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§ 9-943. Communications and outreach plan and duties

West's Annotated Code of MarylandState GovernmentEffective: July 1, 2022

West's Annotated Code of Maryland
State Government (Refs & Annos)
Title 9. Miscellaneous Executive Agencies (Refs & Annos)
Subtitle 9. Department of Veterans Affairs (Refs & Annos)
Part V. Communications, Outreach, and Advocacy Program (Refs & Annos)
Effective: July 1, 2022
MD Code, State Government, § 9-943
§ 9-943. Communications and outreach plan and duties
Currentness
Communications and outreach plan
(a)(1) For the purposes of reaching any veteran, veteran's dependent, or veteran's survivor in need of assistance in obtaining services or benefits granted by the law, the director shall develop and implement a communications and outreach plan.
(2) In order to carry out the director's responsibilities under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the director may:
(i) enter into contracts; and
(ii) work with governmental units and community-based organizations, including the Maryland Department of Health, the Department of Aging, faith-based groups, veterans groups, senior centers, adult day care centers, institutions of higher education, and other entities the director considers appropriate.
Communications mechanisms
(b)(1) The director shall develop mechanisms for outreach to be disseminated by direct mail and through community-based veterans organizations, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Human Services, the Maryland Department of Health, and any other State agency or unit the director considers appropriate.
(2) Communication mechanisms shall include:
(i) designing marketing materials describing the services provided by the Program;
(ii) a regular electronic newsletter;
(iii) brochures describing various benefits or any other issue or benefit of interest to veterans or their dependents; and
(iv) other measures the director considers appropriate.
Welcome home information
(c) The Department shall communicate welcome home information to veterans returning to the State.
Communication tools
(d) The Department, in conjunction with the types of community-based organizations listed in subsection (a)(2) of this section, shall develop communication tools to assist in identifying veterans and dependents who may be eligible for benefits and programs offered by the Department.
Purpose of program
(e) The Program shall:
(1) manage the Maryland Veterans Service Animal Program and Fund established under Part VIII of this subtitle;
(2) coordinate the responsibilities of veterans' services specialists designated under § 9-944 of this subtitle; and
(3) manage Department media relations, web content, social media, internal and external communications, customer service training, and intergovernmental relations.
Secretary's designee
(f) The director shall serve, as necessary, as the Secretary's designee to appropriate commissions, workgroups, and councils.

Credits

Added by Acts 2006, c. 290, § 1, eff. June 1, 2006. Amended by Acts 2017, c. 706, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2017; Acts 2017, c. 707, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2017; Acts 2022, c. 72, § 1, eff. July 1, 2022; Acts 2022, c. 73, § 1, eff. July 1, 2022.
MD Code, State Government, § 9-943, MD STATE GOVT § 9-943
Current through legislation effective through April 9, 2023, from the 2024 Regular Session of the General Assembly. Some statute sections may be more current, see credits for details.
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