Arnold Schwarzenegger, Governor
Volume 4, Issue 2
NEWSLETTER
This edition of the newsletter will report on the accomplishments of the past two board meetings and the activities in which our members have been involved during the past two months.
From left to right: Board Member Ed Olson, Chair Astafan, Member Tom Richards, Executive Officer Bonnie Kelly, Vice Chair Tom Moran, Lancaster Home Administrator Lisa Grod, and Member Vernon Chong
The California Veterans Board met in Lancaster for their June meeting, where they toured the construction site of the new William J. “Pete” Knight Veterans Home of California with Veterans Home Administrator Lisa Grod. The Board was honored to have Mrs. Knight attend the Board Meeting.
The Veterans Home in Lancaster is named in memory and honor of the late Senator William J. "Pete" Knight, who was also a renowned United States Air Force test pilot at Edwards Air Force Base, and an astronaut who holds the world's speed record for flight in a winged powered aircraft. A strong advocate for veterans, Knight also flew the famous X-15 aircraft higher and faster than anyone in history. The Knight family, including son Steve, Assembly Member District 36, and wife Gail, are tremendously supportive of the new veterans home.
This new 60-bed Residential Care for the Elderly facility will also offer an Adult Day Health Care Program (ADHC) which will open in 2010. This will be the first time the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) will offer an ADHC. Construction for the veterans home began in July, 2007, and a dedication celebration is estimated to be held in late fall of this year.
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HIGHLIGHTS OF JUNE 26 CALIFORNIA VETERANS BOARD MEETING AT THE LANCASTER CITY HALL
· Two appeals were scheduled to be heard, but due to the appellants’ failure to appear, the appeals were withdrawn from the agenda.
· CalVet Acting Secretary Brautigan updated the Board on the Gold Star Families License Plate project and the Governor’s Network of Care website launch. The Network of Care website is a one-stop shop for virtually all veterans’ services, resources, and advocacy.
Stan Oppegard, Deputy Secretary for Veterans Homes, gave a briefing on the newly revised home admissions policy and the Holderman Acute Care Policy.
· Lou Koff, GLAVC Project Administrator, reported on the progress of the Lancaster, Ventura and West Los Angeles Veterans Homes. The Lancaster and Ventura Veterans Homes should be completed in the fall and begin accepting residents at that time. Lancaster currently has twenty-five applications and Ventura has well over eighty applications. The West Los Angeles Home construction is ongoing and expected completion is in the spring of 2010.
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HIGHLIGHTS OF THE AUGUST 13, 2009 CALIFORNIA VETERANS BOARD MEETING IN BURBANK, CALIFORNIA
The Board conducted an Informal Appeal on a home admission denial for Victor Holiday.
The Policies and Procedures Committee presented a revision of Policy A-4 which governs the procedures and rules for an appeal. The revised policy addressed the issue of an appellant’s failure to appear for a hearing. The Board voted unanimously to approve the revised policy.*
The Board conducted the bi-annual review of the Policy and Procedure Manuals, and all of the minor revisions were unanimously approved.*
Member Richards presented an outline of bills that will be discussed with lawmakers during his upcoming visit to the Capitol in August with Chair Astafan, and Communications and Legislation Deputy Secretary J.P. Tremblay.
The Board officially received appeals for Melissa Olaes for a student waiver and Debra Eggeman-Steffen for a denial of admission to the Chula Vista Veterans Home. These appeals will be heard at the next Board Meeting if they have not been resolved or withdrawn by then.
The Board discussed the 2008-2009 Annual Report and voted unanimously to approve it for submission to the Governor.**
The Board received a report on the basic benefits and eligibility of the new G.I. Bill.
*The updated Policy and Procedure Manual with the newest version of Policy A-4 can be viewed on the Board’s website at: http://www.cdva.ca.gov
**The 2008-2009 Annual Report will be posted on the Board’s website after being approved by the Governor.
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THE BOARD OUT AND ABOUT
Board Chair Alice Astafan was inducted by her business peers in Sacramento into the Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame on May 7, 2009. Astafan was honored for demonstrating a unique commitment to her community at large, for contributing in many ways to the quality of life in the Sacramento Region, and for being a role model for young people. She was also recognized for her role in establishing the Federal Technology Center, her service to the local business community, and service to California veterans.
Astafan delivered a Memorial Day speech to the Rotary Club in Yuba City on May 27th; met with Brigadier General Mary Kight on June 4 for an update regarding California National Guard issues; and attended the 2nd annual legislative luncheon in Sacramento where deserving veterans from each Assembly District throughout California were honored for their service. On Saturday, June 20th, she delivered a speech to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of California, during their annual state convention in Ontario.
Member Jake Alarid was invited to Iraq, where he was accompanied by veteran service organization commanders from The American Legion, VFW, AMVETS, MOAA and the trip coordinator from the Pentagon. Alarid represented the American GI Forum at the request of the National Commander. Alarid also represented the Governor and CalVet at a Memorial Day ceremony in Huntington Park. He attended the American GI Forum State Convention in Sacramento on June 12th.
In May, Member Tom Richards represented the Governor and CalVet at a Memorial Day ceremony in Southern California. Assembly Member Nathan Fletcher designated Richards as the Veteran of the Year for the 75th District and he was honored at the 2nd Annual State Assembly Veterans Recognition Luncheon on June 17th.
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The next meeting will be held on October 1, 2009 at the Chula Vista Veterans Home. These meetings are open to the public. Plan to attend and meet the Board, and key members of the California Department of Veterans Affairs.
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MISSION STATEMENT: The California Veterans Board serves as an advocate for veterans affairs, identifying needs and working to ensure and enhance the rights and benefits of California veterans and their dependents.
