Memo's of Interest
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Recent VA News Releases
To view and download VA news release, please visit the following
Internet address:
http://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel
VA Honors Little Caesars Founder for Supporting Veterans in
Business
WASHINGTON (Sept. 17, 2007) - Secretary of Veterans Affairs
Jim Nicholson today presented a Secretary's Award to Little
Caesars founder
Michael Ilitch in recognition of his advancement of veterans in business
through pizza franchise discounts.
Ilitch's restaurant franchise has a program to aid any veteran
interested in starting a Little Caesars restaurant and also offers
special opportunities with additional deep discounts, credit, training,
and marketing support for those veterans who are service-disabled.
"Michael Ilitch recognizes the value of veterans in business,"
said Nicholson. "VA's Center for Veterans Enterprise will assist
veterans seeking to become Little Caesars franchise owners and looks
forward to helping veterans translate the leadership skills they learned
while in uniform to business ownership and expansion."
In conjunction with the award ceremony, Ilitch, who is a former
Marine, served pizza to homeless veterans at the VA headquarters in
Washington from Little Caesars' "Love Kitchen," a pizza kitchen on
wheels that travels across the U.S. and
Canada to feed the homeless and
disaster survivors.
To assist service-disabled veterans who want to open a Little
Caesars restaurant, the program waives a $20,000 franchise fee on the
first store, provides $10,000 credit on the initial equipment order, and
provides a variety of marketing support and financing options and other
benefits, which can total $68,000. For other veterans, the fee is
reduced by $5,000 and the credit extended for equipment is $5,000.
Veterans are offered business opportunities by a variety of
franchisers through the International Franchise Association's VetFran
program. More information about the companies' special benefits
for
veterans is available at
www.franchise.org
and the VA Center for
Veterans Enterprise's resource site to assist veteran entrepreneurs at
www.vetbiz.gov.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 9, 2006
VA Secretary Announces Agreement on Data Breach Analysis
ID Analytics to Provide Services to Department
WASHINGTON -- Secretary of Veterans Affairs R. James Nicholson today announced the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has entered into an agreement with a company that will provide free data breach analysis services to VA to ensure that information contained on computer equipment stolen in May from a VA employee’s home – and later recovered by law enforcement – was not compromised.
ID Analytics, a California-based company, will conduct the analysis across multiple industries to detect patterns of misuse and determine whether or not there is any suspicious activity specifically related to this computer equipment theft. The company will provide VA an initial analysis, and will then continue to offer its assessments on a quarterly basis.
“Protecting veterans from fraud and abuse remains an important priority for VA,” said Secretary Nicholson. “Data breach analysis will provide VA with additional assurances that veterans’ personal information remains unharmed.”
On July 13, the FBI indicated it is highly confident the data stored on the recovered computer equipment was not accessed or compromised. On August 5, Montgomery County, Md., Police announced the arrests of two men they believe are responsible for the theft. According to law enforcement authorities, the arrested men did not specifically target the computer equipment. Authorities also provided reassurances that the information was not compromised.
Prior to the arrests, VA indicated that, out of an abundance of caution and to further safeguard the recovered information, the Department would conduct data breach analysis. VA’s agreement with ID Analytics fulfills this commitment.
- More -
Data Analysis 2/2/2/2
ID Analytics’ real-time system comprises more than three billion identity elements contributed by its members, which include the largest U.S. industry leaders from across the credit card, wireless telecommunications, and instant lending industries. ID Analytics’ services are used daily by more than half the credit and retail card issuer market in the United States, as well as leading wireless and online consumer finance companies.
Secretary Nicholson also reiterated VA’s commitment to improving the Department’s information technology and cyber security policies and procedures.
“VA remains unwavering in its resolve to become the leader in protecting personal information, training and educating our employees in best practices, and establishing a culture that always puts the safekeeping of veterans’ personal information first,” Nicholson said.
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http://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/opalist_listserv.cfm
Polytrauma Network Sites
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VISN 1 |
VA Boston HCS- West Roxbury Campus |
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VISN 2 |
Syracuse VA Medical Center |
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VISN 3 |
VA New York Harbor Health Care System- New York Campus |
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VISN 4 |
Philadelphia VA Medical Center |
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VISN 5 |
Washington DC VA Medical Center |
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VISN 6 |
Richmond VA Medical Center |
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VISN 7 |
Augusta VA Medical Center |
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VISN 8 |
Tampa VA Medical Center |
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VISN 9 |
Tennessee Valley Health Care System- Nashville Campus |
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VISN 10 |
Cleveland VA Medical Center |
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VISN 11 |
Indianapolis VA Medical Center |
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VISN 12 |
Hines VA Medical Center |
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VISN 15 |
St. Louis VA Medical Center |
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VISN 16 |
Houston VA Medical Center |
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VISN 17 |
VA North Texas Health Care System- Dallas VA Medical Center |
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VISN 18 |
VA Southern Arizona Health Care System - Tucson VA Medical Center |
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VISN 19 |
VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System - Denver VA Medical Center |
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VISN 20 |
VA Puget Sound Health Care System - Seattle VA Medical Center |
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VISN 21 |
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VISN 22 |
VA Greater Los Angeles Health Care System - West LA VA Medical Center |
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VISN 23 |
Minneapolis VA Medical Center |
MEMORANDUM
10 July 2006
Subject: Meeting with Director, VAVS, 6 July 2006
Attendees: Ms. Laura Balun, VAVS Director, Ms. Cindy Ward, PM Rehabilitation SHG, Ms. Jill Manske, Director, VA Social Work Services, Father Paul Holt, Deputy Director VA Chaplain Service, RDML Tom Connelly, USN/Ret, Vice Chancellor, Archdiocese of the Military Services (AMS), Col Charles Gallina, USMC/Ret, Nationals VAVS Representative, Knights of Columbus (KofC)
Purpose: To discuss the appropriate level and kind of support the KofC VAVS volunteers can provide to the patients and their families at both Level 1 and Level 2 Polytrauma Centers.
Polytrauma Centers Level 1 (Inpatient Care)
- Established at the four VA Centers (Richmond, VA; Tampa, FL; Palo alto, CA; Minneapolis, MN) with an already establish Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Center to more efficiently deal with the complex rehabilitation of severely wounded active duty military where the brain injury influences all other areas of rehabilitation making it critical that patients receive TBI care prior to and/or in conjunction with rehabilitation for additional injuries.. These Centers provide the comprehensive, holistic, personalized rehabilitation and treatment required to help the injured service member or veteran achieve optimal function and dependence at home and within the community.
- During the lengthy rehabilitation period, patient families are deeply involved with all aspects of treatment, and are critical to recovery and release.
- In many, if not most, of the cases, these are very young families, with limited funds, and very young children, struggling with acceptance of the horrific wound suffered by their loved ones
- Active duty families receive some appropriated funds support from the military during this but movement of an active duty patient to the VA system can result in delay of funds receipt, creating immediate financial hardship trying to cope with lodging, food, and even daycare costs
- VAVS can provide a very nice “welcome” folder with dividers indicating type support, i.e. fill in the sections with information regarding:
Ø Transportation
Ø Lodging
Ø Restaurants
Ø Attractions
Ø Faith-based Support
Ø VA Contact Numbers
Ø Army, USMC Liaison Contact Numbers
Ø Emergency numbers
Ø Faith-based Assistance
- These categories, then, are the areas of support most needed and appreciated by the families of Polytrauma patients.
- Several of the Veteran Service organizations work with hotels, restaurants, etc to get discounts for family members; the local VAVS Director at the 4 Centers can provide KofC VAVS representatives information on this.
- One idea that might be considered is through coordination with the VAVS Director, KofC representatives could arrange for assemblies/councils to “adopt” a Polytrauma family.
- Other possible support could include support to the local “Fisher House”, i.e. the equivalent of a Ronald McDonald House—there are Fisher House at Minneapolis and Palo Alto in operation, the Tampa facility is under construction due to open his Fall, and plans to begin construction of a House at Richmond underway. (See my May NAC meeting report for Fisher House details). Coordination with the House Manager would provide re: support needed
- Fisher House operates a program called “Operation Hero Miles”, through which individuals may donate frequent-flyer miles, Fisher coordinates with the families and airlines. Details are on the www.fisherhouse.org website.
Polytrauma Centers Level 2 (Primarily Outpatient with admission if required)
- Post-discharge from a Level 1 Center, Polytrauma patients still require continued complex medical treatment and extensive rehabilitation. Some of these patients will still be on active duty; others will have been medically separated or retired.
- To allow the patient to continue treatment and rehabilitation closer to home, VA has established 21 Level 2 Centers, one per Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN). List of facilities is attached.
- Each Center will have professional staff, medical, social work, Chaplain Services, etc. to meet the complex needs of each patient.
- No appropriated funds are available to support the families of the patients during this period of treatment and rehabilitation.
- Since there is only one designated Center in each VISN, travel from some distance may be required, which could include the need for lodging, food, etc, same as outlined above.
- As with Level 1, while some KofC volunteers may directly support the patients during treatment and rehabilitation sessions, as dictated by the local needs and policy, support to the families should be the PRIMARY focus of KofC VAVS support.
- As with regularly scheduled volunteers at all VA Medical Centers, KofC volunteers to support Polytrauma patients and families MUST be officially associated with VAVS, i.e. receive the training and indoctrination required in accordance with established policies both to protect the volunteer and the patient/family. Training for handling TBI patients (e.g. driving a patient from home to treatment) is especially critical.
In attendance at this meeting was Father Paul Holt, Deputy Director of the VA Chaplain Service. In addition to types of support discussed in our forthcoming VAVS brochure, Father indicated that, from a Catholic standpoint, our VA Priests in the field need Eucharistic Ministers, and volunteers with computer skills to help with the administrative requirements the Chaplains, Catholic and other denominations, must satisfy. All support to the Chaplains does count towards VAVS credit if properly recorded.
With the growing number of severely wounded military men and women from OIF/OEF with severe TBI and multiple associated wounds, e.g. loss of limbs, blindness, auditory disorders and mental health concerns, and the sever affects on their families, a major emphasis for our KofC VAVS program is increased, direct, and comprehensive support to both Level 1 and Level 2 centers from those assemblies and councils in the vicinity of one of the Centers is warranted.
Masters MUST be cognizant of the need to have truly dedicated, motivated, and concerned KofC VAVS Representatives and Deputy Representatives assigned to coordinate programs and recruit/retain volunteers. “Family Volunteering” is a major objective of VAVS this year and an effective way of bringing to bear the talents of a whole family. Ages for youth volunteers will be dictated by local medical center policy.
KofC VAVS support to ALL VA Medical Centers is important and necessary. The new VAVS brochure soon to be available for distribution contains a comprehensive list of potential programs, support required, including support to our VA Catholic Chaplains assigned to the VA Chaplains Service.
Simply put, our valiant Warriors returning from combat in Iraq and Afghanistan who have suffered horrific, multiple wounds and their families, especially those young wives and children, at both Level 1 and 2 Polytrauma Centers need a level of support of greater intensity and comprehensiveness to carry them through this emotional and potentially financially devastating period. Without question, THE FAMILY IS ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL TO THE TREATMENT AND RECOVERY PROCESS; LIKEWISE, KOFC SUPPORT THROUGH VAVS IS CRITICAL TO THESE FAMILIES AND THEIR INJURED LOVED ONE. My Brother Sir Knights, this is the Challenge!!!
“VAVS, Human Beings Doing Positive Things” (Fr. Paul Holt, 6 July 2006)
Charles H. Gallina, Colonel/USMC, Ret,
National VAVS Representative
Assistant for Military Affairs
Poly Trauma Centers Chief, Chaplain Service and Catholic Chaplains
VISN1
VA BOSTON HEALTH CARE SYSTEM (523)
· 1400 VFW Parkway
West Roxbury, MA 02132 Tel: 857-203-6814
Chief Philip G. Salois, M.S. (JP) Roman Catholic Philip.Salois@med.va.gov
Office is on Boston Campus 857-364-4576.
Full Time
John J. Nichols (WR) Roman Catholic
Claudius S. Nowinski, M.S. (WR) Roman Catholic
VISN2 (Up State NY)
· 800 Irving Avenue Tel: 315-425-4400
Syracuse, NY 13210 Fax: 315 425 2463 (Pharmacy office)
Sr. Chaplain Richard Brown (315-425-6596) American Baptist
Full-time David James Roman Catholic
Fee Basis Wilfred F. Evans (315-425-2470) Roman Catholic
VISN3
VA NY HARBOR HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
· Manhattan Division Tel: 212-686-7500 x4640
423 E. 23rd Street FAX: 212-951-3375
New York, NY 10010
Chief Andrew Sioleti (CPE Supv.) Roman Catholic
Full Time Pasquale (Pat) Laghezza (Mnhtn) Roman Catholic
Fee-Basis James Musumeci (Mnhtn) Roman Catholic
VISN4
VA Medical Center (642) Tel: 215-823-5800 x6156
University & Woodland Avenues
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Chief James Ritchie Lutheran (ELCA)
Full-time Michael Lipareli x2776 Roman Catholic
Contract Edward V. Griffin Roman Catholic
James E. King Melkite-Greek Catholic (bi-ritual)
VISN5
VA Medical Center (688) Tel: 202-745-8143
50 Irving Street, NW FAX: 202-745-8530
Washington, DC 20422
Chief Clarence L. Cross, Jr. AME Zion
Full-time Jonathan Lao Roman Catholic
John A. Milewski Roman Catholic
Fee Basis Benjamin Opara Roman Catholic
VISN 6
Hunter Holmes McGuire Tel: 804-675-5125
VA Medical Center (652) FAX: 804-675-5223
1201 Broad Rock Boulevard
Richmond, VA 23249
Lead Chaplain C. William Wagner American Baptist
Contract Patrick D. Moore Roman Catholic
VISN 7
VA Medical Center (509) Tel: 706-823-2229
1 Freedom Way FAX: 706-823-1740
Augusta, GA 30910-6285
Manager T. Joseph Lusk United Methodist
Contract John Lyons Roman Catholic
VISN 8
James A. Haley Veterans Hospital (673) Tel: 813-972-7530
13000 Bruce B. Downs Boulevard FAX: 813-903-4864
Tampa, FL 33612
Chief James R. Taylor Pentecostal
Lead Chaplain Edward Lamp Roman Catholic
VISN 9
VA TENNESSEE VALLEY HEALTH CARE SYSTEM
· 1310 24th Avenue S. Tel: 615-327-4751, x5362
Nashville, TN 37212-2637 FAX: 615-321-6350
Chief Thomas H. Phillips (CPE) United Methodist
Part time James Norman Miller Roman Catholic
VISN 10
· 10701 East Boulevard Tel: 216-791-3800
Cleveland, OH 44106 FAX: 216-707-5919
Chief Joseph Hilton, III United Methodist
Full-time Thomas G. Sarnecki Roman Catholic
VISN11
Richard L. Roudebush Tel: 317-554-0042
VA Medical Center (583)
1481 W. 10th Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202
Chief Joseph L. Kiene Roman Catholic
Full-time Charles Smith Roman Catholic
VISN 12
Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital (578) Tel: 708-202-2531
P. O. Box 5000 (125) e-mail: John.Prater2@med.va.gov
Hines, IL 60141
Chief
Full-time James Burnett Roman Catholic
Benjamin Chinnappan Roman Catholic
Contract Benedict Michalowski (Deacon) Roman Catholic
(VISN 13 and 14 were integrated and became VISN 23)
VISN 15
VA Medical Center (657) Tel: 314-894-6566
#1 Jefferson Barracks Drive FAX: 314-845-5033
St. Louis, MO 63125
Coordinator Robert B. Collingwood United Methodist
Intermittent Kevin Callahan Roman Catholic
John H. Schneider Roman Catholic
Patrick J. Christopher Roman Catholic
Contract Mark Rivituso Roman Catholic
VISN 16
Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center VA Medical Center (580) Tel: 713-794-7125
2002 Holcombe Boulevard
Houston, TX 77030-4298
Chief W. Douglas Ensminger Presbyterian
Full-time Paschal Odemokpa Roman Catholic
Clarito Rara Roman Catholic
VISN 17
VA NORTH TEXAS HEALTH CARE SYSTEM
· Dallas Division (549) Tel: 214-857-1070
4500 S. Lancaster Road FAX: 214-857-1079
Dallas, TX 75216
Chief Michael P. Carter Cooperative Baptist Fellowship
Intermittent Timothy A. Gollob Roman Catholic
VISN18
Southern AZ VA Health Care System (678) Tel: 520-629-1843
3601 South Sixth Avenue FAX: 520-629-1820
Tucson, AZ 85723
Coordinator of Pastoral Care John Zinck American Baptist
Part-time David H. Reinders Roman Catholic
VISN 19
VA Medical Center (554) Tel: 303-393-2802
1055 Clermont Street FAX: 303-394-5841
Denver, CO 80220
Supervisor Lee M. Thompson Dir., Voluntary and Pastoral Care Services
Contract Roland Freeman Roman Catholic
VISN 20
VA PUGET SOUND HEALTHCARE SYSTEM (663) Tel: 206-764-2023
· 1660 S. Columbian Way FAX: 206-768-5420
Seattle, WA 98108
Chief Fred D. Rietema Christian Reformed
Full-time L. David Mani Roman Catholic
Fee-basis Richard Gallagher Roman Catholic
VISN 21
VA Palo Alto Healthcare System (640) Tel: 650-493-5000 x1-65257/65532
3801 Miranda Avenue FAX: 650-849-0121
Palo Alto, CA 94304
Chief
Deputy Chief Kenneth (John) Coleman Roman Catholic
Full-time Augustine Koilparampil Roman Catholic
James Stump Roman Catholic
Fee Basis (Brother) Dwayne Crockett Roman Catholic
(Deacon) Louis C. Dixon, Jr. Roman Catholic
(Sister) Margaret Keeler, OSF Roman Catholic
VISN22
· West Los Angeles Healthcare Center Tel: 310-268-4676
West Los Angeles, CA 90073 Fax: 310-268-4743
Chief Michael A. Vasquez Nazarene
Full-Time Max Saldua Roman Catholic
Fee-Basis Thomas M. Acton Roman Catholic
Frederick K. Byaruhanga Roman Catholic
VISN 23
VA Medical Center (618) Tel: 612-725-2000 x (1487)
612-725-2027
One Veterans Drive FAX: 612-725-2126
Minneapolis, MN 55417
Chief Damien Schill (1487) Roman Catholic
Fee Richard J. Wolter Roman Catholic
Aloysius Callaghan Roman Catholic