New Member Orientation

National Association of State Veterans Homes

Presented By:Colleen Rundell, President

Steve Matune, First Vice PresidentSummer, 2010 Reno, Nevada

History of the State Veterans Home System

• 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. The amount? Approximately $100.00 per veteran annually.

Vermont Veterans’ Home1884

History continued

• 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.

History continued

• 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.”

History continued

Sidebar: 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 currently conducted by Ascellon, and the VA medical center of jurisdiction.

Today

• State Veterans Homes are one of the largest long-term care providers in the U.S.. We furnish approximately 7m days of nursing home care and 1.5m days of domiciliary care. There are 137 State Veteran Homes with more than 30,000 total beds.

NASVH’s Membership & Mission

• 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.

“The National Association State Veterans Homes' primary mission is to (e)insure 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 (e)insures 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:

Colleen Rundell, M.S., LNHA• Vermont Veterans’ Home, Bennington, Vermont

Officers and duties continued

• First Vice President: one year term

Steve Matune– Ohio Veterans Home, Sandusky, Ohio

• Second Vice President: one year term

Fred Sganga– Long Island State Veterans Home, Stony Brook, New York

• Secretary/Treasurer: three year term » Custodian of the funds» Custodian of all official documents and contracts» Keeps records of all meetings and proceedings

John R. “Jack” Tartar– Veterans Home of Wyoming, Buffalo, Wyoming

Officers and duties continued

• Judge Advocate/Historian: three year term

- Advises on protocol and legal matters of NASVH

- Interprets Constitution and Bylaws

- Compiles records, maintains history of NASVH

Alfie Alvarado-Ramos• Washington Department of Veteran Affairs

Officers and duties continued

• 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

Gary Bermeosolo - Nevada Veterans Nursing Home, Boulder City,

Nevada

Officers and duties continued

• 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 their duties:Regional Directors

– REGION NO. 1. - Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont.

• Kelley Kash – (207) 622-0075

– REGION NO. 2. – Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

• Brad Slagle – (906) 226 - 3576

Regional Directors continued

– REGION NO. 3. - Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.

• Robert Graham – (864) 224 – 3898 office

(864) 617 – 5406 cell– REGION NO. 4. - Alaska, Arizona, California,

Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

• Lori Montgomery – (505) 894 - 4200 

Standing Committees

• BUDGET, FINANCE AND AUDIT COMMITTEE:

- has 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 and Bylaws Committee

– assists in maintaining 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

Education Committee

– 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 a minimum of three members

Executive Committee

• responsible for the policy-making and strategic planning of the Association

• 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

• also composed of 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

• convenes and communicates as needed– with a quorum present

• all official actions taken by this Committee require a simple majority vote

Home Enhancement Committee• 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 or facilitate surveys, communications, and other means for promoting best practices in State Veterans Homes

• develops and implements a public relations program for the Association• identifies and analyzes changes in long-term care and impact on State

Veterans Home program • the Chair is appointed by the President and serves for a three-year period • composed of the Chair and three members

Joint Liaison Committee. 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

• 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

• composed of the President of the Association (Chair), immediate Past President, and two other Past Presidents

Networking Committee

• 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

• 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

Resolution Committee

• 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

Time and Place Committee

• 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

Survival tips for the state veterans home administrator

• Know the players at your VA jurisdiction.

• Know what a sentinel event is and how to report it.

• Know your regulations. All of them.

(OBRA, VA, state)

• Know your expense reimbursement policy and follow it.

• Know your home’s bylaws and statutes, if applicable.

• Your regional director is your new best friend.

• Know how the press is to be managed.

Survival tips continued

• Know your state purchasing procedures and follow them.

• Save your emails.• Get to know your senate and congressional

representatives. Know their staffers at state and federal levels who manage veteran issues.

• Don’t underestimate the importance of the networking suite.

• We are not all the same. Sponsorships vary.• Ask questions. We are here to help.

Thank You

• QUESTIONS??

• COMMENTS??