Questions about NAAV’s work
Why should I support your work?
The National Association of American Veterans, Inc. (NAAV) was established in 2005 and incorporated in 2006 to assist the severely wounded warriors, especially single parent service members, military caregivers, disabled veterans and their family members by helping them access their benefits, improving communications and coordination for veterans and collaborating among health agencies, medical professional, organizations, education organizations and the general public.
Why do you exist?
NAAV exists to help veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, depression, and suicidal tendency.
NAAV has sponsored a guided imagery program, “Managing Stress and Anxiety Through Guided Imagery,” by Diane Tusek, a noted national expert. Guided Imagery is a relaxation technique used to ease stress and anxiety during a stressful or difficult time in someone’s life. Guided Imagery is also recommended for the caregivers of adults with chronic and disabling health conditions.
In 2007, NAAV was instrumental in getting support for caregivers of veterans in the final recommendations of the President’s Commission on Care of America’s Returning Wounded Warriors, which became Public Law 111-163, The Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act, on May 5, 2010.
In 2008, NAAV was successful in getting the Guide to Healthy Caregiving published by the Quick Series Publishing in Florida in support of caregivers of veterans. This booklet was later adopted by the VA Caregiver Support Program in 2011. NAAV founder and chief executive officer served on the DC VA Caregiver Support Program Advisory Board as the Community Liaison in support of its program for veterans and their family members in the greater Washington, DC Capital area.
What specifically do you do?
NAAV Military Family Program seeks to ease the burden of caregivers who are unexpectedly thrust into the caregiver role. We do this by providing coaches and trainers to equip them with tools, training, and resources they need to become effective caregivers.
NAAV works with leaders in the military and civilian community to build partnerships for the association. Aside from the large metropolitan and urban areas, NAAV has concentrated assistance efforts to rural areas and southern communities, with outreach to returning soldiers and veterans in Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, North and South Carolina, Colorado, DC, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New York, Tennessee, and Virginia to name a few. NAAV assists veterans of the United States Armed Forces become eligible for a broad range of benefits, claims and services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Also, NAAV assists veterans and their family members with Social Security Disability and SSI Benefits through its partners at Greenberg and Bederman, LLP in Silver Spring, Maryland. To support NAAV’s work, Craig E. Leen, Esquire and Partner, K&L Gates, LLP firm in Washington, DC, provides legal assistance to veterans. NAAV also provides job assistance, emergency resources, referrals, and suicide prevention.
How will this make a difference?
Through respite care for caregivers, we provide a much-needed break so these individuals can continue to support their loved ones. The Emergency Assistance Resource and Referral provides veterans and their dependents with guidance and support to help them connect with agencies that can handle emergency situations.
Veteran Employment and Training assist veterans that need job training/placement and a resource for where job postings are updated weekly.
Homeless service members and veterans are a major concern with NAAV. We are committed to educating and helping eligible men, women and children find a maintain affordable housing nationwide. In 2015, NAAV received a Congressional Award for Exceptional Service in support of homeless veterans nationwide.
How is your work different from that of other similar charities?
NAAV is committed to assisting eligible service members, veterans, and their family members experiencing financial hardship. An emergency assistance referral may be provided to help families during their time of need. We provide counseling, real estate/personal financial assistance through one of our partners, as well as housing assistance and medical care information.
What have you accomplished?
NAAV’s president and chief executive officer served as advisor to the co-chairs for the President’s Commission on the Care of America’s Returning Wounded Warriors and the Mental Health Task Force for the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in 2007 in support of our nation’s service members and combat veterans.
Since 2005, NAAV has been an active advocate for caregivers of Veterans most in need nationwide. NAAV’s recommendations for the caregivers of veterans was accepted by the President’s Commission in their report to President Bush in 2007, and in 2010 Title I of Public Law 111-163, Caregivers of Veterans Omnibus Health Service Act was approved and signed by President Barack Obama.
In 2007, NAAV president and chief executive officer introduced an outline and text for a Guide to Healthy Caregiving, which was published by Quick Series Publishing in 2008 and later adopted by the VA Caregiver Support Program in 2011 for all caregivers of Veterans nationwide. This Guide is based on NAAV’s president and chief executive officer’s over 20 years of caregiving experience and work with civilian and military caregivers nationwide.
NAAV is one of the founding partners of the Veterans History Project. NAAV received a Congressional Award for work in support of Homeless Veterans nationwide in 2015; Also, in 2015 honored at the Vice President’s Home by First Lady Michell Obama and Dr. Jill Biden for outstanding work in support of military caregivers of Veterans nationwide; Received VFW “Commitment to Service Award” in 2016; awarded a VA Certificate of Appreciation for commitment and dedication to veterans and service members as a VA Community Partner in 2016. In 2017, NAAV served on two VA Task Forces for the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, namely Suicide Prevention and Veterans Health Administration in Washington, DC. NAAV received a “Thank You Certificate” in 2022 for supporting Women Veterans from the CEO of Women Veterans United Committee, Inc., in Maryland. In 2023, NAAV’s president and chief executive officer received the National Citation for Exceptional Service from The Military Order of World Wars and NAAV’s founder and president also received the Marquis Worldwide Who’s Who Distinguished Humanitarian Award in 2023, among other accomplishments.
How can I be sure you will use my money wisely?
NAAV has been a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit veterans’ service organization since its inception in 2005, and our administrative cost is under 4 percent. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent of federal law. To donate visit www.naavets.org click on Donate Today! Thank you.