Communities Model Last Updated: August 25, 2015 Community Playbook

2 What is a MyVA Community? MyVA Communities are a collaborative network of Veterans, advocates, resources, and other stakeholders who organize through community Veteran engagement boards to improve outcomes for Veterans, Service members (SM), and their communities. The MyVA Communities model provides a framework for VA leaders to begin having conversations with local community leaders about collaborating with existing community engagements or creating community collaborative networks where they don’t exist.

3 Local SM/ Veteran Medical Treatment Facilities Homelessness Services Chairs & Members Non-Profit Organizations Local VA Leaders State and Local Government Colleges and Universities Job Training/ Employment Services VSOs What Does a MyVA Community Do? A MyVA Community drives a shared understanding among stakeholders of the complex challenges that Veterans and transitioning Service Members face and leverages its collective strengths to improve the Veteran experience. MyVA Community

4 Improve Veteran/SM outcomes by connecting public and private resources and capabilities Create forums where public and private efforts can learn about each other and work together to enhance their effectiveness and improve Veteran/SM outcomes Enable Veterans/SMs to easily identify and reach all of the resources available to them, voice their opinions, and provide valuable input Create direct and open lines of communication within the community to serve as an early warning system and enable local responsiveness to issues Why are MyVA Communities Important? MyVA Communities provide a forum for local collaboration among public and private resources, services, and advocates. United around common goals, objectives, and actions, these communities will…

5 MyVA Community Framework The MyVA Community Framework delivers an overall structure for how Communities operate and succeed. Community Driven Led by community veterans engagement boards that shape the broader community efforts Chaired by two respected community leaders and includes identified local stakeholders Local VA leaders serve on the board but do not form a majority of the board’s membership Inclusive Inclusive of all local Veteran-focused resources and open to all Veterans, Service members, stakeholders, resources, advocates and existing community engagements/efforts Establish a collaborative network within the community and provide the opportunity for education and networking Accessible Public forums are held regularly throughout the year Forums are held in geographically diverse public venues to encourage broader participation Forums are actively promoted to involve the public on local Veteran issues Flexible Charters define term appointments for board members to allow for flexibility Customized to reflect the unique characteristics of the community Community demographics inform geographic boundaries Integrated Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), and National Cemetery Administration (NCA) leaders participate and actively engage in meetings and public forums Promotes and leverages local capabilities and resources for Veterans Local and District VA leaders network across communities to share best practices

6 What is FACA? The Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) is a Federal statute that governs the establishment, termination and management of Federal advisory committees (FAC). FACA was enacted to promote openness and transparency and to regulate the number and duration of FACs. When does FACA apply? FACA applies to all groups with at least one individual who is not a full-time or permanent part-time Federal employee established or utilized by an agency to obtain advice or recommendations, unless an exception applies. What Can VA do? VA may participate in MyVA Communities without triggering FACA so long as VA does not utilize the group to solicit advice or recommendations VA may seek facts/ information from MyVA Communities FACA Considerations MyVA Communities are community-driven. VA participates in MyVA Communities by providing representation on the MyVA Communities boards. MyVA Communities are not advisory committees.

7 Co-Chairs Respected leaders in the local Veteran community willing and capable of leading a board of local community representatives and VA leaders 1 Board members Existing community Veterans groups representatives and local VA leaders 2 Promotion Inform and promote MyVA Community to the public and encourage collaboration and participation in Community forums 4 3 Charter Working document that outlines MyVA Community goals and structure 5 Public Forums Public forums are inclusive of all interested Veterans, SMs, Veteran supporters, and the public 6 Collaboration Ideas, information, knowledge, and issues are shared among community stakeholders; 7 Action Test and measure solutions, escalate issues as needed, and share results Standup Board Ongoing Operations Build MyVA Community Establishing a MyVA Community MyVA Communities are locally-operated but share a common mission. The process (below) guides the establishment of a MyVA Community, with opportunity for local customization in each step.

8 Co-Chairs Identify current community group Co-chairs or leads to discuss collaboration and adoption of the MyVA Community model framework 1 Board members Ensure VA Directors from each of the three VA administrations are on the board 2 Promotion Promote the existing community group as using the MyVA Community model to the public and encourage collaboration and participation in public forums 4 3 Charter Modify any existing charter or document to adopt MyVA Community model. Examine the need for community name change if needed 5 Public Forums Public forums are inclusive of all interested Veterans, SMs, Veteran supporters, and the public 6 Collaboration Ideas, information, knowledge, and issues are shared among community stakeholders; 7 Action Test and measure solutions, escalate issues as needed, and share results Standup Board Ongoing Operations Build MyVA Community Leveraging an existing Community group VA leaders may become aware of existing Veterans advocacy initiatives and engagements that operate similarly to the framework of the MyVA Communities model. In these instances, VA leaders should look to engage with these entities where possible and/or seek to identify collaborative opportunities for those groups to adopt the MyVA Community model. “Satellite board concept” - Existing groups open to collaboration should discuss the possibility of creating a “satellite” board that would be Co- Chaired by a member of the existing group and an individual not associated in the existing group.

9 IMPORTANT! Per the Office of General Council, should a VA employee seek to become a member of MyVA Community board which would result in his or her having a fiduciary duty because the MyVA Community is organized as a non-profit corporation, the employee should notify his or her chain-of-command that s/he would be assuming a fiduciary duty. Should the employee be appointed to such board the procedures in the Chief of Staff’s February 12, 2014 memorandum on VA Employee Official Service as a Nonprofit Officer, Director, or Trustee must be followed. Board Considerations When Collaborating with Non-Profit Organizations MyVA Communities are community-driven and independent of VA. VA participates in MyVA Communities by providing representation on the MyVA Communities boards.

1. Standup Activities

11 Demonstrated leader Knowledgeable about local Veteran community Solution- oriented Results-driven Veteran or Veteran advocate Primary Responsibilities: Identify community geography and community name Select founding members Lead board meetings and community forums on a recurring basis Coordinate and facilitate public forums Evaluate outcomes Bring thought leadership Toolkit Items:  Operating framework and suggested co- chair/board roles and responsibilities  Sample project plan 1. Co-Chairs Each MyVA Community has local external community Co-Chairs who serve as founding leaders. These leaders are responsible for the development of the community movement, framing the issues that the Community will address, and leading efforts to empower local solutions. Co-Chairs are not VA employees and for continuity of leadership, preferably not political appointees or elected officials.

12 Mental health counselors Housing advocate groups Employment service providers Financial Advising Veterans treatment courts Homelessness services Social work organizations Veteran service organizations Local National Guard or military base Tribal representatives Banks or loan providers Domestic violence shelters State and local government Colleges and universities Student Veteran organizations Job training services Local and regional VA Hospitals and medical treatment facilities MyVA Community Non-profits and foundations Military Service Organizations (MSO) Faith community 2. Board Membership Board membership selection and makeup is up to each MyVA Community and should reflect community interests and priorities. Toolkit Items:  List of Potential Members

13 Improved Veterans Outcomes Chairs & Board members Community Example Guiding Principles: Action-oriented Informative Highly visible Accountable Inclusive Transparent 3. Charter The MyVA Community sample charter includes how the community will be structured and how it will meet the needs of the local Veteran community. MyVA Community Co-Chairs and board members are responsible for drafting and finalizing a charter. Toolkit Items:  Sample charter

14 4. Promotion Co-chairs and Board members will determine how to engage with the Veteran stakeholder community to actively promote the MyVA Community through a variety of channels. The VA seal and flag may not be used by external organizations, individuals, or community groups to promote use of the MyVA Community model, however the “MyVA” logo may be used by the Co-Chairs and board members in the promotion of the community effort in sharing that the MyVA Community model framework is being used. Toolkit Items:  One page overview of MyVA Communities (promotional)  FAQs  Sample press release Tools to Connect: Social media VSO member s Flyers in public places Announcements at local events or meetings Community list-serves Road shows

2. Build MyVA Community

16 5a. Board Meetings The community veteran engagement board meetings bring together members to conduct MyVA Community business. These meetings are not intended to be open to the general public or the press to ensure that conversations are candid and members can focus on finding practical solutions. Toolkit Items:  Environmental Snapshot Develop common agenda for action Identify / compare trends in issues Disseminate information / gain shared awareness of root cause Generate connections and leverage networks Components of a successful meeting : Agenda / specific topics Experts available to discuss specific topics Coordinators to take meeting minutes and action items Documented meeting outcomes to share with the public Sample Board Meeting Objectives

17 Networking & SharingInformational PresentationsServices Kiosks 50%80% 5b. MyVA Public Forums Public forums are an important tool to bring together the community, connect Veterans and their supporters with resources, and allow stakeholders to ask questions or raise concerns. Public forums will supplement VA’s Integrated Town Hall meetings. Toolkit Items:  Public Forum Planning Guide

MyVA Community Model Public Forum Framework Public forums are organized by community boards and create opportunities for Veterans, Service members, families, stakeholders, and service providers to openly communicate and bring solutions to improve outcomes for Veterans.

MyVA Community Model Public Forum Framework

3. Ongoing Operations

21 6. Collaboration Meetings and forums are intended to provide the opportunity for collaboration and coordination among stakeholders, identify root cause challenges, and engage in holistic problem solving that can enhance effectiveness. Outcomes may be shared with community stakeholders and other MyVA Communities.

22 District VEO Local Stakeholders MyVA Community Co-chairs and board members MyVA Advisory Board Veterans 7. Action MyVA Communities promote opportunities to enhance service and address issues at the local level. Should a community encounter issues that require resolution at higher levels, Co-Chairs are empowered to consult with District VEOs or MyVA Advisory Board members upon request.

23 Contacts Questions? Questions can be directed to Andi Martinez via Organization mailbox: Website: (toolkit items can be accessed here)