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.

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VA - 1332 - Advisory Committee on Women Veterans - Statutory (Congress Created)

GENERAL INFORMATION

Committee Name	Advisory Committee on Women Veterans	Agency Name	Department of Veterans Affairs
Fiscal Year	2025	Committee Number	1332
Original Establishment Date	11/23/1983	Committee Status	Chartered
Actual Termination Date		Committee URL	https://www.va.gov/advisory/advisory_committee_...
Actual Merged Date		Presidential Appointments*	No
New Committee This FY	No	Max Number of Members*	18
Terminated This FY	No	Designated Fed Officer Position Title*	Director, Center for Women Veterans
Merged This FY		Designated Federal Officer Prefix	Ms.
Current Charter Date	10/4/2023	Designated Federal Officer First Name*	Jacquelyn
Date Of Renewal Charter	10/4/2025	Designated Federal Officer Middle Name
Projected Termination Date		Designated Federal Officer Last Name*	Hayes-Byrd
Exempt From Renewal*	No	Designated Federal Officer Suffix
Specific Termination Authority	38 U.S.C. 542	Designated Federal Officer Phone*	(202) 461-6193
Establishment Authority*	Statutory (Congress Created)	Designated Federal Officer Fax*	(202) 273-7092
Specific Establishment Authority*	38 U.S.C. 542	Designated Federal Officer Email*	jacquelyn.hayes-byrd2@va.gov
Effective Date Of Authority*	11/23/1983
Exempt From EO 13875 Discretionary Cmte	Not Applicable
Committee Type*	Continuing
Presidential*	No
Committee Function*	National Policy Issue Advisory Board

RECOMMENDATION/JUSTIFICATIONS

Agency Recommendation*	Continue
Legislation to Terminate Required	Not Applicable
Legislation Status	Not Applicable
How does cmte accomplish its purpose?*	Through regular meetings, the Committee is briefed by VA Administrations and Staff Offices about their initiatives, especially those targeting women Veterans (e.g. potential increased risk of death by suicide, adverse outcomes related to opiate usage), and engages in open discussion with VA leadership and subject matter experts. The Committee also conducts annual site visits, to gain an understanding of how VA policy is implemented in the field. The meetings, and site visit--which includes a town hall meeting for stakeholders--are used as tools to monitor changes from both the Department's and consumers' perspectives. The Committee uses the information gathered from meetings to construct a Congressionally-mandated, annual report to the Secretary of VA. This report includes the recommendations constructed by the Committee and supporting rationales that explain how the recommendation would mitigate an identified problem. VA then provides responses to the recommendations which are added to the Committee’s report and submitted to designated leaders in the Senate and House Veterans Affairs Committees. The Committee submitted its last annual report in FY 24. The activities enabled the Committee to advise the Secretary on VA's priorities and strategic goals across the Administrations (VHA, VBA, NCA) and staff offices.
How is membership balanced?*	The Committee is comprised of a diverse group of Veterans--women and men--representing several branches of the armed services, enlisted and officer ranks, various eras of service (e.g., Korea, Vietnam, Persian Gulf, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn), various professional areas, and the women Veterans' community. All candidate nominations are reviewed for their military and civilian experience, Veterans status, Veterans advocacy involvement, and ability to contribute to the gender-specific health care and benefits needs of women Veterans. Consideration is also given the following to ensure balance: the ethnic and geographic diversity of the Veterans population, sexual orientation/gender expression representation, longevity of military service, significant deployment experience and ability to handle complex issues. Membership of the Committee is reviewed and appointments are made based on an individual's potential contributions to the women Veterans community and the representational needs of the Committee. Candidates meeting demographic needs of the committee are recommended for appointment as Special Government Employees.Current membership includes representation by Veterans from the Air Force, Navy, Army and the National Guard. Members represent a variety of military career fields and possess extensive military experience, to include service during the Vietnam era and service in theater for the Persian Gulf War, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
How frequent & relevant are cmte mtgs?*	The Committee is expected to meet at least twice per year--usually a regular meeting at VA Central Office in Washington, DC and a site visit in the field (to include visits to a VA medical center that has a women's clinic and an active special emphasis program designed for women Veterans, a regional office and a cemetery). The meeting held in Washington, DC, is designed to brief Committee members on Department initiatives; to engage in transparent dialogue with key officials on issues currently concerning the women Veterans' community and to receive updates on policy and initiatives; and to provide a mechanism to formulate and finalize Committee recommendations. Site visits usually include visits to VA medical centers, regional offices, Vet Centers, outpatient clinics, and national cemeteries. In FY 2024, the Committee conducted three meetings. On December 12-13, 2023, the Committee held an open virtual regular meeting with VA Central Office Staff (VACO). During this meeting, they received updates on National Cemetery Administration and Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) initiatives, the Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program, Office of Women’s Health initiatives, updates on the Women Veterans Call Center, Veteran homelessness, assault and harassment prevention, Office of Transition and Economic Development initiatives, and held an open comment period. The Committee conducted an open virtual regular meeting on April 2-4, 2024. The agenda included updates from the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and VBA regarding 2018, 2020 and 2022 report recommendations, an overview of the National Comprehensive Plan on Intimate Partner Violence, a briefing on PACT Act benefits and women Veterans’ claims, full committee discussion on the status of 2018, 2020, 2022 report recommendations, and an open comment period. On June 5-6, 2024, the Committee held an open hybrid meeting with VA Central Office Staff in Washington, DC. The Committee conducted a full committee review discussion on 2018, 2020, 2022 report recommendations, full committee discussion on 2024 report recommendations, and an open comment period. Committee members maintain a strong liaison within the women Veterans' community, State Departments of Veterans Affairs, national Veterans service organizations and other special interest groups concerned about Veterans issues. Members actively participate in meetings and forums that address women concerns. Additionally, members usually observe town hall meetings with women Veterans who are consumers of VA services and other advocates interested in women Veterans’ issues. The Committee’s meetings add tremendous value to VA, as well as other stakeholders interested in women Veterans’ issues. The briefings provide an opportunity for VA to enhance stakeholders’ and Committee members’ understanding about its programs, policies and initiatives. This enhanced knowledge enables the Committee to insightfully consider how VA’s programs and policies specifically impact women Veterans. Veterans service organizations, interested members of the public and VA staff from various administrations attend the meeting for the educational value and to assess potential opportunities for future collaborations that would enhance outreach to women Veterans.
Why advice can't be obtained elsewhere?*	This Committee is the only Committee within the Department that is comprised of individuals with the personal and historical understanding of the issues confronting women Veterans and the barriers they encounter in accessing services and benefits from VA. It is a consumer-oriented Committee that is well-versed in women Veterans issues while, at the same time, is capable of developing recommendations that incorporate both the needs of the consumer and the needs of the Department.
Why close or partially close meetings?	Committee meetings are open to the public. However, Committee activities, such as tours in a medical environment where there could be patients interaction, were closed to the public to respect patient privacy. The site visit usually includes several closed sessions, to protect patient privacy during tours of medical facilities, in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(6).
Recommendation Remarks	The Advisory Committee on Women Veterans (Committee) is Congressionally mandated to advise the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) on issues related to the Department's administration of benefits and services for women Veterans, with respect to health care, rehabilitation, compensation, and outreach. Kathryn Smith was appointed effective August 2023 and was erroneously omitted from the FY 2023 ACR.

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	Yes	Action Issued New Regulations	Yes
Outcome Advance In Scientific Research	Yes	Action Proposed Legislation	Yes
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	Yes	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	NA	Grants Review Comment	NA
Number Of Recommendations*	187	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*	64.00%	Access Committee Website	Yes
% of Recs Fully Implemented Comment	NA	Access GSA FACA Website	Yes
% of Recs Partially Implemented*	22.00%	Access Publications	No
% of Recs Partially Implemented Comment	NA	Access Other	No
Agency Feedback*	Yes	Access Comment	https://www.va.gov/advisory/advisory_committee_on_women_veterans_statutory.asp
Agency Feedback Comment*	Agency feedback is provided by written responses to Committee recommendations and requests for information, through briefings and updates to the Committee and by information directly disseminated to the members throughout the year. Published annual reports and minutes can be found online: https://www.va.gov/advisory/advisory_committee_on_women_veterans_statutory.asp.	Narrative Description*	The Committee advises the Secretary on issues related to the administration of VA benefits and services for women Veterans. It conducts at least two meetings at VA Central Office (VACO), where they receive briefings from senior VA officials, and subject matter experts in the Administrations and Staff Offices regarding initiatives for women Veterans, and openly discuss their concerns with VA representatives. Additionally, the Committee conducts an annual site visit to local VA facilities, which includes a town hall meeting with women Veterans who are consumers of VA services, and other stakeholders. In this way, the Committee monitors changes from both the Department and consumer perspectives. The Committee prepares a Congressionally-mandated annual report, which includes recommendations and rationales that address issues impacting the women Veterans population. A comprehensive report is then provided to Congress, which encompasses the Committee's recommendations and rationales and VA's responses to the recommendations.

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 Health Aging Health Care Medical Education Medicine Diseases Health and Health Research Illnesses Veterans Veterans and Veterans' Medical Care

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