The Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) Awarded Nearly a Quarter of a Million Dollars to Help Advance Government Support of Veterans and Their Families

SYRACUSE, N.Y., Aug. 01, 2017 -- Veterans face unique challenges when transitioning from military into civilian life, and research shows supporting their needs often requires coordination of multiple organizations, public and private, which further complement the traditional health care services and benefits provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

“Serving veterans is not the VA’s responsibility alone,” says Nick Armstrong, Ph.D., IVMF Senior Director of Research and Evaluation, and lead investigator. “Our nation’s support system for veterans is really a patchwork network of government, private and nonprofit programs and services—delivered at the ground-level, in communities across the country. These new projects have the potential to significantly alter and enhance how that system works.”

The NYSHealth project (an award of over $215,000) will investigate state-level veteran services, needs, and leading practices of veteran affairs agencies across the United States and territories. The study will inform state-level policymakers and other public and private sector stakeholders on opportunities and to draw on new or innovative ways to deliver best-in-class programs and services to veterans and their families at the state and local level.

At the same time, funding from the IBM Center for the Business of Government, will examine barriers and opportunities to develop an enterprise, government-wide approach to veterans’ policy and planning. Beyond the VA, multiple federal agencies, state and local governments, and the private and social sectors all provide services for veterans’, yet no national framework exists to devote resources to their most impactful use.

Both studies build from work done nearly four years ago—by the IVMF—making the case for a government-wide national veterans’ strategy that helps align joint efforts across government, private, philanthropic, and non-profit organizations nationally. The work seeks to inform the Trump Administration, federal agency leadership, and other key public and private sectors stakeholders on how to achieve greater unity of effort in veterans’ policy and planning nationwide.

Both research projects have the potential to drive a national dialogue of better coordination and continuous improvement in veteran services delivery across the public, private, and social sectors. The research will be conducted over the coming year. Results from these two projects will further extend the IVMF research and evaluation team’s broad global thought leadership efforts driving the community of veteran serving organizations committed to serving those who serve. For more information on this work and other IVMF projects and programs visit the IVMF website at ivmf.syracuse.edu.

About the Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University
The Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) is the first interdisciplinary national institute in higher education focused on the social, economic, education, and policy issues impacting veterans and their families. Through its professional staff and experts, the IVMF delivers leading programs in career, vocational, and entrepreneurship education and training, while also conducting actionable research, policy analysis, and program evaluations. The IVMF also supports communities through collective impact efforts that enhance delivery and access to services and care. The Institute, supported by a distinguished advisory board, along with public and private partners, is committed to advancing the lives of those who have served in America’s armed forces and their families. For more information, visit ivmf.syracuse.edu and follow the IVMF on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About IBM Center for the Business of Government
The IBM Center for The Business of Government connects research to practice, applying scholarship to real world issues and decisions for government. The Center stimulates research and facilitates discussion of new approaches to improving the effectiveness of government at the federal, state, local, and international levels.  The Center’s publications focus on major management issues facing governments today, including the use of technology and social media, financial management, human capital, performance and results, risk management, innovation, collaboration, and transformation. Our intent is to spark creativity in addressing pressing public sector challenges—crafting new ways of improving government by identifying trends, ideas, and best practices in public management that can help government leaders respond more effectively to their mission and management priorities.  Since its creation in 1998, the Center has awarded research stipends to public management researchers in the academic and non-profit communities that have resulted in nearly 350 reports - all of which are available on the Center’s website.

About The New York State Health Foundation
The New York State Health Foundation (NYSHealth) is a private, statewide foundation dedicated to improving the health of all New Yorkers. We strive to be focused and purposeful in our work; establish and adhere to clear goals and strategies; and measure our progress. We are committed to making grants, but also to making a difference beyond our dollars: informing health care policy and practice, spreading effective programs to improve the health system, serving as a convener of health leaders across the State, and providing technical assistance to our grantees and partners.

Media Contact: 
Stephanie Salanger
Director, Communications & Media
Office of Veteran and Military Affairs
Institute for Veterans and Military Families
Mobile: 315.378.8171; Email: [email protected]