Secretary's Center for Strategic Partnerships (SCSP)

VA’s Gateway to the Private Sector:
Increasing Access and Improving Outcomes

The Secretary’s Center for Strategic Partnerships (SCSP) builds multi-million-dollar programs with external partners that support the VA Secretary’s highest priority initiatives to significantly improve Veterans’ lives. SCSP is a non-contracting office in which senior leadership routinely use their delegated authority from the Secretary to pro-actively solicit new programs, expertise and resources from the private and non-profit sectors. The team’s mission is to use this authority to formulate new strategically critical initiatives together with VA program office leaders, solicit partners to co-develop and resource these programs, and then oversee effective program implementation. Since 2018, SCSP has built a public/private sector partnership community of 50+ organizations to bring the best of the private sector into the VA. The Center is currently stewarding $200+ million in co-developed programs to drive healthcare innovation that improves the lives of the more than 9 million Veterans we serve.

Recent partner commitments that have created increased access and improved outcomes include; secured zero rated broadband access for low-income Veterans and extended broadband internet access to rural Veterans leveraging the footprint of retail and VSO partners, driven best-in-class precision oncology care through externally funded Centers of Excellence and secured 60+ private sector CEO commitments to strengthen employee mental wellbeing to help reduce Veteran and civilian deaths by suicide. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when traditional suppliers could not meet VA’s needs, SCSP used its private sector network to build a coalition that delivered millions of scarce PPE to protect VA healthcare providers and save Veterans’ lives.

VA Celebrates 75 Years

A message from VA Secretary Denis McDonough

It is the honor of my lifetime to join the VA workforce in serving Veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors.  We live in peace and security today because of the sacrifices of generations of Veterans. … Every decision I make will be determined by a simple principle, that it increases Veterans’ access to care and benefits and improves outcomes for them. Read more »

From the Executive Advisor For Strategic Partnerships

Deborah Lafer Scher
Executive Advisor to the Secretary, Strategic Partnerships

We are honored to work side by side with companies and organizations who are committed to providing resources to better serve Veterans who served our nation. Working together on innovative and bold initiatives, we leverage our collective expertise to deliver the best in class services all Veterans deserve. Whether you are a long-time partner or new to the VA, we invite you to engage with us in this exciting mission.