A series of informational workshops and facilitated meetings centered around key issues of primary interest to veterans will form the core of the Symposium agenda. The Symposium Issues Committee is recommending the following topics be addressed and that through Symposium participant discussions a modernization action plan be recommended for each area. You can help us develop the Symposium format by participating in our survey about veterans’ benefits.

The primary objectives of the Symposium are:
• Draw public attention to the evolving nature of America’s defense, including the diverse make-up of its men and women in uniform
• Generate public discussion about the need to re-engineer the benefits of armed services personnel and the Reserve and National Guard, especially those on active duty
• Actively engage policymakers in ensuring earned benefits

The Issues Committee will play a significant role in determining the Symposium agenda and format. This will include helping to decide the key benefit issues that will be addressed:

Benefits
• Claims processing
• Education including vocational rehabilitation
• Appeals process

Employment
• Veteran hiring preference
• Transitional Assistance Program (TAP)
• Disabled Transition Assistance Program (DTAP)

Healthcare
• Access
• Quality

Homeless Veterans
• Compensation claims
• Health care
• Employment
• Families