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Office of Budget

Fiscal Year 2005 Performance and Accountability Report
Published November 15, 2005

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Enabling Goal: Applying Sound Business Principles

Enabling Objective E-2: Outreach and Communications

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.

Performance Trends and Impact of FY 2005 Result

Performance Trend FY 2005 Impact
Supporting Measure: Percent of newly elected/appointed state officials contacted within 60 days of taking office regarding VA programs/services
2002 75%
2003 80%
2004 90%
2005 Result 100%
2005 Plan 100%
2006 Plan 100%
Strategic Target 100%
In 2005 VA contacted all newly elected or appointed state officials (i.e., primarily governors and/or state veterans affairs directors) within 60 days of their election or appointment to inform them as to whom to contact in VA with questions on veteran-related issues such as:
  • Impacts on state resources regarding National Guard servicemen and women serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
  • Veterans' benefits available from the federal government to veterans in their state.
  • Understanding the federal/state relationship involved with state veterans homes and state veterans cemeteries.
  • Statistics on veteran population and VA expenditures in their state to assist them with planning.
This outreach is beneficial to the veteran because the better the elected representatives understand VA and veterans' issues in general, the better the veteran will be served.

Related Information

Major Management Challenges

Neither VA's Office of Inspector General nor the Government Accountability Office identified any major management challenges related to this objective.

Program Evaluations

No independent program evaluations have been conducted that specifically address this objective.

Program Assessment Rating Tool (PART) Evaluation

No PART evaluations have been completed that specifically address this objective.

New Policies and Procedures

VA is in the process of developing a new strategic plan for 2006-2011, which will be issued in February 2006. Changes in VA's goals and objectives reflecting the priorities of the new Secretary are possible. If such changes are made, VA will communicate them to all employees as well as the larger communities of veterans and stakeholders.