LAND O’ LAKES, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 725 and House Bill 1329 on June 20 to support Florida’s veterans and their families through services for veterans shifting to civilian life, ensuring spouses can enjoy long-term care together, and expanding benefits available for veterans.
“Florida is committed to remaining the most military- and veteran-friendly state in the nation,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “We are proud to support those who have bravely served our country, and today’s legislation will help ensure that veterans and their families have the resources they need to successfully transition into civilian life with their loved ones by their side. It will also provide more benefits to veterans and educate future generations on the sacrifices made by service members.”
TALLAHASSEE – Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Focus on Florida’s Future budget into law June 12, ensuring timely and essential services and support to Veterans, their families and survivors through the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs (FDVA).
FDVA is a constitutionally chartered department responsible for serving the Nation’s estimated second largest Veteran population. Operating as the premier point of entry for Florida’s more than 1.4 million Veterans, FDVA operates a network of State Veterans’ Homes and provides statewide outreach to connect Veterans with earned services, benefits and support.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The 120-bed Clyde E. Lassen State Veterans’ Nursing Home in St. Augustine is a recipient of the Bronze – 2024 Commitment to Quality Award from the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living. The award recognizes organizations that meet progressively rigorous standards of performance to improve the lives of residents and staff in long term and post-acute care.
TALLAHASSEE – First Lady Casey DeSantis hosted a meeting with over 100 sheriffs, police chiefs, and other law enforcement officials on June 5 from across the state to highlight new resources for officers to utilize to direct individuals to Hope Florida. This summer, law enforcement agencies, departments, and offices will also receive personnel training on connecting those in need with a Hope Florida Navigator through the Hope Line.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced May 29 that Veterans no longer need to pay copays for their first three outpatient mental health care and substance use disorder visits of each calendar year through 2027. The benefit expands Veterans’ access to mental health services and lowers their out-of-pocket costs.
 FDVA Deputy Executive Director Bob Asztalos provides an update on the planned 120-bed State Veterans’ Nursing Home in Collier County to Veterans at VFW Post 7721 in Naples, May 29. FDVA operates a network of nine State Veterans’ Homes across Florida.
 Nearly 300 Veterans received free dental care during the Florida Mission of Mercy at the George Jenkins Arena in Lakeland, May 30.
 State and County Veterans’ Service Officers pose on the day of graduation following the completion of their accreditation course, provided by the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs, June 3-6 in Largo. The course is required by statute for all new State Veterans' Service Officers to access VA systems for claims counseling.
 Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez visits with World War II Veterans at the Emory L. Bennett State Veterans’ Nursing Home in Daytona Beach, June 5, as part of the state’s official D-Day commemoration efforts.
 Veterans Florida partnered with entrepreneurial experts around the state who provide support and training for Veterans ready to start or build their business. The culmination of that work is the annual Battle of the Pitches. The winners were recognized at the Veterans Florida Expo June 7-8, in Tampa. The winners received a total of $17,500 to help with their journey: Gold: Jonathan Borgwing, Vig Solutions. Silver: Thomas Pappas, Broken Veteran 3D Designs. Bronze: Alberto Porro, Priority Objective Consulting.
 Residents at the Douglas T. Jacobson State Veterans’ Nursing Home in Port Charlotte celebrate Certified Nursing Assistants Week earlier this month by creating hand-crafted appreciation bags and writing thank you notes for their caregivers.
 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.
 With a recent 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.
 Since November 2023, FDVA Hope Navigators have assisted more than 480 Veterans through the Hope Florida initiative.
 The VISN 8 Clinical Contact Center, also called VA Health Connect, will celebrate its fifth anniversary this year as it continues to provide virtual urgent care around the clock to hundreds of thousands of Veterans. The center continues to experience significant growth in its service capabilities, technological advancements, and staffing levels.
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