New Member OrientationPresented By:Bradford Slagle, LNHANASVH Vice President

2013 Summer Conference Nashville, TN

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.

History of the State Veterans Home System

1864: First State Home established in Rocky Hill, Connecticut.

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.

History continued

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.

More History…

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 by VA is: “...to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and his orphan.”

Even More History…

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 to ensure quality care in the state homes occurs. ◦ This is accomplished via inspections, audits, and

record reviews conducted by the VA medical center of jurisdiction.

SVH’s and the VA

State Veterans Homes are the largest provider of long-term care to veterans.

Provide approximately 7 million days of nursing home care and 1.5 million days of domiciliary care.

There are 142 State Veteran Homes across all 50 States and the commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

Totaling more than 30,000 beds.

State Veterans Home Program2013

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 Membership

“The National Association 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’s Mission

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: Lori Montgomery, Administrator

New Mexico State Veterans Home, Truth or Consequences, NM

NASVH Officers and their Duties

First Vice President: one year term Bradford J. Slagle

D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans, Marquette, MI

Second Vice President: one year term Eric Jordan

Mississipi State Veterans Homes

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 Veteran 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 CommitteeFred Sganga - CEO, Long Island State Veterans Home

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

R. Roy Griffith Oklahoma Veterans Home, Talihina, OK

Officers and Duties

◦Northeast Region - Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont. Kelly Kash – (207) 622-0075 - Maine State Veterans Homes

◦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

Officers and their Duties: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. Kim Justice – (334) 242-5077 - Alabama State Veterans Homes

◦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 

Regional Directors

BUDGET, FINANCE AND AUDIT COMMITTEE: Chair: Eric Jordan, Mississippi 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

Standing Committees

Chair: Bill Peterson- Delaware State Veterans Home, Milford, DE

◦ 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

◦ The Chair of this Committee is appointed by the President and serves a three-year term

◦ Composed of the Chair and three members

Constitution and Bylaws Committee

Chair: Jonathon 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

Education 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

Executive Committee

Chair: Colleen Rundell, Arizona SVH

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

Home Enhancement Committee

Chair: R. Roy Griffith, Oklahoma State Veterans Home

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

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

Composed of the Chair, Legislative Officer, and three other members – all of whom shall be past Presidents

Joint 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

NASDVA Liaison 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

Networking Committee

Chair: Fred Sganga, Long Island 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

Nominating Committee

Chair: Kelley Kash, Maine SVHs Responsibility of defining the actions that the

Association should consider undertaking Shall promulgate, evaluate and prepare in written

form, resolutions for consideration and action by the membership at the Association’s Summer or Winter Conference

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 other members

Resolution 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

Summer Conference Committee

Best Bargain in town! Flat $900 per SVH Invoice sent in September by Jack Tarter for

the following calendar year.◦ Prompt payment appreciated!!!

We are proud to have a 100% payment rate for 2013

NASVH Dues

Two yearly conferences◦ Winter Conference always in Washington D.C.◦ Summer Conference - rotating location

2013 Nashville, Tennessee 2014 South Carolina 2015 Ohio

Our conferences allow for:◦ Continuing Education Credits◦ Networking◦ Learning Best Practices◦ Leadership Development

NASVH Conferences

Check Us Out @

www.NASVH.org Complete listing of SVHs NASVH Leadership VA Contact Information Regulations NASVH Resolutions Conference Presentations Employment Opportunities Timely & Pertinent Information

NASVH Website

Complete listing of all SVHs Great Resource Hard Copy Updated Annually You are responsible for updating content!

(Including your most current photo…)

NASVH Directory

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.

Survival Tips for the State Veterans Home Administrator

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!!!

More Survival Tips…

QUESTIONS? COMMENTS?

Thank You