Veteran-Friendly Communities Veteran-Friendly Communities/CVEB Initiative – VEO Update 10.19.17 To address VA’s priorities and initiatives, VEO is partnering with local communities and CVEBs for outreach and enabling two-way communication to improve outcomes for transitioning Service members, Veterans, families, caregivers, and survivors. Veteran-Friendly Communities Coordinate with key partners at the state/county VA level and VSOs/MSOs to build momentum and show appreciation for local communities and CVEBs in fostering ‘Veteran-friendly Communities’ (CVEBs is pulse check for local community) Share information on VA priorities, community toolkits, and foster partnerships (e.g. greater choice, suicide, homelessness, caregiver support, long term care) Provide outreach and navigational support of VA services to more than 12.5M Veterans and over 50M families, caregivers, and survivors who reside in CVEB catchment areas Enable communication and networking across CVEBs and leverage 130+ CVEBs to inform VA’s modernization and transformation across the enterprise Establish strategic partnerships with non-profits/philanthropic orgs to collaborate on transition assistance, metrics, community engagement strategies, family/caregiver support, and outreach, and share support tools/resources MOU’s signed with America’s Warrior Partnership and Bob Woodruff Foundation.

Veteran-Friendly Communities/CVEB Initiative – VEO Update 10.19.17 ‘Veteran-friendly Community’ Initiative Goal: Thank local communities for their hard work and efforts to have a successful Community Veterans Engagement Board to meet the needs of the local Veteran community. This is not only to recognize the incredible work being done, but also inspire other communities to join efforts in support of their Veteran residents. VA will partner with key State/County DVA offices and VSOs/MSOs to appreciate the work local CVEBs are doing to foster ‘Veteran-friendly Communities’ VA will provide a Letter of Appreciation, certificate, and commemorative coin to the local community and CVEB with ceremonial presentation. Recommended CVEB best practices that foster Veteran-friendly Communities: Align with researched and proven success factors of collective impact and community engagement Integrate local service providers and stakeholders with local VA services and benefits to address gaps in services Identify targeted goals on key local and national issues Transparent with information sharing on community engagement activities, reach, impact, actions, and goals Remain inclusive and accessible to all stakeholders

Partnership with Office of Suicide Prevention Veteran-Friendly Communities/CVEB Initiative – VEO Update 10.19.17 Partnership with Office of Suicide Prevention VEO partnered with the Office of Suicide Prevention to develop and distribute: (1) Suicide Prevention Veteran Outreach Toolkit (2) Awareness campaign, and (3) Community ‘call to action’ across CVEBs and local communities. Toolkit provides one-stop source for information and resources for Veterans at risk of suicide and informs Veteran families on the signs to look for and how to best support Veterans that are at risk. It includes options for communities to build community-based partnerships to prevent suicide. Toolkit Link: Suicide Prevention Toolkit POC: Andrea.Martinez2@va.gov

CVEB Summit: Partnering Locally to Foster Veteran-Friendly Communities Veteran-Friendly Communities/CVEB Initiative – VEO Update 10.19.17 CVEB Summit: Partnering Locally to Foster Veteran-Friendly Communities Keynote Address: Secretary Shulkin, M.D.     VA Hosted Webcast Event (LIVE) When: November 8th – 1pm – 3pm ET https://www.webcaster4.com/WEBCAST/PAGE/89/23074    Guest Speakers: President of NASDVA, President of NACVSO, CEO Got Your 6, VA’s Chief Veterans Experience Officer, Community Engagement Office, Executive Director (VEO)                 Audience: All CVEBs, Veteran Advocacy Groups, Veterans, stakeholders, State VA Offices, County VA Offices, VSOs/MSOs, VA leaders, and VA Program Offices. Panel and Open Q&A LIVE! VEO POC for additional info: David.Francavilla@va.gov

Veteran’s Day/Month Planning Veteran-Friendly Communities/CVEB Initiative – VEO Update 10.19.17 Veteran’s Day/Month Planning Calling on all CVEBs to partner with VA on a StorytellersX campaign Leveraging partnership with Got Your 6 to share best practices to execute local events hosted by the CVEB VEO POC for additional info: David.Francavilla@va.gov  

Thank you! For questions and information on how to engage with the CVEBs or spark local community interest to form a CVEB, please contact: Andrea.Martinez2@va.gov James.Wartski@va.gov Website for CVEB contacts: Veteran-friendly Community Website