What is unclear is the VA proponents’ response of ‘CONCUR IN PRINCIPLE’ which was highlighted throughout the ACMV 2009 report. While the Committee fully appreciates the Department’s responses, we request clarification on this term, for future reference as the ACMV continues with its efforts to assist the Secretary, and the entire Department, in articulating VA priorities and Transformation 21 initiatives to Veterans, their families, and to the public in general. The ACMV respectfully requests that responses from VA proponents include specific data and updates to the recommendations. In addition, we also request that the proponents articulate their responses during the ACMV annual meeting normally held in November of each year at VACO. This will be very helpful in preparing the ACMV for their offsite visit which is normally scheduled in April of each year. The Committee commends the senior leaders at the San Diego VAHCS, San Diego VARO, and Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery for their receptiveness to the Committee’s recommendations and for their outstanding support and services to the Veterans and their families in the San Diego area. In summary, the ACMV’s recommendations and observations provide essential information to the Department on the effectiveness of health care and benefits services delivery to Veterans and their families. The members of the ACMV are Veteran advocates and an extension of the Secretary’s staff. They are able to gain first hand information from Veterans and their families on how best to provide services to them. We appreciate the Secretary’s confidence in the Committee’s work and the Department’s responses to the annual report. We also look forward to improving the Committee’s dialogue with you, your staff, Veterans, and their families. Part I – Recommendations The Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans (ACMV) November 2-5, 2009: Washington, D.C. April 12 – 15, 2010: San Diego, CA BACKGROUND The ACMV’s annual meeting in Washington, D.C. on November 2-5, 2009, and site visit in San Diego, CA on April 12-15, 2010 were successful in receiving information from VA Leadership and measuring that information to program execution in the field. Based upon the ACMV’s assessment during the site visit and comparing the information with previous site visits, several issues and/or
10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. Break 10:15 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Demographic Data Overview/Update Mr. Dat Tran, Supervisory Management Analyst Office of Policy & Planning 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Office of Public & Intergovernmental Affairs (Tribal Government to Government Consultation Policy, Collaboration with State Departments of Veterans Affairs, Homelessness, Outreach) Mr. Pete Dougherty, Director of Homeless Programs Office 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Lunch (on your own) Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans Capital Hilton Monday, November 2, 2009 – Pan American Room 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Veterans Health Administration Overview/Update (Priority 8&5 Enrollment, Mental Health, Rural Health, Homelessness, MVPC Outreach) Dr. Gerald Cross, Acting Under Secretary for Health VHA Panel Members 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Round Table Discussion w/ Ex-Officios 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Committee after Action Review 5:00 p.m. Committee Adjourns Tuesday, November 3, 2009 – Pan American Room 7:30 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. Coffee (on your own) 8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Ms. Lucretia M. McClenney, Designated Federal Officer Chairman Antonio M. Taguba Opening Remarks/Introductions/Review Agenda 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Veterans Employment Overview/Update Mr. Dennis May, Director Veterans Employment Coordination Service 9:30 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. Break
CMV Staff/Committee Members 9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Arrive/Assemble at the Russell Senate Office Bldg Room SR-418 CMV Staff/Committee Members 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Meeting with Congressional Staff Room SR-418 CMV Staff/Committee Members 11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Return to the Capital Hilton CMV Staff/Committee Members Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans Capital Hilton- Continued Wednesday, November 4, 2009 – Pan American Room 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Lunch (on your own) 1:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Presentation of Certificates of Appointments Mr. John Gingrich Chief of Staff of Veterans Affairs Appointees Chairman Antonio M. Taguba Mr. Benjamin C. Palacios 1:30 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. Remarks/Photo Op Mr. John Gingrich Chief of Staff of Veterans Affairs 2:15 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Overview/Update Briefing (ODI Strategic Plan, Leadership Training, Under-Representation) Ms. Georgia Coffey, Deputy Assistant Secretary Mr. Michael Dole, Director, Affirmative Employment Ms. Tinisha Agramonte, Director, Outreach and Retention Office of Diversity & Inclusion 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Committee Action Review 5:00 p.m. Committee Adjourns Thursday, November 5, 2009 – Pan American Room 7:30 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. Coffee (on your own)