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

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

3. (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

4. 21,368,000 696,000 46.08% VA ~ Office of Tribal Government Relations
Veteran Demographics
Source:
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

5. 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

6. 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

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

8. 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 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

9. 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

10. VA ~ Office of Tribal Government Relations
Contact Info
Stephanie Birdwell - Director
VA Office of Tribal Government Relations:
(202)
Terry Bentley- Pacific District Regional Specialist
VA Office of Tribal Government Relations: (541)
Website: 10