Chief Petty Officers Association
Cleveland, OH

Announcements

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Identification Cards Issue

DFAS, Cleveland has assumed operations for issuing AF ID cards and will be responsible for issuing ID cards for active duty, Reserve and National Guard military personnel, military dependents, military retirees and annuitants, and DoD civilian employees.

No appointments will be necessary; however, to ensure the office is open and to discuss any verification requirements, applicants should call (216) 522-5135 before traveling to the DFAS Cleveland location. Documents and information can be faxed to (216) 522-6530.

ID card applicants are taken in the Anthony J. Celebrezze Federal Building, Rm 2679. DFAS Cleveland office hours are as scheduled: Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday/Friday - 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday - 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The office will be closed weekends, during special events or conditions, and all federal holidays.

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VA To Survey Veteran Households

WASHINGTON (Dec. 3, 2009) - Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K.
Shinseki announced the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has launched
a national survey of Veterans, active duty service members, activated
National Guard and reserve members, and family members and survivors to
learn if they are aware of VA services.

"By hearing directly from Veterans and their family members, we gain
valuable information to help us serve them better. We hope those who
receive the survey will respond to it," Secretary Shinseki said.

In addition to assessing awareness levels, the National Survey of
Veterans will collect important health care, benefits, employment, and
demographic information that VA will use to inform policy decisions and
improve benefits. Recognizing a broader client base than just Veterans,
this is the first time VA has included others, such as Veteran family
members, in its survey population.

VA is mailing out survey "screeners" to more than 130,000 households to
identify potential survey participants. The screener asks if anyone in
the household is a member of one of the identified survey groups -
Veterans, family members and survivors, active duty, Guard or Reserve
members. Eligible survey participants then may be requested to
participate in a full-length survey.

Participants will be able to select a preferred survey method: through
U.S. mail, telephone or a password-protected Internet address. VA
expects approximately 10,000 Veterans to complete the full-length
survey.

This is the sixth VA National Survey of Veterans since 1978. The
information collected will help VA in its efforts to design and conduct
outreach to Veterans. In addition, it will provide a clearer picture of
the Veteran population's characteristics to help evaluate existing
programs and policies and measure their impact.

The data collection is expected to be finished by the end of February
and the final report released by December 2010.

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Secretary Shinseki Releases Hospital Report Card
Link is http://www.va.gov/health/HospitalReportCard.asp (link to this news release is http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1830 )

December 9, 2009

Transparent Look at Quality and Safety Gives VA High Marks

WASHINGTON – For the second consecutive year, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has released a “hospital report card” as part of VA’s effort to provide the public with a transparent accounting of the quality and safety of its care.

“This report demonstrates VA’s determination to be open and accountable,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “As a health care organization, transparency of information is essential to providing quality care for our Veterans.”

In addition, for the first time, data from both the 2008 and 2009 reports will be available to the public in machine-readable format on Data.gov. To empower Veterans and the public at large to track quality, safety and access to Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facilities, VA’s hospital report cards include raw data on care provided in outpatient and hospital settings, quality of care within given patient populations, and patient satisfaction and outcomes.

VA issued its first facility-level report on quality and safety in May 2008. As part of the Obama Administration’s commitment to open government and accountability, VA highlights its rigorous quality programs and actions taken to address the issues VA identified from the last report.

The report gives the health care system high marks, with VA facilities often outscoring private-sector health plans in standards commonly accepted by the health care industry.

“Patient-centric care is our mission,” said Shinseki. “As Secretary, I am committed to continuing to meet and surpass our high standards of care each and every day.”

In addition to allowing VA to demonstrate the quality and safety of its care, the report card provides opportunities to enhance health services.

Some of the marked improvements that VA showed in 2009 include:

· Smoking cessation counseling provided to 89 percent of Veteran patients, a 6 percent improvement from 2008; and

· Among all ages at risk, 94 percent of Veterans received a pneumonia immunization, a 4 percent improvement.

The report notes there is more to be done for women Veterans. To address this priority and provide women Veterans with the highest quality care VA has implemented several initiatives, such as placement of women advocates in every outpatient clinic and medical center, and creating a “mini-residency” program on women’s health for primary care physicians.

The report also found minority Veterans are generally less satisfied with inpatient and outpatient care than other Veterans. In addition to targeting outreach efforts to these Veterans, a minority Veteran program coordinator has been placed in every medical center.

“VA’s hospital report card will become a valuable resource of information for Veterans, stakeholders and the department.” said Shinseki. “It will allow VA’s health care system to be forward looking and focused on advancement.”

VA’s 2008 and 2009 hospital report cards can be found at http://www.va.gov/health/HospitalReportCard.asp.

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Chief Petty Officer's Association
Annual Golf Outing:

All members and guests are invited

at
RIDGE TOP GOLF COURSE
7441 Tower Rd
Medina, OH 44256
(330) 725-5500

on
Saturday - Aug 7, 2010

Tee times start @ 0900
Scramble format

$80.00
(includes)
1/2 Golf Cart, 18 Holes
Lunch at turn, Steak Dinner

Catered by:
Dimitri's Restaurant,

Dinner only:
Members - $25.00
Non-members - $30.00

Reservations Required by: July 24, 2010

Make check out to: Cleveland CPOA

Contact:
Mike Baus
10703 Windham Rd
Parma, OH 44130
mjbaus@sbcglobal.net

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Visit FRA's website:

Get the latest Legislative news & FRAs congressional testimony.
Send a message to Congress.
Read current and back issues of "Naval Affairs" and "On Watch".
Read Reunion Listings.
Get reservation and general information on the
FRA and LA FRA National Conventions.
Link to other military-related web sites.
www.fra.org

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