Senior-Vice Presidents’ Conference VFW Washington Office January 23, 2018 Senior-Vice Presidents’ Conference

VFW Washington Office Bob Wallace Assistant Adjutant General, Executive Director (202) 608-8361 bwallace@vfw.org Joe Davis Director of Public Affairs, Communications & Publications (202) 608-8357 jdavis@vfw.org Sarah Maples National Security & Foreign Affairs (202) 608-8376 smaples@vfw.org Ryan Gallucci National Veterans Service (202) 608-8341 rgallucci@vfw.org Carlos Fuentes National Legislative Service (202) 608-8368 cfuentes@vfw.org Bob Jackson Director of Administration & Operations (202) 608-8367 bjackson@vfw.org

Senior-Vice Presidents’ Conference NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE SERVICE January 23, 2018 “Unwavering Support for Uncommon Heroes”

Objectives: Advocacy Recent Victories Activism Goals

The Importance of Legislative Advocacy Veterans Benefits don’t just happen Where we got our start WWI War Bonuses Along the way Every version of the GI Bill, veterans preference, Agent Orange compensation, caregiver benefits for post-9/11 veterans Bad policy stopped Elimination of IU, Tax on Troops, TRICARE copayment increases

2016/2017 Legislative Victories Permanent Expansion of Special Survivor Indemnity Allowance Prevented Larger Copayment Increases for TRICARE Declassifying Toxic Exposure Documents Forever GI Bill Streamlined appeals process Accountability and whistleblower protections Global War on Terrorism memorial VA workforce improvements Choice Program improvements and expansion The Toxic Exposure Research Act Fertility treatment and adoption reimbursement for severely disabled veterans

Why Legislative Activism Works All politics are local! You are the employer They will listen to you You bring an expertise You know what effects veterans Your perspective is important Your Influence Counts… USE IT!

Take Action Respond to Action Alerts Host Elected Officials and Candidates Latest alert (Oppose dismantling of VA care) Open your Post to ALL political parities 299k received, 78k opened, 11k took action, 11k messages Invite them to speak at meetings/events Most successful (IU) 291k received, 84k opened, 8k took action, 28k messages Work with your Legislative Ambassadors Vote Attend Congressional Town Halls – Ask Questions Veterans, Service Members, Families – VFW Priorities

2017/2018 VFW Legislative Priorities Budget Compensation and Benefits End Sequestration Toxic exposure Fully fund VA and DOD Concurrent receipt Workforce and Accountability Increase burial allowances to account for inflation and include spouses’ information on all headstones. Hire more doctors Provide quality training to VA employees and managers Education and Employment Strong employment and training services Quickly investigate and discipline wrongdoers Homeless reintegration and prevention programs Health Care DOD civil workforce reform Improve VA and Community Care Veterans treatment courts Expand gender-specific programs and competencies National Defense and Foreign Affairs Construction Protect and improve on-base quality of life programs Expand caregivers program POW/MIA

Where to Find Resources Contact the VFW National Legislative Service Email me: cfuentes@vfw.org Call (202) 608-8368 www.vfw.org/advocacy Talking Points & Priority Goals Congressional Testimony Action Corps Fact-finding mission reports VA health care watch

Senior-Vice Presidents’ Conference NATIONAL VETERANS SERVICE January 23, 2018 “Unwavering Support for Uncommon Heroes”

Objectives: Mission & Responsibilities Misconceptions Exercise Outreach Success Stories Questions?

Mission: Benefits Assistance www.vfw.org/NVS Director: Deputy Director I: Deputy Director II: Ryan Gallucci Dawn Jirak Mike Figlioli rgallucci@vfw.org djirak@vfw.org mfiglioli@vfw.org 202-608-8341 202-608-8346 202-608-8373

Responsibilities: Help veterans access earned benefits: Accredit and train VFW’s global network of service officers Provide direct assistance to separating service members and VFW client appeals Provide referral and casework services Work with federal agencies to ensure proper administration of veterans’ benefit programs Manage VFW’s national network of volunteers at VA hospitals (VAVS)

Misconceptions: Volunteers I can do it on my own Untrained Pay-to-Play I’m taking benefits away from other vets Members Only “Are you VA?” We Only Do Claims I’m not disabled

Service Officer: What VA thinks I do What veterans think I do What civilians think I do What I think I do What clients think I do What I actually do

NVS “Hip Pocket” Training

VFW Service Officers are… …the best PROFESSIONAL, Trained, Accredited Advocates in the nation. IG: Veterans represented by VSOs receive more VA compensation. Board of Veterans Appeals more likely to grant for VFW-represented veterans.

Outreach Concepts: Goal: Identify NEW veterans who need VFW’s assistance VFW & Auxiliary audiences are not always the best audience (many are already clients) Identify community events, places where veterans frequent: VA hospitals, VetCenters Military installations, Guard/Reserve units College campuses Gun shows, outdoor shows, bike/car shows, etc. Faith-based, community organizations

“VFW Accredited Service Officers lead the way” Outreach – Your Role: “VFW Accredited Service Officers lead the way” As leaders, tell veterans and their families to: Never file a VA claim without accredited representation. VFW’s Accredited Service Officers are the “go-to” people for all veterans’ benefits to include VA claims and VA health care issues. All Service Officers should be your best recruiters. Refer Folks to VFW DSOs for VA Assistance!

Success Stories: “Why Choose VFW?” Nearly $7.7 billion in benefits in FY2017* 1,900 advocates accredited worldwide 110,000 new awards in CY2016 80 hours of training for service officers every year More likely to WIN appeals at BVA FREE services for ALL clients *Figures reported by VA for FY2017

Success Stories: 1 Student Veteran: www.vfw.org/1StudentVeteran Waived $70,000 Debt for retiree dependent Reinstated full benefits for reserve officer Corrected VA manual on “Administrative Error” VA Voluntary Service: www.vfw.org/VolunteerService More than 5,000 regularly-scheduled volunteers at more than 150 facilities Contributed 701,876 volunteer hours Raised more than $1.7 million in donations VA Health Care Casework: www.vfw.org/VAWatch Intervened on behalf of more than 2,000 veterans Conducted multiple surveys to publish 5 reports on the current state and future of VA care

Key NVS Links: Benefits Assistance: www.vfw.org/NVS Health Care Advocacy: www.vfw.org/VAwatch VA Voluntary Service: www.vfw.org/volunteerservice 1 Student Veteran: www.vfw.org/1studentveteran Tactical Assessment Center: vfw@vfw.org NVS “Hip Pocket” Training

QUESTIONS?