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Gov. Wolf Signs Governor's Advisory Council on Veterans Services Executive Order

Tags: DOC, Veterans
November 25, 2019 12:00 AM
By: DOC Staff

PA Coat of Arms

On Nov. 4, Governor Tom Wolf signed the Governor's Advisory Council on Veterans Services Executive Order, updating the original order from 2013 that established the Commonwealth's first interagency collaborative approach to serving veterans. Pennsylvania is home to nearly 800,000 veterans, and this advisory council will continue to break down silos and improve collaboration not only among state government but with federal government and community partners. This update is more inclusive and recognizes contributions of the veterans' community and other agencies while improving the services provided to PA's veterans and their families.

Background: The Governor's Advisory Council on Veterans Services (GAC-VS) was established in 2013 to review, evaluate and assess state veterans' programs in collaboration with senior staff from state agencies and commissions to increase information sharing, ensure program fidelity, coordinate complementary programs and facilitate meaningful enhancements in service accessibility to veterans' benefits and services within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The GAC-VS has grown to include several Commonwealth Departments and Agencies, committees and non-governmental entities not included in the initial Executive Order, which have been instrumental in collaborating, improving veteran programs and expanding services. This updated executive order is more inclusive and recognizes the contributions of current and active participants making additional administrative and clarifying updates. Among the various GAC-VS committee members present were Judiciary Chair Ryan Yoder (PADOC) and Judiciary member Richard Podguski (PADOC).


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