L. Tammy Duckworth, VA Assistant Secretary, Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs

1. National Fair Housing Policy Conference “Strategies for Effective Marketing, Education and Outreach to Underserved Communities” July 21, 2010 L. Tammy Duckworth, VA Assistant Secretary, Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs

2. Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs • Develop and direct all external and internal communication • Spokesperson • Media Relations • Outreach and Marketing Lead • Manage VA’s relationships with all levels of government, elected officials, US Territories, Native American tribal governments, and other groups serving Veterans

3. Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs • Mission • The Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs (OPIA) builds confidence in the Department of Veterans Affairs and its readiness to serve America’s Veterans of all generations.  OPIA accomplishes this by developing, maintaining and communicating the Department’s message through media relations and public, intergovernmental and Veteran engagement to empower Veterans and their families.

4. Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs • Spokesperson • Get accurate message out to public through earned media • Clear, consistent messaging • Respond to ALL inquiries • Promotes services/benefits/events • Media advisories, releases, letters, op-eds, marketing materials, interviews • Has 7 Regional Public Affairs Offices

5. Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs • Media Products • VAnguard Magazine • VA News • The American Veteran • PSAs • Special videos and publications • Available for all VA Offices and Administrations to use

6. Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs • National Programs and Special Events • Winter Sports Clinic • Wheelchair Games • Golden Age Games • Creative Arts Festival • Summer Sports Clinic • TEE Tournament • Veterans Day Ceremony

7. Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs Serves as the VA Liaison to: • The White House Office of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs • Executive Branch Departments and Agencies’ Intergovernmental Affairs Offices • State, County, and Local Governments and elected officials; US Territories and their elected leaders; Native American Tribal Governments and Tribal Leaders; and all of the Associations representing them

8. Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs • Homeless Veterans Program • Provides national direction and coordination for all Departmental activities to serve homeless Veterans. • Serves as principal liaison to the U.S. Interagency Council for Homelessness (USICH). • Monitors VA homeless program outcomes and makes recommendations when programs don’t meet their goals.

9. Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs • Consumer Affairs Program • Provides guidance, direction, and assistance to those trying to resolve issues regarding VA benefits and services • Goal is to settle the matter by working with other VA entities, other governmental agencies, state & local officials, etc. • International Affairs • Serves as the Department’s liaison to all foreign governments, leaders, and visitors • Coordinates all of VA activities involving foreign governments and visiting dignitaries

10. Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs • National Outreach • Coordinating all of VA’s outreach activities for the first time in the department’s history. • Working with the administrations and staff offices to develop and implement a One-VA outreach plan that reflects the Secretary’s goal of expanding access to VA services. • Leveraging technology and partnerships to maximize VA’s outreach efforts.

11. Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs • Main Goal = to educate and empower Veterans and their families through proactive outreach and effective advocacy so that they can navigate the system easily and quickly • A centralized corporate structure will improve efficiency and quality with the increased oversight and coordination of all VA outreach activities