U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans (ACMV) 2020 Biennial Report

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The 2020 Biennial Report of the VA Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans (ACMV) is available on the Center for Minority Veterans website.

The 2020 Biennial Report of the ACMV provides the Committee’s observations, recommendations and rationales that address the effectiveness of VA’s delivery of benefits and services to minority Veterans.

ACMV reviewed information received during meetings with VA officials through document reviews and from direct communications with minority Veterans. The Committee strongly believes that if implemented, the four 2020 recommendations will significantly enhance VA’s ability to strategically address the needs of minority Veterans as the Veterans population become more diverse. These recommendations and rationales address the following issues:

• Expand the telehealth capabilities to the Compact of Free Association (COFA) Nations, Palau, the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia to include the required tools and services to run a successful telehealth system. Timeframe to complete the telehealth system package is 2 years, by the end of December 2022.
• VHA needs to track and report on the impact of COVID-19 on minority Veterans to identify and address racial/ethnic health disparities.
• With the Veterans’ Legacy Program, NCA needs to establish a minimum of four working agreements among institutions that serve the minority Veteran population. NCA should complete this recommendation by December 31, 2021, with annual reports starting December 31, 2022. NCA should publish results annually starting January 1, 2023.
• Requests that NCA modify four of its application forms to capture race and ethnicity information. NCA should complete this recommendation by December 31, 2021 with annual reports starting December 31, 2022. NCA should publish results annually starting January 1, 2023.

Management and support services for the Committee are provided by the Center for Minority Veterans (CMV).

Authority:  The Committee was established in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 544 (Pub. L. 103-446, Sec 510). In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 544, the Committee advises the Secretary on the administration of VA benefits and services to minority Veterans; assesses the needs of minority Veterans with respect to such benefits; and evaluates whether VA compensation, medical and rehabilitation services, outreach, and other programs are meeting those needs. The Committee makes recommendations to the Secretary regarding such activities. Nominations of qualified candidates are being sought to fill upcoming vacancies on the Committee.

Membership Criteria:  CMV is requesting nominations for upcoming vacancies on the Committee. The Committee is currently composed of 12 members, in addition to ex-officio members. As required by statute, the members of the Committee are appointed by the Secretary from the general public, including:

1. Representatives of Veterans who are minority group members;
2. Individuals who are recognized authorities in fields pertinent to the needs of Veterans who are minority group members;
3. Veterans who are minority group members and who have experience in a military theater of operations;
4. Veterans who are minority group members and who do not have such experience and;
5. Women Veterans who are minority group members recently separated from active military service.

Section 544 defines “minority group member” as an individual who is Asian American, Black, Hispanic, Native American (including American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian); or Pacific-Islander American.

In accordance with § 544, the Secretary determines the number, terms of service, and pay and allowances of members of the Committee appointed by the Secretary, except that a term of service of any such member may not exceed three years. The Secretary may reappoint any member for additional terms of service.

Professional Qualifications: In addition to the criteria above, VA seeks -

1. Diversity in professional and personal qualifications;
2. Experience in military service and military deployments (please identify Branch of Service and Rank);
3. Current work with Veterans;
4. Committee subject matter expertise;
5. Experience working in large and complex organizations;

Access the full report and email any questions or comments to the VA Center for Minority Veterans.