Audit of the Department of Veterans’ Services

This is a state performance audit of the Massachusetts Department of Veterans’ Services covering July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2021.

“This report details the audit objectives, scope, methodology, findings, and recommendations for the audit period, July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2021.”

Auditors checked whether the Women Veterans’ Network had a process to find women veterans and tell them about possible benefits, and whether DVS had the required advisory committee.

“In addition, we determined whether DVS had established an advisory committee on women veterans in compliance with Section 2 of Chapter 115 of the General Laws.”

If the network is not doing enough outreach, women veterans may miss out on information about benefits, programs, events, and support services.

“If WVN does not complete DVS’s tasks, including outreach to women veterans, women veterans may not be aware of all of the resources available to them through DVS.”

For a Massachusetts woman veteran or family member, the issue is practical: the state may not be reaching everyone who could use veterans’ benefits and services.

“According to the VA National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics, there were approximately 25,000 women veterans living in Massachusetts as of September 30, 2020.”

The auditor found two main problems: weak oversight of the Women Veterans’ Network and too few members on the women veterans advisory committee.

“DVS did not have enough members appointed to its advisory committee on women veterans.”

The auditor recommended that DVS create clear procedures and monitoring for the network, and work with the Governor’s Office to fill the advisory committee.

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

The report matters because the network’s database included only a small share of the estimated women veterans in Massachusetts, raising concerns about outreach.

“However, this number represents only about 6% of the approximately 25,000 women veterans living in Massachusetts as of September 30, 2020 according to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA’s) National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics.”

DVS means Department of Veterans’ Services, WVN means Women Veterans’ Network, and VSOs are local veterans’ services officers who help veterans apply for benefits and resources.

“In partnership with VSOs, DVS helps veterans and their families navigate available federal, state, and local programs, benefits, and other resources.”