New Member Orientation

1
New Member Orientation

• National Association of State Veterans Homes
• Presented By
• Colleen Rundell, First Vice President
• Steve Matune, Second Vice President
• Summer 2009 Asheville, NC

2
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.

3
Vermont Veterans Home1884
4
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.

5
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.

6
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 Lincolns 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.

7
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 conducted by the VA medical center
  of jurisdiction.

8
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.

9
NASVHs Membership Mission

• The associations 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.

10
NASVH Officers and their duties

• President one year term
• Executive head of the association
• Chairs the executive committee, the associations
  winter and summer conferences
• Appoints committee chairs
• Acts as the official representative
• Current President
• J.W. Bill Crowley
• Wisconsin Veterans Home, King, WI

11
Officers and duties continued

• First Vice President one year term
• Colleen Rundell
• Vermont Veterans Home, Bennington, Vermont
• Second Vice President one year term
• Steve Matune
• Ohio Veterans Home, Sandusky, Ohio
• 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

12
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

13
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
• Paul A. Morin
• - Soldiers Home Holyoke, Holyoke,
  Massachusetts

14
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 NASVHs legislative agenda with
  congressional
• members, their staff other
  stakeholders
• - Recommends and encourages support of
  NASVHs initiatives
• from Dept. of V.A. leadership
• R. Roy Griffith
• Oklahoma Veterans Home, Talihina, OK

15
Officers and their dutiesRegional Directors

• REGION NO. 1. - Connecticut, Delaware, District
  of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New
  Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania,
  Rhode Island and Vermont.
• Fred Sganga (613) 444 - 8606
• REGION NO. 2. Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas,
  Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North
  Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, West Virginia and
  Wisconsin.
• Dan Steen (641) 752 - 1501

16
Regional Directors continued

• REGION NO. 3. - Alabama, Arkansas, Canal Zone,
  Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi,
  Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico,
  South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virgin Islands
  and 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 

17
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

18
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

19
Education Committee

• responsible for organizing and coordinating all
  educational programs
• - uses internal and external resources, at its
  discretion, to provide the Associations 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

20
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 Associations
  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

21
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

22
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 legislations
  effects
• plans and coordinates the Associations Winter
  Conference
• composed of the Chair, Legislative Officer, and
  three other members all of whom shall be past
  Presidents

23
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

24
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

25
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 Associations 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

26
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 Associations 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

27
Time and Place Committee

• plans the Associations 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

28
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 homes bylaws and statutes, if
  applicable.
• Your regional director is your new best friend.
• Know how the press is to be managed.

29
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 level who manage veteran issues.
• Dont underestimate the importance of the
  hospitality suite.
• We are not all the same. Sponsorships vary.
• Ask questions. We are here to help.

30
Thank You

• QUESTIONS??
• COMMENTS??