WASHINGTON — Today the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that Dr. Lynda Davis, chief veterans experience officer, accepted the 2018 Blue Star Families — United Health Foundation Blue Star Award during the annual Blue Star Neighbors Celebration on March 13 at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C.
Davis, a U.S. Army Veteran and Veteran caregiver who leads the department’s efforts on improving the Veterans Experience, as well as initiatives affecting Veteran caregivers, accepted the award in recognition of VA’s leadership in supporting military and Veteran caregivers through initiatives such as the Veterans’ Family, Caregiver and Survivor Advisory Committee and Choose Home.
“VA has long recognized the essential role caregivers play every day in the health and well-being of our nation’s Veterans,” said VA Secretary David Shulkin. “We look forward to guiding the national conversation on how best to partner with the family and friends who provide dedicated care to those who have ‘borne the battle.’”
VA estimates there are more than 5.5 million military and Veteran caregivers. In an effort to continually improve VA benefits and services by hearing from caregivers and their advocates directly, VA established the Veterans’ Family, Caregiver and Survivor Advisory Committee in 2017.
Chaired by former U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole, a noted advocate for military caregivers, the committee will provide advice and recommendations to Secretary Shulkin on ways to improve the experience of Veterans’ families, caregivers and survivors.
VA is working to improve VA care and benefits case management coordination with caregivers through initiatives such as Choose Home.
VA is identifying evidence-based best practices from military, Veteran and faith-based organizations that maximize the effectiveness of all programs in support of family caregivers.
Additional information for Veteran caregivers can be found at https://www.caregiver.va.gov.
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Reporters and media outlets with questions or comments should contact the Office of Media Relations at vapublicaffairs@va.gov
Veterans with questions about their health care and benefits (including GI Bill). Questions, updates and documents can be submitted online.
Veterans can also use our chatbot to get information about VA benefits and services. The chatbot won’t connect you with a person, but it can show you where to go on VA.gov to find answers to some common questions.
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