March 2024 Edition of the Forward March Veterans' Newsletter

Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs sent this bulletin at 03/27/2024 12:37 PM EDT

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www.FloridaVets.org

March 2024

Welcome to the March 2024 edition of the Forward March Veterans’ Newsletter. ‎‎We ‎‎appreciate the 56,000 subscribers who look to us each month for the latest news ‎impacting Florida’s more than 1.4 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.

We closed Women Veterans’ Month by hosting the Florida Women Veterans’ Advisory Council meeting in Tampa last week. I was honored to join State Women Veterans’ Coordinator Vanessa Thomas and other key women Veteran leaders for the day-long meeting. Those in attendance and those who participated virtually are working to address issues including employment, access to health care and earned benefits, and preventing homelessness. They are making a difference in the lives of our 168,000 Women Veterans.

The 2024 Florida Legislative Session adjourned on time on March 8. The several Veteran-related bills passed at the end of the session await transmittal to the governor’s office for action. House Bill 725, our primary legislation which seeks to allow admission of eligible spouses to our network of State Veterans’ Homes, is among those bills awaiting presentation to the governor. We’ll provide updates in future issues of this newsletter. You can follow the progress of our Veteran-related legislation and agency’s budget by visiting our website at www.FloridaVets.org and clicking on ‎‎“Veteran Legislation.”‎

Friday is Vietnam War Veterans Day in Florida. This seventh annual observance honors our State’s more than 462,000 Vietnam Veterans. We salute you for your honorable service to our Nation and your post-war contributions to our State and Nation. You can view the proclamation signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis at bit.ly/3TpDzow.

I’ll also take this opportunity to thank the direct care and support staff at our nine State Veterans’ Homes. As you can see in this issue, our staff is making a difference in the lives of our resident heroes. When I visit our homes, I always make it a point to visit the various shifts and thank our dedicated staff for their loving care of our Veterans.

‎You can learn more about statewide Veterans’ issues by following us on X (formerly known as Twitter), Facebook and LinkedIn. We’ve hit the 2,000-subscriber threshold on our X page and look forward to connecting with more Veteran supporters in the future. A free Mobile App is also available by visiting https://floridavets.org/download-the-fdva-app/.

A reminder that 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. Our team of Hope Navigators is also hard at work connecting Veterans and their families with information and resources to improve their quality of life. Call them at (850) 300-HOPE or via email at HopeNavigators@fdva.fl.gov.

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

To those of the Christian faith, I wish you a Happy Easter.

Governor Highlights Achievements of 2024 Florida Legislative Session

TALLAHASSEE – Gov. Ron DeSantis was joined by Senate President Kathleen Passidomo and House Speaker Paul Renner on March 8 to mark the end of the 2024 Legislative Session and highlight the record number of historic wins that have been delivered for the people of Florida.

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Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez donates entry fees from her recent Run For Our Heroes 5K to the Florida Veterans Foundation in Tallahassee, March 5. More than 200 participants raised more than $11,500 during the Feb. 24 run to support Florida Veterans in need, part of her “LG on Mission” initiative.

Marlies Sarrett, Florida Health Care Association leader and administrator at the Baldomero Lopez State Veterans’ Nursing Home in Land O’ Lakes, discusses Careers In Aging paths with students in Tampa, March 13. From nursing to administration to therapy, careers in aging support opportunities for personal advancement while making a positive impact on residents' lives.

As part of Children’s Week at the Capitol, Agency for Persons with Disabilities Director Taylor Hatch shares a special moment on Feb. 29 with Department of Children and Families Secretary Shevaun Harris and FDVA Executive Director James S. “Hammer” Hartsell and his son, Alex. They are enjoying ‘Evin’s World at the Zoo,’ a story written by Alex about Evin, a wonderful Floridian with unique abilities, his adventures and how he uses his ability to help others.

FDVA Executive Director James S. "Hammer" Hartsell and Deputy Executive Director Bob Asztalos join the Florida Women Veterans’ Advisory Council on March 22 in Tampa. The council discussed earned veterans’ benefits, best practices and planning of the statewide Women Veterans' Conference for June 2024.

FDVA State Veterans' Service Officer Keith Leger assists a veteran with earned services and benefits on Constituent Services Day in Escambia County, March 5. The event was hosted by State Rep. Michelle Salzman in Pensacola. Constituent Services Day is dedicated to assisting Escambia County residents with Local, State and Federal casework issues.

The FDVA Division of Benefits and Assistance graduates its first Accreditation Course for 2024, held at FDVA Headquarters in Largo, March 4-7. The course is required by statute for all new State Veterans' Service Officers to access VA systems for claims counseling.

Eleven new Certified Nursing Assistants graduated Feb. 27 following a month-long training course at the 120-bed Clifford C. Sims State Veterans' Nursing Home in Panama City.

FDVA Chief of Staff Al Carter, left, led a discussion of Veterans issues during a panel session March 5 at the Bob Woodruff Foundation Summit in Fort Lauderdale. The annual summit of public, private and nonprofit sector representatives focused on how to effectively support Veterans and military families in Florida.

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.

The Sandy Nininger State Veterans’ Nursing Home in Pembroke Pines is seeking a dynamic and compassionate Director of Nursing to lead a dedicated team. Apply now and be part of our mission to honor those who served us. Click here.

Did you know? Since November 2023, FDVA Hope Navigators have assisted more than 350 Veterans through the Hope Florida initiative.