7879012.2-231Virginia Decodedhttps://vacode.org2016Administration Of GovernmentOrganization Of State GovernmentOffice Of The GovernorGovernor's SecretariesSecretary Of Veterans And Defense AffairsPowers and duties of the Secretary2011, cc. 780, 858; 2013, c. 151; 2014, cc. 115, 490; 2016, c. 689.http://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/2.2-231//2.2-231/2.2/I/A/2/11/2.2-231Unless the Governor expressly reserves such power to himself, the Secretary shall:section1 Work with federal officials to obtain additional federal resources and coordinate veterans policy development and information exchange.section222 Educate the public on veterans and defense issues in coordination with applicable state agencies.section442 Monitor and enhance efforts to provide assistance and support for veterans living in Virginia and members of the Virginia National Guard and Virginia residents in the Armed Forces Reserves not in active federal service in the areas of (i) medical care, (ii) mental health and rehabilitative services, (iii) housing, (iv) homelessness prevention, (v) job creation, and (vi) education.section662 Seek additional federal resources to support veterans services.section772 Monitor efforts to provide services to veterans, those members of the Virginia National Guard, and Virginia residents in the Armed Forces Reserves who qualify for veteran status, and their immediate family members, including the dissemination of relevant materials and the rendering of technical or other advice.section882 Promote the industrial and economic development of localities included in or adjacent to United States government military and other national defense activities and those of the Commonwealth because the success of such activities depends on cooperation between the localities, the Commonwealth, and the United States military and national defense activities.section11112 Provide technical assistance and coordination between the Commonwealth, its political subdivisions, and the United States government military and national defense activities located within the Commonwealth.section12122 Employ, as needed, consultants, attorneys, architects, engineers, accountants, financial experts, investment bankers, superintendents, managers, and such other employees and agents as may be necessary, and to fix their compensation to be payable from funds made available for that purpose.section13132 Receive and accept from any federal or private agency, foundation, corporation, association, or person grants, donations of money, real property, or personal property for the benefit of the Commonwealth and receive and accept from the Commonwealth or any state, any municipality, county, or other political subdivision thereof, and from any other source, aid or contributions of money, property, or other things of value, to be held, used, and applied for the purposes for which such grants and contributions may be made.section14142 Receive and accept from any source aid, grants, and contributions of money, property, labor, or other things of value to be held, used, and applied to carry out these requirements subject to the conditions upon which the aid, grants, or contributions are made.section15152 Make grants to local governments, state and federal agencies, and private entities with any funds of the Secretary available for such purpose.section16162 Take any actions necessary or convenient to the exercise of the powers granted or reasonably implied to this Secretary and not otherwise inconsistent with the law of the Commonwealth.section17172 Work with veterans services organizations and counterparts in other states to monitor and encourage the timely and accurate processing of veterans benefit requests by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, including requests for services connected to health care, mental health care, and disability payments.section18182 In conjunction with subdivision 6, coordinate with federal, state, local, and private partners to assist homeless veterans in obtaining a state-issued identification card, in order to enable these veterans to access the available federal, state, local, and other resources they need to attain financial stability or address other issues that have adversely affected their lives.section19192