DVS Did Not Have Enough Members Appointed to Its Advisory Committee on Women Veterans.

As a result of this issue, DVS does not benefit from the unique knowledge, skills, and expertise of a full committee.

Overview

DVS did not have an 11-member advisory committee on women veterans during the audit period. DVS gave us a list of active advisory committee members as of June 30, 2021; there were only five commissioners on the list, and one of them had not been a member of the committee since 2010.

As a result of this issue, DVS does not benefit from the unique knowledge, skills, and expertise of a full committee. Moreover, because the composition and structure of the committee are intended to enhance the effectiveness of DVS’s work with women veterans, that effectiveness may be at risk without a full committee.

Authoritative Guidance

Section 2 of Chapter 115 of the Massachusetts General Laws requires DVS to “appoint an advisory committee on women veterans to investigate, foster and promote the interests of women veterans.” The committee is required to have at least 11 members:

• the Secretary of DVS or their designee
• an advisor on women’s issues, appointed by the Governor
• the chair of the Massachusetts Commission against Discrimination or their designee
• three members of veterans’ organizations, appointed by the Governor
• a VSO, appointed by the Governor
• four women veterans (at least two of whom participate in the VA Vietnam Veterans Outreach Program), appointed by the commissioner of DVS.

Reasons for Issue

DVS officials did not explain why the committee did not have the required 11 members.

Recommendation

DVS should work with the Governor’s Office to ensure that the advisory committee has the required 11 members.

Auditee’s Response

DVS has continued to work on identifying and appointing members to the Advisory Committee on Women Veterans through the audit period. DVS has worked with the Governor’s Office and the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to identify appropriate candidates for these important positions. As of June 4, 2022, the following appointments to the Committee have been made:

1	Secretary of DVS or Designee	Secretary of DVS	Susan McDonough
2	Appointed by the Governor	Governor (has been appointed)	Stephanie Landry
3	Chairman of the [Massachusetts Commission against Discrimination, or MCAD] or Designee	Commissioner of MCAD (has been appointed)	Deirdre Ann Hosler, Esq.
4	Member of Veteran Organization	Governor (has been appointed)	Deb Freed
5	Member of Veteran Organization	Governor (awaiting appointment letter)	Caitlynn Almy
6	Member of Veteran Organization	Governor (awaiting appointment letter)	Catherine Corkery
7	Veterans Agent	Governor (has been appointed)	Karen Tyler
8	Women veteran (Participant in Vietnam Veterans Outreach Program of the [United States Department of Veterans Affairs, or VA])	Secretary of DVS (awaiting being sworn in)	Tiffany Lever
9	Women veteran (Participant in Vietnam Veterans Outreach Program of the [VA])	Secretary of DVS (awaiting being sworn in)	Paula Smith
10	Women veterans	Secretary of DVS (has been appointed)	Dr. Shakti Sabharwal
11	Women Veterans	Secretary of DVS (awaiting being sworn in)	June Newman
Non-statutory members		Secretary of DVS (awaiting being sworn in)	Carolyn Mason Wholley
		Secretary of DVS (awaiting being sworn in)	Liseth Velez

 

 

Auditor’s Reply

Based on its response, DVS is taking measures to address our concerns in this area.

Date published:	September 27, 2022