All information on VAVS comes from VHA handbook 1620.01 2024
Primary objectives of the American legion VAVS program
1.Attainment of the most effective use of American legion volunteer resources
2.Coordination and integration of the American legion volunteer assistance into the medical care program
3.Supplementing the work of VA staff in providing health care services to veterans and their FAMILIES Medical centers and independent outpatient clinics are required to have a VAVS committee
State – department adjutant oversees VAVS
Department chairmen is responsible for the overall successful operation of the VAVS program
The Voluntary Service
Program Manager administers and operates the program under the super- vision of the associate medical center director or other senior management official, and serves as deputy chairman of the committee. The membership of the medical center VAVS committee includes one certified local representative and up to three certified local deputy representatives (exclusive of satellite clinic appointments) of each voluntary organization, which is a member of the VAVS NAC. The number of deputy VAVS representatives is based on the demonstrated need of the organization. Where appropriate, an associate representative and a deputy associate representative may be included on the rolls of the committee. Each VAVS representative of The American Legion is the connecting link between the medical facility and all of the Legion posts which have members participating in that medical facility voluntary service program.
The VAVS representative works with the medical facility staff in planning the best use of The American Legion’s resources in the community. Developing and maintaining a database of department VAVS representatives and deputy representatives. Ensuring VAVS representatives and deputy representatives are aware of their responsibilities. Submitting annual Department VAVS Summary to National Headquarters with recommendations for program enhancement or improvement.
The post VAVS chairman will recommend ways for the post to
1. Support the veterans based on the information provided by the VAVS representative.
2. The post VAVS chairman coordinates all activities with the VAVS representative.
3. The post VAVS chairman presents the VAVS program to the post and provides status reports to the members and the VAVS representative.
4. The post VAVS chairman provides newsletter articles regarding the
VA Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC): Fisher Houses: The Fisher House Foundation offers support and provides lodging for families while they are visiting the hospital for extended periods of time due to patients receiving care. Assistance is needed in donations of paper goods, linens, food, books and videos. State Veterans Homes: Vet Center: Vet Centers serve veterans and their families including professional readjustment counseling, community education, outreach to special populations, work with community organizations. VA Cemeteries: VA Cemeteries provide military funeral honors to those who served. Opportunities for volunteers include rifle salute performances, American flag folding at gravesites, and the annual Wreaths across America placement and retrieval. (http://www.wreathsacrossarmerica.org/) VA Special Events VA has many major events where volunteer support is needed. Some of these include:
- National Wheelchair Games, National Golden Age Games,
- National Creative Arts Festival, National Winter Sports Clinic, Homeless
- Stand Downs,
- Annual Red Cross Blood Drive and the
- Operation Enduring Freedom and
- Operation Iraqi Freedom Welcome Home event celebrations.
activities of the post.