Since 1789, American service members have sworn an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. In the years since, they have served around the world to protect and uphold democracy. Today’s veterans may have served in harm’s way to keep danger far from home, provided humanitarian assistance, supported disaster response — and many have done all three and more.
Today, we join the nation in celebrating Veterans Day to honor their service and sacrifice, but our commitment to supporting veterans — within our organization and through the programs and services we fund — endures year-round. Read today’s blog posts to learn more!
- Supporting Our Veterans: ACL's Commitment to Outreach and Innovation by Cory Gilbertson, Director, Office of Administration and Personnel
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Empowering Veterans To Live in the Community: An Update on the Veteran Directed Care Program by Victoria Wright, Program Officer, Center for Innovation and Partnership
Supporting Our Veterans: ACL's Commitment to Outreach and Innovation
Cory Gilbertson, Director, Office of Administration and Personnel
ACL was founded on the fundamental principle that all people, regardless of age or disability, should have the opportunity to live independently and fully participate in their communities. This mission naturally extends to our veterans, who have served our country with dedication and honor. Through various programmatic activities and outreach efforts, ACL is committed to supporting veterans, ensuring they receive the services and opportunities they deserve.
Innovative Approaches and Community-Based Support
The national aging and disability network, composed of numerous community-based organizations, is uniquely positioned to support veterans. ACL collaborates with this network to develop innovative approaches that enhance efficiency, expand reach, and improve the quality of services provided. These efforts are crucial in ensuring that veterans can access the resources they need to thrive in their communities.
One of the key aspects of ACL's outreach is the involvement of veterans within the organization itself. Currently, nearly 7% of ACL staff are veterans, who bring valuable perspectives and experiences to their roles. They are actively involved in serving their peers through various programs, including the Paralysis Resource Center’s Military and Veteran Program and the Veteran-Directed Care program, as well as many others that support older adults and people with disabilities. These initiatives are designed to provide comprehensive support and resources tailored to the unique needs of veterans and their families.
Commitment to Veteran Employment and Training
ACL is dedicated to employing veterans and military spouses, utilizing hiring authorities such as Schedule A and 30% or more service-connected disabled veteran hiring authorities to fill positions throughout the agency. To support this commitment, ACL has implemented regular briefings and materials for hiring officials on the federal recruitment process and hiring veterans. These resources are maintained on our SharePoint site, ensuring that hiring officials have the information they need to effectively recruit and retain veteran employees.
In addition to hiring efforts, ACL has a strong track record of providing quality on-the-job training for veterans. Through a past partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Nonpaid Work Experience Program, ACL has successfully placed qualified veterans in permanent positions within the agency. This program not only offered valuable training and experience, but also helped veterans transition smoothly into civilian careers.
Outreach and Engagement Activities
ACL's commitment to veterans and military spouses extends beyond employment and training. The agency actively participates in hiring events dedicated to veterans and military spouses, including a virtual job fair held in May. During this event, ACL highlighted its mission and collected resumes from interested applicants, ensuring a pool of qualified candidates for future vacancies. By maintaining these resumes, ACL can quickly consider veterans for open positions.
By fostering relationships with community-based organizations and other stakeholders, ACL ensures that veterans are aware of the resources and opportunities available to them. This proactive approach helps to bridge gaps and create a more inclusive and supportive environment for all veterans.
ACL's dedication to supporting veterans is evident through its innovative programmatic activities, commitment to veteran employment and training, and proactive outreach efforts. By leveraging the strengths of the national aging and disability network and fostering strong community partnerships, ACL continues to enhance the quality of services provided to veterans and their families. ACL will continue to be steadfast in its mission to ensure that all individuals, including our veterans, can live independently and fully participate in their communities.
Empowering Veterans To Live in the Community: An Update on the Veteran Directed Care Program
Victoria Wright, Program Officer, Center for Innovation and Partnership
In honor of Veterans Day, we are excited to share updates on the Veteran Directed Care (VDC) program’s expansion and impact.
The VDC program provides veterans with opportunities to self-direct their long-term services and supports and continue living independently at home. Eligible veterans manage their own flexible budgets, decide what mix of goods and services best meet their needs, and hire and supervise their own workers. Through an options counselor, ACL-funded organizations in the aging and disability networks provide facilitated assessment and care/service planning; arrange fiscal management services; and offer ongoing counseling and support to veterans, their families, and caregivers.
The VDC program continues to expand across the nation to provide more veterans with access to community-based care. Since 2022, 79 Veterans Affairs medical centers (VAMCs) have joined, or expanded their participation in, the VDC program, partnering with 99 VDC providers in the aging and disability networks.
The Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas, a VDC provider in St. Petersburg, Florida, shared the stories of two veterans who have been empowered by the program to live their lives how and where they choose.
- The VDC program has allowed a 74-year-old Navy veteran who lives with a disability from his time in Vietnam and who was diagnosed in 2020 with frontal temporal dementia to remain at home with his wife as his caregiver. According to his wife, their future was “very uncertain” before they joined the VDC program. Now, though "it's challenging at times,” she says “the extra support is awesome!”
“I wouldn't want it any other way, and my husband feels the same way, she adds. “I thank everyone at the VA and the [AAA of Pasco-Pinellas] and love this program!"
- Another veteran, who is 71 years old, receives financial and logistical support from the VDC program that allows his daughter to be his primary caregiver. This has allowed him to remain comfortable in his home while receiving the attention and assistance he requires daily. In addition to allowing him to receive care from a caregiver who understands his preferences and needs, the VDC program has inspired his daughter to pursue a career in nursing, where she can make use of her skills and compassion to assist others in need.
The program's ability to foster such personal growth within families underscores its broad and lasting impact.
This Veterans Day, we would like to thank all veterans for their service to our country. We look forward to continued growth of the VDC program and new partnerships between the aging and disability networks and VAMCs, which will ultimately allow us to serve more veterans.