Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability
Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability

Department of Veterans' Affairs

State Veterans' Homes

For assistance, call 727-518-3202, ext. 5516 or visit https://floridavets.org/

What is the purpose of the program?

The State Veterans' Homes Program provides comprehensive, high-quality health care on a cost-effective basis to eligible veterans in need of either long-term skilled nursing care or assisted living services.

What services does the program provide?

The State Veterans' Homes Program operates six nursing homes, as well as a domiciliary home (assisted living facility) in Florida that provide full-service long-term residential care to eligible Florida veterans, supervised by registered and licensed nurses. The six nursing homes are located across the state.

  • Alexander 'Sandy' Nininger State Veterans' Nursing Home (Pembroke Pines)
  • Baldomero Lopez State Veterans' Nursing Home (Land O' Lakes)
  • Clifford C. Sims State Veterans' Nursing Home (Panama City)
  • Clyde E. Lassen State Veterans' Nursing Home (St. Augustine)
  • Douglas T. Jacobson State Veterans' Nursing Home (Port Charlotte) and
  • Emory L. Bennett State Veterans' Nursing Home (Daytona Beach)

In addition to these, a new facility, the Ardie R. Copas State Veterans' Nursing Home in Port St. Lucie, is under construction and the Lake Baldwin State Veterans' Nursing Home in Orlando is under renovation. The Ardie R. Copas State Veterans' Nursing home is expected to open in May 2022. Lake Baldwin State Veterans' Nursing Home is expected to open in 2022.  

The 150-bed, Robert H. Jenkins, Jr., State Veterans' Domiciliary Home, located in Lake City, provides assisted living residential care to eligible ambulatory veterans. The program helps veterans function at their highest level of independence.

What is the occupancy rate for veterans' homes?

All six of Florida's veterans' nursing homes have the capacity to serve 120 residents, and with the exception of the Emory L. Bennett State Veterans' Nursing Home in Daytona Beach, each of the nursing homes can accommodate 60 residents with dementia/Alzheimer's disease. Including the Robert H. Jenkins, Jr. State Veterans' Domiciliary Home that has 150 beds, the State Veterans' Homes Program has a total of 870 beds.

The department's goal is to have a 90% occupancy rate at all veterans' homes in operation for two years or longer. During Fiscal Year 2020-21, average occupancy rate for State Veterans' Homes operating for at least two years was above 69% and the average for all skilled nursing facilities was over 67%.

The table shows the occupancy rate, admissions, and discharges at each home for Fiscal Year 2020-21.

Veterans' Homes Occupancy Rates, Admissions, and Discharge Activity
 Fiscal Year 2019-20
FacilityOccupancy Rates Admissions Discharges
Robert H. Jenkins Jr.78.8%46
47
Emory L. Bennett74.6%21
43
Baldomero Lopez69.0%
24
48
Alexander "Sandy" Nininger68.2%
26
30
Clifford C. Sims62.6%
52
65
Douglas T. Jacobson57.2%
3297
Clyde E. Lassen71.9%
2345
Source: Annual Report Fiscal Year 2020-2021, Department of Veterans' Affairs

 

What is the compliance rate for veterans' homes?

The state veterans' homes have annual inspections by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Additionally, the homes are licensed by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration. For Fiscal Year 2020-21, 100% of state veterans' homes were in compliance with quality of care and health care regulations.

Who is eligible for State Veterans' Homes admission?

Basic eligibility for all state veterans' homes includes an honorable discharge, state residency prior to admission, and certification of the need for assisted living or skilled nursing care as determined by a VA physician.

How are these activities funded?

Fiscal Year: 2022-23
Fund Salary Rate/ Position General Revenue Trust Funds
SALARY RATE
POSITIONS
SALARIES AND BENEFITS
FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND
FROM OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE TRUST FUND
OTHER PERSONAL SERVICES
FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND
FROM OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE TRUST FUND
EXPENSES
FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND
FROM GRANTS AND DONATIONS TRUST FUND
FROM OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE TRUST FUND
OPERATING CAPITAL OUTLAY
FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND
FROM GRANTS AND DONATIONS TRUST FUND
FROM OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE TRUST FUND
FOOD PRODUCTS
FROM OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE TRUST FUND
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
CONTRACTED SERVICES
FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND
FROM OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE TRUST FUND
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
RECREATIONAL EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES
FROM GRANTS AND DONATIONS TRUST FUND
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
RISK MANAGEMENT INSURANCE
FROM OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE TRUST FUND
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
TRANSFER TO DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT SERVICES - HUMAN RESOURCES SERVICES PURCHASED PER STATEWIDE CONTRACT
FROM OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE TRUST FUND
FIXED CAPITAL OUTLAY
MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR OF STATE-OWNED RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES FOR VETERANS
FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND
TOTAL
55,509,355
103,177,434

Where can I find related OPPAGA reports?

A complete list of related OPPAGA reports is available on our website.

Where can I get more information?

Other Reports

Annual Reports, Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs.
The Auditor General reports on department operations are available on its website.

Websites of Interest

Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs, State Veterans' Homes
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Facility Locator
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Center for Women Veterans
Quarterly Report, Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs

Performance Information


Performance measures and standards for the department may be found in its Long Range Program Plan.

What are the applicable statutes?

Chapter 296, Florida Statutes.

Whom do I contact for help?

Connie Tolley, Director, State Veterans' Homes Program, 727-518-3202, ext. 5516

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