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TALLAHASSEE – With the beginning of the new year, Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs (FDVA) are highlighting a number of policies and initiatives providing critical support to our state’s veterans, their families and survivors. FDVA is a nearly 1,500-member constitutionally chartered State Veterans’ Affairs department with a $171 million annual budget responsible for serving the nation’s third largest veteran population.
Operating as the premier point of entry for Florida’s 1.5 million veterans, FDVA operates a network of nine state veterans’ homes and provides statewide outreach to connect veterans with their earned services, benefits and support.
The agency’s veterans’ claims examiners play a major role in the direct infusion of more than $23.9 billion annually for veterans into Florida’s economy through federal compensation, education and pension benefits, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ medical services and military retired pay. To read more about 2022 successes, click here.
TALLAHASSEE - Gov. Ron DeSantis has announced the appointment of Maj. Gen. John D. Haas as Adjutant General of Florida. Major General Haas is the Assistant Adjutant General – Army and the Commander of the Florida Army National Guard. Prior to assuming his position, he was the Director of Strategic Plans, Policies, and Programs for the Florida National Guard. General Haas has completed three combat tours and held multiple company-level commands. Haas will become the Adjutant General of Florida upon the retirement later this year of Maj. Gen. James O. Eifert.
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TALLAHASSEE – State Rep. Sam Killebrew meets with FDVA Executive Director James S. “Hammer” Hartsell at a legislator breakfast at the Capitol, Jan. 19, sponsored by the Florida Veterans Foundation. The Foundation sponsors an annual breakfast for all state legislators who served in the Armed Forces or Florida National Guard. Killebrew is a veteran of the U.S. Navy.
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WASHINGTON – Veterans in acute suicidal crisis may go to any VA or non-VA health care facility for emergency health care at no cost – including inpatient or crisis residential care for up to 30 days and outpatient care for up to 90 days. Veterans do not need to be enrolled in the VA system to use this benefit. Acute suicide crisis means an individual was determined to be at imminent risk of self-harm by a trained crisis responder or health care provider.
This expansion of care will help prevent Veteran suicide by guaranteeing no cost, world-class care to Veterans in times of crisis. It will also increase access to acute suicide care for up to 9 million Veterans who are not currently enrolled in VA. To read more, click here.
TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles is pleased to announce the Gadsden Flag specialty license plate has been delivered to tax collector offices and license plate agencies statewide. Floridians who purchased presale vouchers for the specialty plate are able to redeem them at their local tax collector office or license plate agency, and those who wish to purchase the new plate are advised to contact their local office prior to visiting to ensure stock is available. The revenue collected annually from the sale of the Gadsden Flag specialty license plate will be distributed to the Florida Veterans Foundation, a direct-support organization of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs, to be used to benefit veterans.
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 JACKSONVILLE, Fla. The newly established Florida Women Veterans’ Advisory Council, established by the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs, met for the first time on Jan. 6. The council discussed earned veterans’ benefits and best practices. It is the first of several meetings to be held throughout the state in 2023. To read more on Florida’s 164,000 Women Veterans, click here.
 The countdown is on to get your nominations in for the Class of 2023 Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame. For more information on guidelines and nomination forms, click here.
 Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs Executive Director James S. “Hammer” Hartsell was installed Jan. 12 as President of the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs (NASDVA). NASDVA was founded in 1946 to bring together the state directors of veterans’ affairs from all 50 states, territories and the District of Columbia to promote and encourage communication, discussion, as well as action to effectively provide the best services and benefits for America’s more than 19 million veterans. “Thank you for the trust you have in me,” the retired Marine Corps Major General said to the membership. “I’m honored to serve as your president and look forward to a very productive year as we connect our Nation’s Veterans with earned services, benefits and support.”
 If you served in the Vietnam, Gulf War, or Post-9/11 eras, you may be eligible for expanded VA benefits under a new law, known as The PACT Act. Visit http://va.gov/PACT or call 1-800-MY-VA-411 to learn more. For claims assistance, you may contact one of our Florida-based Veterans Claims Examiners at (727) 319-7440 or via email at VSO@fdva.state.fl.us.
 Have you gotten our upgraded App? The free App is a quick and easy way to access earned benefit information, look for available jobs, and connect yourself to the latest Veterans’ news. https://app.floridavets.org
 Serve our nation’s heroes by joining our team today. With a recent 5.38 percent pay raise for all state employees and a new competitive pay structure with sign-on bonuses for our direct care staff, working in one of Florida’s nine state veterans’ homes can be rewarding. Click on the graphic above to visit our position openings or visit https://bit.ly/3AuWCED.
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