ALAFL

Diane C. Rousseau   Plan of Action   Unit Report Form   District Report Form   Awards

From the Chairman

Program Notes

Field Service Committee Member

The District and Unit Field Service person is a member of the V.A.&R. committee. She works with and reports to the V.A.&R. Chairman. Her responsibility is twofold:

An Orientation to these positions is a MUST. District and Unit Orientation must be given before the committee members can start their work.

Once the Unit Field Service member is selected, she must become acquainted with the available resources in her city. A file card system must be started listing the name and address of the facility and the name of the volunteer and her hours recorded. When there is more than one Unit in a Community, there MUST be communication between Units so that there will not be a duplication of effort and services.

Purposes

Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation means the complete restoration of the veteran and his family to normal function and adjustment, physically, mentally, socially, and vocationally for the fullest possible life, compatible with his abilities and disabilities.

The Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation work of the American Legion Auxiliary includes bringing physical comfort and mental cheer to veterans in hospitals, aiding the disabled to earn money for the support of themselves and their families, and helping them to reestablish themselves in life. The American Legion Auxiliary cooperates with The American Legion in ALL its endeavors on behalf of veterans.

To carry out the Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation work effectively, a complete organization extending from the Unit to the National organization is necessary. Years of experience in rehabilitation have brought about systematizing of the activities which has proven to be the most efficient way to aid the different classes of disabled veterans. Unit Veterans affairs and Rehabilitation workers should become familiar with the Department and National Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation organizations and be able to use the services of theses groups when necessary. Units should work closely with the Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Committees of their American Legion Posts and with other agencies in the community from which aid for the disabled is available.

The National Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Committee

The National Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Committee shall contact the Department Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Chairmen in carrying out a uniform program in the various Departments. The National Chairman is assisted by three members of the committee and five Divisional Chairmen who are appointed each year by the National President. The National Organization requires an annual report form to be sent out from the National Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Committee to the Departments covering Unit, Department, and National programs. Information is to be furnished to the Department by units and returned to the National Chairman. The National News and bulletins are the media in which educational information of the National Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Committee will be found. Every Veterans Affairs and rehabilitation Chairman should become thoroughly familiar with the program of the National Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Committee.

Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation in the Departments

One of the standing committees of every Department is a Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Committee, with a chairman appointed by the Department President. A committee of three or more members is desirable. It is the duty of the Department Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Chairman to promote the Department's plan of rehabilitation work and see that it is successfully carried out. Informational bulletins from the Department should be sent to the Units at regular intervals. The Department Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Chairman should receive reports from the Unit Chairmen showing the amount work done. The Department Chairman should, in turn, send a composite report to the National veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Chairman. Department Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Chairmen should be responsible for seeing that Units participate in the Department and National work, and conform to rules adopted by the Department and National organizations.

The general plan of Veterans Administration Medical Center (VAMC) programs and aid for the hospitalized veterans within the state is set up by the National Organization. This becomes the responsibility of the Department Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Chairman , and she should work very closely with The American Legion Committee. Local hospital program's should conform with national rules. In localities where there are a number of Units supplying hospitals needs an where there are other organizations interested in doing these same things, there may be a duplication of effort, and if these conditions prevail, coordination is necessary for best results.

The Unit Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Committee

Each Unit should have a Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Committee consisting of a chairman and as many other members as may be needed to carry out the local work. The work of this Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Committee is confined to service for veterans in the hospitals, attention to veterans returning from the hospitals, in securing necessary hospitalization for disabled veterans, and such other aid as may be needed.

Each Unit Veterans Affairs and rehabilitation Chairman should be familiar with the Department and National programs, making sure that her Unit contributes its part to the carrying out of these programs. Close contact should be maintained with the Department Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Chairman in order that the Unit may function effectively in the Department and National rehabilitation work and may receive assistance when needed from either of theses groups. Each unit should contribute to its Department Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Fund in the manner prescribed by the Department, and to the National Veterans Affairs and rehabilitation Fund through the Department. All money should be sent to Department Headquarters; never directly from the Unit to the National Organization.

Purpose and use of Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Funds

The Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Fund in the Unit, Department, and National organizations must be used for this work only, and should be kept in a separate fund. Since the public has usually contributed generously to this fund because of the nature of its use , we are obligated to keep faith with the public in the expenditure of this money. The special National Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Fund is made up from annual contributions of fifteen cents per Senior member. A part of this fund is donated to The American Legion to assist in the work of The American Legion's National Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Commission in Washington, D.C. and the balance is used as Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation and Children and Youth budgets of the American Legion Auxiliary.

Suggestions for Unit Workers

1. Units should contact the well established and recognized social agencies whenever possible in dealing with issues related to assistance to veterans.
2. Units should recognize the efficient structure established by the National American legion Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Commission, and the capability of its Service officers in various states. Questions regarding the rights of the veterans, compensation, insurance, and other questions of a technical nature should be referred to the American Legion for advice and guidance.
3. Units wishing information about special projects such as orientation for Hospital Volunteers, work shops, Gifts Shops, sale of veteran-made goods, operation of exchanges, or any other special activity conducted through the rehabilitation program, can secure definite information by writing to the Department Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Chairman through Department Headquarters.

Guide for Volunteers

The "Guide for Volunteers" contains rules, regulations , and duties for all volunteer groups in rehabilitation, and may be obtained through your Department Headquarters. Every volunteer should have a copy available to her.

Hospital Volunteer Orientation

Unit Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Chairmen should be aware of the need for a Medical Center Volunteers' Orientation if there is a VA Medical Center in the community or adjacent area. Under the Department Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Chairman and /or the Director of Hospital Volunteers, awards and recognition's are outlined in the "Guide for Volunteers." After satisfactory completion of the prescribed training courses, the Hospital Volunteers of the American Legion Auxiliary will be qualified to service and aid the Medical Center Staff in caring for the hospitalized veteran.

VAVS Representative

The national Organization has a VAVS representative and two deputies as liaison from the organization to the VA and serving on the National VAVS level. Information from this representative is sent to all Departments periodically.

Field Service Program

One of the programs of Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation is that of Field Service; a volunteer program similar to that of the Hospital Volunteer program, but conducted in community nursing homes and non-VA facilities. There are both National and State Directors for the Field Service program, and there are identification pins and hour bars for the volunteers which are similar to that of the Hospital Volunteer Program. Please refer to the "Guide for Volunteers" for detailed information on this program.

Field Service Director, VA&R Committee Member

Jean Mahoney
120 South Blvd #1A
Boynton Beach FL 33435
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Home Service Director, VA&R Committee Member

Susan R Eaton
341 Mattie Ave
Fort Myers FL 33908
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  

In 1974, a new method of reporting the number of volunteers, hours, and the cost of materials and supplies was initiated to record service for the veterans by our volunteers in their own homes. Home Service completes a true record of service given by all American Legion Auxiliary volunteers for reporting to the Congress of the United States, and also recognizes all volunteer hours of service by our National organization.

Home service hours include time spent sewing, knitting, coking, shopping for materials and supplies, and other services performed by the volunteer IN HER OWN HOME. Hospital Gift Shop items made at home are classified as Home Service.

Home Service pins and hour bars are available for the Volunteers. Please refer to the "Guide for Volunteers" for detailed information on this program.

Medical Center Representatives

Bay Pines VAMC
Marilyn Jedrey
6550 Shoreline Dr #7206
St Petersburg, FL 33708
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Gainesville VAMC
Rita M. McLaughlin
3250 SE 141st Place
Summerfield, Florida 34421

Lake City VAMC
Elaine Y. Warner
3873 NW Huntsboro Street
Lake City, Florida 32055

Miami VAMC
Alma L. Zeller
1895 NE 154th Terrace
North Miami Beach, Florida 33162

Tampa VAMC
Dawn M. Poscich
13000 Bruce B Downs Blvd
Tampa, Florida 33612

Orlando VAMC

PENDING

West Palm Beach VAMC
Linda McKeon
4983 SW Lake Grove Circle
Palm City, Florida 34990
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it