Andrew Joseph Benard

This Affirmative Action Plan for the Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs formalizes the agency's commitment to equal employment opportunity for women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities. The plan serves as a guide to promote employment opportunities by increasing recruitment, hiring, and retention of these groups. It details procedures for disability accommodation, outlines responsibilities for implementation, and establishes review, audit, and reporting systems to ensure compliance. The strategic approach includes identifying impediments and developing remedial actions to foster an inclusive workforce and eliminate unlawful employment barriers.

The Long Range Program Plan outlines the agency's strategic direction and serves as a foundation for annual legislative budget requests. It includes performance indicators for evaluating the impact of programs and agency performance. The plan, covering Fiscal Years 2022-23 through 2026-27, aims to highlight successes impacting the state's veterans.

The meeting covered several topics, including the submission of the Agency Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2012-2013 and a Notice of Proposed Rule Development: 55-11.010 Residents' Deposit of Money. Also on the agenda were discussions regarding the Board of Trustees property, recognition of the Executive Director's award winner for 2012, nominees for the Florida Veterans Hall of Fame Class of 2013, the Agency's fourth quarter report for fiscal year 2012/2013, legislative policy proposals for fiscal year '14 and '15, and the Department's legislative budget proposals for fiscal year '14/'15.

The meeting included discussion of the Agency's Third Quarter Report for Fiscal Year 2013-2014, covering the period from January 1 to March 31, 2014. The Executive Director presented updates on federal and state legislative initiatives, outreach programs, and projects to assist veterans. The Division of Benefits and Assistance reported on the use of the VA's Veterans' Benefits Management System (VBMS) and its impact on claims processing. The Bureau of Field Services organized training for American Legion Post Service Officers and acquired additional office space. The Bureau of State Approving for Veterans' Education and Training (SAA) performed outreach and liaison activities, including a presentation at the Women Veterans' Conference. The State Veterans' Homes Program reported on renovations and volunteer hours.

The meeting included discussion of charity work done by Florida's veterans charities, specifically Support the Troops, Incorporated, and their donations to state veterans homes. There was also a debut of a new Florida Department of Veterans Affairs video. The agency's third quarter report for fiscal year 2013 and 2014 was presented, highlighting the implementation of a paperless claims system and assistance provided to veterans, including medal of honor recipients and homeless veterans. A proposed rule repeal for Rule 55-11.010 regarding residents' deposits and money was also discussed to clarify interest earned on resident trust accounts.