2010-2011 Biennium Goals and Objectives
Establish statewide veteran service support for discharged veterans and their family members (1 MT Title 10, Chapter 2, Part 1 and 1 US Title 38 U.S.C.)
- To provide counseling, advice and assistance to ensure the veteran and family receive all federal and state earned entitlements.
- To prepare and file benefit claims with applicable agencies.
- To provide customer service through ten statewide field veteran service offices.
- To perform regular travel throughout the state in support of verterans service outreach programs.
- To assist in obtaining supporting military service, awards, legal and medical documentation.
- To maximize the receipt of federal compensation and reduce use of state general fund assistance.
Actively cooperate with state and federal agencies in the affairs of veterans and their family members (1 MT Title 10, Chapter 2, Part 1; and 1 US Title 38 U.S.C.)
- To advise and assist other agencies regarding veterans earned entitlements.
- To refer veterans and their family members to other supporting agencies.
- To coordinate and cooperate with all national and state veteran service organizations.
Promote the general welfare of all veterans and their family members (1 MT Title 10, Chapter 2, Part 1; and 1 US Title 38 U.S.C.)
- To participate in all activities in support of veterans and their family members.
- To perform legislative liaison.
Establish geographically proximate State Veterans Cemeteries (1 MT Title 10, Chapter 2, Part 6; and 1 US Title 38 U.S.C.)
- To construct, operate and maintain State Veterans Cemeteries in accordance with applicable federal and state statutes.
- To administer State Veterans Cemeteries by maintaining burial records, receiving monetary donations and accounting for plot fees.
| Goal | Measurable Objectives | Current Status of Measures |
|---|---|---|
| To ensure state veterans cemeteries maintain compliance with the National (veterans) Cemetery Administration National Shrine Standards, which represents the highest quality visual and operational status of a veterans cemetery. | Progress measured through appearance of cemetery grounds and facilities, and as periodically inspected/ evaluated by the federal VA’s National Cemetery Administration. | Montana State Veterans Cemetery (Fort Harrison), Eastern Montana State Cemetery (Miles City) and Western Montana State Veterans Cemetery (Missoula) were formally inspected and approved in summer 2009. |
| To ensure veterans service program provides professional benefits claim services for veterans and family members. | Progress measured through veteran benefits claim products production, financial impact of service officers’ work efforts, and service officer professional certification and accreditation status. | Fiscal Year 2010/11 Veteran Claim Production: 4635 Fiscal year 2010/11 veteran claims financial impact: $147,175,835. Professional certification and accreditation status: Veterans service officers total - 21 All professionally certified and accredited. |
| To continually monitor and evaluate veterans service operations to attain compliance with Executive Order No. 35-2008 – the Governor’s 20 x 10 initiative. | Progress measured by reductions in agency travel expenses. | Montana Board of Veterans Affairs meeting schedule includes one via video teleconference. Veterans service officers conducted comprehensive review of outreach programs and deleted non-productive travel locations. |
2012-13 BIENNIUM GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
Veterans Services Program
Establish statewide veteran service support for discharged veterans and their family members (1 MT Title 10, Chapter 2, Part 1 and 1 US Title 38 U.S.C.)
- To prepare and file veteran benefit claims with the federal Veterans Administration.
- To maximize the receipt of veterans' federal Veterans Administration compensation for earned benefits and entitlements.
Actively coordinate with state and federal agencies in the interests of veterans and their family members (1 MT Title 10, Chapter 2, Part 1; and 1 US Title 38 U.S.C.)
State Veterans Cemetery Program
Establish geographically proximate State Veterans Cemeteries (1 MT Title 10, Chapter 2, Part 1; and 1 US Title 38 U.S.C.)
- To construct, operate and maintain State Veterans Cemeteries in accordance with applicable federal and state statutes, and the National Cemetery Administration's National Shrine Standards.
