IDVA Newsletter March 2025

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IDVA and Iowa Lottery: Iowa Veterans Trust Fund Grows over $42M

From the Commandant 

The Iowa Veterans Trust Fund was established in 2007 to provide support for Iowa Veterans in need of medical, dental, hearing and prescription drug assistance; emergency housing repair and vehicle repair / replacement; travel expenses; job training; unemployment assistance; ambulance and emergency room services. 

In 2024, Missy Miller processed, and the Iowa Commission of Veterans Affairs reviewed, almost 250 applications for more than $775,000, and disbursed more than $193,600 to service organizations supporting military funeral honors. Resources for the Iowa Veterans Trust Fund come from an appropriation and the Iowa Lottery. 

On September 27, 2010, I accepted a check for $5,959,215.00 during a Cyclone football game at Jack Trice Stadium. On February 22, 2025, I accepted a check for $42,400,000 during a Hawkeye basketball game at Carver Hawkeye Arena. This is an outstanding partnership and our goal is to see this principle grow so that we can support more Veterans in the future. 

Rumor Control: Possible Federal VA Changes Won't Affect IDVA Services

I attended a conference of the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs (NASDVA) last week. VA Secretary Doug Collins addressed the 200+ attendees for 1 ½ hours, during which he explained his plan for our federal partners before it hit the press. As Americans we all have the right to have our own opinions about these decisions. That's part of what we fought for. I just want to head off any rumors or confusion about their impact on us - a separate state agency - before they start. This way you can make your opinion with solid information.  

IDVA leaders represented the state at the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs (NASDVA) Conference in Washington D.C., Mar. 3-6th. 

Bottom line up front - - If the federal VA decides to initiate the 80,000-position Reduction-In-Force (RIF) you've been hearing about in the news, it will NOT impact IDVA, our employees, and our operations of the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown, the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter, and the Iowa Benefits Office on Camp Dodge. RIF dialogue is exclusive to the federal VA. 

With that said, change is hard. We understand the concerns of our vets, and empathize with anyone who’s job is affected. If that happens, we’re here to help. We have many open positions at IVH, or we can connect them with veteran job placement services through Home Base Iowa or IowaWORKS for Vets.

One rumor we started hearing in January was fears of cuts to Veterans Benefits. These rumors are verifiably false, and unnecessarily stressful.  In fact - as it was briefed to 200 state VA directors at the conference - the motive behind the RIF in consideration, is to find efficiencies to redirect more funds toward direct benefits, services and health care. Cuts in benefits, services and health care are not on the table. 

I'm sure you've also heard about efforts to reduce redundant contracts. That's also exclusive to the federal VA. I'm proud Iowa is one of the best managed states in the country year in, and year out. And IDVA is served almost entirely by state employees. The only part of our operation contracted out is our custodial services, which itself has been a fairly long relationship. There are no plans for any other part of our organization to be contracted out. 

I hope these help calm some of the uncertainty out there in the mainstream that naturally comes with change. If you hear anyone saying anything about these issues that conflicts with the above, I encourage you to question their souce and try to correct them if you think it's helpful. 

New VA Secretary Doug Collins Appointed, Addresses RIF Concerns and Benefits Rumors

Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Doug Collins, recorded a video in response to rumors that have circulated regarding impending cuts to Veterans benefits and programs. I am aware that staff at the Federal, State, and County levels of the Department of Veterans Affairs, leaders of Veteran Service Organizations, residents of State Veterans Homes, and Veterans and family members of Veterans throughout the Country are concerned about what they read and watch. 

Check out the YouTube link of a 1 minute 27 second video of U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins responding to these rumors. At the 28 second to 37 second mark of this video, Secretary Collins states, "there's a rumor going around in the media right now about Veterans benefits being cut. I'm the Secretary of the VA and I'm going to tell you right now - that's not happening." 

Asked on PBS News Hour about a potential Reduction in Force (RIF) of 80,000 non-direct care positions to return to pre-COVID pandemic staffing levels, he clarified the VA's current position and commented on reported misperceptions:

 I didn't announce that we're actually going through it at this moment. I said we're beginning the process to look at a reduction in force that will resemble about 15 percent of the force. And that's what we have begun to do. 

What we have done all along is actually take a look at our core functions, making sure that the veteran is first ...  

What we have experienced over the last few years is Washington, D.C.'s tendency to just throw money and people at problems.

Over the last four years, there's been $130 billion added to the budget at the VA and plus 80,000 employees. But yet at the same time backlogs of benefits [claims] went up. Health care wait times have actually went up. And this was all different four years ago ... 

We're the best ones to look at that by actually taking our force, who is doing a GREAT job, but saying, how can we do it more efficiently?          

IVH Builds on Our 5-Star Rating

The Iowa Veterans Home has maintained an overall 5-Star Center for Medicare and Medicaid Servies (CMS) Rating dating back to July 2016. That standard is as high as a facility can get, and puts us in the top 10-percent of long term care facilities nation-wide. But no facility can 'max out' how well we can take care of our residents. We always strive to find things we can do even better. 

This January, our quality measure increased to 5-Stars from the 4-Star rating achieved in January 2023. This means our staff enhanced care of urinary tract infections and pressure ulcers, better catheter management, reduced the percentage of residents on antipsychotic medications, reduced hospitalizations, and reduced outpatient emergency room visits over this time.  A 5-star CMS rating for a nursing home means that, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the facility is considered to have "much above average" quality compared to other nursing homes, signifying a high level of care based on factors like health inspections, staffing levels, and quality measures across different areas of resident care.  This is a great news story for the quality assurance and process improvement team and entire staff of the Iowa Veterans Home! Performance matters and attention to detail means everything in terms of support of our residents. Thanks to all of you for your work in providing the very best in terms of care for those to whom we’ve been entrusted.

IVH Leaders Attend National Association of State Veterans Home Conference

Kelley Oetker, Nathan Wilson, and Commandant Jacobus attended the National Association of State Veterans Homes Conference during the first week of February 2025. 

This is the third conference Commandant Jocobus attended, and the team found it very insightful to listen to the presentations on changes that can be implemented to remain in compliance with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The presenter provided an overview of the changes, and the manner in which surveyors will be looking at those changes. 

Iowa Economic Development Director Meets with Marshalltown and IDVA Leaders in the 'Veterans Capital of Iowa'

 Iowa Economic Development Director Debi Durham and several leaders of the Marshalltown community visited the Iowa Veterans Home on Tuesday morning following Director Durham’s Economic Outlook presentation in Marshalltown. This was her first visit to the Iowa Veterans Home. Attendees said they found it great to hear the positivity and optimism in Iowa’s future. IDVA thanks to Mayor Joel Greer, City Manager Carol Webb, Chamber President and CEO John Hall, Tourism Director Dylan Does for joining the IVH Leadership Team. IDVA is grateful to have IVH on Marshalltown’s Red, White & Blue Tour. Mayor Greer emphasized he calls Marshalltown the “Veterans Capitol of Iowa”, and Iowa Veterans Home is the diamond of the community.  

Marshall County Dedicates Veterans Memorial March 29th, 10am

There will be dedication and ribbon cutting of the Marshall County Veterans Memorial on the southwest corner of the Court House grounds in Marshalltown. This is the culmination of a great deal of work by Marshall County Director of Veterans Affairs Kevin Huseboe, and a community of volunteers who worked to design, fundraise, and contract for this memorial. Kevin contacted IDVA to let everyone know that he welcomes IVH staff and residents to attend the event. 

Events

This Month's Highlights

March 2-6 National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs (NASDVA) Conference, Arlington, VA [Todd Jacobus, Nathan Wilson, Gavin Sandvig, and Mike Olson attending]

March 4 7:30-10:30 am Marshall County Coffee & Camaraderie at VFW Post 839, Marshalltown

March 7 8:30-10:00 am – Coffee & Camaraderie at Iowa Veterans Home (Dack LRC) – All Welcome!

March 7 9:30 am-4:30 pm Senator Ernst’s Office with Marshalltown Community College Interviewing IVH Residents thru Veterans History Project with the recording to be filed with the Library of Congress. Interviewees: Devon Young (Staff), Darrell Lawson, Jim Ross, Russell Wright, Ralph Alshouse, Rudy Frye, Gary Krigbaum

March 8 12:00 pm Todd Jacobus attending Funeral for Major General Evan “Curly” Hultman (U.S. Army Retired), Waterloo

March 10 10:30 am Iowa Veterans Home & Marshalltown / Marshall County Emergency Responders Table Top Emergency Response Exercise “Operation Snowball” at Malloy LRC, Marshalltown 

March 10 2:30 pm Meeting with Iowa Homes for Heroes” Nonprofit Regarding Donated New Home for Housing Insecure Veteran, West Des Moines 

March 26 1:30 pm Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs Staff Recognition Program, Atha Dining Room

March 29 10:00 am Marshall County Memorial Ribbon Cutting, SW Side of Town Square, Marshalltown 

March 29 5:00 pm Todd Jacobus keynote speaker at Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day Event, Mount Pleasant

April 1 7:30-10:30 am Marshall County Coffee & Camaraderie, VFW Post 839, Marshalltown

April 2 10:00 am Quarterly Meeting of Iowa Commission of Veterans Affairs, Iowa Veterans Home, Malloy Leisure Resource Center, Marshalltown

April 5 9:00 am (CST) USS Iowa Commissioning Ceremony Watch Party at Iowa Veterans Home (Malloy LRC)

April 5 10:00 am (EST) USS Iowa Commissioning Ceremony at Electric Boat, Groton, Connecticut

NEW! April 29 The Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs is hosting a program to honor Darwin Judge (and all Vietnam Veterans) on Tuesday, April 29, 2025 at 10:00 am at the Iowa Veterans Home and we would like you to attend and participate. If you and/or your organization would like to participate then please let Karl Lettow, Kellie Meyer, and I know. We'll put together a meeting during the first week of April with all who confirm with us.

Update From the Hill

From the Legislative Liaison

As the ninth week of the Iowa legislature concludes, we are tracking 28 veteran-related bills, many of which would increase benefits for veterans.  In addition, legislation to assign the Commandant responsibility to determine accreditation standards has passed and is awaiting the Governor's signature.  Companion bills to increase the principal amount of the Veterans Trust Fund, funded by the Iowa Lottery, to $75 million have passed full committees in both houses.  The next funnel is on April 4, when most bills will have needed to pass out of one chamber and a committee in the other.  I have spoken to several legislators that have not yet visited our facilities and are excited to do so in the future.    

Iowa Vet News & Forecast

The Feb. 4th confirmation of Doug Collins as VA Secretary topped veteran-related headlines this month. He assumes office in a time of unprecedented government tranformation efforts, immediately facing a Reduction in Force (RIF) review of 15-pecent of his agency, and a damage-control challenge regarding unsubstantiated rumors of related-benefits cuts. Both are compounded by popular uncertainty inherent to change fueling mirrored mainstream reporting. 

While 300,000 positions are protected - specifically all those in direct-care roles - similar government-wide personnel moves and changes by the new administration will continue to dominate headlines for the foreseeable future, competing for your attention with March Madness until early April. 

Iowa Legislature completed the first funnel March 7th - at which point any legislation that didn't pass committees are done for the year and no new legislation will be considered. Bills passing out of committees go for peer consideration in the opposite chamgers. The second funnel ends April 4th by which time bills must be through one chamber and out of a committee in the other to have a chance at advancing to the floor for final consideration. Meanwhile, expect more frequent local dialogue about the April USS IOWA Commissioning Ceremony – the first in 82 years - and of course, increased talk of hopes for more well-timed rain while approaching planting season.   

Iowa Benefits & Cemetery Bureau Update

From the Benefits & Cemetery Bureau Chief

Greetings from the Benefits and Cemetery Bureau! This month I am going to focus on our Benefits team that is located on Camp Dodge. They have had a busy month processing, filing, and providing exceptional service to our Veterans, their families, and our County Veteran Service Officers.

Kevin House, our records clerk, has processed 75 special license plate applications, filed 216 DD214/215s, reviewed 44 Iowa Finance Authority Military Home Owners eligibility packets, and filed 154graves registration forms. Missy Miller, our veterans trust fund account manager, has worked 12appli cations this past month. Of the 12, 2 were for Emergency Vehicle Repairs totaling $2,527.15, six were for Emergency Housing Repairs totaling $47,491.40, 3 were for Emergency Dental/Medical totaling $9,566.98, and 1 was for a vehicle replacement totaling $4,000.00. All applications combined were a total of $63,685.53 worth of applications received through the veteran’s trust fund.

Ben Dales, our State’s Benefits and Training Specialist, has logged over 2000 miles the past two weeks going to different counties across Western, Central, and Eastern Iowa providing assistance to our County Veteran Service Officers. That outreach is important in maintaining continuity between the counties and the state and allows the County Veteran Service Officers an opportunity to ask for assistance or ask the state questions to help the operations grow which completely benefits both the CVSO and the Veteran. Plus, it allows our team to go out and see how county operations are being worked across the state.

Iowa Veterans Home Update

From IVH Staff

We are continuing to work on filling a few key positions in preparation for opening 15 beds in Fox for nursing level of care residents. 

Gates sit at the entrance to the Iowa Veterans Home.

IVH has received a new bus for all of our transportation needs. There are many advantages to this vehicle which some of our fleet vehicles don’t have. The side door access provides accessibility for all passengers, regardless of their mobility, to enter and exit through the same door. Additionally, the entire bus can be lowered to curb height for easy entry. The wheelchair ramp is at ground level, so this doesn’t require the resident to be lifted into the bus for transport and it allows for quicker loading and unloading. We are looking to receive another Frontrunner bus this fall similar to this bus. Thanks to all of our teams involved in finding the best vehicle for our resident needs.

The Recruitment and Retention team attended the Kirkwood Community College Career fair, the University of Iowa Nursing Career fair, and DMACC. With spring upon us, R & R team will be super busy getting to career fairs and completing tours with different schools. 

Some Important Dates For Residents and Families

International Wheelchair Day is celebrated on the 1st of March each year.  

Dental Assistant Week, held every first full week in March. 

Social Work Month, observed throughout March. 

The following are some of the facility wide events for this coming month.

• On Tuesday March 4th we are having a Mardi Gras Party in the ATHA dining room from 2-3 PM.
• On Wednesday March 5th Dave's Little Band is performing in the MLRC at 6:00 PM.
• Sunday March 9th the central Iowa Art Association is holding an Art Swap event here at IVH in the MLRC from 1-3 PM.
• On Monday March 10th we have residents going to the Boys High School State Basketball Tournament.
• Saturday March 15th is the Foreign Food Fair for residents to come and enjoy in the MLRC from 1-3 PM.
• On Monday March 17th is St. Patrick's Day and Billy Wilson will be here to perform in the MLRC at 10:00 AM.
• Thursday March 20th, we have Music with David Gray in the MLRC at 10:00 AM.
• Monday March 24th the IVH Foodie Club meets at 10:00 AM in the Kopper Kettle. 

IDVA February Awards

IVH Superior Performers. 

• Leanne Paustian (Secretary 1),
• Logan O’Neal (Registered Nurse –Ulery Building), and
• Shauna Banks (Secretary 1 in Food Service). 

Congratulations to each of our award recipients. Also, congratulations to all who were nominated for this recognition. And thank you to those who took the time to nominate these deserving members of the team. 

IVH Champion Award was presented to 

• Leanne Paustian (Secretary 1)

Other nominations for the Champion Award were: Robert Moore, Shawnda White, Micah Ward, Sarah Ross, Raena Garcia, Sonya Perez, Amanda Kalinay, Dawn Gehling, Cynthia Hildreth, Collette Dietrich, Precious Ocegueda, and Jessica Wheeler. 

IVH February Poppy Award in Nursing 

• Logan O’Neal (Registered Nurse - Ulery Building).

Our other nominations this month for the Nursing Poppy Award were: Jennifer Hoveland, Delcie Sanache, Mistry Maxwell, David Singh, Erica Williams, Eva Boelman, Olivia Whaley, Tina Weaver, Michael Cordes, Jamie Erwin, Jeni Thompson, Leanne Paustian. Brianna Shever, Kristina Miller, Bonnie Linsenmeyer, Dennis Snider, Jessica Wheeler, Mollie Balot, Tammy Berger, Amber Hinegardner, amd Denice Hernandez. 

IVH February Poppy Award in Food Service 

• Shauna Banks (Secretary 1).

Our other nominations this month for the Food Service Poppy Award were: Cheryl Bown, Tracy Lovig, Khambia Clarkson, Jessica Corns, Kent Mckibben, Maria Morales Garcia.IDVA would also like to thank our gracious givers who've contributed time and donations this month.

Special Thanks: 

Our February Donors