Welcome to a special hurricane edition of the Forward March Veterans’ Newsletter.
It’s been two weeks since powerful Hurricane Ian made landfall in southwest Florida. We began preparing for the potential landfall even before the storm passed over Cuba on its way into the Gulf of Mexico. Not knowing its final course or strength, we prepared for the worst.
Our nine state veterans’ homes began reviewing their hurricane preparedness lists and readying their facilities for the expected wind and rain. Residents, staff and family members were informed on storm preparations and additional staffing identified in case of emergency sheltering.
Our veterans’ homes are hardened for potential storms and we shelter in place if possible, due to the potential health care impacts of moving older and sometimes frail residents, often known as travel trauma.
Eventually, landfall was made just a few miles south of the Douglas T. Jacobson State Veterans’ Nursing Home in Port Charlotte. Inside the home were 89 residents, 43 staff members and more than two-dozen family members of staff and residents.
Following Hurricane Michael’s impact on the Florida Panhandle four years ago, we hardened the structure of the Jacobson home and added a wind-resistant metal roof. The strengthening of our skilled nursing facility paid off.
The building and its new metal roof survived without damage. Fences were down along the property line and a few trees had fallen, but we were very lucky. As anticipated, we lost power on Sept. 28 as the hurricane approached but seamlessly switched to onsite generator power to provide a full-range of uninterrupted services to those sheltering in the home.
A few days later, I had the honor of joining First Lady Casey DeSantis as she visited the home. She toured the facility and met with residents and staff who had sheltered during the storm, including a World War II Veteran who turned 101 years old the day after the storm made landfall. The most touching moment was when she shared time and compassion with several of our staff members and their families who had lost their homes and possessions as a result of the storm. We greatly appreciated her visit.
Florida Power & Light restored power to our home on Oct. 5 and five days later CenturyLink restored our landlines. Today, the veterans’ home in Port Charlotte is fully operational.
I also want to thank our friends at the Florida Veterans Foundation. Our direct support organization stepped up to the plate and provided $100 gift cards to each staff and family member severely impacted by the storm.
The legacy of our veterans’ home is only part of the story.
Shortly after the storm subsided, the state of Florida in conjunction with FEMA opened multi-agency Disaster Recovery Centers in the counties most affected by the hurricane, especially hard-hit Lee, Charlotte and Collier Counties. Our FDVA Veterans’ Claims Examiners are there today in these hardest hit communities connecting Veterans and their families with earned services, benefits and support. I’m proud of their efforts and the long hours they’re working to help our most vulnerable Veterans.
I encourage you as always to share this newsletter with friends and families. Continue to follow us on social media as we continue to update our Veteran population with the latest information on hurricane recovery efforts.
As always, if you have a question or need assistance, please reach out to us at (727) 319-7440 or via e-mail at VSO@fdva.state.fl.us.
|
All U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Centers and Outpatient Clinics in Florida have resumed normal operations.
The VISN 8 Clinical Contact Center provides 24/7, virtual care and support to Veterans enrolled for VA Health Care in Florida. Veterans who receive care in the network can call 1-877-741-3400 around the clock to get their health questions or concerns answered from the comfort and convenience of their home, or wherever they may be. Services include general administrative support, nurse advice, and triage, virtual visits with a doctor or nurse practitioner via telephone, VA Video Connect, or VA Health Chat.
VBA Compensation or Benefits Checks:
For information about compensation or pension benefit checks, call toll-free 1-800-827-1000. The phone line is operational Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. EST.
VA Benefit Debt Relief for Veterans:
For suspension of benefit debt, Veterans and beneficiaries may contact the VA Debt Management Center via Ask VA at https://ask.va.gov (select Veterans Affairs-Debt as the category) or call 800-827-0648.
For suspension of medical care and pharmacy copayment debt, Veterans and beneficiaries can contact the Health Resource Center by calling 866-400-1238.
Pharmacy Refill Program:
Link to emergency refill locations: https://va.hhspharmacy.com
The Heritage Health Customer Care Line is available for both VA patients and Pharmacies for any billing questions or coverage at: 1-866-265-0124, option 1.
|
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - First Lady Casey DeSantis joined Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs Executive Director James S. “Hammer” Hartsell in a visit to the Douglas T. Jacobson State Veterans’ Nursing Home, Oct. 3. As the most veteran friendly state in the nation, Florida is committed to serving those who dedicated their lives to our state and nation. The nursing home provides daily care to 89 permanent residents and remained operational throughout Hurricane Ian.
“I was honored to meet with the veterans and staff at the Douglas T. Jacobson Veterans’ Nursing Home who rode out the storm,” said First Lady Casey DeSantis. “Their resilience through the hurricane is inspirational and I appreciate their warm welcome. They were prepared and fared well, but we stand prepared to assist with any needs that may arise.”
“We were honored to have First Lady Casey DeSantis visit our veterans’ home today and see first-hand how this experience brought out the best in our people,” said FDVA Executive Director James S. "Hammer" Hartsell, a retired Marine Corps Major General. “It meant so much for our residents and staff to share their stories and experiences with the First Lady. We had a well-trained staff and a well-built structure, and it paid off.” To read more, click here.
|
 PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — First Lady Casey DeSantis visited the Douglas T. Jacobson State Veterans’ Nursing Home in Port Charlotte Oct. 3 and met with residents who weathered out the storm at the nursing home. One of the residents, Anna Wojtalik, celebrated her 101st birthday on Sept. 29, following Hurricane Ian.
“Anna is a beautiful example of strength and resilience,” said First Lady Casey DeSantis. “We are thankful for Anna’s service to our country during World War II. It was an honor to wish a happy belated birthday to an American hero.”
Anna served during World War II in the U.S. Navy as a Yeoman Third Class and has been a resident at Douglas T. Jacobson for four years, participating in many veteran-related events such as Port Charlotte’s Wreaths Across America event in 2021. She is a long-time resident of Punta Gorda, Florida.
Following Hurricane Ian, First Lady DeSantis announced that the Department of Elder Affairs is deploying Hope Hero volunteers in Southwest Florida through their Hope Florida – A Pathway to Purpose initiative, to serve Florida’s senior population. Veterans may also call FDVA at (727) 319-7440 for assistance.
To become a Hope Hero, visit helpcreatehope.com. To contribute to the Florida Disaster Fund, please visit www.FloridaDisasterFund.org or text DISASTER to 20222.
VENICE, Fla. - First Lady Casey DeSantis announced earlier this month an exciting partnership with Tervis, the drinkware company known for its famous Tervis tumblers, to launch a new tumbler created to help Floridians recovering from Hurricane Ian by raising money for the Florida Disaster Fund. Tervis, a family owned and operated business headquartered in North Venice, Florida, was directly impacted by Hurricane Ian. Together, First Lady DeSantis, Volunteer Florida and Tervis have created a design with Florida imagery for the new tumbler product. With every sale of this tumbler, all proceeds will go to the Florida Disaster Fund. Products will be available for purchase on the Tervis website HERE and will soon be available in stores for purchase. For more information, click here.
The Florida Disaster Fund has raised nearly $35 million in donations to support communities impacted by Hurricane Ian. To contribute, visit www.FloridaDisasterFund.org or text DISASTER to 20222. For more information, click here.
 |
|
FDVA Emergency Manager Steve Murray presents an agency challenge coin as a symbol of thanks to Christine Knepper, Florida Power & Light's State Government Affairs Manager, at the State Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee, Oct. 6. Florida Power & Light restored power to the Douglas T. Jacobson State Veterans’ Nursing Home in Port Charlotte the day prior after running on generator power for seven days. |
TALLAHASSEE - Following Hurricane Ian, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has activated Operation Blue Roof to provide temporary blue tarp-like covering to help reduce further damage to property until permanent repairs can be made. This service is free to homeowners, and the initial sign-up period ends Oct. 23. Five counties are currently eligible: Lee, Charlotte, Sarasota, Collier and DeSoto.
Operation Blue Roof protects property, reduces temporary housing costs, and allows residents to remain in their homes while recovering from the storm. Homes eligible for Operation Blue Roof include primary residences or a permanently occupied rental property with less than 50% structural damage, excluding vacation rental properties. All storm debris must be removed for the roof to qualify. Roofs that are flat, metal, clay, slate, or asbestos tile do not qualify.
For more information, call 1-888-ROOF-BLU or visit this site.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs welcomes David Isaacks to the role of Network Director for Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 8, effective October 9, 2022. Mr. Isaacks most recently served as Executive Health System Director of the North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System since July 2021. VISN 8 provides health care to enrolled veterans through a series of medical centers and outpatient clinics in Florida. To read more, click here. |
|
 |
 Pursuing a new career in agriculture, Air Force Veteran Nick Johnson is transitioning to civilian life with SkillBridge and Veterans Florida. Johnson knew he wanted to be close to family and planned his separation from the military more than a year in advance by searching for nearby agriculture opportunities using the DoD SkillBridge website, leading him to the Veterans Florida Agriculture Program.
Veterans Florida is a non-profit created by the State of Florida to help military veterans transition to civilian life and to promote Florida’s status as the nation’s most veteran-friendly state. Veterans Florida provides powerful tools for veterans to take advantage of the benefits of living and working in the Sunshine State. Read the full story here.
 We’re looking for you! With a recent 5.38 percent pay raise for all state employees and a new competitive pay structure with sign-on bonuses for our health care professionals, working in one of Florida’s nine state veterans’ homes can be rewarding. Serve our nation’s heroes by joining our team today. Click on the graphic above to visit our position openings or visit https://bit.ly/3AuWCED.
|
