Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Veterans Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
State policy sets new accreditation standards for veterans service officers; Brown County officers cited as compliant
Summary
An IDVA policy implementing I.C. 10-17-1-9 was presented to the Brown County commissioners; county veterans officers Andy Alexander and Sharon Kocher were described as fully accredited and in compliance.
Ron Higgins of the Indiana Veterans' Affairs Commission presented a newly adopted IDVA policy implementing I.C. 10-17-1-9 that establishes mandatory accreditation, training, technology, and reporting standards for county veterans service officers. Higgins told the board that Brown County officers Andy Alexander and Sharon Kocher "are both accredited to perform, and they are exceeding performance and 100% compliant. One of the best in the State."
The policy text circulated at the meeting requires service officers to maintain at least 1,000 office hours annually, complete specified annual in‑person and online trainings, obtain and use Personal Identity Verification (PIV) cards, use the Department's Claims Management System, and follow reporting and remediation steps including potential accreditation revocation after specified remediation periods. The IDVA document presented also explains hearing procedures before the Commission for alleged noncompliance and the immediate cessation of representational authorities if accreditation is revoked.
County commissioners did not take formal local action at the meeting on this policy; the presentation provided staff and elected officials with the scope of state requirements and confirmed that Brown County's current officers meet the stated standards. The IDVA policy text (presented to the board) identifies the policy effective date as immediately upon approval by the Commission and notes the policy was approved December 10, 2025.
