January 2024 Edition of the Forward March Veterans' Newsletter

Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs sent this bulletin at 01/25/2024 04:14 PM EST

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www.FloridaVets.org

January 2024

Welcome to the January 2024 edition of the Forward March Veterans’ Newsletter. ‎‎We ‎‎appreciate the 54,000 subscribers who look to us each month for the latest news ‎impacting Florida’s nearly 1.5 million Veterans, their families and survivors.‎

Operating as the premier point of entry for Florida Veterans, the ‎Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs ‎‎operates a ‎‎network of nine State Veterans’ ‎Homes and provides statewide outreach to connect our ‎‎Veterans ‎‎with their earned ‎services, benefits and support. It’s a team effort, and I’m grateful for the ‎support our department has at local, State and Federal levels.

In 2023, FDVA State Veterans’ Service Officers assisted more than 281,000 Florida Veterans in providing information and counsel on earned services, benefits and support. In addition, our service officers ‎processed nearly 41,000 new claims on behalf of Florida Veterans and helped recover more than $245 million in retroactive benefits for Florida Veterans and their families. If you seek no-cost advice or counseling regarding Veterans issues, please contact one of our State Veterans’ Service Officers ‎at (727) ‎‎‎319-‎‎7440 or via email at FDVA.VSO@FDVA.FL.GOV.

The 2024 Florida Legislative Session began on Jan. 9 and is scheduled to run for 60 days. My senior staff and I are advocating daily on your behalf before legislative ‎committees responsible for Veterans issues in Florida. Our agency is sponsoring two primary pieces of legislation this session. Senate Bill 174 and House Bill 725 seek to allow admission of eligible spouses to our network of State Veterans’ Homes. Senate Bill 1004 and House Bill 727 seek to increase the property value tax exemption from $5,000 to $10,000 for service-connected disabled Veterans with a 10% or higher disability rating. You can follow the progress of all Veteran-related legislation and our agency’s budget for the coming fiscal year by visiting our website at www.FloridaVets.org and clicking on ‎‎“Veteran Legislation.”‎

Thanks to continued support from Governor DeSantis and the ‎Florida Legislature, we have competitive salary and benefits packages for our ‎direct care staff in our network of State Veterans’ Homes. If you have a desire to ‎serve in support of our Nation’s heroes, I encourage you to find out more. Details on part-time and full-time positions can be found in the “Weekend Warrior” advertisement at the bottom of this month’s ‎newsletter.‎

‎Finally, our team of Hope Navigators is hard at work connecting Veterans and their families with information and resources to improve their quality of life. We’ve taken more than 200 calls since we completed a series of well-received statewide roundtable events to promote our agency’s addition to the greater Hope Florida network. You’ll find more information on the initiative and how to contact our Hope Navigators in this issue.

You can also learn more about statewide Veterans’ issues by following us on X (formerly known as Twitter), Facebook and LinkedIn. A free Mobile App is also available by visiting https://floridavets.org/download-the-fdva-app/.

Please share this newsletter with others and thanks for your support.

Lieutenant Governor Hosts Roundtable on Long-Term Care Facilities for Veterans

TALLAHASSEE - Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez hosted a roundtable discussion Jan. 19 regarding Senate Bill 174, which would allow veterans’ spouses to qualify to live in state-run long-term care facilities for Veterans. Florida has nine State Veterans’ Homes for eligible Veterans. The roundtable brought together Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs Executive Director James S. Hartsell and State Senator Danny Burgess, who is the senate bill sponsor. Watch the roundtable here.

FDVA Launches Roundtable Events to Highlight Hope Florida Launch

TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs launched a series of outreach events featuring key state leaders in Panama City, St. Augustine and Land O’ Lakes recently to introduce the Hope Florida initiative to local Veterans. First Lady Casey DeSantis announced the expansion of Hope Florida to FDVA in November 2023. Hope Florida – A Pathway for Patriots supports Veterans by connecting them to services, earned benefits ‎and community resources through Hope Navigators. Unique to this expansion, Hope Navigators are coordinating with FDVA’s State Veterans’ Service Officers to assist Veterans in navigating their benefits.

Hope Florida Roundtable events were hosted at the Clifford C. Sims State Veterans’ Nursing Home in Panama City on Dec. 18, Clyde E. Lassen Veterans’ Nursing Home in St. Augustine on Dec. 19. and Baldomero Lopez State Veterans’ Nursing Home in Land O’ Lakes on Dec. 20. Participating in the panels were State Representatives Michelle Salzman and Patt Maney, Florida Department of Children and Families Secretary Shevaun Harris, Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives Paul Renner, Florida Department of Elder Affairs Secretary Michelle Branham, Erik Dellenback, Governor DeSantis’ Liaison for Faith and Community, and Senators Daniel Burgess and Jay Collins.

FDVA Executive Director James S. Hartsell led a discussion of Veteran-related issues and key legislation as part of his agency briefing to the Florida Defense Support Task Force in Tallahassee, Jan. 18.

Digital Dentistry Transforming Patient Care

Orlando VA has unveiled a series of cutting-edge digital dentistry upgrades to its dental clinic that are designed to revolutionize patient care and operational efficiency. The advancements set to be completed in the first quarter of 2024 are poised to improve accuracy, reduce time, increase efficiency and boost patient satisfaction.

Read more

Staff and fellow residents at the Clyde E. Lassen State Veterans' Nursing Home in St. Augustine celebrate the 101st birthday of resident Valerie Ryan on Jan. 20. Ryan served during World War II and trained bombardiers to drop bombs at the Banana River Air Station in Brevard County. To watch the parade in her honor, click here

State Veterans’ Service Officers from FDVA stand ready to support Florida Veterans and their families. Connect with us today by calling 727-319-7440 or via email at FDVA.VSO@FDVA.FL.GOV.

Weekend and night shift health care job opportunities are available at our State Veterans' Homes! If you’re looking for a fulfilling new role or extra hours, visit our jobs page to view the open positions. bit.ly/FDVAJobs