |
|   |   |              |          | Lewis    | the areas they cover.  |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | They also described    |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | the process putting    |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | together the annual    |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | national training. Mr. |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | D\'Andrea spoke about  |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | his role in regards to |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | BROS.                  |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          |                        |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | [Di                    |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | scussion]{.underline}: |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | Mr. Schutter asked     |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | about quality          |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | assurance and view of  |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | operations.            |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          |                        |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | [Co                    |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | nclusion]{.underline}: |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | Site visits done       |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | annually by the        |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | consultants. However   |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | the number of visits   |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | varies due to funding. |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | Also there are monthly |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | conference calls.      |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | Electronic Review via  |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | BRS 5.0 will aid with  |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | this process in the    |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | future.                |     |   |
+---+---+--------------+----------+----------+------------------------+-----+---+
|   |   |              | BRS      | Dr. Mike | Dr. Williams announced | *   |   |
|   |   |              | S        | Williams | that the draft of the  | *9/ |   |
|   |   |              | trategic |          | strategic plan was     | 7/0 |   |
|   |   |              | Plan     |          | prepared in August     | 6** |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | 2005 and presented to  |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | Dr. Beck and Mr. Poel. |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | Once it was reviewed   |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | and approved,          |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | committees were        |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | formed. Chairs were    |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | appointed by the       |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | acting Director and    |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | Dr. Beck. Existing     |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | Committees stayed      |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | intact.  There were 11 |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | strategic planning     |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | goals. Mr. Williams    |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | named each goal along  |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | with the Chair,        |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | members and missions.  |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          |                        |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | [Di                    |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | scussion:]{.underline} |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | The present stage of   |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | each committee. The    |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | pros and cons of Blind |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | Rehab 5.0 database.    |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | Professional planning  |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | which includes finding |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | qualified personnel.   |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          |                        |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | [Conclusion/recomme    |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | ndations:]{.underline} |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | Be aware of            |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | duplication of efforts |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | and the different of   |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | strategic goals.  Take |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | a close look as the    |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | stage of each          |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | activity. The next     |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | round of goals may     |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | depend on the          |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | recommendations the    |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | FAC.                   |     |   |
+---+---+--------------+----------+----------+------------------------+-----+---+
|   |   |              | E        | Dr. Mike | Dr. Williams informed  | *   |   |
|   |   |              | ducation | Williams | committee that he      | *9/ |   |
|   |   |              | and      |          | would be presenting on | 7/0 |   |
|   |   |              | Crede    |          | this subject in the    | 6** |   |
|   |   |              | ntialing |          | absence of Gail        |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | Watson.  He presented  |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | on Stratigetic Plan #2 |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | Credentialing of BRS   |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | professionals. Dr.     |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | Williams outlined the  |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | history of Hybrid 38   |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | while comparing it to  |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | Title 5.               |     |   |
+---+---+--------------+----------+----------+------------------------+-----+---+
|   |   |              | Research | Dr. Mike | Dr. Williams explained | *   |   |
|   |   |              | and Data | Williams | his background in      | *9/ |   |
|   |   |              | Issues   |          | research.  He          | 7/0 |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | expressed the need for | 6** |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | accurate data.  With   |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | 5.0 we will have more  |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | accurate data.  BRS    |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | will know exactly how  |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | many veterans are      |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | actively followed.  He |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | also provided the      |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | number of veterans     |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | currently served by    |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | VIST, BROS and the     |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | BRCs.                  |     |   |
+---+---+--------------+----------+----------+------------------------+-----+---+
|   |   |              | BRS      | Stan     | Mr. Poel explained the | *   |   |
|   |   |              | H        | Poel     | process of publishing  | *9/ |   |
|   |   |              | andbooks |          | the BRS handbooks.     | 7/0 |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | These handbooks        | 6** |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | include VIST, BROS and |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | Blind Rehabilitation   |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | Centers.               |     |   |
+---+---+--------------+----------+----------+------------------------+-----+---+
|   |   |              | Pres     | FAC      | FAC will contact the   |     |   |
|   |   |              | entation | members  | responsible National   |     |   |
|   |   |              | by FAC   |          | Consultant for each    |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | national conference    |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | call with an agenda.   |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | The role of the FAC    |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | will be to write up    |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | suggestions, ideas and |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | present them to the    |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | Director.  Walt        |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | Werkhoven, Chairman,   |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | suggested the FAC be   |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | on the agenda for the  |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | next national BRS      |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | conference.            |     |   |
+---+---+--------------+----------+----------+------------------------+-----+---+
|   |   |              |          |          |                        |     |   |
+---+---+--------------+----------+----------+------------------------+-----+---+
| * |   |              |          |          | Mr. Werkhoven          | *   |   |
| * |   |              |          |          | suggested that the FAC | *9/ |   |
| R |   |              |          |          | meet again in the      | 7/0 |   |
| O |   |              |          |          | Spring.                | 6** |   |
| U |   |              |          |          |                        |     |   |
| N |   |              |          |          |                        |     |   |
| D |   |              |          |          |                        |     |   |
| T |   |              |          |          |                        |     |   |
| A |   |              |          |          |                        |     |   |
| B |   |              |          |          |                        |     |   |
| L |   |              |          |          |                        |     |   |
| E |   |              |          |          |                        |     |   |
| a |   |              |          |          |                        |     |   |
| n |   |              |          |          |                        |     |   |
| d |   |              |          |          |                        |     |   |
| * |   |              |          |          |                        |     |   |
| * |   |              |          |          |                        |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          |                        |     |   |
| * |   |              |          |          |                        |     |   |
| * |   |              |          |          |                        |     |   |
| A |   |              |          |          |                        |     |   |
| D |   |              |          |          |                        |     |   |
| J |   |              |          |          |                        |     |   |
| O |   |              |          |          |                        |     |   |
| U |   |              |          |          |                        |     |   |
| R |   |              |          |          |                        |     |   |
| N |   |              |          |          |                        |     |   |
| * |   |              |          |          |                        |     |   |
| * |   |              |          |          |                        |     |   |
+---+---+--------------+----------+----------+------------------------+-----+---+
|   |   |              |          |          | The meeting adjourned  |     |   |
|   |   |              |          |          | at 9:45 am             |     |   |
+---+---+--------------+----------+----------+------------------------+-----+---+
|   |   |              |          |          |                        |     |   |
+---+---+--------------+----------+----------+------------------------+-----+---+
|   |   |              |          |          |                        |     |   |
+---+---+--------------+----------+----------+------------------------+-----+---+
|   |   |              |          |          |                        |     |   |
+---+---+--------------+----------+----------+------------------------+-----+---+
|   |   |              |          |          |                        |     |   |
+---+---+--------------+----------+----------+------------------------+-----+---+