Welcome to the July 2021 edition of the Forward March Veterans’ Newsletter.
It’s hard to believe we’re in the second half of the year. I’ve recently spent time addressing delegates at several veteran-related conferences, including the Vietnam Veterans of America Florida State Council Meeting in Lake Mary and the American Legion Department of Florida Annual Convention in Orlando. It was an honor to be with such patriots.
Speaking of patriots, Korean War Armistice Day is July 27. Florida is home to more than 105,000 Korean War Veterans, and we honor them on this day and every day.
I know many of you are watching reports of the Delta variant of COVID-19. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has available COVID-19 vaccines, so if you’re still looking to get inoculated, contact your nearest VA Medical Center or Outpatient Clinic for times and locations. They’ll be glad to work with you.
As always, if you need to contact us, our Veterans’ Claims Examiners are available by calling (727) 319-7440 or via e-mail at VSO@fdva.state.fl.us. Our team of accredited counselors, all wartime Veterans, is also working again from most VA Medical Centers and Outpatient Clinics. All services are free to the Veteran.
Finally, we welcome to Tampa the 2021 Disabled American Veterans and Auxiliary National Convention. The DAV annual meeting begins July 31 and runs through Aug. 3. We hope the delegates enjoy their stay in the Sunshine State. I look forward to greeting them on opening day.
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TALLAHASSEE – Governor Ron DeSantis signed three additional Veteran-related bills on June 29 that were sent to him following the 2021 Florida Legislative Session.
House Bill 231 – Services for Veterans and Their Families
As part of the state’s focus on mental health care and Veteran suicide prevention with the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay and others, the legislation requires the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs to establish the Florida Veterans’ Care Coordination Program to provide and expand behavioral health care referral and care coordination services for Veterans and their families and to partner with Florida 2-1-1 Network participants to provide such services.
House Bill 7023 – Veterans Treatment Courts
The legislation creates uniform standards and procedures for Florida’s current and future Veterans Treatment Courts (VTC). It allows a court with criminal jurisdiction to create and administer a VTC, which may adjudicate felonies and misdemeanors, with the exception of the pretrial intervention of misdemeanor criminal traffic offenses.
Senate Bill 416 – POW-MIA Vietnam Veterans Bracelet Memorial
The bill establishes a POW-MIA Vietnam Veterans Bracelet Memorial across the street from the Old Capitol in Tallahassee, which will be installed next to Florida’s Vietnam War Memorial. The Vietnam Veterans of Big Bend Chapter 96 paid for the seven-foot high bracelet memorial.
Other Veteran-related legislation signed into law earlier this year by Governor DeSantis can be found here.
TALLAHASSEE - A new collaborative initiative to help prevent suicide among service members, Veterans, and their families was launched by the Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs and its partners July 1.
Known as the Governor's Challenge to Prevent Suicide Among Service Members, Veterans, and their Families, the statewide initiative uses evidence-based practices to prevent and reduce suicide attempts. The program, in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), encourages interested stakeholders to increase their statewide suicide prevention efforts.
To read more on the Governor's Challenge, click here: https://bit.ly/35ztQnh
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – First Lady Casey DeSantis announced July 14 an expanded Hope for Healing website that makes it easier for Floridians to access help for mental health and substance abuse. The new site is an aggregator of federal, state, local, private sector, faith-based and non-profit mental health resources, and is designed to be updated as additional resources are made available.
Since 2019, the Hope for Healing initiative has focused not only on helping Floridians find resources in challenging times through state and local partnerships that use evidence-based best practices, but on addressing the stigma that is all too often associated with seeking help. For more information on Hope for Healing, please visit www.hopeforhealingfl.com/.
The updated Hope for Healing website includes resources from several state agencies, including the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Florida Department of Children and Families, the Florida Department of Education, the Florida Department of Elder Affairs, the Florida Division of Emergency Management and Florida Department of Health.
In addition, the Governor’s Challenge is changing the narrative on mental health – especially when it comes to preventing suicide among service members, Veterans, and their families. For more information, visit www.SaveFLVets.org.
 ORLANDO, Fla - Retired Marine Corps Major General James S. "Hammer" Hartsell, who serves as executive director of the Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs, presents FDVA Challenge Coins to the youngest and oldest delegates at the American Legion Department of Florida Annual Convention in Orlando, July 3.
 TALLAHASSEE - Years of planning ended July 8 with the installation of a Patriot Tower and Carillon at the Tallahassee National Cemetery. More than 200 guests witnessed the unveiling by members of AMVETS Tallahassee Post 1776 and Tallahassee National Cemetery officials. The entire project was funded by local donations.
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St. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announces the appointment of David Isaacks as the new Executive Director Medical Center of the North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Healthcare System (NF/SGVHS). Isaacks, who transitions into the role in early August, will be responsible for healthcare operations to more than 138,000 Veterans throughout system. NF/SGVHS is one of the nation's leading VA healthcare systems, employing more than 5,800 medical professionals and support staff, operating medical centers in Gainesville and Lake City, three large specialty outpatient clinics, and nine community-based outpatient clinics located throughout a 50-county catchment area. |
TALLAHASSEE - Veterans Florida has partnered with the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) to create state agency internships for separating or retiring active-duty servicemembers under the U.S. Department of Defense SkillBridge Program.
Transitioning service members participating in the DEO SkillBridge internship will acquire new skills working in trade adjustment assistance, rapid response, and veteran employment programs as well as serving as a liaison between state agencies and local workforce development boards. SkillBridge participants will have the opportunity to gain full-time employment once the training period ends. To read more on this new program, click here: https://bit.ly/3wRvGuI
The Veterans Florida Virtual Expo showcases the endless employment opportunities that make Florida the most veteran-friendly state for military members, veterans and their families. Join the virtual event and meet with veteran-friendly employers. Network virtually with employers in industries such as aerospace, engineering, defense, and more. Workshops and panels are available for those enrolled. The Virtual Expo is free for veterans, those service members retiring or separating from the active duty, members of the Guard and Reserves, and their families. Click here to register: https://www.veteransfloridaexpo.org/
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