FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 23, 2022 Media Contact: Ian Connor Ian@holsapplecommunications.com (317) 508-8927 |
IDVA receives national excellence award for innovative state programs Military Family Relief Fund Specialty Programs recognized
INDIANAPOLIS – Governor Eric J. Holcomb is pleased to announce the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) is a recipient of a 2023 Abraham Lincoln Pillars of Excellence Award. IDVA’s Military Family Relief Fund (MFRF) Specialty Programs were recognized for excellence in the care and service of veterans through an innovative state program. This recognition represents Indiana’s first Pillars of Excellence Award. “Director Wimer and his staff work tirelessly in their commitment to support and care for Indiana’s veteran community, and I’m proud of the work they have done,” said Gov. Holcomb. “My administration remains dedicated to serving and honoring those who have done so much for our state and our nation.” The MFRF Specialty Programs recognized include the COVID-19 Special Application, Operation Back to School and Operation Holiday Program. Nearly $700,000 was awarded to more than 800 approved applicants across the three specialty programs between March 2020 and August 2022. The program success has led to permanent legislative changes expanding access to more Indiana veterans and their families. “This award is a credit to the hard work our staff have devoted to enhancing the lives of Indiana veterans,” Dennis Wimer, IDVA director said. “I’m proud of our organization and our commitment to making Indiana the state where veterans can live, work and thrive.” The Abraham Lincoln Pillars of Excellence Awards were created in 2014 by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Intergovernmental Affairs (IGA) together with the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs (NASDVA). The awards recognize NASDVA participants who have developed effective programs to address four topline issues, with three being VA priority goals. The awards allow VA and NASDVA to evaluate state programs and establish best practices among those outstanding state programs to provide a model program for other state agencies to follow for greater success and efficiency. The 2023 awards were announced by the Honorable Denis McDonough, Secretary, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs during a ceremony held in conjunction with the NASDVA Winter Conference in Washington, D.C. More information about the Pillars of Excellence awards can be found here: https://nasdva.us/ or https://www.va.gov/. ### |