Daniel Akaka

Thank you, Chairman Akaka.

As Senator Burr has mentioned, we are looking at outcomes and that is very, very important to all of us.

Thank you very much, Senator Tester.

We need to incorporate those best practices into what the larger veteran service providers are offering.

We are making a deliberate attempt to help us provide medical services and services for them.

Collaborations with private sector facilities are regularly used to successfully meet the individualized needs of veterans and complement VA care.

Preventing suicides is a tough challenge. But we must begin to change a culture that discourages at-risk servicemembers from seeking help when needed.

I would like to congratulate you on your nomination to this very critical position, and also to thank the men and women that you lead.

He is the best person, and the right person, for the job.

I have found her to be professional and knowledgeable, and I think she will be extremely valuable to the Department in this role.

I was a strong advocate for the creation of a Chief Management Officer at DOD.

This past Adoption Day, we had for the first time an increase in older youth being adopted and sibling groups being adopted.

In 2009, CFSA finalized 128 adoptions exceeding the agency's goal of 125. This was welcome news.

I commend you for starting promising programs and strategies, such as the Permanency Opportunities Project.

I want to welcome our witnesses to today's hearing, 'Assessing Foster Care and Family Services in the District of Columbia: Challenges and Solutions.'

This hearing is an opportunity to examine how Congress can work together with the District Government, child advocates, and, most importantly, the families and children within the system to improve the foster care and adoption process in…

I also want to recognize Senator Landrieu for her strong leadership on foster care and adoption issues.

Our expectations clearly are to not only supersede the targets that we have had this year, of last calendar year of the 128.

Thank you very much, Senator Burr, for your questions.

I think that they have been innovative, that they have tried some new things.

As a Nation at war, it is our responsibility to fully explore ways to help those suffering from mental health disorders.

When community leaders, political leaders, their military leaders set those examples, it is our obligation to be there to provide those services that people are seeking.

When we send men and women in uniform into battle, we seek to provide them with equipment to protect them from physical dangers.

Thank you very much, Senator Murray.

Mental illness is prevalent among today's veterans, which include PTSD, depression, and substance use disorders.