Strategic Plan     VISION        We, individually and collectively, as a statewide organization, are the primary point of contact for our fellow veterans, who seek assistance with local, state, and federal veteran's benefits.    We continually seek out new avenues to provide services to our county's veterans, thereby assuring them the highest possible quality of life.     MISSION      To assist, advocate for, and support the military veterans of our county, state and nation.    We help veterans help themselves, by providing the highest quality services possible in our local communities.    Members of the County Veterans Service Officers Association of Wisconsin have:           - A respect for all those who served our state and nation in the armed forces.         - A commitment to providing the highest quality, professional service and advice to our county's veterans.         - A sincere belief that our professional advocacy can make a positive difference in the lives of our fellow veterans.  We exist solely for           the betterment of the veterans' community.         - A duty to serve the unique needs and expectations of our county's veterans and their families.       GOALS        To maintain a professional association, comprised of highly trained, proficient, dedicated members.            - Continually seek to improve the quality/quantity of our training at the regional and state levels.          - Continue to support our CVSO Training Planning Team in their efforts to improve the quality of our conference training.          - Work with the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs to receive valuable training as state programs undergo transition or            modification.     To communicate our mission and available services to all veterans.           - Actively seek the support of the local media in assisting in the dissemination of information to the public regarding veteran's benefits                and issues.         - Work with other veterans' service organizations to  promote public awareness of veterans' issues.         - Maintain the Web Site for the state association.         - Make a concerted effort to obtain funding for advertising at the state and local level.         - Assist and provide input to WDVA to improve the effectiveness of their "IOU" campaign.         - Explore the possibility of having regular Association input to the WDVA quarterly publication.     Work to first maintain and then improve USDVA Healthcare and Benefits Programs and Functions.           - Advocate for improvements in the VAMC "Fee Services" voucher system, which is currently broken.         - Advocate for improvements in "access time" to both general services and "specialty clinics".         - Advocate for expediting the processing of USDVA claims.     Advocate for enhancing the current Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs programs.           - Seek regulatory changes to allow Veterans Assistance Program Sites to allow admission of Homeless Veterans with substance abuse             problems immediately following their detoxification.         - Seek improvements in "access time" for veteran referrals to the VAPs.         - Seek expansion of the SRO facilities, to allow a smooth transition of VAP graduates into the local communities         - Seek 100% reimbursement under the Tuition Fee Reimbursement and Part-Time Study Grant Programs, along with removal of income             limits.         - Seek revision of the Retraining Grant.  Current program is far too restrictive, and thus limits applicants.         - Advocate for changes to the current IRS regulations, to allow for a continuation of the Home Loan Program.  Possibly modeled after the              current Wisconsin Primary Home Loan Program.  (Possibly develop letter writing campaign).         - Seek combination of Home Improvement and Personal Loan programs into a more "user friendly" loan program.     Improve communication within our own organization.           - Establish a "resident expert" for computer issues within our regional associations.         - Establish a regional "resident expert" for computer issues within our sub-associations.         - Enhance the current "New CVSO" forum at the semi-annual conferences to provide our newest members with the basic framework             necessary to perform day-to-day operations.  (Provide case studies as well as Q & A forums.)     Improve communications with the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs.           - Maintain an open dialogue with the WDVA.         - Continue to provide input/involvement with WDVA planning, as they affect current and future State of Wisconsin veterans' benefits.         - Form a "partnership" with WDVA to improve the dissemination of information regarding State and Federal veterans' benefits to all                    Wisconsin veterans.     Redefine the role of the Legislative Committee.          - Work with the Executive Committee to formulate recommendations for changes in State and Federal programs.        - Directly lobby for those changes, via e-mail, written correspondence, and face-to-face contact with the legislatures.        - Work with the Veterans' Service Organizations to enlist their support in our lobbying efforts        - Emphasize our association's stance that USDVA Regional Offices should remain in every state and that further consolidation of claims            processing would be counter-productive.   Rework existing By-Laws.            - Update by-laws to reflect changes in current organizational structure.        - Re-define the roles of the various committees currently outlined in the by-laws.