FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 1, 2019
Veterans’ Family, Caregiver and Survivor Advisory Committee provides
recommendations to VA Secretary
WASHINGTON — Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert Wilkie commended the
Veterans’ Family, Caregiver and Survivor Federal Advisory Committee on March 27 for
recommendations that will assist in the department meeting its commitment to improve
the experiences of all those it serves.
The committee, chaired by former U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole, a noted advocate for
military caregivers, offered cross-cutting recommendations addressing several areas
that affect Veterans’ families, caregivers and survivors.
The recommendations range from an effort to identify all federal programs available to
Veterans and their families, caregivers and survivors, to increased coordination in
resource distribution to those who require them most, as well as implementation of the
expansion of caregiver stipends with more standardization.
“VA is not only listening to our Veterans, but more intentionally to the voices of their
families, caregivers and survivors,” Wilkie said. “Thanks to the valuable work of this
committee, we are understanding and taking action on their concerns and needs as we
improve the delivery of care, benefits and services. The committee’s recommendations
are vital to VA as we meet our customer service mission.”
VA’s 2018 accomplishments on behalf of Veterans, families, caregivers and survivors
include the following:
Establishment of the Center of Excellence for Veteran and Caregiver Research.
Creation of the Veteran Family Community Engagement Directorate.
Distribution of the specific “quick start guides” for caregivers and survivors a spart of the national Welcome Kit.
The committee advises VA’s Secretary, through the Chief Veterans Experience Officer,
on matters related to Veterans’ families, caregivers and survivors across all
generations. A key element of the committee’s work is to engage Veteran family
members, research experts and family service providers to better understand their
needs and identify ways VA can provide them with a positive experience in their use of
care, benefits and services.
Learn more about VA’s support to Veterans’ families, caregivers and survivors through
the VA Welcome Kit, which includes a “quick start guide” for caregivers.