ARTICLE I – ESTABLISHMENT:

The Wichita Tribal Veterans Program (WTVP) was established by the Wichita Executive Committee on October 1, 2019. The Wichita Tribal Veterans Office was not established in 2024 due to the Coronavirus Pandemic.

ARTICLE II – PURPOSE:

The purpose of the Veterans program shall be:

To establish a database of Wichita Veterans and Wichita active military tribal members.

To identify, assess and prioritize the special needs of Wichita Tribal Veterans, their dependents and spouses especially when their immediate family members pass away. This may include assisting with transportation back home for active military.

To seek out additional funding sources and make recommendation for the implementation, expansion and improvement of existing programs to ensure that the Wichita Tribal Veterans receive the benefits and services they are entitled to.

To recommend policies regarding Wichita Tribal Veterans to the Wichita Executive Committee which are consistent with acceptable traditional and customary practices of the Wichita People.

To advocate and assist Wichita Tribal Veterans with filings for disability benefits, social security, unemployment and retirement services.

To assist Wichita Tribal Veterans with advocating for better health care, including mental health and assistance with PTSD, through the Veterans Administration, Indian Health Services and other health care agencies. This can also include dental services.

To monitor, advocate and promote efforts towards employment and educational training of Wichita Tribal Veterans and to seek out other services and benefits for Wichita Tribal Veterans provided by Vocational Rehabilitation Services and other agencies.

To seek out opportunities for homeless Veterans, housing programs, housing rehabilitation programs and collaboration to assist Wichita Tribal Veterans with housing needs. This includes programs offered by the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.

To include programs such as HUD Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing VASH and Native American Direct Loan Program (NADL).

To seek out ways to recover fees for services from the Veterans Administration for services the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes offers to tribal Veterans.

To provide resources and information to Veterans about tribal programs, Veteran Programs, and other Veteran organizational resources.

To assist Veterans transitioning in and out of the military.

To assist Veterans with transportation to medical facilities the Veterans Administration for assistance.

To provide check ins and home visits to Veterans and matching older and younger Veterans for check ins.

To provide care packages to active military with input from Wichita Veterans.

To develop a resource book or electronic document for Veterans to access contact information for tribal programs, Veteran programs and other Veteran organizational resources.

To seek opportunities to recognize Veterans and their military service such as events, social media, website, newspaper articles and other opportunities such as military holidays.

To capture or acquire pictures of Veterans and active military for recognition.

To establish billing for Veteran services such as medical and transportation services.

To assist Veterans in correcting service records.

To establish a mobile unit for Veteran services.

To encourage Veteran participation by reaching out to Veterans directly when events recognizing Veterans will be held such Wichita Night at the Wichita Annual Dance.

To establish and have oversight of the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes Color Guard.

To establish a relationship with the Wichita Service Club to assist in providing services to Wichita Tribal Veterans such as dinners, pow-wows and dances.

To establish a Veteran Advisory Board to the President of the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes.

ARTICLE III – AUTHORITIES, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The responsibilities of the Department Director shall be:

To supervise and administer the Wichita Tribal Veterans Program and other approved programs, such as a Color Guard, authorized under the provisions of the Wichita Tribal Veterans Program Plan of Operation for the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes.

To implement, carry out and enforce authorized policies and directives as promulgated by virtue of the Wichita Tribal Veterans Program Plan of Operation for the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes including, but not limited to:

Representing the Wichita Tribal Veterans Program as directed and authorized by the President of the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes in dealing with the public and representatives of other organizations.

Determining, evaluating and advocating for the needs of Wichita Tribal Veterans.

Recommending and providing coordination for implementation of authorized federal, state and tribal programs for the benefit of Wichita Tribal Veterans.

Serving as a liaison to seek out ways to recover fees for services from the Veterans Administration for services the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes offers to tribal Veterans.

Recommending and preparing the annual budget for the Wichita Tribal Veterans Program to be approved by the Wichita Executive Committee.

Overseeing and processing program monetary assistance and/or services to all eligible Wichita Tribal Veterans pursuant to approved program policies and procedures.

Developing, recommending and implementing policies and procedures to work with other departments for Veterans services within programs established by the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes.

Advocating and assisting Wichita Tribal Veterans with disability benefits filings.

Collecting and maintaining files containing specific information for Wichita Tribal Veterans.

To hire a caseworker to assist with casework for Veterans.

ARTICLE IV – ORGANIZATION:

The Wichita Tribal Veterans Program shall be administratively responsible to the Chief Operations Officer under the Organizational Chart with direction and funding from the President of the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes and Wichita Executive Committee.

The Wichita Tribal Veterans Programs shall be officed in a place determined by the President and Wichita Executive Committee.

ARTICLE V – PERSONNEL:

The Wichita Tribal Veterans Program shall be supervised by a Department Director who shall be selected and employed by the Chief Operations Officer with the concurrence by the Wichita Executive Committee according to the Policies and Procedures of the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes.

ARTICLE VI – AMENDMENTS:

This Wichita Tribal Veterans Program Plan of Operation for the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes may be amended from time to time by the Wichita Executive Committee.