Fiscal Year 2004 Performance and Accountability Report Published November 15, 2004
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FY 2004 Obligation ($ in Millions) |
% of Total VA Resources |
Enabling Goal: Deliver world-class service to veterans and their families by applying sound business principles that result in effective management of people, communications, technology, and governance. |
$898 |
1.3% |
Objective |
Performance Results
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E-2 Improve communications with veterans, employees, and stakeholders about the Department's mission, goals, and current performance as well as the benefits and services VA provides. |
- Increased to 70 percent the participation rate in the monthly Minority Veterans Program Coordinators conference call (goal was 75 percent)
- Maintained at 30 percent the proportion of funded grants providing services to homeless veterans that are faith-based (goal was 33 percent)
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$14 |
<0.1% |
Performance
VA took several important steps during FY 2004 to improve communication among employees and with veterans and their families concerning the Department's mission, goals, and current performance. In particular, VA released two key publications that helped move the organization closer to achievement of Objective E-2. First, the Department published the "Strategic Plan for Employees" in December 2003. This document was specifically designed for VA employees to help them better understand the current and future priorities for the Department and to see how employees directly contribute to VA's mission. This plan discusses VA's strategic goals and objectives and identifies the organization's major accomplishments associated with each goal and objective. In addition, the plan presents performance targets for FY 2008 so that employees will have a more complete understanding of what the organization will be striving to accomplish in the next few years. The second major publication VA published was the "Results Report," which was released in August 2004. Designed primarily for VA employees, but also serving to improve communication with veterans and their families, veterans service organizations, Congress, and other stakeholders, this document highlights the significant accomplishments VA has made over the last 3 years in each of our program areas as well as the improvements the Department has made in results-based management.
During FY 2004 the Department increased its emphasis on reengineering the minority veterans' program coordinators efforts. Streamlining of the Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans and a refocusing of the committee towards more tangible recommendations with renewed emphasis on data gathering will enhance VA's Center for Minority Veterans' ability to identify issues and concerns for minority veterans and provide a better foundation for resolving the issues and concerns. The center will continue its participation in forums, conferences, and meetings that address minority veterans' issues.
VA implemented a number of faith-based and community initiatives in FY 2004. Notices of Funding Availability published this year clearly identified faith-based organizations as being eligible entities to apply for funding under the VA homeless service providers grant and per diem program. New VA regulations were published in the Federal Register, designed to reduce barriers identified by faith-based representatives as potential impediments to providing services under VA's only grant program to non-profit organizations. VA participated in the White House Faith-Based and Community Initiatives Regional Conferences during FY 2004, distributing fact sheets and benefit information and responding to hundreds of requests for assistance. The aggressive outreach efforts of the Department helped VA maintain at 30 percent the proportion of funded grants providing services to homeless veterans that are faith-based.
Also, VA was successful in developing communication, collaboration, and coordination of Departmentwide programs and activities to address the needs of homeless veterans. The Homeless Veterans Program Office continued to develop and enhance collaborative programs with faith-based and community-based nonprofit organizations, veterans service organizations, and state and local governments to serve homeless veterans through national "Stand-Downs" and the establishment of housing and employment services.
Program Assessment Rating Tool (PART) Evaluation
There are no PART evaluations that have been completed, nor are there any planned, that specifically address Objective E-2.
Major Management Challenges
Neither VA's Office of Inspector General nor the Government Accountability Office identified any major management challenges related to Objective E-2.
Program Evaluations
The Department has established the Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives that will seek advice from responsible parties within the faith-based and community organizations structure to enhance communication and coordination efforts and optimize resources targeted at the homeless and at-risk veteran populations. The results of the center's efforts will be presented in future reports.
New Policies and Procedures
VA established several new procedures and initiatives in support of Objective E-2. For example, the Department has:
- Instituted a contact initiative to reach all former prisoners of war not currently using VA benefits to inform them of benefits and services that they may be entitled to receive.
- Launched a Web site to provide Gulf-War related medical research information to veterans and their families.
- Continued to expand, update, and improve the Web site that disseminates information about VA programs, benefits, and services for women veterans.
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