Sources of Information Audiovisuals Persons interested in the availability of VA motion pictures or exhibits for showing outside VA may write the Director, Audio Visuals Service (037), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20420. Phone, 202-233-2715. Contracts and Small Business Activities Persons seeking to do business with the Department of Veterans Affairs may contact the Director, Acquisition Management Service (93), 810 Vermont Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20420. Phone, 202-233-3054. Persons seeking information regarding special programs for small disadvantaged and small veteran-owned businesses may contact the Director, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (005C). Phone, 202-376-6996. Employment The Department of Veterans Affairs employs physicians, dentists, podiatrists, optometrists, nurses, nurse anesthetists, physician assistants, expanded-function dental auxilliaries, certified or registered respiratory therapists, registered respiratory technicians, licensed physical therapists, occupational therapists, pharmacists, and licensed practical or vocational nurses under VA's excepted merit system. This system does not require civil service eligibility. Other professional, technical, administrative, and clerical occupations exist in VA that do require civil service eligibility. Persons interested in employment should contact the Personnel Officer at their nearest VA facility. Medical Center (Hospital) Construction Veterans Affairs design projects requiring services for both design and construction are advertised in the Commerce Business Daily. Architectengineer firms interested in designing VA medical center construction projects may write to the Director, A/E Evaluation Staff (087G). Phone, 202-233-3181. Construction contractors should address their inquiries to the Chief, Administrative Services Division (O82C). Phone, 202233-3308. Contact both at the Department of Veterans Affairs Central Office, 810 Vermont Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20420; or write to the Chief, Supply Service, of a particular VA Medical Center or a VA Medical and Regional Office Center. News Media Representatives of the media outside Washington, DC, may contact VA through the nearest area Atlanta (404-374-3236) Dallas (214-372-7084) National and Washington, DC, media may contact the Office of Public Affairs in the VA Central Office, 810 Vermont Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20420. Phone, 202-233-2741. Publications Administrator of Veterans Affairs Annual Report may be obtained (in single copies), without charge, from the Reports Preparation Division (722), 810 Vermont Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20420. The 1987 VA IS-1 fact sheet, Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents, is for sale by the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402, for $2.50. VA Pamphlet 1-1, Appeals Regulations and Rules of Practice, Board of Veterans Appeals, and VA Pamphlet 1-3, Board of Veterans Appeals 50th Anniversary-1933-1984, may be obtained, without charge, from the Chairman, Board of Veterans Appeals (01C1), 810 Vermont Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20420. Board of Veterans Appeals Index l01-1, an index to appellate decisions, is available in annual cumulation from July 1977 to the present on microfiche only. The quarterly indexes may be purchased for $7 and the annual cumulative index for $12.50 from: Promisel & Korn, Inc., Suite 900, 4720 Montgomery Lane, Bethesda, MD 20814. VA Pamphlet 27-82-2, A Summary of Veterans Administration Benefits, may be obtained, without charge, from any VA regional office. VA NCS-IS-1, a list of Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemeteries showing those with and without available grave space, and information on procedures and eligibility for burial in a National Cemetery, may be obtained, without charge, from the National Cemetery System (40E2), 810 Vermont Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20420. Persons may obtain a construction research report listing from the Director, Management and Budget Staff (082), Office of Facilities, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20420. Phone, 202-233-3481. Reading Room Persons visiting Central Office, Washington, DC, to inspect, obtain information from, or copy VA records available to the public should go to Room 132, 810 Vermont Avenue NW., for referral. Phone, 202-2332356. Assistance at field stations may be obtained by inquiring of local personnel. For further information, contact the Office of Public Affairs, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20420. Phone, 202-233-2741. ACTION mobilizes Americans for voluntary service throughout the United States through programs that help meet basic human needs and support the self-help efforts of low-income individuals and communities. ACTION is the principal agency in the ACTION administers and coordinates the domestic volunteer programs sponsored by the Federal Government, which are linked by a commitment to a "bottom-up," locally initiated development process fostering selfreliance and utilizes available human and economic resources to overcome conditions of poverty. Through special demonstration grants and programs, ACTION also tests new ways of bringing volunteer resources to bear on human, social, and economic problems. It identifies and develops the widest possible range of volunteer service opportunities for Americans of all ages and ethnic backgrounds. The agency actively encourages private-sector involvement in support of its goals and programs. ACTION includes Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA), the Foster 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 8. 9. 10. Grandparent Program (FGP), the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), the Senior Companion Program (SCP), the Demonstration Grant Program, the MiniGrant Program, the Technical Assistance Program, and the State offices of voluntarism. ACTION consists of a Washington, DC, headquarters and 9 regional offices, supporting 45 individual State offices and Puerto Rico. Domestic Regional Offices—ACTION (Areas included within each region are indicated on the map in Appendix A.) Region/Address Boston, MA 02222-1039 (Rm. 473, 10 Causeway St.)... Domestic Programs and Activities Foster Grandparents The Foster Grandparent Program was created in 1965 and offers older men and women opportunities for close relationships with children having special or exceptional needs. It is an opportunity for older Americans to continue serving their communities and themselves in an active and meaningful capacity. Foster Grandparents are low-income persons at least 60 years of age and come from various backgrounds. They receive both preservice orientation and inservice instruction. Volunteers serve 20 hours per week, receive a nontaxable stipend of $2.20 per hour, as well as provisions for reimbursement of travel costs, a meal each day they serve, accident and liability insurance coverage, and a yearly physical examination. Under certain conditions, nonstipended volunteers may be enrolled in the program. Foster Grandparents serve in schools and hospitals for mentally retarded, disturbed, and handicapped children; in care centers, hospital wards, and corrections institutions; in homes for disadvantaged, dependent, or neglected children; and other settings within the community. An increased percentage of Foster Grandparents are being encouraged to serve in settings dealing with literacy, drug abuse, and runaway youth, including some inhome placements. The Foster Grandparents' main purpose is to help provide for the emotional, mental, and physical wellbeing of children by affording them close, personal, and continuing relations with an adult. They furnish a renewed sense of love and intimacy often missing in institutional environments. They also may assist in feeding and dressing the children, reading, playing games, telling them stories, and aiding in speech and physical therapy and other care-giving activities that tend to maximize the functional capabilities of these children. For further information, call 202-634-9349. Retired Senior Volunteers The purpose of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program is to create a variety of significant opportunities for persons of retirement age to participate more fully in the life of their communities through volunteer service. |