Vision
Every veteran in the Commonwealth receives the highest standard of care, enjoys the full spectrum of available benefits, and is treated with unwavering respect and dignity.
Mission
The Office of the Veteran Advocate is dedicated to safeguarding the well-being and upholding the rights of veterans under the care of the Commonwealth.
OVA ensures veterans and their families receive compassionate, timely, and effective services, while advocating for their rights, benefits, and dignified treatment. We strive to foster collaboration among state agencies, facilitate access to federal and state benefits, and conduct thorough investigations to enhance the quality of care provided to veterans.
Our Logo
Core Values
Honesty – find the Truth and share it
Respect – show respect to everyone, it will be returned
Responsiveness – through preparation, timely information gathering, rapid, rigorous analysis and action
Service/Commitment – to the veterans and their families and the residents of the Commonwealth who honor them
Trust – earn it; grant it with mindfulness
The Team
Learn about the OVA
During our April 30, 2025 webinar with the Massachusetts Municipal Association, our team introduced the Office, discussed veteran services in the Commonwealth, and how the OVA is a resource for our local partners.
Statutory Responsibilities
Mass. Gen. Laws chapter 115B, § 2
There shall be an office of the veteran advocate, which shall be independent of any supervision or control by any executive agency. The office shall:
(i) ensure that veterans in the care of the commonwealth or receiving services under the supervision of an executive agency in any public or private facility receive humane and dignified treatment at all times, with full respect for the veterans' personal dignity and right to privacy;
(ii) ensure that veterans in the care of the commonwealth or receiving services under the supervision of an executive agency in any public or private facility receive timely, safe and effective services;
(iii) aid and coordinate with local veterans service officers to ensure veterans receive all available state and federal benefits;
(iv) examine, on a system-wide basis, the care and services that executive agencies provide veterans;
(v) advise the public and those at the highest levels of state government about how the commonwealth may improve its services to and for veterans and their families;
(vi) develop internal procedures appropriate for the effective performance of the office's duties;
(vii) act as a liaison to all state agencies providing services to veterans to ensure each veteran receives necessary services and care;
(viii) assist in developing procedures for the executive agencies to best serve the veteran community;
(ix) act as a liaison to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and all other relevant federal agencies to advocate on behalf of the veterans of the commonwealth; and
(x) investigate incidents where a veteran suffered a fatality, near fatality or serious bodily or emotional injury while receiving services from an executive agency, or circumstances which result in a reasonable belief that an executive agency or a constituent agency failed in its duty to care for a veteran and, as a result, the veteran was at imminent risk of, or suffered serious bodily or emotional injury or death.
Report annually to the governor, the senate president, the speaker of the house of representatives, the senate and the house committees on ways and means, and the joint committee on veterans and federal affairs on the activities of the office, including, but not limited to,
a.) an analysis of the delivery of services to veterans and recommendations for changes in agency procedures which would enable the commonwealth to better provide services to and for veterans and their families and
b.) priorities for implementation of those changes to services.
The report shall be made public on the website of the veteran advocate.
OVA Regulations
Our website provides a downloadable, official version of the OVA's governing regulations. You can view and download our official version of OVA's regulations below:
Contact
Online
| Date published: | October 31, 2024 |
|---|---|
| Last updated: | June 3, 2025 |