Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) was an extraordinary year for the Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS). Our activities within DVS are oriented around the Governor’s campaign pledge to make Virginia the best place for veterans to “live, work, and raise a family." Operationally, that means that we are oriented around a rephrased version of that objective - we want veterans to STAY, WORK, and THRIVE in the Commonwealth. We want Virginia veterans to return to Virginia after their service; we want to keep as many veterans who leave service in Virginia here after that service; we want to help veterans get jobs or grow their businesses; and we want to provide the ancillary services that will assist them in their own thriving.

The “Virginia Values Veterans" (V3) Program is one of the most effective tools we have to ensure Virginia remains the most veteran-friendly state in America. As a result of aggressive outreach to employers across Virginia, DVS enhanced veteran employment with V3 certified companies. As a result, the V3 Program surpassed 100,000 Virginia veterans hired throughout the Commonwealth, and the number of V3-certified organizations increased from 1,335 to 1,959 during this FY.

Highlight of additional accomplishments in FY22:

• VDVS established the VDVS Military Spouse Liaison program supported out of Hampton Roads working on Commonwealth wide family initiatives.

• Developed the new VDVS Suicide Prevention Program and selected the first Suicide Prevention Coordinator within the agency to work directly with support agencies.

• Our Benefits team partnered with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to hold a three-day Veteran Experience Action Center Community (VEAC) Event, serving 587 veterans with immediate responses from the VA and community partners.

• Virginia became the first state in the nation to bury a former reserve component service member in a State Cemetery under the new Burial Equity for Guards and Reserves Act

• The Sitter and Barfoot Veterans Care Center won the coveted award for “best nursing home in Virginia" from Newsweek Magazine

• Experienced administrators were selected for our two new Veterans Care Centers: Jones & Cabacoy Veterans Care Center in Virginia Beach and the Puller Veterans Care Center in Fauquier County. We are targeting “Month 1" (first resident) in early 2023 for the J&C VCC and Spring 2023 for the Puller VCC.

I consider it a great privilege and the highest honor to work with a team that remains passionate and dedicated to providing outstanding service to veterans and their families in any condition.

/s/ Daniel Gade, PhD.
Commissioner