New Member Orientation
Presented By:
Bill Peterson, NHA, FACHCA
NASVH Vice President
2015 Winter Conference
Washington, DC
History of the
State Veterans Home
After the Civil War, a large number of
indigent and injured soldiers had no
place to live.
• Like-minded concerned citizens
banded together to create “Old
Soldiers’ Homes”.
1864: First State Home established in
Rocky Hill, Connecticut.
August 7, 1888: First federal aid
made available to veterans residing
within state homes.
• Origin of Federal Per Diem Program
• Approximately $100.00 per veteran
annually.
1930 – 1952
New Beginnings
1930: The V.A. was established. State programs were
expanded, including an increase in per diem payments.
1952: The National Association of State Veterans Homes
(NASVH) was founded.
• The state homes joined forces to promote legislation at
the national level.
• Problems and experiences common to all state homes
were able to be discussed and plans developed to
address those concerns.
1964 – 1986
Help and Recognition
1964: The State Home Construction
Grant was initiated.
• State Veterans Homes may apply
for grants that assist the states with
construction costs for construction of
new State Veterans Homes and for
significant renovations of existing
facilities.
• The grant assumes 65% of the cost
of the project. The state must
contribute the remaining 35%.
February 24, 1986: A memorandum of
understanding between the V.A. and
NASVH was signed, formalizing the
mutual goal of providing quality care to
veterans.
1988 - today
1988: President Reagan signed
legislation creating a new federal
Cabinet-level Department of Veterans
Affairs to replace the Veterans
Administration.
In both its old and new forms, the VA
drew its mission statement from
President Abraham Lincoln’s eloquent
second inaugural address. The specific
phrase quoted is: “...to care for him who
shall have borne the battle, and for his
widow and his orphan.”
SVH’s and the VA
The U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs oversees the State Veteran
Home program through the Office of
Geriatrics and Extended Care.
The VA assures Congress that their
appropriations will be used accordingly
to ensure that quality care is provided in
the state homes.
• This is accomplished via inspections,
audits, and record reviews
conducted by the VA medical center
of jurisdiction.
State Veterans Home Program
2013
State Veterans Homes are the largest provider of longterm care to veterans.
Provide approximately 7 million days of nursing home
care and 1.5 million days of domiciliary care.
There are 146 State Veteran Homes across all 50 States
and the commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
Totaling more than 30,000 beds.
NASVH’s Membership
The association’s membership is comprised of the
administrators and staff representing the state operated
Veterans Homes throughout the 50 states of the union,
its districts and commonwealths.
NASVH works closely with the Federal government,
state governments, service organizations and any other
entity that directly or indirectly affects the care of
services provided to America's Heroes.
NASVH’s Mission
“The National Association of State
Veterans Homes' primary mission is
to ensure that each and every
eligible U.S. veteran receives the
benefits, services, long term health
care and respect which they have
earned by their service and
sacrifice. The organization also
ensures that no veteran is in need or
distress and that the level of care
and services provided by state
veterans homes meets or exceeds
the highest standards available.”
NASVH Officers and their Duties
President: one year term
– Executive head of the association
– Chairs the executive committee,
the association’s winter and
summer conferences
– Appoints committee chairs
– Acts as the official representative
Current President:
Eric Jordan, Director of Operations
• Mississippi Veterans Affairs Board
Officers and Duties
First Vice President:
one year term
Bill Peterson, Administrator
Delaware Veterans Home
Milford, Delaware
Officers and Duties
Second Vice President:
one year term
Kim Justice
Alabama State Veterans Homes
Officers and Duties
Secretary/Treasurer:
three year term
• Custodian of the funds
• Custodian of all official documents and
contracts
• Keeps records of all meetings and proceedings
Jason McArthur
and Business Mgr. Jack Tarter, WY
Oregon Veterans Home, The Dalles, OR
Officers and Duties
Judge Advocate/Historian:
three year term
•
Advises on protocol and legal matters of
NASVH
• Interprets Constitution and Bylaws
• Compiles records, maintains history of NASVH
Lourdes “Alfie” Alvarado-Ramos
Washington State Department of Veterans
Affairs
Officers and Duties
Legislative Officer: three year term
• Responsible for the Legislative agenda
• Monitors current & proposed legislation related to
the association.
• Recommends appropriate actions
• Works with and educates others involved in
similar legislative efforts
• Is a member of Joint Liaison Committee
Fred Sganga, Executive Director
Long Island State Veterans Home,
Stony Brook, NY
Officers and Duties
Joint Liaison Chairperson:
three year term
Oversees the business & activities of the Joint
Liaison Committee
• Maintains the MOU with the VA
• Pursues NASVH’s legislative agenda with
congressional members, their staff & other
stakeholders
• Recommends and encourages support of
NASVH’s initiatives from Dept. of V.A.
leadership
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R. Roy Griffith
Oklahoma Veterans Home,
Talihina, OK
Officers and their Duties:
Regional Directors
NORTHEAST REGION Connecticut, Delaware,
District of Columbia,
Maine, Maryland,
Massachusetts, New
Hampshire, New Jersey,
New York, Pennsylvania,
Rhode Island, Virginia,
Vermont and West
Virginia.
Melissa Jackson
(802) 447-6533
Vermont State Veterans
Home
Officers and their Duties:
Regional Directors
NORTH CENTRAL REGION –
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas,
Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota,
Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio,
South Dakota, West Virginia and
Wisconsin.
Steve Dunkin
(620) 221-9479 ext. 201
Kansas State Veterans Home
at Winfield
Regional Directors
SOUTHERN REGION Alabama, Arkansas, Canal
Zone, Florida, Georgia,
Louisiana, Mississippi,
Missouri, North Carolina,
Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South
Carolina, Tennessee, Texas,
Virgin Islands and Virginia.
Jimmy Woodard
(334) 242-5077
Alabama State Veterans
Homes
Regional Directors
WESTERN REGION - Alaska,
Arizona, California, Colorado,
Hawaii, Idaho, Montana,
Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon,
Utah, Washington and
Wyoming.
Van Moore
(503) 428-5232
Oregon State Veterans
Home
Standing Committees
BUDGET, FINANCE AND
AUDIT COMMITTEE:
Chair:
Terry Wilkerson,
Oklahoma SVH
• Fiduciary oversight of the fiscal
affairs of the Association
• Chair of this Committee is
appointed by the President
• Serves a three-year term
• Composed of the Chair,
Secretary/Treasurer, and three
other members
Constitution, Bylaws and Resolution
Committee
Chair: Kelley Kash, CEO
Maine Veterans’ Homes
• Maintains current and workable Constitution
and Bylaws
• Ensures that the Association operates within
the Constitution and Bylaws
• Prepares and presents any recommended
changes to the Constitution and/or Bylaws to
the membership at the Summer or Winter
Conference
• Defines the actions that the Association
should consider undertaking by promulgating,
evaluating and preparing in written form,
resolutions for consideration and action by the
membership at the Association’s Summer and
Winter Conferences.
• The Chair of this Committee shall be
appointed by the President and serve for a
three-year term.
• The Committee shall be composed of the
Chair and at least three members.
Education Committee
Chair: Jonathan Spier,
Long Island SVH
• Responsible for organizing and
coordinating all educational programs
• Uses internal and external resources, at
its discretion, to provide the
Association’s members with a relevant,
high quality and timely CEU earning
curriculum
• Committee chair will be responsible for
planning all educational offerings in
conjunction with the President and
Executive Committee
• The Chair of this Committee is appointed
by the President and serves a three-year
term
• Composed of the Chair and three
members
Executive Committee
Composed of the President (Chair), First Vice President,
Second Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer, Chairs of
the Association’s Standing Committees, Joint Liaison
Committee Chair, Legislative Officer, Judge
Advocate/Historian, and the four (4) Regional Directors
Responsible for the policy-making and strategic planning
of the Association
Other members include: past Presidents who are
currently administrators of a State Veterans Home or who
have served as an administrator of same and are still an
active member of the Association
Communicates monthly via conference call
All official actions taken by this Committee require a
simple majority vote
Quality Enhancement Committee
Chair: Mark Johnson,
North Dakota SVH
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Initiates and implements programs which promote new
State Veterans Homes or new programs which enhance
the quality of life of veterans residing in existing State
Veterans Homes
Assists states through the process of developing,
constructing and certifying new State Veterans Homes
Develops and implements initiatives with other related
organizations to conduct joint programs which are mutually
beneficial to both organizations
Researches, identifies and develops grant or gift income
which further promotes the quality of life and optimal care
of veterans living in State Homes
Develops and implements a public relations program for the
Association
The Chair is appointed by the President and serves for a
three-year period
Composed of the Chair and three members
Joint Liaison Committee
Chair: R. Roy Griffith,
Oklahoma State Veterans Home
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Proposes and promotes legislative and related initiatives in the
best interest of the veterans of the United States and the State
Veterans Home program
Serves as the liaison to the U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs
Implements and upholds the MOU between the Department of
Veterans Affairs and the National Association of State Veterans
Homes
Communicates and meets with State and Federal officials, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs, and Congress, to present and
pursue related goals and objectives of the Association
Maintains close working relationships with veterans service
organizations and other related groups sharing pursuits of
mutual interest
Implements, recommends, and encourages support of U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs initiatives when those initiatives
are in concert with Association objectives; analyzes proposed
legislation to determine probable impact on the State Veterans
Home program, and educates concerned parties relative to this
legislation’s effects
Plans and coordinates the Association’s Winter Conference
Composed of the Chair, Legislative Officer, and three other
members – all of whom shall be past Presidents
NASDVA Liaison Committee
Composed of the President of the Association (Chair),
immediate Past President, and two other Past Presidents
Serves as a liaison between the National Association of State
Veterans Homes (NASVH) and the National Association of
State Directors of Veterans Affairs (NASDVA)
Works with NASDVA to develop and implement activities and
programs which are mutually beneficial to both organizations
The Chair or designee shall represent the Association at
appropriate meetings or proceedings conducted by or in
concert with NASDVA
Networking Committee
Chair: Gary Yun, Ohio SVH, Sandusky, OH
• Responsible for facilitating communications within
the Association and with related external parties
• Develops, implements and maintains
communication networks including web site, email,
newsletter, directory, bulletin board and other
means
• Responsible for establishing and maintaining both
internal and external communications links
• The Chair of this Committee shall be appointed by
the President and shall serve for a three-year term
• This Committee shall be composed of the Chair
and three members
Nominating Committee
Chair: Brad Slagle, Michigan SVH
• Develops and presents a slate of officers for the
Association. The Committee shall prepare and
present its recommendations to the membership
for approval at the Association’s Summer
Conference
• This Committee shall make every effort to select
recommended officers on a regional and
rotational basis
• Composed of the Immediate Past President
(Chair), and three other past presidents
appointed by the standing President
Summer Conference Committee
Chair: Sharon Mattia, Maryland SVH
• Plans the Association’s Summer
Conference; locates conference meeting
sites; coordinates the event with the host
state and site
• Establishes, plans, and negotiates the
Conference particulars including date, time,
hotels and activities
• Works with other Association Committees
during the planning process
• The Chair of this Committee shall be
appointed by the President and shall serve
for a three-year term
• This Committee shall be composed of the
Chair and three members
NASVH Dues
Best Bargain in town!
Flat $900 per SVH
Invoice sent in September by Jack Tarter
for the following calendar year.
• Prompt payment appreciated!!!
NASVH Conferences
Two yearly conferences
• Winter Conference always in Washington D.C.
• Summer Conference - rotating location
• 2015 Sandusky, Ohio
Our conferences allow for:
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Continuing Education Credits
Networking
Learning Best Practices
Leadership Development
NASVH Website
Check Us Out at
www.NASVH.org
Complete listing of SVHs
NASVH Leadership
VA Contact Information
Regulations
NASVH Resolutions
Conference Presentations
Employment Opportunities
Timely & Pertinent Information
NASVH Directory
Complete listing of all SVHs
Great Resource
Hard Copy
Updated Annually
You are responsible for updating content!
(Including your most current photo…)
Survival Tips for the State
Veterans Home Administrator
Know the key players at VA Central Office and your VA
of jurisdiction. New VA website for State Homes
http://www.nonvacare.va.gov/state-homes.asp
Get to know your Senate and House Representatives as
well as State Representatives
• Know their staff and develop relationship
• Invite them to your Home often.
• Keep them informed!
Know your regulations. All of them.
• (Federal, State, & local)
Know what a sentinel event is and how to report it.
More Survival Tips…
We are not all the same.
• Governance & Sponsorships vary.
Be proactive in managing media involving your
Home.
Your Regional Director is your new best friend.
Don’t underestimate the importance of the hospitality
suite.
Get Involved in NASVH!!!
Ask questions. We are here to help!!!
Thank You