Welcome to the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs & Homeland Security
In 2010 Governor Bob McDonnell initiated legislative action which changed and re-organized the former Office of Commonwealth Preparedness (OCP) into the current Office of Veterans Affairs & Homeland Security (OVAHS). In April of 2011 Terrie L. Suit was appointed by Governor McDonnell to the position of Secretary of Veterans Affairs & Homeland Security after previously serving as Assistant to the Governor for Commonwealth Preparedness. The name change and re-organization of the office serves an important two-fold purpose. First, it distinguishes and elevates veteran’s issues in the Commonwealth of Virginia, a major priority of Governor McDonnell’s. Second, it serves to clarify the all hazards role and responsibilities of the office under the universally recognized Homeland Security title. With this legislation the Department of Veterans Services (DVS) was moved from the Office of Public Safety to the Office of Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security along with the Virginia War Memorial. The Office continues to lead the Governor’s initiatives focused on relationship building with the active duty military community, response to Base Realignment and Closure actions, Veterans issues and Homeland Security initiatives.
Executive Order #41: Continuing Preparedness Initiatives in the Commonwealth
State government agencies and institutions of higher education of the Commonwealth of Virginia must continue to be prepared for all disasters. It is the responsibility of state government to provide for the well being of the citizens of the Commonwealth and to ensure the continuity of state government operations, including the delivery of essential state governmental services. Read Executive Order #41.
At a press conference in Richmond, Governor Bob McDonnell today declared 2012 "The Year of the Entrepreneur" in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Partnering with Virginia entrepreneurs, Chief Jobs Creation Officer Bill Bolling, the NFIB and others, today was the first of events that will be held throughout the year to highlight the role of entrepreneurs in creating opportunity for other Virginians; show why Virginia is the best place to start and grow a business; and to make the connection between education and job creation.
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At the half-way point of the 2012 General Assembly Session, a vast majority of Governor Bob McDonnell's legislative initiatives, which focus on strengthening the core functions of government to spur private sector job creation and get Virginia's economy back on track, have passed their respective houses with broad bipartisan support and will now be considered in the opposite chamber.
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Governor Bob McDonnell issued the following statement on the Navy's decision to call off plans to move a nuclear powered aircraft carrier currently homeported at Norfolk Naval Station, Virginia to Naval Station Mayport, Florida.
"I applaud the Navy's decision to call off plans to move a nuclear aircraft carrier from Norfolk Naval Station to Florida.
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"The news today from Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta that the President will request Congress authorize use of the Base Re-Alignment and Closure (BRAC) process with a goal of identifying efficient savings that can be reinvested in higher priorities was not entirely unexpected. The Commonwealth is fully engaged and ready to tackle these potential challenges to our military installations."
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Opportunity Inc. Launches "Hire-A-Vet Hampton Roads" Website and "An Employer's Guide to Hiring Exiting Military Personnel and Other Veterans in Hampton Roads"
In November 2011 Opportunity Inc. launched "Hire-A-Vet Hampton Roads" with web resources to assist employers in reaching and hiring exiting military and other veterans.
Employers understand that veterans bring with them a strong work ethic, marketable skills and proven leadership ability. "One of the most frequent questions asked by employers is:'how do I reach exiting military and other veterans with job opportunities' so we developed this website and employer hiring guide to help them better connect to veterans" said Judy Begland, President and CEO of Opportunity Inc.
"An Employer's Guide to Hiring Exiting Military Personnel and Other Veterans in Hampton Roads" features step-by-step instructions for using no-cost, readily available tools to identify and reach veterans as potential employees. It is available as a PDF download from the Hire-A-Vet Hampton Roads webpage. Additionally, there are a variety of resource links to further assist employers and veterans seeking employment.
Visit the site at www.opp-inc.org/hireavet.
Dominion Donates $250,000 to Aid Homeless, Wounded Veterans and Military Families
Dominion announced in November that it is donating $250,000 to 10 organizations in six states that assists military veterans and their families. The Virginia grant recipients are:
- Virginia Supportive Housing, Richmond, Va. – has developed eight permanent supportive housing units exclusively for homeless veterans with disabilities. VSH manages these units and provides support services to the residents.
- National Military Family Association, Alexandria, Va. – recognizes the unique challenges today's military spouses face in pursuing additional training or education. The funds will support educational scholarships for tuition, vocational training, professional certification and graduate school.
- Wounded Wear, Chesapeake, Va. – provides modified clothing for wounded warriors that can be worn around prosthetics or medical devices necessary for healing.
- Virginia Veterans Services Foundation, Petersburg, Charlottesville and Staunton, Va. – supports the Virginia Wounded Warriors programs which help wounded soldiers and their families build resilience and cope with the challenges posed from a stress-related injury or traumatic brain injury.
Read more about the Dominion grant awards.
Two Virginia cities rank in top 10 for best place for military retirees to launch second career
USAA and Military.com commissioned Sperling's BestPlaces to create this ranking to help military retirees launch a second career by highlighting the best places in the nation for jobs that match their skill sets. The rankings are a resource to help military retirees overcome common transition challenges, such as effectively translating job skills and managing a new financial landscape. Norfolk VA ranks second; Richmond VA ranks third. Read complete article.
Read more Veterans news.
Disaster Survivor Day in Central Virginia
On Saturday, January 14, 2012, join public safety partners from across the Central Virginia region in Survivor Day ... an event where you and your family can learn how to live safely through natural disasters and other emergencies. Visit the Disaster Survivor Day website.
Secretary Napolitano Unveils "If You See Something, Say Something™" Campaign Public Service Announcements
WASHINGTON -- Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano has unveiled new Public Service Announcements (PSAs) for the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) “If You See Something, Say Something™” public awareness campaign, aimed at educating the public on the importance of reporting suspicious activity to state and local law enforcement authorities.
“Our nation’s security is a shared responsibility and every citizen plays a critical role in identifying and reporting suspicious activities and threats,” said Secretary Napolitano. “The new ‘If You See Something, Say Something™’ public service announcements encourage citizens across the county to work together to build a strong foundation for a more secure and resilient homeland.” Read more on the DHS site.
MODSIM Reception
Governor McDonnell along with the Secretaries of Technology and Veterans Affairs & Homeland Security met with leaders throughout the U.S. to discuss modeling and simulation in Virginia.
View photos from the event.
National Preparedness Goal
The Department of Homeland Security announced the release of the country's first-ever National Preparedness Goal. The goal is the first deliverable required under Presidential Policy Directive (PPD) 8: National Preparedness, which was released in April 2011. The goal sets the vision for nationwide preparedness and identifies the core capabilities and targets necessary to achieve preparedness across five mission areas laid out under PPD 8: prevention, protection, mitigation, response and recovery. Read the full goal on the FEMA site.
ACAMS -- Training Opportunities
The Automated Critical Asset Management System (ACAMS) is a Web-enabled information services portal that helps state and local governments build critical infrastructure/key resource (CIKR) protection programs in their local jurisdictions. ACAMS provides a set of tools and resources that help law enforcement, public safety and emergency response personnel:
- Collect and use CIKR asset data
- Assess CIKR asset vulnerabilities
- Develop all-hazards incident response and recovery plans
- Build public-private partnerships
Using ACAMS also provides state and local jurisdictions with a practical way to implement the National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP), including the NIPP Risk Management Framework. If you are interested in training for your locality/jurisdiction on the ACAMS, please contact Jeremiah Hockman or Richard Hairston.
Read more Homeland Security news.
USJFCOM Workforce Transition Center Opens
The one-stop career transition center created to assist the U. S. Joint Forces Command (USJFCOM) employees and surrounding business affected by the upcoming transformation was opened in the spring of 2011. The center, formally called the Virginia Regional Center for USJFCOM Workforce Transition and Business Development, is located in the Bridgeway Technology Center I building at 7025 Harbour View Boulevard, Suite 120, Suffolk, VA 23435, Exit 8 off I-664. Visit the USJFCOM Workforce Transition website
New website for military families
First Lady Maureen McDonnell Launches "Serving Our Service Member Families" website.
Read more Military news.
