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Our Mission
To advocate with purpose and passion for Florida veterans and link them to superior services, benefits and support.
Welcome to the March 2021 edition of the Forward March Veterans' Newsletter.
We’ve just completed the fourth week of the 2021 Florida Legislative Session, which runs through April 30. Many veteran-related bills have been heard in committees and subcommittees, while others are moving more slowly. You may follow the progress of all veteran-related legislation during this year’s session by visiting https://bit.ly/39hlbId
The introduction of the COVID-19 vaccines into our network of state veterans’ homes has been very effective thus far in preventing outbreaks and serious illnesses. I’m pleased to report there are no residents or health care professional in our state veterans’ homes that have currently tested positive for COVID-19. However, we are not letting our guard down. We continue appropriate testing, enhanced cleaning and targeted isolation as directed. I appreciate our health care professionals for making a difference in the lives of our veterans.
Speaking of vaccines, much has taken place since our last newsletter. Earlier this week, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced new eligibility guidelines for COVID-19 vaccinations in Florida. Beginning Monday, all individuals age 40 and older will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Beginning April 5, all individuals age 18 and older will be eligible to receive the vaccine.
We’ve also seen similar announcements this week regarding the availability of vaccines from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, as you’ll see later in this newsletter. I am very proud of our counterparts from VISN 8, the VA Sunshine Healthcare Network, as they provide services to veterans during COVID-19. We share a tremendous working relationship focused on the betterment of our veterans.
Our partnership with the Department of Health and Division of Emergency Management to make the COVID-19 vaccine available to homebound World War II and Korean War veterans is paying dividends. More than 750 eligible veterans have signed up thus far, and the majority has already received their first dose. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/3dd7Gui
Our teleworking veterans’ claims examiners continue to connect veterans and their families with earned services, benefits and support. If you need help, please send an email to VSO@fdva.state.fl.us or call (727) 319-7440 and our talented team of wartime veterans will return your call.
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Forward March!
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TALLAHASSEE – Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed the annual Vietnam War Veterans Day in Florida Proclamation. One out of every three veterans in Florida is a Vietnam-era veteran. March 29 is Vietnam War Veterans Day in Florida. Click on the graphic above to view the proclamation.
WASHINGTON - President Joe Biden signed the SAVE LIVES Act into law, expanding VA’s legal authority to provide COVID-19 vaccines to all Veterans, regardless of their VA health care enrollment status, as well as Veteran spouses, caregivers and some beneficiaries. The expanded authority depends on readily available COVID-19 vaccine supply and requires VA to continue to prioritize vaccinations and healthcare delivery for our nation’s Veterans enrolled in VA care. To read more on the COVID Vaccine, click here: https://bit.ly/3rgatbe
GAINESVILLE - The North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System has recently been identified as the most complex U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs healthcare system in the country. “Several new clinical services, advancements in research studies, and the increase in number of resident slots offered have contributed to our achievement of being ranked number 1 in the country,” said Health System Director, Thomas Wisnieski. “This achievement is the accomplishment of all our staff that continuously work to advance VA’s mission “to honor America’s Veterans by providing exceptional care that improves their health and well-being day in and day out.” To read more on this article, click here https://bit.ly/3vNYg0N
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WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs launched its online Women’s Health Transition Training course, enabling all transitioning servicewomen and recently separated women Veterans to have access to information about VA women’s health services. To read more click here: https://bit.ly/2Q3VVhW
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WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs released a mobile app, March 18, that offers step-by-step guidance for those who are trying to support someone they care about and for those who are concerned about their own emotional wellbeing.
Developed by the PREVENTS Office, the How We R.E.A.C.H. Coaching Tool includes five actions to take when REACHing out to someone in need or when you are REACHing out for help for yourself. It provides additional resource information and suggested language to use when starting what are often very difficult conversations.
If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, contact the Veterans Crisis Line to receive free, confidential support and crisis intervention available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, text to 838255. For more information on this article, click here: https://bit.ly/3r0IYT5
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Resident care at the Clifford C. Sims State Veterans’ Nursing Home in Panama City was highlighted during a video presentation March 2 as part of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ 2021 State of the State address. Click on the image to view the video.
TALLAHASSEE - The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, along with the Federal Trade Commission and 46 agencies from 38 states and the District of Columbia, has stopped a massive telefunding operation that bombarded 67 million consumers with 1.3 billion deceptive charitable fundraising calls, mostly illegal robocalls, claiming to support veterans, children and firefighters. The defendants collected more than $110 million using their deceptive solicitations. To read more, click here https://bit.ly/3eZpegj
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FDVA Deputy Executive Director James S. "Hammer" Hartsell receives a round of applause in the Florida Senate Gallery March 18, after being acknowledged from the senate floor by State Sen. Danny Burgess, as Burgess’ wife, Courtney, looks on. Burgess, an Army Reserve Captain, served as FDVA’s agency head prior to running for his current state senate seat.
Key state veteran leaders, joined by FDVA Deputy Executive Director James S. “Hammer” Hartsell, recently joined Florida Veterans Foundation staff for the unveiling of the Forward March Ambassadors Wall of Honor. The March 18 ceremony on the 21st floor of the Capitol recognized the donations of those who have contributed to advance veteran initiatives. The Foundation, a Direct Support Organization to the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs, is in its 13th year of working toward the betterment of Florida’s 1.5 million veterans and veteran service organizations.
FDVA Deputy Executive Director James S. “Hammer” Hartsell provides an agency update at the March 18 meeting of the Florida Defense Support Task Force in Tallahassee. He led a discussion of veteran-related issues and key legislation as part of his agency briefing.
The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay received a stellar program review for the Florida Veterans Support Support Line (844-MyFLVet) from the VA Sunshine Healthcare Network (VISN 8) on March 2. Veterans and loved ones of veterans can call 1-844-MyFLVet and be connected to a peer who has been trained to provide immediate emotional support, as well as VA and non-VA resources located throughout the community. To read more, click here https://www.crisiscenter.com/cctbvisn8/
Florida has more than 162,000 women veterans. Many women veterans don’t know they are eligible for a full range of earned federal and state benefits. For more information, contact Vanessa Thomas at (727) 319-7418 or email her at ThomasV@fdva.state.fl.us. As state women veterans’ coordinator, she’s FDVA’s representative to the Sunshine State’s growing female veteran population.
The countdown is on to get your nominations in for the Class of 2021 Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame. Nominations are open until May 31. For more information and nomination forms visit: https://floridaveteranshalloffame.org/.
We're looking for you! Come join our agency where we advocate with purpose and passion for our state’s veterans, their families and survivors. We have numerous job opportunities available. For more information, visit http://bit.ly/3kzEd0j or call 727-518-3202, Ext. 5579.
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Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Centerstone – Jacksonville will be hosting a Veterans Business and Entrepreneurship Virtual Town Hall on March 31, 2021 at 12:00pm. To sign up for the webinar, click here: https://bit.ly/2QgBqyPc |
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