OUTREACH
In Their Own Words
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Click on the image to the left to watch this informative piece that will introduce you to some of the many surviving families working with the Department of Veterans Affairs, share their stories and provide information about several of the benefits offered by the VA. Or if you prefer, please click here to view this film on YouTube. This video was developed in collaboration with the VA's Office of Survivors Assistance, and Office of Strategic Communications, along with the Veterans Health Administration's Employees Education Services, and the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS). |
OSA Annual Report
Please click here to view the Office of Survivors Assistance annual report for FY 2011. This report will provide you with information about the activities and efforts made within OSA to further serve the Survivor community.
Please click here to view the Office of Survivors Assistance annual report for FY 2012. This report will provide you with information about the activities and efforts made within OSA to further serve the Survivor community.
Helpful information for you about VA benefits for Survivors
OSA has recently developed a PDF version of our brochure for easy access online. We currently have two versions of the PDF, both of which have the same content. The difference being that one is formatted for easy computer use, while the other helps save the environment by being formatted to print with two slides per page. Click on the images below to select the type that you would like. ***This document is also available in Spanish by clicking here ***. Also included is a PDF of the Benefit Administration's eBenefits program, and more!
Click on the images below to view the PDF document.
Computer use
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In addition to the eBenefits PDF, you may visit the eBenefits web site by clicking here.
Information regarding the Department of Defense' TRICARE program.
Research Related to Surviving Spouses-
The Department of Veterans Affairs, working in conjunction Westat has completed a National Survey of Veterans, Active Duty Service Members, Demobilized National Guard and Reserve Members, Family Members, and Surviving Spouses.
Addtionally, the RAND Corporation has completed an Analysis of Financial Support to the Surviving Spouses and Children of Casualties in the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars. As this informaiton is copywritten, it cannot be provided here on this web site, however to view this information and to purchase the report please follow this link to RAND.
OSA in the News and in Your Community-
The Office of Survivors Assistance places a strong focus on community outreach in an effort to improve the knowledge base of the Survivor community as well as VA employees serving Veterans, their families and their survivors. To that end, OSA has been making its presence known in a variety of formats including attending community based events as well as recent articles in various publications.
Recently, OSA has been participating in community based events in the effort to get the word out about VA benefits for survivors. These events include:
Transition Assistance Advisors National Training Conference: OSA participated in a round table discussion regarding VA Survivor Benefits with TAA staff. The TAA program supports service members, their families and survivors in obtaining VA services and benefits. This training conference was held in Atlanta, GA in February, 2011.
Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships Round Table Discussion: OSA participated in a recent VA Center for Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships (CFBNP) community round table meeting serving the greater south west region of the United States. This meeting focused on issues surrounding homelessness programs and vocational opportunities for Veterans, their families and Survivors. This meeting was held in Las Vegas, NV in February, 2011.
Department of Defense Casualty Advisory Committee: OSA represented the Department of Veterans Affairs along with the VA Benefits Assistance Service at the DoD's recent Casualty Advisory Committee meeting. This meeting brings together casualty affairs staff from each branch of service along with the DoD's office of Casualty and Mortuary Affairs to discuss benefits, service delivery, and means of improvement. This meeting was held at Fort Knox, KY in March, 2011.
Gold Star Wives of America Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference : OSA was invited to participate recently at the Gold Star Wives of America Mid-Atlantic regional meeting. OSA along with representation from the VA's National Cemetery Administration, Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs, CHAMPVA and others provided information, materials and support for this outstanding event. This meeting was held in Arlington, VA in April, 2011.
OSA in print-
The Office of Survivors Assistance has recently been profiled in two publications that focus on the Veteran and Survivor communities. To view these articles, please follow these links:
VA Vanguard January/February edition: The Office of Survivors Assistance : Taking Care of Veterans' Families
TAPS Magazine Spring 2011 edition: VA Office of Survivors Assistance : Helping Survivors in a Time of Transition
