State VHA Unit is the first reference of point in VHAI for all the State VHAs in the country. The Unit maintains constant touch with all the State VHAs, associates and leading NGOs all over the country.

It keeps updated records of existing State VHAs, eg, their board, constitution, membership, member institutions, programs and all other organizational matters. It also provides guidance, especially to the newly formed State VHAs on the above matters.

Important functions of State VHAs are :

•Setting up and strengthening new State VHAs , presently there are 27 State VHAs and setting up new State VHAs in Goa, Haryana, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Pondicherry and western islands of Amindiwi and Minicoy, the only remaining states is under consideration. Primary steps for setting up a SVHA in Goa have already been taken.

•Strengthening State VHAs by way of providing guidance on statutory matters,management, and other technical support as well as assisting them financially in the initial years (until the new SVHAs are able to mobilize funds on their own) is a major responsibility of the Unit for which it also coordinates with other Divisions and Units within VHAI.