Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs

The meeting included the approval of financial reports for March, April, and May, and a total of $181,583.33 was approved in grant requests to various organizations supporting Kentucky veterans. Discussion included new board member applications and preparations for an upcoming Honor Flight.

The Kentucky Department of Veteran Affairs (KDVA) strategic plan outlines key goals and objectives to enhance veteran services and establish KDVA as a premier agency. The plan focuses on improving veteran benefits and compensation, recruiting and retaining top talent, expanding outreach capabilities to underserved veteran populations, enhancing operational excellence, and implementing a robust knowledge management system. Specific objectives include increasing benefits revenue, improving KDVA's brand recognition, expanding partnerships, achieving CMS 5-star ratings for veterans' centers, and reducing veteran suicide rates. The plan also emphasizes collaboration with state and federal agencies, veteran service organizations, and community partners to achieve these goals.

The Kentucky Veterans Program Trust Fund Board meetings reviewed and approved funding requests from various organizations. Funding was allocated to support a range of veteran-focused initiatives, including equine mentoring programs, home repairs, memorial preservation, veteran parades, emergency financial assistance, monument construction, veteran drug treatment court support, vehicle acquisition for business services, equine-assisted therapy, service animal care and training, student financial aid, veteran business support, homeless veteran assistance, and support for veterans' events and programs. Specific projects included support for the USS Hornet CV-12 monument, the Fayette County Veterans Drug Treatment Court, a veterans' outreach truck, the Roll Call Foundation's equine therapy program, and the Kentucky Veterans Hall of Fame.