Disabled Veterans National Foundation Issues Progress Report Since New CEO’s Arrival
Washington, DC (PRWEB) May 16, 2014 -- The Disabled Veterans National Foundation (http://www.dvnf.org), a nonprofit veterans service organization that provides critically needed support to disabled and at-risk veterans who leave the military wounded—physically or psychologically—after defending our safety and our freedom, issued a progress report today on changes launched at the nonprofit since new CEO, Joseph VanFonda (SgtMaj Ret.), joined the organization last October.
VanFonda, a decorated, 27-year Marine Corps veteran, identified several priorities for DVNF, including launching new and expanded programs to provide direct service to disabled and at-risk veterans, strengthening the structure and professional staff of the organization, and evaluating its development and fundraising programs with the goal of improved efficiency and transparency.
Among the new initiatives launched under Mr. VanFonda’s leadership is the Benefits and Resources Navigation or “BaRN” program, which provides direct, one-to-one counseling for disabled and at-risk veterans on how to navigate the sometimes complex requirements to qualify for benefits they are entitled to as a result of their military service.
A BaRN coordinator and two staffers, called “Navigators,” have been hired to run BaRN. The Navigators engage in direct outreach by staffing DVNF tables at various events such as Stand Downs for homeless and low-income veterans, and other events such as the recent Marine Corps Trials. They are also tasked with responding to telephone inquiries from veterans.
The Navigators are fully knowledgeable about available veteran benefits and how to apply and qualify for them. Additionally, they are trained in non-medical case management, recognition of post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury, and marriage and family issues. They, as well as all DVNF staff members, are also trained in HIPAA compliance.
“In just a few short months, we have helped over 85 veterans who were stymied by sometimes difficult and bureaucratic processes to get the help they struggled to find elsewhere,” VanFonda said.
Other new programs include a collaboration with the Human Engineering Research Laboratories (HERL) at the University of Pittsburgh to help their team raise $50,000 for a new piece of equipment needed to further HERL’s development of adaptive devices, such as state of the art wheelchairs, designed to assist veterans with physical disabilities.
In addition to hiring staff for the BaRN program, Mr. VanFonda also created the new position of Development Director and hired an experienced not-for-profit development professional, Barfonce Baldwin, to the position. She has been tasked with sustaining a strong and viable donor cultivation program, developing new sources of revenue, and diversifying DVNF’s financial portfolio to include major donors, foundation grants, and corporate gifts. Ms. Baldwin will closely oversee DVNF’s outside fundraising consultants to improve efficiency and donor response strategy.
Other changes at DVNF include revising the organization’s mission statement (printed below) and redesigning and relaunching the organization’s website, http://www.dvnf.org.
“I feel very good about the progress we have made in delivering increasingly impactful services to improve the lives of disabled and at-risk veterans,” VanFonda said. “I look forward to continued strengthening of our organization in the years ahead.”
The entire report from the organization can be found here.
About DVNF:
The Disabled Veterans National Foundation exists to provide critically needed support to disabled and at-risk veterans who leave the military wounded—physically or psychologically—after defending our safety and our freedom.
We achieve this mission by:
• Providing personalized counseling to assist veterans in navigating the complex process of seeking benefits that they are entitled to as a result of their military service.
• Offering direct financial support to veterans and other veteran organizations to address the issues that align with the DVNF mission.
• Providing supplemental assistance through the Wellness & Morale program and Empowerment Webinars.
• Serving as a thought leader on critical policy issues within the veteran community.
For more, go to http://www.dvnf.org.
Doug Walker, Disabled Veterans National Foundation, http://www.dvnf.org/, +1 (202) 737-0522, [email protected]
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