Division of Veterans Programs
William J. Devereaux, Director

DMAVA Veterans Service Officers Honored

The State Employee Recognition Awards Ceremony was held on Monday, 2 May 2005, at the Trenton War Memorial. Our Veterans Officers were selected as one of the “Best of the Best” for their reaching out to more than 638,000 veterans residing in the State and ensuring the veterans receive every VA benefit and service they are entitled to. In the past year, the Veterans Service Officers assisted over 48,000 veterans and as a result of their efforts, they have retrieved more than $125 million in the form of disability claims, home loans, educational and tuition benefits, health care enrollment, transportation, psychological counseling, long term care, catastrophic and blind service connected entitlements. Our Veterans Service Officers are: Bruce Stanley, Charles Piscopo, David Martin, Donald McNamara, Edna Jones, Guy Wiener, John Valenta, Joseph Battito, Joseph C. Bucco, Joseph Salzano, Moise Abraham, Monica Banca, Robert Del Percio, Robert Guffanti, Robert Maulano, William Burrows and William McDonnell.

STAND DOWN for New Jersey Veterans

Definitions of homelessness vary; however, it is generally agreed that it is the condition of being without a regular dwelling place. A person or family at nighttime lives on the streets, in a public or private shelter or sleeps in a makeshift dwelling. Homelessness is both dangerous and debilitating and every day the homeless do “battle”. Their adversaries are: a lack of housing, unemployment, physical and emotional disabilities, substance abuse and hopelessness.

The intention of Stand Down is to provide immediate short-term relief from the trauma and stress of homelessness and a safe haven for a short period; bring services and assistance into the field directly to the homeless veteran; provide access to short term services and assistance such as food and clothing; provide access to longer-term solutions such as VA and social service benefits; to build strong long term interagency and volunteer community working relationships; to raise local and national awareness of the plight of homeless veterans with the hope of increasing community involvement; start the healing process by returning self-respect to a lost segment of our nation’s veteran’s population.

The Stand Down committee is always looking for dedicated volunteers. If you are interested, contact Kim Castner at 609-530-6958.

This year, Stand Down is scheduled for September 17, 2005 Location TBA and September 23, 2005 at the Cherry Hill Armory.

Newly Established Veterans Mental Health Hotline

On Wednesday, 13 April 2005, the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs joined with the University of Medicine & Dentistry – New Jersey (UMDNJ), and the University Behavioral Healthcare (UMDNJ) to announce the creation of a new, mental health helpline for veterans returning from service in Southwest Asia. The new toll free number will provide immediate assistance to veterans suffering from psychological or emotional distress as well as those having difficulty re-assimilating back into civilian life following the conclusion of their mobilization for active duty service.

The toll free helpline, which is accessible 24 / 7 by dialing 1-866-8-VETS-NJ - (1-866-838-7654) will be coordinated by UMDNJ’s University Behavioral Healthcare, and will feature peer counseling, clinical assessment, assistance to family members, and will provide New Jersey Veterans and their families with access to a comprehensive Mental Health Provider Network of mental health professionals specializing in PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and other veteran issues. All services are free and confidential.