About the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

The U.S Department of Veterans Affairs; an organization that was set up by President Ronald Reagan (1988) elevated the former Veterans Administration, to a significant level of a Cabinet executive department; giving it a novel name that allowed it still to be referred to by its longtime acronym, the ‘VA.’ The organization is comprised of the following three diverse administrations: the Veteran’s Health Administration, the Veteran’s Benefits Administration and the National Cemetery Administration. Unfortunately, all these divisions have faced diverse challenges when performing their missions; for instance, controversies that involve VA hospitals along with the eminent longstanding delays in providing services. While social workers remain vital service providers to the service members and veterans together with their families, the VA is renowned to be the leading employer of social workers with a Master’s degree in the U.S, not to mention that VA has been generating job opportunities for social workers since 1926 (Byrne et al, 2010).

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Introduction
• The History and Development of VA
• The Functions of the VA
  • Benefits Administration (VBA)
  • Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
  • National Cemetery Administration (NCA)
• VA Core Values and Characteristics
• VA Employment as a Social Worker
• VA’s Leadership Roles

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This text aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), highlighting its history, functions, core values, and the role of social workers within the organization. It explores the VA's commitment to serving veterans and their families across various areas, including healthcare, benefits, and national cemeteries.

• The history and development of the VA, from its origins to its current structure.
• The diverse functions of the VA, encompassing health care, benefits programs, and national cemetery administration.
• The VA's core values and their impact on the organization's operations and employee expectations.
• The significant role of social workers in providing support and services to veterans and their families.
• The leadership positions held by social workers within the VA and their contributions to policy and service delivery.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Introduction: This section introduces the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as a cabinet-level executive department established in 1988. It highlights the VA's three primary administrations: Veterans Health Administration, Veterans Benefits Administration, and National Cemetery Administration, and mentions the challenges they face in fulfilling their missions.
• The History and Development of VA: This chapter traces the roots of the VA back to the Plymouth Colony in 1636 and explores the evolution of veteran support programs throughout American history. It discusses the establishment of the Veterans Bureau in 1921 and its subsequent elevation to a federal administration in 1930.
• The Functions of the VA: This section provides an overview of the VA's services, including health care, benefits programs, and national cemeteries. It emphasizes the VA's role as a major employer, with over 250,000 employees across the country.
• Benefits Administration (VBA): This chapter delves into the VBA's responsibilities, which include providing education and vocational benefits, pensions, home loans, and life insurance to veterans and their families. It highlights the VBA's key role in administering disability compensation and pensions.
• Veterans Health Administration (VHA): This section outlines the VHA's commitment to providing medical services to over 5.5 million veterans nationwide. It describes the VHA's extensive network of health care facilities and its role as a leading provider of graduate medical education.
• National Cemetery Administration (NCA): This chapter focuses on the NCA's responsibility for maintaining national cemeteries and providing burial services for veterans and their families. It highlights the NCA's role in preserving over 2.8 million gravesites across the country.
• VA Core Values and Characteristics: This section outlines the VA's mission statement and its five core values, encapsulated in the acronym "I CARE": Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, and Excellence.
• VA Employment as a Social Worker: This chapter explores the crucial role of social workers within the VA, providing support and services to veterans and their families across diverse settings. It highlights the variety of services offered by social workers, including mental health therapy, crisis intervention, benefit assistance, and discharge planning.
• VA’s Leadership Roles: This section emphasizes the significant leadership roles held by social workers within the VA, including service chiefs, associate directors, and medical center directors. It underscores the influence of social workers in shaping policy and ensuring the provision of comprehensive services to veterans and their families.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The primary keywords and focus topics of this text include veterans, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), healthcare, benefits, national cemeteries, social work, mental health, disability, education, and leadership. It explores the VA's multifaceted services and the critical role of social workers in supporting veterans and their families.

Details

• College: Kenyatta University
• Grade: A
• Author: Dr. Mutinda Jackson (Author)
• Publication Year: 2018
• Pages: 8
• Catalog Number: V703269
• ISBN (eBook): 9783346186782
• Language: English
• Tags: about affairs department veterans