VA Office of Tribal Government Relations County Veteran Service Officers Training Conference– March 2, 2017 Holiday Inn, Sacramento, CA

VA ~ Office of Tribal Government Relations Talk about history of office and goals of office.

(VHA) Veterans Health Administration VA ~ Office of Tribal Government Relations (VHA) Veterans Health Administration (VBA) Veterans Benefits Administration (compensation; pension; education; insurance; home loan guarantees; vocational rehabilitation) OTGR works closely with each of the three branches of VA. VHA is one of the largest integrated healthcare systems in the world: 150 VA Medical Centers (VAMCs); 819 Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs); 135 Community Living Centers (nursing homes); 47 Residential Rehabilitation Programs; 300 Readjustment Counseling Centers (Vet Centers)   56 VBA Regional Offices 131 VA National Cemeteries / 5 Tribal Cemeteries It employs over 21,000 mental health professionals and over 300,000 employees (2nd largest cabinet agency) 9.11 M total enrolled Veterans in VA healthcare (NCA) National Cemetery Administration (national cemeteries; burials; plots; tombstones) 3

21,368,000 696,000 46.08% VA ~ Office of Tribal Government Relations Veteran Demographics Source: https://www.va.gov/vetdata/docs/pocketcards/fy2017q1.pdf Projected US Veterans Population 21,368,000 (10% female) Projected Number of Living WW II Veterans 696,000 Percentage of Veteran Population 65 or Older 46.08% Veteran Population by Race: White: 81.7% Black: 12.6% Hispanic: 7.1% Asian/Pacific Islander: 1.6% Other: 3.3% AI/AN: 0.8% 416 WWII Veterans Pass Every Day 0.8% AI/AN represents estimated 154,305 AN/AN Veterans; 137K Male; 17K Female 4

OTGR National Update VA ~ Office of Tribal Government Relations VA / THP / IHS Reimbursement Agreement: 99 THP Agreements; $51M in reimbursement impacting 7,941 unique Veterans Agreements are being extended through 6/30/19 HUD/VASH Homeless Vouchers Released to Indian Country: 500 Vouchers, approximately $5.9 million dollars distributed to 26 tribal grantees (no CA tribes) Recognition of Tribal Organizations for Representation of VA Claimants Final Rule Published in Federal Register on 2/15/17 and will go into effect 3/21/17 Trump Transition Team During first 100 days transition team to visit Indian Country New SECVA – Dr. David Shulkin (former USH) . 7 tribes within Pacific District: 3 in AK; 1 in OR, 3 in WA 5

OTGR National Update VA ~ Office of Tribal Government Relations Three Tribal Consultations in 2016 Consultation 1: Priorities for serving Veterans in Indian Country Consultation 2: Accreditation of tribal Veterans Service Offices; and Consultation 3: A proposed consolidation of non-VA care into a more standardized system under the Choice Act Report in concurrence process at DC Future consultation in 2017 What priorities were identified? 23 priorities – 13 of which were part of VA’s current programming, 10 other were identified Top 5: Access to health care Addressing housing and homelessness Treatment for PTSD and mental health Understanding benefits, including benefits for families Transportation . 6

OTGR National Update VA ~ Office of Tribal Government Relations 71 responses from tribes, Native organizations, urban organizations and individuals (Native Veterans and advocates) 7

OTGR Upcoming Regional Events VA ~ Office of Tribal Government Relations OTGR Upcoming Regional Events June 14-16, 2017 – Idaho Veteran Training Summit (hosted by Nez Perce Tribe) at Clearwater River Casino Resort. Starts Wednesday June 14 at 1pm and ends 12 pm Friday, June 16 One day will be devoted to Tribal Veteran Representative Training Half day to VA specific programs for Veterans and family members Chief Joseph Memorial Powwow held June 16-18 at Lapwai Community Center June 23-24, 2017 – Nevada Veteran Training Summit (hosted by TBD) at Reno, NV Details forthcoming July 2017 (date TBD) - Washington State Tribal Veteran Representative Training (hosted by Suquamish Tribe) at Suquamish Casino Resort . May TVR training in Grand Ronde, OR hosted by Grand Ronde Tribe and OR DVA. 8

VA ~ Office of Tribal Government Relations July 7-8, 2017 – Grand Ronde Gathering of Warriors (hosted by Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde) in collaboration with Native Wellness Institute and OTGR August 20-26, 2017 – Veterans Camp Chaparral – (hosted by Yakama Indian Nation) in collaboration with VISN20 Continue to participate in ATNI and Northwest Portland Indian Area Health Board And other national events 9

VA ~ Office of Tribal Government Relations Contact Info Stephanie Birdwell - Director VA Office of Tribal Government Relations: StephanieElaine.Birdwell@va.gov (202) 461-4851 Terry Bentley- Pacific District Regional Specialist VA Office of Tribal Government Relations: Terry.Bentley@va.gov (541) 440-1271 Website: www.va.gov/tribalgovernment 10