|
DVA Veterans Newsletter |
April 23, 2026 |
| | |
| |
 |
This week, the New Jersey Department of Veterans Affairs presented our Fiscal Year 2027 budget before both the New Jersey Senate and Assembly Budget Committees. As I shared with the Legislature, our work is guided by three priorities: people, public service, and transformation. While DVA continues to evolve, our mission remains constant: delivering high-quality, accessible, and responsive services to those who have serve and the people who love them.
The proposed budget reflects targeted investments that strengthen that mission. We are proud of the progress achieved at all three New Jersey Veterans Memorial Homes. Each facility possesses a five out of five-star rating from the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), a testament to the dedication of frontline healthcare heroes. Continued funding ensures that we maintain and build upon that standard.
Our statewide network of Veterans Service Offices remains a cornerstone of access. With a presence in all twenty-one counties, our accredited Veterans Service Officers have already conducted nearly 77,000 engagements this fiscal year, assisting with thousands of claims and securing over $99 million in initial federal benefits for veterans and their families.
We are also continuing to invest in critical mental health and suicide prevention efforts. Through programs like Vet2Vet and our PTSD Counseling Program, we are providing around-the-clock support and direct services to thousands of veterans. At the same time, our leadership in the Governor’s Challenge continues to bring partners together to advance evidence-based strategies and strengthen community awareness.
This is also a pivotal year in our effort to end veteran homelessness. Through the Bringing Veterans Home initiative in partnership with the Department of Community Affairs, more than 2,600 veterans have been housed since January 2025, including over 2,100 placed into permanent housing. We are on track to achieve functional zero, ensuring that veteran homelessness in New Jersey is rare, brief, and non-recurring.
These investments, along with continued support for our veterans cemetery, memorials, and transitional housing programs, reflect a comprehensive approach to honoring service with action. To read my testimony in full, please click here. |
|
|
As always, our success is driven by our community. My door is always open, please reach out to connect@dva.nj.gov with questions or concerns.
Vincent Solomeno III Commissioner of Veterans Affairs |
|
|
Commissioner Solomeno Sworn In |
|
|
 |
On Monday, Vincent Solomeno III was sworn in as the state’s first Commissioner of Veterans Affairs in a ceremony hosted by Governor Sherrill. |
|
|
A Historic First for State Veterans Affairs
The New Jersey Department of Veterans Affairs marked a historic milestone Monday with the swearing-in of Vincent Solomeno as its inaugural Commissioner. In a ceremony hosted by Governor Mikie Sherrill at the State House, Solomeno reiterated his commitment to delivering strong leadership, advocacy, and support for Garden State Veterans, family members, caregivers, and survivors.
In addition to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor Dale Caldwell, Brig. Yvonne L. Mays, Solomeno’s family, DVA senior leadership, and the state commanders of the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Jewish War Veterans, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars were in attendance. |  |
|
|
|
Community Calendar |
We add new events to our calendar on a daily basis so please bookmark and check back often. |
| View Full Calendar |
|
| | |
|
Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM) |
|
|
|
April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM), a vital time for New Jersey Department of Veteran Affairs to stand with survivors and highlight the life changing resources available from the North to South Jersey.
National data from the VA shows that 81% of women and 43% of men report experiencing some form of military sexual trauma (MST) in their lifetime. This means that 1 in 3 women and 1 in 50 men report experiencing MST when screened by a VA provider. New Jersey is home to a dedicated network of advocates and clinicians ready to help our veterans heal.
Throughout the state, survivors can access comprehensive treatment, including psychological evaluations, medication management, and individual or group psychotherapy. In New Jersey, specialized MST-related outpatient services are available at major VA Medical Centers in East Orange and Lyons, as well as various community-based clinics.
VA offers individualized MST-related services so every survivor can find the treatment path that best supports them, no matter where they are in their healing journey or how long ago the MST occurred. Call the MST Coordinator at your local VA facility or visit MentalHealth.va.gov/MST for more information on how VA can help.
|
|
| Car Show & Throw at Vineland Veterans Home |
|
|  |
Residents from the New Jersey Veterans Memorial Home at Vineland were invited to enjoy a day out at the Veterans Car Show & Throw, held at Surf Dog Bar & Grill. The event brought together community members, supporters, and Veterans for an afternoon filled with classic cars, great food, a cornhole tournament, and plenty of activities.
In addition to the fun, the event made a meaningful impact by collecting essential items to benefit the Veterans Home. It was a great example of the community coming together to support those who have served. Photo credit: @status.raw |
 |
|
| |
 | We Are Hiring!
At the New Jersey Department of Veterans Affairs, we take our responsibility to serve Veterans and their families very seriously. With the launch of our newly established department, we are expanding our team and actively hiring for a variety of new roles across the state. Whether supporting Veterans through nursing care, transitional housing, or helping them navigate access to earned benefits, our staff deliver essential services every day—while building meaningful, rewarding careers in public service.
Subscribe to the MilVets Jobs Bulletin to stay updated on job openings.
|
| Vacancies |
|
|
|
| DVA Veterans Services & Resources |
|
|
 |
Veteran Homelessness | The mission of Bringing Veterans Home (BVH) is to effectively end veteran homelessness in New Jersey by enhancing existing systems, creating rapid access to housing, and ensuring homelessness becomes rare, brief and non-recurring.
BVH creates a clear path to stable housing for veterans experiencing homelessness through a coordinated network of services and support. |
| Learn More / Refer a Veteran |
|
|
 |
Get Connected to Resources & Services | The New Jersey Department of Veterans Affairs has partnered with Unite Us to connect individuals and families to a wide variety of services and resources.
Unite Us is a coordinated care referral network of health and social service providers. Unite Us can connect our New Jersey military and veteran community to resources to obtain benefits, food assistance, housing, education, transportation, behavioral health services, peer support and more. |
| Learn More / Request Assistance |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | | |
|
|
We hope you enjoy receiving our newsletter and find it both educational and engaging. If you have questions about our department, our programs or your benefits, please visit our website at veterans.nj.gov to get contact information. |
| Contact DVA |
|
Please email us at connect@dva.nj.gov with feedback and comments regarding the newsletter. If you would like to contribute with an item of interest to our subscribers, please let us know. |
|
|
|
|
 | veterans.nj.gov
NJ Department of Veterans Affairs 101 Eggerts Crossing Road Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
Privacy Notice | Disclaimer: The appearance of any non-DVA information or hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement of the products or services on the part of the NJ Department of Veterans Affairs. |
|
|
|
|
|
