Public and Intergovernmental Affairs
The Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs (OPIA) develops, maintains, and communicates the Department’s message through media relations and public, intergovernmental, and Veteran engagement to empower Veterans and their families. We oversee the Department’s communications with Veterans, the public, VA employees, and the news media. We also provide VA leadership with strategic advice, guidance, and information by fostering partnerships and liaising between state, local, tribal, insular, and international governments. OPIA works to build confidence in VA and its readiness to serve America’s Veterans of all generations.
Assistant Secretary, Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs
Additional Resources
- VA news
- Official Releases
- Veterans Day
- 2025 VA Benefits Book (PDF, 120 pages)
- Direct questions or comments to Office of Media Relations or (202) 461-7600
What we do
Public Affairs
Public Affairs is responsible for coordinating and orchestrating the release of external public affairs communication and information for VA. The primary mission of this Office is to coordinate with VA’s three Administrations —Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and National Cemetery Administration (NCA) — and other offices throughout VA to ensure Veterans and their families, other beneficiaries and stakeholders receive accurate and timely information about Department benefits and programs as well as information on many other topics using all forms of traditional and new media to communicate.
Intergovernmental Affairs
Intergovernmental Affairs is responsible for all relations between VA and international, state, county, municipal and tribal governments. The primary function of the office is to provide strategic advice, guidance and information about VA to foster and enhance government partnerships. Acts as the liaison between VA and the White House to further the state and local policy. Manages collaboration with Federal, state, county, municipal, tribal, insular and international governments and faith-based leaders. The Deputy Assistant Secretary for Intergovernmental Affairs has management oversight of the Office of Tribal Government Relations, the Center for Faith, the Office of Rural Engagement and the Office of State and Local Government Affairs.
Veterans’ Day
Each year, the Veterans Day National Committee publishes a commemorative Veterans Day poster. The Committee selects a poster from artwork submitted by artists nationwide. It also distributes the winning design to VA facilities, military installations around the world, and across cities and towns in our nation. The poster then serves as the cover of the official program for the Veterans Day Observance at Arlington National Cemetery.