The jurisdiction of the Lincoln Regional Office covers the 93 counties of Nebraska. It has a potential clientele of approximately 159,500 veterans. The office oversees a benefits delivery program that awards over $136 million annually in compensation and pension benefits. The Regional Office presently employs 92 people. It's out-based offices are located at the VAMC-Omaha and the Air Force Base at Offutt.

While population is concentrated heavily in the eastern one third of the state, service to veterans and beneficiaries is provided to all areas, some as far as 500 miles from the Regional Office. Throughout this area, our staff conducts training seminars, benefits presentations, performs outreach services, assists in emergency relief activities, and participates in a variety of community workshops, seminars, and public forums. The staff also participates in workshops for the County Veterans Services Officers.

SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS AND OTHER VA ACTIVITIES:

VA Regional Counsel (402) 420-4275

DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS (402) 420-4025
Frank Tentler

NEBRASKA DEPARTMENT OF VETERAN'S AFFAIRS

STATE SERVICE OFFICERS (402) 420-4021

Garry Morgan (VFW, NDVA)
Steve Burger (AL, NDVA)
Tom McDonough (AMVETS, NACVSO, VFW, REA, NDVA, AL)
Mike Coatney

PARALYZED VETERANS ASSOCIATION (402) 420-4017

John E. Gogan


SPECIAL PROGRAMS:

SPECIAL MISSION


Beta Test Site for Veteran Service Network VETSNET

The Lincoln Regional Office was selected in May 2004, to be the beta test site as VBA began live field testing of all four VETSNET applications together, including the remaining two applications - Award and the Financial Accounting System (FAS), along with previously released RBA 2000 and MAP-D. There was a need to fully test VETSNET under varying production conditions prior to its national deployment. The Lincoln RO converted 510 records from the existing Benefits Delivery Application to VETSNET Award in January and March 2005. In August 2005, there were 6,401 records converted from BDN to VETSNET. The Lincoln RO presently has a total of approximately 8,400 records in VETSNET Award, which constitutes approximately 39% of our compensation cases. The Lincoln RO has been recognized as one of the best performing stations in VBA and was selected for this special mission based upon a history of being an efficient VBA office.

LOCAL INITIATIVES


PREDISCHARGE: In February 1998, we implemented an out-based initiative at Offutt Air Force Base (AFB). This initiative has permanently stationed one Contact Representative and one Rating Veterans Service Representative on the base to assist in claims intake and preparation of disability rating decisions from separating and retiring service members. VBA has now consolidated the BDD program for our office with the Salt Lake City RO.

HOMELESS VETERANS
The Regional Office serves as an information and referral source to the VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System and other agencies who have direct contact with the homeless. If a homeless veteran comes into the Regional Office, we assist the veteran in finding temporary shelter and permanent placement if the veteran plans on remaining in the area. Homeless veterans in Nebraska are concentrated mainly in the two largest cities, Lincoln and Omaha.
We have also established a liaison with the Vet Centers in Lincoln and Omaha. Referral of veterans is often made for public assistance housing (through the Lincoln and Omaha Housing Authorities) and placement in supervised shelters.
Additionally, Nebraska has an Emergency Veterans Aid Fund for state veterans and dependents administered through the State Department of Veterans Affairs from which support grants for the necessities, like food, shelter, and emergency medical expenses, etc. are obtained.
The last Stand Down was held in Omaha on December 3, 2005. Approximately 150 homeless veterans were seen. Most of these veterans were already of record with Douglas and/or Pottawattamie county.
Veterans attending the Stand Down received haircuts, eye exams, toenail care, job counseling, cancer screenings, benefits assistance, and substance-abuse information. Blankets and clothing were also distributed and lunch was provided.

PUBLIC RELATIONS
We are committed to outreach and community involvement in as many ways as possible. Participation in various ceremonies and events concerning veterans has proved to be an excellent means of outreach. We regularly participate in events such as the Homebuyer's Fairs, County Service Officer Training, Ex-POW meetings and conventions, Service Organization conventions, and seminars around the state. Presentations are routinely given on Veterans Day, POW/MIA Day, Memorial Day, Reserve week-end drills, and veterans memorial dedications. We have found these to be excellent opportunities to be involved and show our concern for veterans and communities in the state.

OTHER PROGRAMS
LABOR-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS: Representative Union; AFGE Local 2200. Labor and management have formed a Partnership Council to work together to ensure the office is a desirable place to work and provides the highest quality of service to veterans. The Council meets monthly and provides an open forum for discussion of significant issues. The Partnership Council negotiated a Memorandum of Understanding for employees to have the opportunity to use a Compressed Work Schedule involving a 5-4-9 work week and modified flex-tour. As a result of the outstanding partnership we have we were awarded the Secretary of Veterans Affairs Labor-Management Relations Award in 2005.

AWARDS: The station's Employee Awards Program was designed to encourage employee submission of award nominations for fellow employees. Nominations are reviewed by the Awards Committee, which consists of two union representatives and two management officials. Individual and group awards are used to recognize employee accomplishments. The Lincoln Regional Office has earned Tier II Award status, for meeting or exceeding national performance, quality and timelines standards, four consecutive years (2002-2005) and earned Tier III Special Recognition.