Messages From The Department

August 15, 2024

Menlo Park home receives CMS clinical deficiency-free survey

Menlo Park, N.J. – The New Jersey Veterans Memorial Home at Menlo Park received no clinical deficiencies for the no-notice survey, or inspection, conducted by the New Jersey Department of Health on behalf of the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services from July 8-16, 2024. Menlo Park is one of three long-term care facilities operated by the N.J. Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.

“We will not stop striving to provide the residents of Menlo Park with the highest possible quality of life and care,” said Lisa Kranis, Chief Executive Officer of the Menlo Park home.

“I am proud of the dedicated team at Menlo Park for the hard work they do every day, and all that they have done to continuously improve care for our residents,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Yvonne L. Mays, Acting Commissioner of Veterans Affairs and Adjutant General of New Jersey. “These findings support all of that hard work across the home, especially their accomplishments over the last eighteen months.”

The survey was comprehensive and encompassed everything from the home’s infection control and clinical care to kitchen operations, human resources, emergency management, and housekeeping.
“Our team is laser-focused on top-to-bottom improvements to ensure the highest possible care and quality of life at our Veterans homes. We are determined to not only meet standards, but exceed them,” said Vincent Solomeno, Deputy Commissioner of Veterans Affairs and Administrator of Veterans Affairs.

Full News Release

May 8, 2024

DMAVA thanks Veterans Memorial Homes volunteers

From April 17-24, 2024, DMAVA held three volunteer appreciation lunches for the hundreds of volunteers and dozens of organizations who support the Menlo Park, Paramus and Vineland Veterans Memorial homes through thousands of hours, donations and quality of life enhancements for the residents.

The homes are visited regularly by various Veterans, civic organizations and individual volunteers who provide the residents with companionship, gifts, parties, bus trips, entertainment, games and other recreational activities. To volunteer at any of the homes, contact the volunteer coordinator at the facility.

April 3, 2024

DMAVA Veterans Memorial Homes gain PPE storage units

Thanks to nearly $869,000 in federal VA State Home Construction grants, the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Veterans Memorial homes at Paramus, Menlo Park and Vineland are gaining 2,500 square foot climate-controlled storage units for stockpiles of personal protective equipment. Construction at each facility is in various stages; the structures are slated to be complete within 90 days.

In October 2020, upon assumption of responsibilities as Adjutant General and Commissioner, Maj. Gen. Lisa J. Hou, D.O., directed DMAVA leadership to not only meet Department of Health PPE standards, but exceed them. The current DOH requirement is to maintain an 8-week supply of PPE. DMAVA maintains an 8-week supply at each home, and an additional home’s worth 8-week supply at the DMAVA Lawrenceville campus. Climate-controlled space outside of the three homes allows staff to maximize space for residents within the homes while maintaining ready supplies in an event such as an epidemic or pandemic.

November 8, 2023

NJDMAVA launches two digital communication tools

After many months of preparation, the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs launched two digital communication tools: digital learning management across the three New Jersey Veterans Memorial Homes at Paramus, Menlo Park and Vineland, as well as a department-wide notification system for time-sensitive information and updates.

“A consolidated digital platform for learning management improves our efficiency and oversight of staff professional training and development across each home,” said Rochelle Guglielmo, Director of Veterans Healthcare Services. “Our staff members have many training requirements and opportunities, so this more modern approach helps keep us up to speed.”

Learning management is far more than ensuring a baseline of knowledge, explained Rebecca Resh, Learning Management Administrator at the New Jersey Veterans Memorial Home at Menlo Park. Digital learning management ushers professional growth.

“As new equipment comes along, new best practices, the way you are always going to be fresh, and really be able to take care of your residents, is if you keep up with what’s going on in your field,” said Resh.

For situations requiring more urgent notifications to staff, such as an infectious disease control policy updates or an active shooter situation, DMAVA is implementing another digital communication tool.

“We have a platform now for mass communication and targeted information distribution. Considering shift work, and the fact that in total, DMAVA employees could be in more than 50 locations on any given day, this system helps us reach our teammates faster,” said Toby Tirrito, NJDMAVA Quartermaster and Emergency Management Assistance team leader.

“This set of upgrades to our operations are part of several modernization initiatives including electronic records management for our homes and support to our Veterans Services offices,” said Vincent Solomeno, Deputy Commissioner of Veterans Affairs. “While many of these updates have been taking place behind the scenes, the ultimate goal is to deliver the best possible care and service to our Veterans and their families.”

As of April 5, 2024

Menlo Park Abatement

The safety and well-being of residents, staff, and visitors is top priority. The New Jersey Veterans Memorial Home at Menlo Park is undergoing abatement treatment and facility repairs as outlined in the letters below.

Of note, the Department engaged Environmental Design, Inc., an independent environmental consulting firm, to conduct air quality samples both before and after abatement treatments in resident rooms at the New Jersey Veterans Memorial Home at Menlo Park.

Prior to abatement treatment, Environmental Design, Inc., reported that the types and quantities of spores reported from the samples do not reflect an unusual mold condition in the facility. In the interest of current and future resident safety, NJDMAVA will continue the work of performing inspections, abatement, and repairs.

The following list contains update letters we have sent to residents, staff, family members, and those designated by powers of attorney.

Menlo Park Town Hall and Resident Council

On June 29, 2023, Vincent Solomeno III, the Deputy Commissioner of Veterans Affairs, held a town hall meeting with the residents, staff, and families of the New Jersey Veterans Memorial Home at Menlo Park.

October 11, 2023

Electronic Records Management

This week, staff at the NJ Veterans Memorial Homes in Menlo Park, Paramus, and Vineland launched use of an Electronic Records Management system for key note-taking functions, a significant step in DMAVA's many ongoing initiatives to modernize the home's processes and improve the resident care.

DMAVA secured the additional software modules required to migrate to a fully-automated Electronic Medical Records (EMR) system in April 2023. The transition from paper documents and paper-based procedures to electronic methods has taken place in deliberate phases, involving staff training, data entry, scanning work, file transfers, and coordination for each resident and process. Use of this system will continue reduce medical errors, enhance veterans care plans and improve efficiency operations.

Thanks to Mike Yannotta for telling us about the project, and sharing his own story in long term care.

July 20, 2023

News Release - Menlo Park receives zero-deficiency COVID-19 Focused Infection Control survey

Lawrenceville, N.J - The New Jersey Department of Military and Veteran Affairs (NJDMAVA) was notified by the New Jersey Department of Health that the no-notice COVID-19 Focused Infection Control survey conducted on June 23, 2023 at the Menlo Park Veterans Memorial Home resulted in zero deficiencies. This indicates that the facility complies with infection control regulations and the recommended COVID-19 practices from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

"I am proud of the staff of Menlo Park for the hard work they do every day, and the work they have done to continuously improve care to our residents,” said U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Lisa J. Hou, D.O., Commissioner of Veterans Affairs and The Adjutant General of New Jersey. “The Department remains committed to a continuous evaluation of the care we provide our Veterans, Veterans’ spouses, and Gold Star Family members, and we will not stop striving to provide the residents of Menlo Park with the highest possible quality of care."

Continuous process improvement and organizational compliance feedback is built into routine and no-notice inspections by the New Jersey Department of Health, the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, and NJDMAVA’s own internal processes. The survey outcomes reflect a number of efforts to provide residents of Menlo Park with the best possible care, including NJDMAVA’s work with infection control consultants, the department’s own internal inspections, as well as staff training and professional development.

“Never does a single inspection or rating mean we rest in our efforts to protect our heroes' health and well-being,” Hou explained. “We welcome resident, staff, family, and third-party insights. Professional and community partnerships contribute daily to our residents’ quality of life.”

Official News Release

January 11, 2023

Paramus FY 2022 Medicare Cost Report

Click here to view the adjusted Paramus FY 2022 Medicare Cost Report in accordance with New Jersey Public Law 2021, chapter 457, subsection b(1). New Jersey Office of Budget and Management website may be viewed here.

October 31, 2022

DMAVA Veterans Memorial Homes Annual Financial Reporting Compliance

Click here for New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs financial statements and CMS cost reports in accordance with New Jersey Public Law 2021, chapter 457, subsection b(1). The Veterans Memorial Homes at Menlo Park, Paramus, and Vineland constitute nursing homes as defined in N.J.S.A. 26:2H-29 and are subject to additional reporting requirements in coordination with the New Jersey Department of Health.

New Jersey Office of Budget and Management website may be viewed here.

Donations

The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMAVA) is grateful for all of the well wishes we receive not only for the residents at our three Veterans Homes but also for the staff who care for them. For anyone interested in making donations or to volunteer, please contact each home directly to coordinate.

Paramus Veterans Memorial Home: 201-634-8500/8501
Menlo Park Veterans Memorial Home: 732-452-4258
Vineland Veterans Memorial Home: 856-405-4213

You can also learn how to make a donation to the State of NJ to be distributed to our hospitals, health care workers, and first responders here: covid19.nj.gov/forms/ppedonations.