4.4: Veteran's Benefits, Veteran-Owned Businesses, and Community Initiatives

Enhance the socioeconomic well-being of veterans, and thereby the Nation and local communities, through veteran’s benefits; assistance programs for small, disadvantaged, and veteran-owned businesses; and other community initiatives.

Other Information:

Purpose and Outcomes: The purpose of this objective is to fully utilize veterans’ benefits and other business assistance programs to enhance the socioeconomic wellbeing of the Nation and its veterans. The array of benefits and services provided by VA has a direct impact on the lives of veterans and beneficiaries. Each benefit program has specific outcomes used to assess program results. However, VA benefit programs also contribute to the socioeconomic well being of the Nation. For example, a disabled veteran completing the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program or a veteran who uses Montgomery GI education benefits can be expected to achieve a higher lifetime income than those who do not participate in the program. Moreover, it is imperative that veterans with disabilities who can work are supported in maximizing their full employment potential. The Veterans Employment Initiative focuses on educating selecting officials on hiring flexibilities that can be used to hire veterans with disabilities. It also assists veterans, including veterans with disabilities, in using veteran preference status when applying for jobs. VA has also linked its job website to military transition centers around the country to assist veterans in obtaining employment. The Loan Guaranty Program enables veterans to purchase housing that has a positive impact on the national economy. The delivery of health care benefits and services has a positive effect on the overall well-being of the Nation and can facilitate longer, more productive lives for veterans. Strategies and Processes: The strategies identified in the objectives under Strategic Goals 1 through 3 also support this objective of contributing to the socioeconomic well-being of the Nation through contributions to Gross Domestic Product, social and economic status of veterans and their families, and health care of veterans and the Nation. VA’s Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) will ensure compliance with the Small Business Act, as amended, requiring each Department to establish with the Small Business Administration (SBA) annual procurement goals for prime contract and subcontract awards to small businesses, small disadvantaged businesses, small women-owned businesses, 8(a) concerns, HUBZone concerns, and especially service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses. Goals will be established in a timely manner at a level that meets or exceeds statutory minimums. Public Laws 105-135 and 106-50 require VA to cooperate and support SBA and Department of Labor efforts to develop programs to assist veterans, with a focus on service-disabled veterans, to establish and maintain small businesses. VA’s Center for Veterans Enterprise (CVE) and OSDBU will serve as liaison with SBA and DOL to implement these laws. VA plans to develop an expanded business assistance program for veteran-owned small businesses. VA will also continue to provide accurate and timely information to the small businesses community on how, what, when, and where VA purchases goods and services. This will be done through print and electronic formats. VA will also participate in procurement conferences and sessions to train small businesses on VA’s acquisition process and systems. VA will continue to make VA personnel aware of the Department’s responsibilities to support small business through VA’s acquisition program. External Factors: VA’s small business goals are affected by government-wide acquisition reform efforts and are dependent upon effective interagency communication and collaboration.

Indicator(s):

Indicator:1

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