FACACLASSIC

Note: An Annual Comprehensive Review, as required by §7 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, is conducted each year on committee data entered for the previous fiscal year (referred to as the reporting year). The data for the reporting year is not considered verified until this review is complete and the data is moved to history for an agency/department. See the Data From Previous Years section at the bottom of this page for the committee’s historical, verified data.

Details on agency responses to committee recommendations can be found under the Performance Measures section for each committee in the fields “Agency Feedback” and “Agency Feedback Comment.”

VA - 33 - Advisory Committee on Prosthetics and Special-Disabilities Programs - Statutory (Congress Created)

GENERAL INFORMATION

Committee Name	Advisory Committee on Prosthetics and Special-Disabilities Programs	Agency Name	Department of Veterans Affairs
Fiscal Year	2025	Committee Number	33
Original Establishment Date	10/9/1992	Committee Status	Chartered
Actual Termination Date		Committee URL
Actual Merged Date		Presidential Appointments*	No
New Committee This FY	No	Max Number of Members*	15
Terminated This FY	No	Designated Fed Officer Position Title*	Designated Federal Officer
Merged This FY		Designated Federal Officer Prefix	Ms.
Current Charter Date	5/9/2024	Designated Federal Officer First Name*	Sonya
Date Of Renewal Charter	5/9/2026	Designated Federal Officer Middle Name	M.
Projected Termination Date		Designated Federal Officer Last Name*	Skinker
Exempt From Renewal*	No	Designated Federal Officer Suffix
Specific Termination Authority		Designated Federal Officer Phone*	202-461-7323
Establishment Authority*	Statutory (Congress Created)	Designated Federal Officer Fax*
Specific Establishment Authority*	38 U.S.C. 543	Designated Federal Officer Email*	sonya.skinker@va.gov
Effective Date Of Authority*	10/9/1992
Exempt From EO 13875 Discretionary Cmte	Not Applicable
Committee Type*	Continuing
Presidential*	No
Committee Function*	Non Scientific Program Advisory Board

RECOMMENDATION/JUSTIFICATIONS

Agency Recommendation*	Continue
Legislation to Terminate Required	Not Applicable
Legislation Status	Not Applicable
How does cmte accomplish its purpose?*	The Federal Advisory Committee for Prosthetics and Special Disabilities Programs met objectives for VA Priorities and Strategic Goals in FY 2024. The Committee provided advice to the Secretary on prosthetics and special disabilities programs which are defined as any program administered by the Secretary to serve Veterans with spinal cord injury, blindness or visual impairment, loss of or loss of use of extremities, deafness or hearing impairment, or other serious incapacities in terms of daily life functions. The interaction of the Committee with various VA programs for the severely disabled Veteran population and their recommendations to these programs supported VA initiatives to improve the quantity and quality of services provided to these Veterans while meeting the Department’s Strategic Goals, to include: • Goal 1: VA consistently communicates with its customers and partners to assess and maximize performance, evaluate needs, and build long-term relationships and trust. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation physicians as well as non-physician Rehabilitation specialists consistently communicate with Veterans and partners to evaluate needs and maximize performance. National Veterans Sports Programs & Special Events outreach includes podcasts, articles TV, radio and newspaper articles, including monthly grand rounds, Providers4Vets platform on salesforce, and list serve distributions information to staff members. In partnership with Whole Health, patient education materials have been developed for Veterans who are served by all rehabilitation specialties and especially Veterans with dual sensory loss. Educational materials for Veterans with amputation were developed to provide enriched resources for wellness and health management. Rehabilitation and Prosthetic Services (RPS) promoted the assessment of sensory health, Blind Rehabilitation Services (BRS) and Audiology and Speech Pathology Services (ASPS) that can be added to personal health inventory and developed Fact Sheets for Staff and patients, with emphasis on Veterans with Dual Sensory Loss. Employee and caregiver education and fact sheets were developed in areas of hearing loss, visual loss, and dual sensory loss. VA and 7 other Federal agencies, under Section 203 COMPACT Act-Interagency Task Force on Outdoor Recreation, are working together to build a framework, evaluating the use of public lands for Veterans, caregivers and families, making recommendations on ways to improve access/reduce barriers. Assistive Technology (AT) continues to support functional independence and includes alternative and augmentative communication, electronic cognitive aides, electronic aides of daily living, adaptive sports, complex wheelied mobility, and driver rehabilitation. AT programs have expanded for Polytrauma patients. Special programs and equipment enhance lifestyles of those living with Spinal Cord Injuries/Disorders. Rural health projects and clinical resource hubs provide services and support where limited access is available. Virtual care and special applications allow Veterans to securely communicate with providers and facilitate their participation in their health care. • Goal 2: VA delivers timely, accessible, and high-quality benefits, care and services to meet the unique needs of Veterans and all those we serve. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation physicians as well as non-physician Rehabilitation specialists promote access and effective care delivery through face-to-face patient appointments as well as through a variety of virtual care means (both synchronous and asynchronous). Specialty care is delivered in a variety of settings for easy access and greater choice. Physical Therapy is delivered in Medical Centers, Community Living Centers, and in Patient Aligned Care Teams such as Primary Care, Geriatrics, Women’s Health, Home Care, Emergency Departments and Spinal Cord Injury Programs. Occupational Therapy works with mental health services to provide greater access to Veterans at high risk for suicide; to provide services to homeless Veterans; offers gender affirming prosthetic devices to drive equity for LGBTQ+ Veterans; works with VBA to streamline virtual home evaluations; and support active-duty service member transitioning to veteran status (Military to VA program). Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service (PSAS) is the largest and most comprehensive provider of prosthetic devices and sensory aids, provides medically appropriate equipment, supplies and services that optimize Veteran health and independence and ensures devices and services are strategically sourced and consistent with clinical need. PSAS provides medically appropriate equipment, supplies and services that optimize Veteran health and independence, ensures devices and services are strategically sourced and consistent with clinical need. Services include orthotic and prosthetic services, restorations, home oxygen, dog insurance. Devices include durable medical equipment and supplies, wheelchairs and accessories, eyeglasses, blind aids, low vision aids, Hearing aids and assistive listening devices, Health monitoring equipment, artificial limbs/custom braces, surgical implants, adapted sports and recreational equipment. VA’s Benefit Program includes automobile adaptive equipment, clothing allowance, home improvements and structural alterations. VHA is the only national system to completely integrate rehabilitation services for Veterans with visual impairments. BRS continuum of care integrates with other services to provide care from wide range of vision loss. Rehabilitation specialties have integrated systems of care, specialized rehabilitation sites, and interdisciplinary teams serving Veterans through inpatient, outpatient, and virtual care services. Occupational Therapy works outside of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation with mental health, homeless and caregiver support programs. Occupational Therapy also works with Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury on lifestyle redesign. • Goal 3: VA builds and maintains trust with Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors—as well as our employees and partners—through proven stewardship, transparency, and accountability. RPS strives to improve the Veteran Experience through Partnership with Office of Patient Experience. Voice of the Veteran surveys (V-Signals) regarding Outpatient Rehabilitation Services in VHA, highlighting that 95.2% of Veterans say they are satisfied with services and 92.7% say they trust their VA facility for their healthcare needs. Additionally, similar positive responses (range 93.6% to 99%) were received for Inpatient Rehabilitation acute and subacute care units based on Commission for Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities. Recreation Therapy and Creative Arts Therapy Service (RTCATS) established a multidisciplinary field advisory subcommittee to educate, train and promote the use of adaptive assistive technology for Veterans. RTCATS Established standardized staffing guidelines for community living centers. Creative Arts Therapies is building partnerships with other offices. Staffing-added 49 new facilities across enterprise Funding Support for: Creative Arts Festival, Special projects and initiatives, Virtual Reality, Arts and Humanities Virtual Workshops to help develop community partnerships and TeleRehabilitation Initiatives which help reach rural Veterans. • Goal 4: VA strives toward excellence in all business operations—including governance, systems, data and management—to improve experiences, satisfaction rates, accountability and security for Veterans. VHA National Standards of Practice has-been a priority of all rehabilitation specialties. VHA National Standards of Practice seek to standardize practice, allow for VHA to provide services across the enterprise and to allow VHA to assist in the event of a national emergency. Modernization has also taken the form of increasing access to care such as in on-station chiropractic care. Improvements in best practices in the following areas have been noted: drivers training for disabled Veterans, whole health, wheeled mobility clinics, wellness programs (Be Active and Move). Increased opportunities for specialized surgeries such as osteointegration as well as other surgical advances and technologies will impact the future of care. Updated Qualification Standards and expanded training and residency programs have contributed to recruitment efforts. Significant efforts have been made to educate and train providers and to expand mentorship and training opportunities. Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy Training and Residency programs have grown significantly (numbers). Orthotic, Pedorthic and Prosthetic Clinical Services (OPPCS) experiences a continued increase in demand for services and are modernizing the workforce with specialized training to enable and address more complex custom devices and artificial limbs. To prepare for the future, clinical training programs, residencies and mentorship opportunities continue to expand. Expansion is especially noted in Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy with a broad and diverse range of specialty practice residency programs in place. Special mentorship and traineeship opportunities continue to grow. Virtual care continues to expand and to be integrated into clinical practice in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation medicine, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Kinesiotherapy, Chiropractic Care, Traumatic Brain Injury, Polytrauma, and Spinal Cord Injury/Disorders System of Care. Collaboration with Diffusion of Excellence is committed to embed Physical Therapy in Primary Care. Program Offices provide multi-year data analysis which support decisions in business operations. OT comprehensively evaluates and treats Veterans with functional impairments that interfere with successful transition into home and community, and their integration with mental health care in VHA. DSS-based data analyses and outcomes inform decisions on effectiveness of treatment and future directions. Performance Metrics identify trends through population, average age of Veterans and demographic trends, and addressed in an evidence-based approach.
How is membership balanced?*	The Committee is comprised of approximately 15 members made up of experts from the rehabilitation, research, management administration and audiological fields including Veteran consumers. The majority of the Committee’s diverse membership will be designated as Special Government Employees with a variety of backgrounds and knowledge sufficient to provide adequate advice and guidance to the Secretary. VA will strive to develop a Committee membership that represents members with diverse professional and personal qualifications: experience in military service, military deployments, working with Veterans, subject matter expertise, and working in large and complex organizations. The Committee shall continue to represent, to the extent possible, Veterans or diverse eras and branches of service, as well as diversity in race/ethnicity, gender, religion, disability, and geographical background. Committee members are recruited from highly respected universities, research facilities and medical facilities.
How frequent & relevant are cmte mtgs?*	The Committee meets twice a year. Title 38 U.S.C. Section 543 requires the Secretary to regularly consult with and seek the advice of the Committee. The Committee receives update briefings from key program officials on issues and recommendations addressed in past meetings. The Committee met twice this year.
Why advice can't be obtained elsewhere?*	The Committee conducts a comprehensive review of prosthetics and special disabilities programs administered by the Department. All Committee recommendations and responses support the Department's strategic goals. The Committee's work is appreciated and provides great value to the Department. Its work is vital to improving the quality of care for Veterans with spinal cord injuries, blindness or visual impairment, loss of or loss of use of extremities, deafness or hearing impairment or other serious incapacities.
Why close or partially close meetings?	All meetings are open to the public. Sessions are open to the public except when the Committee is conducting tours of VA facilities and participating in off-site events. Tours of VA facilities are closed to protect Veterans’ privacy and personal information, in accordance with 5 U.S.C. Sec. 552b(c). This past year, the Committee held meetings in Washington, DC and in New Orleans, Louisiana. During the New Orleans meeting, the Committee toured the site of the National Veterans Wheelchair Games. For practical reasons, the tour portion of the meeting only was open to members of the public attending in person. All other aspects of this meeting, as well as the meeting held in Washington, DC., were open to the public.
Recommendation Remarks	Regarding membership: Scott Quinlan was appointed to the Committee as Representative of Blinded Veterans Association (BVA), replacing Timothy Hornik, the previous Committee Representative for BVA. Dr. Arthi Amin replaced Dr. William Morgan, who completed his term 9/30/23.

PERFORMANCE MEASURES

Outcome Improvement To Health Or Safety*	Yes	Action Reorganize Priorities*	Yes
Outcome Trust In Government	Yes	Action Reallocate Resources	Yes
Outcome Major Policy Changes	No	Action Issued New Regulations	No
Outcome Advance In Scientific Research	Yes	Action Proposed Legislation	No
Outcome Effective Grant Making	No	Action Approved Grants Or Other Payments	No
Outcome Improved Service Delivery	Yes	Action Other	No
Outcome Increased Customer Satisfaction	Yes	Action Comment	NA
Outcome Implement Laws/Reg Requirements	No	Grants Review*	No
Outcome Other	No	Number Of Grants Reviewed	0
Outcome Comment	NA	Number Of Grants Recommended	0
Cost Savings*	Unable to Determine	Dollar Value Of Grants Recommended	$0.00
Cost Savings Comment	Unable to determine cost savings associated with this Committee.	Grants Review Comment	NA
Number Of Recommendations*	199	Access Contact Designated Fed. Officer*	Yes
Number Of Recommendations Comment	This is a total of recommendations for FY 2003 through FY 2024.	Access Agency Website	Yes
% of Recs Fully Implemented*	80.00%	Access Committee Website	No
% of Recs Fully Implemented Comment	Some recommendations require long term planning in order to implement. Committee receives updates regarding implementation of each recommendation.	Access GSA FACA Website	Yes
% of Recs Partially Implemented*	20.00%	Access Publications	No
% of Recs Partially Implemented Comment	Some recommendations require long term planning in order to implement. Committee receives updates regarding implementation of each recommendation.	Access Other	No
Agency Feedback*	Yes	Access Comment	N/A
Agency Feedback Comment*	The Department provides a written response to each recommendation. Further information may be obtained by contacting the DFO, Linda Picon at Linda.Picon@va.gov or by visiting the VA Advisory Committee Management website va.gov/advisory/	Narrative Description*	The Committee represents the interests of Veterans with spinal cord injury, blindness or visual impairment, loss of or loss of use of extremities, deafness or hearing impairment, or other serious incapacities in terms of daily life functions.

COSTS

1. Payments to Non-Federal Members*		1. Est Paymnts to Non-Fed Membrs Nxt FY*
2. Payments to Federal Members*		2. Est. Payments to Fed Members Next FY*
3. Payments to Federal Staff*		3. Estimated Payments to Federal Staff*
4. Payments to Consultants*		4. Est. Payments to Consultants Next FY*
5. Travel Reimb. For Non-Federal Membrs*		5. Est Travel Reimb Non-Fed Membr nxtFY*
6. Travel Reimb. For Federal Members*		6. Est Travel Reimb For Fed Members*
7. Travel Reimb. For Federal Staff*		7. Est. Travel Reimb to Fed Staf Nxt FY*
8. Travel Reimb. For Consultants*		8. Est Travel Reimb to Consltnts Nxt FY*
10. Other Costs		10. Est. Other Costs Next FY*
11. Total Costs	$0.00	11. Est. Total Next FY*	$0.00
Date Cost Last Modified	2/19/2025 9:23 AM	Est. Fed Staff Support Next FY*
Federal Staff Support (FTE)*		Est Cost Remarks
Cost Remarks

Interest Areas

Category Area Food and Drugs Medical Devices Health Aging Health Care Hospitals Medical Education Medical Practitioners Physical Fitness Safety Treatment Medicine Diseases Health and Health Research Illnesses Medicine and Dentistry Rehabilitation Rehabilitation and Disability Veterans Veterans and Veterans' Medical Care

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