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NDVA 2022 Year in
Review |
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In 2022, the Nebraska Department of Veterans’ Affairs
embarked on new projects while continuing to run the programs serving
Nebraska’s veterans and their families. Below are some of the highlights from
this past year. |
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Breaking Ground on the Eastern Nebraska
Veterans’ Home Expansion |
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Construction of an expansion to the Eastern Nebraska
Veterans’ Home (ENVH) began this year, and in March, NDVA held a
groundbreaking ceremony with state leaders and veterans’ home members. The
expansion will add nearly 25,000 square feet to the facility, create rooms
for 30 new skilled nursing beds and replace 30 semi-private assisted living
beds with 24 private assisted living beds. Additionally, it will provide
space to expand services to include an adult day health care program, a new
level of service not currently offered by NDVA. |
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Hosting Nebraska’s First State-Backed Women
Veterans Symposium |
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In September, the State of Nebraska held its first-ever
Women Veterans Symposium in Kearney. Women veterans from across the state
came to listen to presenters from the VA and other veteran organizations talk
about resources and benefits available to veterans. They also participated in
art and wellness activities, and chatted with exhibitors who had booths set
up at the symposium. We received great feedback from attendees and hope to
build on the success of this symposium for future events. |
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Veterans Day Ceremony and Capitol Cornerstone
Centennial Commemoration |
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In November, the Office of the Nebraska Capitol
Commission and NDVA hosted a Veterans Day program and commemorated the 100th
anniversary of the laying of the cornerstone dedicating the Nebraska State
Capitol to the memory of those who fell in the service of their country. The
program was emceed by Secretary of State Bob Evnen and featured speeches from
Governor Pete Ricketts, NDVA Director John Hilgert, Capitol Administrator Bob
Ripley, and Nebraska National Guard Adjutant General Daryl Bohac. General
Bohac also accepted a ceremonial flag from Wendy Adelson, mother of Nebraska
Marine Corporal Daegan Page who was killed in Afghanistan in 2021. The entire
ceremony is available to view on our website. |
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Nebraska Joins VA/SAMHSA Governor’s
Challenge to Prevent Suicide |
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In early June, Governor Pete Ricketts, NDVA Director
John Hilgert, and DHHS Behavioral Health Director Sheri Dawson announced that
Nebraska would be participating in the VA and SAMHSA’s Governor’s
Challenge to Prevent Suicide Among Service Members, Veterans, and their
Families. As part of the initiative, the state began working with
veteran advocates, public health professionals, and VA and SAMHSA partners to
develop and implement a strategic plan to address the issue. |
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Hosting the Largest Welcome Home Picnic to
Date |
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In September, Governor Ricketts hosted the largest
Veterans’ Welcome Home Picnic to date at the Governor’s Residence in Lincoln.
Service members who had discharged over the past year, as well as their
families, attended a backyard picnic with food, games, and exhibitor tables
with Nebraska veteran service organizations, State of Nebraska recruiters,
and others. The event, cohosted by NDVA and Walmart, drew a total attendance
of over 150 people. |
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Onward to 2023 |
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These are just a few of our
agency’s success stories from the past year, in addition to running our
current programs and benefits. Our mission is to honor Nebraska’s veterans
and their families by providing excellent service, assistance, and care
through veterans’ services, our state veterans’ homes, and our state veterans cemetery. We will continue to
do just that as we look forward to 2023 and want to thank you for your
support this year! If you haven’t yet, please follow us on our social media
channels to stay up to date on all the happenings at NDVA. |
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Missouri Veterans Commission Visits Eastern
Nebraska Veterans’ Home |
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The Missouri Veterans Commission (MVC) recently reached
out to NDVA to learn how we operate our veterans’ homes in the hopes of using
our practices as a model for their homes moving forward. Leadership from both
agencies convened at the Eastern Nebraska Veterans’ Home on December 13 for a
meeting of the minds. In addition to touring the facility and helping sing
happy birthday to a member who turned 103 that day, the group had great
discussions on the challenges facing long-term care facilities, emerging
tools and opportunities to face those challenges, and new or better ways of
doing things. Overall, both teams ended up leaving the day-long meeting with
ideas for improved processes and ways to better serve veterans and their
families. The NDVA leadership team is looking forward to growing this
relationship with our colleagues in Missouri and continuing to share best
practices with each other. |
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Know Your Benefits Under the PACT Act |
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If you served in the Vietnam, Gulf War, or Post-9/11 eras,
you may be eligible for expanded VA benefits. The PACT Act provides
disability compensation, health care, free toxic exposure screens, and more,
to veterans who are exposed to toxins during their military services. Visit VA.gov/PACT or call 1-800-MYVA411 to learn
more and file your claim. |
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Now Hiring: Nursing Positions at Nebraska’s
Veterans Homes |
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The Nebraska Department of Veterans’ Affairs is hiring
RNs, LPNs, and CNAs to work in our four veterans’ homes in Bellevue, Norfolk,
Kearney, and Scottsbluff! NDVA offers a hiring bonus, commuting bonus, and
$3/hour differential for every hour worked plus additional pay based on
experience. Our agency also offers great state benefits like tuition
reimbursement, paid holidays, paid vacation and sick days, and more. Click
below to view our open nursing positions and apply! |
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NDVA Calendar of Events |
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Every month, NDVA sends out a calendar of events that
the agency will be hosting or attending. Below are some upcoming events. |
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January |
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Tuesday, December 27, 2022
NDVA Newsletter - December 2022
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