Readout Of Secretary Napolitano's Meeting With Leaders Of Veterans Service Organizations

Press Release

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today met with leaders of several veterans service organizations--hosted by the Veterans of Foreign Wars--to discuss DHS' ongoing engagement and collaboration with veterans on recruitment and other key DHS initiatives.

During the meeting, Secretary Napolitano reiterated the Department's goal of hiring 50,000 veterans by 2012 and highlighted recruitment efforts--including DHS' first Veterans Job Fair held in July and ongoing improvements to the Department's website to promote employment opportunities for veterans, which have resulted in a DHS civilian workforce comprised of approximately 25 percent veterans.

Secretary Napolitano also discussed increased contracting opportunities for veteran-owned small businesses through initiatives such as the Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business contract program.

She also underscored her commitment to reaching out to veterans groups through the Veterans Outreach Forum--a committee that shares information about employment opportunities with veterans stakeholders--and encouraging veterans across the nation to help promote a culture of readiness and resilience in their communities.

Secretary Napolitano recently announced the DHS Veterans Outreach Steering Committee--a group comprised of representatives from across the Department who will meet regularly to advise the Secretary on efforts to improve and integrate veteran outreach. At the first meeting earlier this month, she discussed plans to expand existing veterans programs, such as Operation War Fighter, and streamline the Department's veterans outreach efforts to enhance openness and transparency.

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