1. (VHA) VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION (VHA)
(VBA) VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION (VBA)
(VHA) VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION (VHA)
(NCA) NATIONAL CEMETERY ADMINISTRATION (NCA) with STATE VETERANS DEPARTMENTS
L. HOMANA PAWIKI
VA Office of Tribal Government Relations (Pacific and Continental Districts)
November 14, 2017

2. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
“ to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan.” Abraham Lincoln
Established in 1930
Elevated to Cabinet level in 1989
Federal Government’s 2nd largest Department
Department of Defense is the largest Department

3. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
THREE ADMINISTRATIONS
Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
National Cemetery Administration (NCA)
Secretary of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
National Cemetery Administration (NCA)

4. http://www.va.gov/tribalgovernment/ Mary Culley Clay Ward
Terry Bentley
Mary Culley
Clay Ward
Homana Pawiki
x5306
Peter Vicaire

5. VA Office of Tribal Government Relations

6. Government to Government Relationship
VETERAN
American Indian Alaska Native Tribal Governments
VA Office of Tribal Government Relations
State Veterans Departments
National Cemetery Administration
Veteran Health Administration
Veterans Benefits Administration
BEING
VETERAN CENTRIC

7. VA Office of Tribal Government Relations
OTGR Specialists
Work with VA colleagues to expand relationships with tribal governments supporting priorities tribal leaders have for meeting the needs of tribal Veterans
Promote Veteran-Centric message and action to Indian Country
OTGR Goals
Facilitate Increased Access to Health Care and Benefits
Promote Economic Sustainability
Implement Tribal Consultation Policy

8. Today’s Presentation VA Overview
VHA Health Benefits Enrollment & Eligibility
VHA Choice = CARE
VBA Benefits
VHA Tribal HUD-VASH Program