AN ADVOCATE FOR VETERANS AFFAIRS

Information
The Board consists of seven members appointed by the Governor, subject to the confirmation of the State Senate. All Board members shall be veterans. The Board reports to the Legislature annually regarding its activities, accomplishments and expenditures during the preceding fiscal year. The Board meets several times each year in different communities throughout California.

Mission Statement
The California Veterans Board serves as an advocate for Veterans affairs identifying needs and working to ensure and enhance the rights and benefits of California veterans and their dependents.

Purpose Statement
–To determine the policies for all operations of CDVA.
–To hear appeals from California any veterans who applies for and is denied a benefit by any division of CDVA. Any person who deems himself or herself a veteran may appeal any decision made by a division of the department to the Board.
–To serve as an advocate for veterans’ issues, identifying needs, establishing priorities, and working to ensure and enhance the rights and benefits of California veterans and their families.

Vision Statement
To be recognized as a premier advocate for California veterans’ rights and benefits and to make California the premier environment for veterans of the military services and the National Guard.

Values
The California Veterans Board and its members hold the following as core values:
–Knowledge
–Integrity
–Honor
–Courage
–Dependability
–Justice
–Honesty
–Fidelity
–Selflessness
–Judgment
–Patriotism
–Non-partisanship
–Respect for one another and for all veterans

CalVet Board & Priorities
Not in chronological or numerical sequence

–Veterans’ Healthcare (especially mental healthcare)
Disseminating information to California veterans about their Federal VA healthcare benefits; the process of applying for VA disability compensation; and the appeals process.
Disseminating information to California veterans about combat stress, PTSD, and TBI; treatment options; and where and how to apply.

–Veterans’ Employment
Develop legislative initiatives to improve the climate for veterans employment throughout California, including governments and municipalities at all levels and the private/corporate and non-profit sectors.
Develop initiatives to work with and encourage private and non-profit sectors to hire veterans.

–Veterans’ Education
Develop legislative initiatives to ensure that all California colleges and universities provide information and assistance to all veteran students regarding Federal VA education benefits and how to apply for them.
Advocate for educational benefits for members of the California National Guard and reserve components

–Veterans’ Homelessness Reduction and Treatment
Develop legislative initiatives to help prevent veterans homelessness by:
1)Treating the root causes and thereby reducing its incidence among veterans
2)Improving veterans’ employment opportunities;
3)Encouraging the full implementation of California’s alternative sentencing law
4)Increasing substance abuse prevention programs and substance abuse treatment programs
Increasing funds for rehabilitation of homeless veterans

–Improving Communications with and among Veterans
Increasing the number of veterans receiving CDVA communications
Increasing veterans’ enrollment in the Veterans Administration Healthcare System
Encouraging veterans’ Membership in Veterans Service Organizations (VSO)
Communicating these priorities and resulting programs and legislative initiative to veterans at every opportunity, including speaking engagements by CDVA representatives and CalVet Board members.

–CalVet Home and Farm Loans
Disseminate information to California veterans to ensure the highest possible level of participation
California Veterans Homes

Submitted By: Tom Richards, Secretary, CSCVC

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