The Mission Continues
In 2020, ODVA faced unforeseeable and unprecedented challenges posed by COVID and budget uncertainties. The ODVA team met those challenges head on and with flexibity, resiliency and innovation ensured Oregon veterans and families continued to receive the service and assistance they needed and earned.
This year has begun with a similar fast paced cadence that began with the start of the 81st Oregon Legislative session. In February, ODVA presented the biannual 2021-23 Governor's Budget and priorities for veterans to the Joint Ways and Means Subcommittee on Transportation and Economic Development. As part of its budget package, ODVA put forward two policy option packages designed to support mission critical IT and operational modernization efforts and continued investments in grants and pass-through funding to partners to deliver services to Oregon’s veterans and their families.
As COVID-related challenges continue to challenge and shape how the state conducts important business, I invite those interested in following Oregon veteran legislation or learning more about ODVA's 2021-23 Governor's Budget to follow the links in the 2021 Legislative Update section.
Oregon Veterans' Homes
As a prioritized group in Oregon, the Homes' residents and staff participated in the last of three vaccine clinics held at each facility this winter. Thankfully, both Homes' are remaining free of the virus and admissions and visitations have resumed with protective protocols in place.
The care and support our care providers have given to the residents of the two Oregon Veterans' Homes throughout the pandemic has been nothing short of commendable. Pinnacle Quality Insight, a nationally recognized customer satisfaction firm, has interviewed the customers of both Oregon Veterans Homes regarding their satisfaction levels over the last twelve months.
Based on these interviews, Pinnacle has determined that both Homes have qualified for the Pinnacle Customer Experience Award™ for satisfaction ratings across numerous service areas including Overall Satisfaction, Quality of Food, Cleanliness, Individual Needs, Communication from Facility, Safety and Security, Overall Customer Experience and more. The Customer Experience Award™ is awarded to care providers who have achieved best-in-class customer satisfaction standards within their peer group.
Congratulations to our Oregon Veterans' Homes for achieving this high honor that truly demonstrates our dedication and care of our honored veterans, especially during these historically challenging times.
COVID-19 Vaccines for Veterans
Veterans seeking to obtain a COVID-19 vaccine and who are currently enrolled in VA health care will receive contact by their local VA facility when vaccines are available. ODVA encourages all veterans and their families to check the status of vaccinations and learn about the specific vaccination plans on the local VA Medical Center websites.
Veteran Town Hall Series Continues
As part of ODVA’s work to ensure all veterans access their earned benefits, on March 25th ODVA will host a special virtual town hall focused on Vietnam veterans.
During this town hall, I will be joined by Director Renaye Murphy, Portland VA Regional Office -Veterans Benefits Administration, to share new Blue Water Navy Act benefit and resource information as well as take questions from callers. I encourage Vietnam veterans to register, attend and share this event information broadly. Learn more and register for townhalls at ODVA's Townhalls webpage.
March 29th marks 48 years since the last U.S. combat troops departed Vietnam in 1973. Unlike veterans of previous wars, the troops returning home from Vietnam did not receive a warm welcome or appreciation for their sacrifices. Oregon will honor our Vietnam Veterans and their families for their sacrifices on March 30th with a “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day,” which recognizes the men and women who were denied a proper welcome upon returning home.
ODVA Women Veterans Coordinator
I am excited to welcome Jessica Bradley, ODVA's new Women Veterans Coordinator. The Women Veterans Coordinator position was created in 2016 to work with historically underserved women veterans in Oregon to address the impacts of those inequalities and provide access to veteran benefits and services. Jessica has already hit the ground running, working to provide the first ever Virtual Women Veterans Conference to be held May 22. Sign up to receive conference and women veteran related emails on ODVA's women veterans webpage.
ODVA Director Kelly Fitzpatrick
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Kelly Fitzpatrick is the director of the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs and Governor Kate Brown’s policy advisor on veterans’ issues. She is a retired Army officer. Her military awards and decorations include multiple awards of the Meritorious Service Medal, the Southwest Asia Service Medal and the Army Parachutist Badge. |
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