January 3, 2024

Message from the Deputy Commissioner of Veterans Affairs

2023 Year in Review

As we begin a new year, I am pleased to report that in 2023 the New Jersey Department of Veterans Affairs expanded state-delivered Veterans programs and services while also improving the quality of care that we provide the Veterans, Veterans Spouses, and Gold Star families who call our facilities home.

Veterans Healthcare Services

In 2023, ensuring the health and welfare of the residents of the Veterans Memorial Homes at Menlo Park, Paramus, and Vineland remained a priority for The Adjutant General and our entire DMAVA team.

This year, both the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH), acting as agents of the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), completed annual recertification surveys of Menlo Park, Paramus, and Vineland. I am profoundly grateful to the teams in each home for their hard work and attention to detail to ensure the success of these surveys. Their commitment was borne out in the results of these visits and the improvements in clinical areas and infection control that were documented during each one.

In an effort to improve communication not only with residents and loved ones, but also the DMAVA team members who form the backbone of our daily operations, in 2023 department leadership deliberately created opportunities to solicit ideas and feedback. For residents and families, that took the form of regular virtual and in-person town halls to answer questions, share information, provide updates, and address concerns.

From a DMAVA team perspective, Brig. Gen. Hou conducted “Coffee with the Commissioner” sessions at each facility. I met with our partners in organized labor to better understand the challenges their members face. I also visited all three homes to talk with folks during and after each shift. Our goal is to foster a culture of mutual respect and transparency and I am grateful to those who attended these sessions.

Significantly, we also implemented an electronic medical records system (EMR) that simplifies tasks for providers and caregivers and results in better quality of care for our residents. The new EMR complements the digital learning management system we introduced earlier this year.

Veterans Services

In 2023, the Division of Veterans Services answered Governor Philip D. Murphy’s call to expand its footprint of State of New Jersey Veterans Service Offices from 14 to one in every county. We cut the ribbon on offices in Passaic County and Camden County and by the end of this fiscal year, Garden State heroes will have 21 points of entry to access the federal and state benefits that they and their families have earned.

In 2023, DMAVA’s 19 Veteran Service Officers (VSOs) conducted over 48,000 direct contacts with individuals, filed over 7,600 VA claims, and secured over $100 million in federal benefits for Garden State Veterans and their survivors.

Our team continues to tackle veteran suicide head on. In this area, our work will never be done and there will always be room to improve. Under the umbrella of the Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide Among Service Members, Veterans, and their Families, DMAVA partnered with the New Jersey Hospital Association and the Mental Health Association of New Jersey to provide statewide Mental Health First Aid training. These day-long events increase suicide awareness and provide participants with the tools they need to recognize the common signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges, how to interact with a person in crisis, and how to get them the help they need.

This year, DMAVA’s Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) counseling program (free to Veterans and families) assisted 3,832 individuals over 8,945 sessions and our Vet2Vet peer support line (1-866-838-7654) supported more than 7,700 calls.

The Brigadier General William C. Doyle Memorial Cemetery continued to be the busiest state Veterans cemetery in the United States. Over the course of the year, our team facilitated the interment of over 2,500 deceased individuals. Team members made much needed repairs to the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Memorial and we executed a $5.5 million VA grant to improve infrastructure and expand cemetery capacity.

Veterans Haven North and South continued to set the example on how to provide Veterans transitional housing. Our teams at both facilities are force multipliers whose passion for their mission is reflected in successful resident outcomes.

This year, DMAVA’s State Approving Agency achieved an overall satisfactory rating and ensured that public and private institutions met the required standards to provide job training and education to eligible individuals. In addition, our Veterans Benefits Bureau hosted over 150 outreach events and conducted 19 state medals ceremonies.

Our Shared Commitment

Taken together, these achievements reflect our shared commitment to delivering important services and programs to New Jersey heroes. As a state, we are moving decisively to enhance the services that we provide to Garden State Service Members, Veterans, and their families.

We could not do this without the support of the Governor, The Adjutant General, our partners in the Legislature and Veterans Service Organizations, and readers like you. I offer my personal thanks and appreciation.

As always, thank you for staying connected to DMAVA!

Use of Facilities

Through an active community relations program, the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs strives to be a good neighbor and community partner. 

As a result, many of the facilities maintained by DMAVA are available for public use. Potential users can inquire about availability and obtain a no obligation cost estimate.

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