VA embracing social media tools

  • Published
WASHINGTON --  The Department of Veterans Affairs has released a policy directive regarding the secure use of Web-based collaboration and social media tools. The policy allows the department and its employees to leverage emerging platforms that enhance communication, stakeholder outreach, and information exchange to meet the needs of veterans of all generations.

"Veterans should have consistent and convenient access to reliable VA information real time using social media -whether on a smartphone or a computer," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. "They also should be able to communicate directly with appropriate VA employees electronically."

The policy, "VA Directive 6515: Use of Web-Based Collaboration Technologies," encourages the adoption and use of social media by VA employees. It provides workplace boundaries and establishes the department's philosophy for communication: VA is open and transparent, and willing and able to engage and collaborate with its many stakeholders online.

"This isn't about using social media because it's cool or because it's a fad," said Brandon Friedman, VA director of online communications. "It's about getting the right information to the right veteran at the right time. This policy sets us on a path toward changing how we talk-and listen-to vets."

VA began launching social media sites in 2009 and has more than 100 Facebook pages, more than 50 Twitter feeds, two blogs, a YouTube channel, and a Flickr page. VA's Facebook pages have a combined subscribership of more than 293,000 fans -- with the department's main page reaching over 138,000 people. On Twitter, VA has a combined followership of more than 53,000 -- with the department's main feed reaching over 22,000 people. VA has posted more than 300 videos on YouTube and over 9,000 photos on Flickr, which have been viewed more than a combined 1.1 million times. Last November, VA launched its first blog, VAntage Point, which distinguishes itself from other government blogs by actively soliciting guest pieces from both employees and the public. By the end of the year, the department expects to have an active Facebook page and Twitter feed for all 152 VA medical centers.