Transforming the Yountville Veterans Home Campus

Report #240, September 2017
Transforming the Yountville Veterans Home Campus

Full Report

Executive Summary

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 5, 2017

For Additional Information Contact:
Carole D’Elia, Executive Director
(916) 445-2125

Little Hoover Commission Calls for Urgent Repair and Bold Transformation of the Yountville Veterans Home Campus

The state must immediately fix public safety threats at the Yountville veteran’s home, including malfunctioning elevators and other critical infrastructure issues, according to the Little Hoover Commission, in a report sent Tuesday to Governor Brown and the Legislature. The report calls for bold and innovative approaches to transform the historic 615-acre campus in the heart of Napa Valley to better meet the changing needs of veterans statewide.

Transforming the Yountville Veterans Home Campus builds on findings from a March 2017 Commission report in which the Commission identified critical infrastructures issues on the historic Yountville veterans home that pose a public safety risk to residents and others. Early in its study process the Commission identified problems with antiquated heating and cooling systems and alarming malfunctions of elevators in the home’s multi-story skilled nursing facility, designed to house veterans with acute health care needs, some of whom also have mobility challenges. This update report acknowledges efforts by the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) to address some of these issues, particularly to fix the faulty elevators. However, despite repairs, the problems persist. The report calls for CalVet to develop ongoing and proactive strategies to monitor and repair structural problems immediately as they arise, while at the same time evaluating and re-configuring, as necessary, its homes program to ensure that the levels of care offered meet the needs of California’s veterans population.

Additionally, the Commission determined the state has greater latitude than originally believed to craft a new future for the home. Officials long had operated under the misperception that use of the Yountville property is limited by a 1899 deed that stated California must maintain the property as a home for United States soldiers, sailors and marines. Instead, the Commission discovered that state law permits leasing real property on the Yountville veterans home campus and lawmakers could further clarify the terms and purposes of leasing opportunities.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to transform pristine property in the heart of Napa Valley and do so in a way that honors the history of the campus, while simultaneously expanding the state’s ability to serve more veterans,” said Commission Chairman Pedro Nava. 

The Commission recommends that California establish an independent entity to plan, design and manage the use of the Yountville property, beyond the current veterans home program. New uses could include affordable housing for veterans home employees and others, park space for residents and visitors, modernized office space in formerly underutilized buildings and a hotel and restaurants to serve the community while providing jobs for returning veterans. Though the Commission recommends the property should maintain a strong veterans focus, state law should be adapted to expand the use of the campus to allow long-term leasing agreements that generate revenue to be used for other veterans services across the state.

The Little Hoover Commission is a bipartisan and independent state agency charged with recommending ways to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of state programs. The Commission’s recommendations are submitted to the Governor and the Legislature for their consideration and action.

Fact Sheet

Study Description

The Commission completed a 16-month review of the state’s veterans homes program.  In its March 2017 report, A New Approach to California’s Veterans Homes, the Commission called for greater self-sufficiency in the state’s veterans homes program and less reliance on the General Fund to free up resources to serve more California veterans, particularly those incapable of caring for their own health.  

As part of that review, the Commission heard significant testimony and public comment about both the critical infrastructure challenges plaguing the historic 615-acre Yountville veterans home campus and also learned of opportunities that could allow the expansive campus to flourish. The Commission visited the Yountville Veterans Home twice, in November 2015 and again in October 2016 when it also held an advisory meeting attended by many home residents as well as officials from the California Department of Veteran Affairs (CalVet), infrastructure financing experts and community advocates.  

The Commission learned that unlike California’s other veterans homes, the Yountville veterans home campus, in addition to care provided to residents, offers a range of amenities including a resident-operated television station, a theater, baseball stadium and golf course.  The campus includes two reservoirs, one of which provides water for the Town of Yountville and is surrounded by several hundred acres of wildlife. However, the residential buildings of the campus predate current planning and design requirements for seniors and require significant construction to meet current standards. Deferred maintenance and critical infrastructure issues pose safety risks for residents and cost the state hundreds of thousands of dollars in unexpected repairs. Following its November 2015 visit, the Commission sent a letter to the Governor and the Legislature urging immediate action to address the critical maintenance and infrastructure issues at the Yountville home. 

In considering recommendations for its March 2017 report, however, the Commission thought additional information was needed before it could articulate a path for the Yountville home. To complete its review, the Commission followed-up with a hearing in June specifically to explore opportunities for the future use of the Yountville veterans home campus.  


Previous Studies

Agenda

Overview

In this report, the Commission calls for calls for bold and innovative approaches to transform the historic 615-acre campus in the heart of Napa Valley to better meet the changing needs of veterans statewide. This report builds on recommendations the Commission made in its 2016 report, A New Approach to California's Veterans Homes, in which the Commission identified critical infrastructures issues on the historic Yountville veterans home that pose a public safety risk to residents and others. 

This update report acknowledges efforts by the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) to address some of these issues, particularly to fix the faulty elevators. However, despite repairs, the problems persist. The report calls for CalVet to develop ongoing and proactive strategies to monitor and repair structural problems immediately as they arise, while at the same time evaluating and re-configuring, as necessary, its homes program to ensure that the levels of care offered meet the needs of California’s veterans population.

The Commission recommends that California establish an independent entity to plan, design and manage the use of the Yountville property, beyond the current veterans home program. New uses could include affordable housing for veterans home employees and others, park space for residents and visitors, modernized office space in formerly underutilized buildings and a hotel and restaurants to serve the community while providing jobs for returning veterans. Though the Commission recommends the property should maintain a strong veterans focus, state law should be adapted to expand the use of the campus to allow long-term leasing agreements that generate revenue to be used for other veterans services across the state.

    Print Agenda
    • August 24
      2017
      Business Meeting
      at approximately 12:30 p.m., Room 175, 925 L Street, Sacramento, CA
      Business Meeting
      Agenda

      AGENDA

      Business Meeting
      Thursday, August 24, 2017
      925 L Street, Room 175
      Sacramento, CA 


      The Commission will consider agenda items I-VI at approximately 12:30 p.m. The precise time will vary depending upon the testimony of witnesses and will be determined at the discretion of the chair. Members of the public will have an opportunity to make comments about Commission agenda items during the meeting.

      1. Business Meeting Minutes from June22, 2017
         
      2. Yountville - Draft Report for Possible Adoption
         
      3. Special Districts - Draft Report for Possible Adoption
         
      4. Subcommittee Reports and Project Selection
         
      5. Implementation
         
      6. Reports from the California State Auditor’s Office
      Public Notice

      PUBLIC NOTICE

      FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
      August 10, 2017

      For Additional Information Contact:
      Carole D’Elia, Executive Director
      (916) 445-2125

      Notice of Meeting

      On Thursday, August 24, 2017, the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a public hearing on forest management and examine strategies for long-term forest resilience. The hearing will begin at 9:30 a.m. in Room 437 of the State Capitol in Sacramento.

      At the hearing, the Commission will first hear from a panel consisting of members of the Dinkey Landscape Restoration Project. This panel will feature a representative from the U.S. Forest Service as well as a representative from Sierra Forest Legacy, who will discuss the Dinkey project as a potential model for collaboration in forest management. Next, the Commission will hear from a representative from CAL FIRE who will address the department’s participation in landscape-level collaborations, reforestation efforts and climate change adaptation. Also present at the hearing will be a researcher from the Water Policy Center at the Public Policy Institute of California who will discuss forested upper headwaters protection. The hearing also will include representatives from the California Air Resources Board and the California Air Pollution Control Officers Association who will address the impact of prescribed fire on air quality. Finally, the Commission will hear from a panel focusing on market development for California wood products. This panel will consist of a representative from the Tree Mortality Task Force’s Marketization Working Group and a representative from the California Natural Resources Agency. They will discuss the importance of market development in utilizing the 102 million dead trees and for long-term forest management.

      There will be an opportunity for public comment at the end of the hearing. Public comments will be limited to three minutes per person. The Commission also encourages written comments. 

      The Commission will convene a business meeting in room 175 of 925 L Street in Sacramento at approximately 12:30 p.m. An additional teleconference location accessible to the public during the biomass meeting will be: 15 Henry Street, Southampton, NY 11968.

      If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Commission Executive Director Carole D’Elia at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Thursday, August 17, 2017.

    • June 22
      2017
      Yountville Veterans Homes
      9:30 a.m., State Capitol, Room 437, Sacramento, CA
      Public Hearing
      Agenda

      AGENDA

      Public Hearing on the Veterans Home of California, Yountville
      Thursday, June 22, 2017, at 9:30 a.m.
      State Capitol, Room 437
      Sacramento, CA


      Opening Remarks

      Update: CalVet Plans for the Yountville Veterans Home Campus

      1. Dr. Vito Imbasciani, Secretary, California Department of Veterans Affairs (Written Testimony)


      Transforming Public Spaces Using Public-Private Partnerships

      1. Craig Middleton, Former Executive Director, The Presidio Trust (Written Testimony)

      2. Daniel Feitelberg, Senior Advisor to the Chancellor, University of California, Merced (Written Testimony)


      In the Home: A Resident’s Perspective

      1. James “Jim” Peifer, Resident, Yountville Veterans Home (Written Testimony, Attachment)


      In the Home: The Allied Council’s Perspective

      1. Ed Warren, Chair, Yountville Allied Council (Written Testimony)

      2. James Musson, Treasurer, Yountville Allied Council (Written Testimony)


      The Yountville Impact

      1. John Dunbar, Mayor, Town of Yountville (Written Testimony)


      Managing Lease Agreements on the Yountville Veterans Home Campus

      1. Jim Martone, Chief, Asset Management Branch, and Robert “Bob” McKinnon, Assistant Chief, Asset Management Branch, Department of General Services (Written Testimony)


      Lessons From Ramping Down California’s Developmental Centers

      1. Amy Wall, Assistant Director of Developmental Center Closure, and Tiffani Andrade, Assistant Deputy Director of Community Development and Housing, California Department of Developmental Services (Written Testimony)


      Public Comments

      Public Notice

      PUBLIC NOTICE

      FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
      June 9, 2017

      For Additional Information Contact:
      Carole D’Elia, Executive Director
      (916) 445-2125

      Notice of Meeting

      On Thursday, June 22, 2017, the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a public hearing on the Veterans Home of California, Yountville.  The hearing will begin at 9:30 a.m. in Room 437 of the State Capitol in Sacramento.

      The Commission will hear from Dr. Vito Imbasciani, Secretary of the California Department of Veterans Affairs, who will describe his plans for the Yountville veterans home campus. Next, the former executive director of the Presidio Trust will share lessons from his experiences transforming San Francisco’s Presidio using public-private partnerships. The Commission also will hear from the senior advisor to the Chancellor of University of California, Merced, who will share lessons learned through the UC Merced 2020 Project.  The Commission then will hear from a resident of the Yountville home, as well as a couple members of the home’s Allied Council who will share their experiences as residents of the campus and discuss ideas for improvements. Next, Yountville Mayor John Dunbar will discuss the local impact of possible changes to the veterans home campus. Two representatives from the Department of General Services will discuss the department’s role in managing leases on the Yountville veterans home campus and describe the process to establish new leases on the property. Finally, the Commission will hear from the California Department of Developmental Services, who will describe the department’s process to close the state’s developmental centers which, like the veterans homes, offer long-term care for certain Californians.

      There will be an opportunity for public comment at the end of the hearing.  Public comments will be limited to three minutes per person.  The Commission also encourages written comments. 

      Immediately following the hearing, the Commission will hold a business meeting in room 175 of 925 L Street in Sacramento. 

      If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Commission Executive Director Carole D’Elia at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Thursday, June 15, 2017.

      Video
    • March 3
      2016
      CalVet
      9:00 a.m., State Capitol, Room 437, Sacramento, CA
      Public Hearing
      Agenda

      AGENDA

      Public Hearing on CalVet
      Thursday, March 3, 2016, at 9:00 a.m.
      State Capitol, Room 437
      Sacramento, CA 


      Opening Remarks

      California Department of Veterans Affairs

      1. Vito Imbasciani, Secretary, California Department of Veterans Affairs (Written Testimony)
         
      2. Coby Petersen, Deputy Secretary, Veterans Homes, California Department of Veterans Affairs 
         

      California Veterans Home Administrators

      1. Donald Veverka, Administrator, Veterans Home of California, Yountville (Written Testimony)
         
      2. Lael Hepworth, Administrator, Veterans Home of California, Chula Vista (Written Testimony)
         
      3. Timothy Bouseman, Administrator, Veterans Home of California, Redding (Written Testimony)
         

      California Veterans Board

      1. Charlene Taylor, Chair, California Veterans Board (Written Testimony)
         

      Tennessee State Veterans’ Homes

      1. Ed Harries, Executive Director, Tennessee State Veterans Home Board (Written Testimony)


      Public Comments

      Public Notice

      PUBLIC NOTICE

      FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
      February 18, 2016

      For Additional Information Contact:
      Carole D’Elia, Executive Director
      (916) 445-2125

      Notice of Meeting

      On Thursday, March 3, 2016, the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a public hearing to review the California Department of Veteran Affairs and its operation of the veterans homes program. The hearing will begin at 9:30 a.m. in Room 437 of the State Capitol in Sacramento.

      At the hearing, the Commission will hear from Dr. Vito Imbasciani, the Secretary of the California Department of Veterans Affairs, who will provide an overview of his vision for the department and the veterans home program. Next, three administrators of California veterans homes will share their experiences overseeing facilities and discuss strategies to engage residents, ensure quality care, reimburse costs and plan for the future. The Commission also will hear from the chair of the California Veterans Board who will discuss the role of the board in relation to the veterans homes and reforms that could be established. Finally, the executive director of the Tennessee State Veterans Home Board will discuss lessons from Tennessee’s experience turning around the veterans homes to become among the best in the nation, at little cost to state taxpayers.

      There will be an opportunity for public comment at the end of the hearing. The Commission also encourages written comments. Immediately following the hearing, the Commission will hold a business meeting at 925 L Street, Room 175, in Sacramento.

      All public notices for meetings are on the Commission’s website, www.lhc.ca.gov. If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Commission Executive Director Carole D’Elia at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Thursday, February 25, 2016.

      Video
    • October 22
      2015
      CalVet
      9:00 a.m., State Capitol, Room 437, Sacramento, CA
      Public Hearing
      Agenda

      AGENDA

      Public Hearing on CalVet
      Thursday, October 22, 2015, at 9:00 a.m.
      State Capitol, Room 437
      Sacramento, CA 


      Opening Remarks

      CalVet: Veterans Services, Home Loan and Homes Program

      1. Keith Boylan, Deputy Secretary, Veterans Services Division, California Department of Veterans Affairs (Written Testimony)
         
      2. Theresa Gunn, Deputy Secretary, Farm and Home Loan Division, California Department of Veterans Affairs (Written Testimony)
         
      3. Coby Petersen, Deputy Secretary, Veterans Homes, California Department of Veterans Affairs (Written Testimony)
         

      County Services Officer Perspective

      1. Ted Puntillo, Director of Veterans Services, Solano County (Written Testimony)
         

      A Look Nationally at Veterans Homes Costs and Quality

      1. Marina Fisher, Graduate Student Researcher, Berkeley Center for Health Technology (Written Testimony)
         

      Public Comments

      Public Notice

      PUBLIC NOTICE

      FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
      October 15, 2015

      For Additional Information Contact:
      Carole D’Elia, Executive Director
      (916) 445-2125

      Notice of Meeting
      (Revised Witness List)

      On Thursday, October 22, 2015, the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a public hearing on the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) to assess the progress that CalVet has made implementing recommendations from the Commission’s 2013 report, An Agenda for Veterans: The State’s Turn to Serve. The Commission also will use this hearing to begin a new review of the department’s veterans homes and home loan programs, in response to a request from Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, Chair of the Assembly Committee on Veterans Affairs. The hearing will begin at 9 a.m. in Room 437 of the State Capitol in Sacramento.

      At the hearing the Commission will hear from a panel including staff members from CalVet, featuring the deputy secretaries from the Veterans Services Division, the Farm and Home Loans Division and the Veterans Homes Division. They will provide an update on the 2013 Commission recommendations to reduce the claims backlog and expand outreach to veterans, as well as information on the current operations of the home loan programs and the veterans homes. The Commission also will hear from the director of veterans services in Solano County, to share the perspective of county service officers who interact with thousands of veterans and also with CalVet. The final panel will feature a graduate student researcher at University of California, Berkeley, who authored a study earlier this year for the California Assembly that examines and provides recommendations on improving California’s veterans homes program.

      There will be an opportunity for public comment at the end of the hearing. The Commission also encourages written comments. Immediately following the hearing, the Commission will hold a business meeting at 925 L Street, Room 175, in Sacramento.

      All public notices for meetings are on the Commission’s website, www.lhc.ca.gov. If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Commission Executive Director Carole D’Elia at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Thursday, October 15, 2015.

      Video

    August 24
    2017
    Business Meeting
    at approximately 12:30 p.m., Room 175, 925 L Street, Sacramento, CA
    Business Meeting
    Agenda

    AGENDA

    Business Meeting
    Thursday, August 24, 2017
    925 L Street, Room 175
    Sacramento, CA 


    The Commission will consider agenda items I-VI at approximately 12:30 p.m. The precise time will vary depending upon the testimony of witnesses and will be determined at the discretion of the chair. Members of the public will have an opportunity to make comments about Commission agenda items during the meeting.

    1. Business Meeting Minutes from June22, 2017
       
    2. Yountville - Draft Report for Possible Adoption
       
    3. Special Districts - Draft Report for Possible Adoption
       
    4. Subcommittee Reports and Project Selection
       
    5. Implementation
       
    6. Reports from the California State Auditor’s Office
    Public Notice

    PUBLIC NOTICE

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    August 10, 2017

    For Additional Information Contact:
    Carole D’Elia, Executive Director
    (916) 445-2125

    Notice of Meeting

    On Thursday, August 24, 2017, the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a public hearing on forest management and examine strategies for long-term forest resilience. The hearing will begin at 9:30 a.m. in Room 437 of the State Capitol in Sacramento.

    At the hearing, the Commission will first hear from a panel consisting of members of the Dinkey Landscape Restoration Project. This panel will feature a representative from the U.S. Forest Service as well as a representative from Sierra Forest Legacy, who will discuss the Dinkey project as a potential model for collaboration in forest management. Next, the Commission will hear from a representative from CAL FIRE who will address the department’s participation in landscape-level collaborations, reforestation efforts and climate change adaptation. Also present at the hearing will be a researcher from the Water Policy Center at the Public Policy Institute of California who will discuss forested upper headwaters protection. The hearing also will include representatives from the California Air Resources Board and the California Air Pollution Control Officers Association who will address the impact of prescribed fire on air quality. Finally, the Commission will hear from a panel focusing on market development for California wood products. This panel will consist of a representative from the Tree Mortality Task Force’s Marketization Working Group and a representative from the California Natural Resources Agency. They will discuss the importance of market development in utilizing the 102 million dead trees and for long-term forest management.

    There will be an opportunity for public comment at the end of the hearing. Public comments will be limited to three minutes per person. The Commission also encourages written comments. 

    The Commission will convene a business meeting in room 175 of 925 L Street in Sacramento at approximately 12:30 p.m. An additional teleconference location accessible to the public during the biomass meeting will be: 15 Henry Street, Southampton, NY 11968.

    If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Commission Executive Director Carole D’Elia at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Thursday, August 17, 2017.

    June 22
    2017
    Yountville Veterans Homes
    9:30 a.m., State Capitol, Room 437, Sacramento, CA
    Public Hearing
    Agenda

    AGENDA

    Public Hearing on the Veterans Home of California, Yountville
    Thursday, June 22, 2017, at 9:30 a.m.
    State Capitol, Room 437
    Sacramento, CA


    Opening Remarks

    Update: CalVet Plans for the Yountville Veterans Home Campus

    1. Dr. Vito Imbasciani, Secretary, California Department of Veterans Affairs (Written Testimony)


    Transforming Public Spaces Using Public-Private Partnerships

    1. Craig Middleton, Former Executive Director, The Presidio Trust (Written Testimony)

    2. Daniel Feitelberg, Senior Advisor to the Chancellor, University of California, Merced (Written Testimony)


    In the Home: A Resident’s Perspective

    1. James “Jim” Peifer, Resident, Yountville Veterans Home (Written Testimony, Attachment)


    In the Home: The Allied Council’s Perspective

    1. Ed Warren, Chair, Yountville Allied Council (Written Testimony)

    2. James Musson, Treasurer, Yountville Allied Council (Written Testimony)


    The Yountville Impact

    1. John Dunbar, Mayor, Town of Yountville (Written Testimony)


    Managing Lease Agreements on the Yountville Veterans Home Campus

    1. Jim Martone, Chief, Asset Management Branch, and Robert “Bob” McKinnon, Assistant Chief, Asset Management Branch, Department of General Services (Written Testimony)


    Lessons From Ramping Down California’s Developmental Centers

    1. Amy Wall, Assistant Director of Developmental Center Closure, and Tiffani Andrade, Assistant Deputy Director of Community Development and Housing, California Department of Developmental Services (Written Testimony)


    Public Comments

    Public Notice

    PUBLIC NOTICE

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    June 9, 2017

    For Additional Information Contact:
    Carole D’Elia, Executive Director
    (916) 445-2125

    Notice of Meeting

    On Thursday, June 22, 2017, the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a public hearing on the Veterans Home of California, Yountville.  The hearing will begin at 9:30 a.m. in Room 437 of the State Capitol in Sacramento.

    The Commission will hear from Dr. Vito Imbasciani, Secretary of the California Department of Veterans Affairs, who will describe his plans for the Yountville veterans home campus. Next, the former executive director of the Presidio Trust will share lessons from his experiences transforming San Francisco’s Presidio using public-private partnerships. The Commission also will hear from the senior advisor to the Chancellor of University of California, Merced, who will share lessons learned through the UC Merced 2020 Project.  The Commission then will hear from a resident of the Yountville home, as well as a couple members of the home’s Allied Council who will share their experiences as residents of the campus and discuss ideas for improvements. Next, Yountville Mayor John Dunbar will discuss the local impact of possible changes to the veterans home campus. Two representatives from the Department of General Services will discuss the department’s role in managing leases on the Yountville veterans home campus and describe the process to establish new leases on the property. Finally, the Commission will hear from the California Department of Developmental Services, who will describe the department’s process to close the state’s developmental centers which, like the veterans homes, offer long-term care for certain Californians.

    There will be an opportunity for public comment at the end of the hearing.  Public comments will be limited to three minutes per person.  The Commission also encourages written comments. 

    Immediately following the hearing, the Commission will hold a business meeting in room 175 of 925 L Street in Sacramento. 

    If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Commission Executive Director Carole D’Elia at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Thursday, June 15, 2017.

    Video
    March 3
    2016
    CalVet
    9:00 a.m., State Capitol, Room 437, Sacramento, CA
    Public Hearing
    Agenda

    AGENDA

    Public Hearing on CalVet
    Thursday, March 3, 2016, at 9:00 a.m.
    State Capitol, Room 437
    Sacramento, CA 


    Opening Remarks

    California Department of Veterans Affairs

    1. Vito Imbasciani, Secretary, California Department of Veterans Affairs (Written Testimony)
       
    2. Coby Petersen, Deputy Secretary, Veterans Homes, California Department of Veterans Affairs 
       

    California Veterans Home Administrators

    1. Donald Veverka, Administrator, Veterans Home of California, Yountville (Written Testimony)
       
    2. Lael Hepworth, Administrator, Veterans Home of California, Chula Vista (Written Testimony)
       
    3. Timothy Bouseman, Administrator, Veterans Home of California, Redding (Written Testimony)
       

    California Veterans Board

    1. Charlene Taylor, Chair, California Veterans Board (Written Testimony)
       

    Tennessee State Veterans’ Homes

    1. Ed Harries, Executive Director, Tennessee State Veterans Home Board (Written Testimony)


    Public Comments

    Public Notice

    PUBLIC NOTICE

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    February 18, 2016

    For Additional Information Contact:
    Carole D’Elia, Executive Director
    (916) 445-2125

    Notice of Meeting

    On Thursday, March 3, 2016, the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a public hearing to review the California Department of Veteran Affairs and its operation of the veterans homes program. The hearing will begin at 9:30 a.m. in Room 437 of the State Capitol in Sacramento.

    At the hearing, the Commission will hear from Dr. Vito Imbasciani, the Secretary of the California Department of Veterans Affairs, who will provide an overview of his vision for the department and the veterans home program. Next, three administrators of California veterans homes will share their experiences overseeing facilities and discuss strategies to engage residents, ensure quality care, reimburse costs and plan for the future. The Commission also will hear from the chair of the California Veterans Board who will discuss the role of the board in relation to the veterans homes and reforms that could be established. Finally, the executive director of the Tennessee State Veterans Home Board will discuss lessons from Tennessee’s experience turning around the veterans homes to become among the best in the nation, at little cost to state taxpayers.

    There will be an opportunity for public comment at the end of the hearing. The Commission also encourages written comments. Immediately following the hearing, the Commission will hold a business meeting at 925 L Street, Room 175, in Sacramento.

    All public notices for meetings are on the Commission’s website, www.lhc.ca.gov. If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Commission Executive Director Carole D’Elia at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Thursday, February 25, 2016.

    Video
    October 22
    2015
    CalVet
    9:00 a.m., State Capitol, Room 437, Sacramento, CA
    Public Hearing
    Agenda

    AGENDA

    Public Hearing on CalVet
    Thursday, October 22, 2015, at 9:00 a.m.
    State Capitol, Room 437
    Sacramento, CA 


    Opening Remarks

    CalVet: Veterans Services, Home Loan and Homes Program

    1. Keith Boylan, Deputy Secretary, Veterans Services Division, California Department of Veterans Affairs (Written Testimony)
       
    2. Theresa Gunn, Deputy Secretary, Farm and Home Loan Division, California Department of Veterans Affairs (Written Testimony)
       
    3. Coby Petersen, Deputy Secretary, Veterans Homes, California Department of Veterans Affairs (Written Testimony)
       

    County Services Officer Perspective

    1. Ted Puntillo, Director of Veterans Services, Solano County (Written Testimony)
       

    A Look Nationally at Veterans Homes Costs and Quality

    1. Marina Fisher, Graduate Student Researcher, Berkeley Center for Health Technology (Written Testimony)
       

    Public Comments

    Public Notice

    PUBLIC NOTICE

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    October 15, 2015

    For Additional Information Contact:
    Carole D’Elia, Executive Director
    (916) 445-2125

    Notice of Meeting
    (Revised Witness List)

    On Thursday, October 22, 2015, the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a public hearing on the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) to assess the progress that CalVet has made implementing recommendations from the Commission’s 2013 report, An Agenda for Veterans: The State’s Turn to Serve. The Commission also will use this hearing to begin a new review of the department’s veterans homes and home loan programs, in response to a request from Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, Chair of the Assembly Committee on Veterans Affairs. The hearing will begin at 9 a.m. in Room 437 of the State Capitol in Sacramento.

    At the hearing the Commission will hear from a panel including staff members from CalVet, featuring the deputy secretaries from the Veterans Services Division, the Farm and Home Loans Division and the Veterans Homes Division. They will provide an update on the 2013 Commission recommendations to reduce the claims backlog and expand outreach to veterans, as well as information on the current operations of the home loan programs and the veterans homes. The Commission also will hear from the director of veterans services in Solano County, to share the perspective of county service officers who interact with thousands of veterans and also with CalVet. The final panel will feature a graduate student researcher at University of California, Berkeley, who authored a study earlier this year for the California Assembly that examines and provides recommendations on improving California’s veterans homes program.

    There will be an opportunity for public comment at the end of the hearing. The Commission also encourages written comments. Immediately following the hearing, the Commission will hold a business meeting at 925 L Street, Room 175, in Sacramento.

    All public notices for meetings are on the Commission’s website, www.lhc.ca.gov. If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Commission Executive Director Carole D’Elia at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Thursday, October 15, 2015.

    Video

    Print Agenda
    • August 24
      2017
      Business Meeting
      at approximately 12:30 p.m., Room 175, 925 L Street, Sacramento, CA
      Business Meeting
      Agenda

      AGENDA

      Business Meeting
      Thursday, August 24, 2017
      925 L Street, Room 175
      Sacramento, CA 


      The Commission will consider agenda items I-VI at approximately 12:30 p.m. The precise time will vary depending upon the testimony of witnesses and will be determined at the discretion of the chair. Members of the public will have an opportunity to make comments about Commission agenda items during the meeting.

      1. Business Meeting Minutes from June22, 2017
         
      2. Yountville - Draft Report for Possible Adoption
         
      3. Special Districts - Draft Report for Possible Adoption
         
      4. Subcommittee Reports and Project Selection
         
      5. Implementation
         
      6. Reports from the California State Auditor’s Office
      Public Notice

      PUBLIC NOTICE

      FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
      August 10, 2017

      For Additional Information Contact:
      Carole D’Elia, Executive Director
      (916) 445-2125

      Notice of Meeting

      On Thursday, August 24, 2017, the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a public hearing on forest management and examine strategies for long-term forest resilience. The hearing will begin at 9:30 a.m. in Room 437 of the State Capitol in Sacramento.

      At the hearing, the Commission will first hear from a panel consisting of members of the Dinkey Landscape Restoration Project. This panel will feature a representative from the U.S. Forest Service as well as a representative from Sierra Forest Legacy, who will discuss the Dinkey project as a potential model for collaboration in forest management. Next, the Commission will hear from a representative from CAL FIRE who will address the department’s participation in landscape-level collaborations, reforestation efforts and climate change adaptation. Also present at the hearing will be a researcher from the Water Policy Center at the Public Policy Institute of California who will discuss forested upper headwaters protection. The hearing also will include representatives from the California Air Resources Board and the California Air Pollution Control Officers Association who will address the impact of prescribed fire on air quality. Finally, the Commission will hear from a panel focusing on market development for California wood products. This panel will consist of a representative from the Tree Mortality Task Force’s Marketization Working Group and a representative from the California Natural Resources Agency. They will discuss the importance of market development in utilizing the 102 million dead trees and for long-term forest management.

      There will be an opportunity for public comment at the end of the hearing. Public comments will be limited to three minutes per person. The Commission also encourages written comments. 

      The Commission will convene a business meeting in room 175 of 925 L Street in Sacramento at approximately 12:30 p.m. An additional teleconference location accessible to the public during the biomass meeting will be: 15 Henry Street, Southampton, NY 11968.

      If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Commission Executive Director Carole D’Elia at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Thursday, August 17, 2017.

    • June 22
      2017
      Yountville Veterans Homes
      9:30 a.m., State Capitol, Room 437, Sacramento, CA
      Public Hearing
      Agenda

      AGENDA

      Public Hearing on the Veterans Home of California, Yountville
      Thursday, June 22, 2017, at 9:30 a.m.
      State Capitol, Room 437
      Sacramento, CA


      Opening Remarks

      Update: CalVet Plans for the Yountville Veterans Home Campus

      1. Dr. Vito Imbasciani, Secretary, California Department of Veterans Affairs (Written Testimony)


      Transforming Public Spaces Using Public-Private Partnerships

      1. Craig Middleton, Former Executive Director, The Presidio Trust (Written Testimony)

      2. Daniel Feitelberg, Senior Advisor to the Chancellor, University of California, Merced (Written Testimony)


      In the Home: A Resident’s Perspective

      1. James “Jim” Peifer, Resident, Yountville Veterans Home (Written Testimony, Attachment)


      In the Home: The Allied Council’s Perspective

      1. Ed Warren, Chair, Yountville Allied Council (Written Testimony)

      2. James Musson, Treasurer, Yountville Allied Council (Written Testimony)


      The Yountville Impact

      1. John Dunbar, Mayor, Town of Yountville (Written Testimony)


      Managing Lease Agreements on the Yountville Veterans Home Campus

      1. Jim Martone, Chief, Asset Management Branch, and Robert “Bob” McKinnon, Assistant Chief, Asset Management Branch, Department of General Services (Written Testimony)


      Lessons From Ramping Down California’s Developmental Centers

      1. Amy Wall, Assistant Director of Developmental Center Closure, and Tiffani Andrade, Assistant Deputy Director of Community Development and Housing, California Department of Developmental Services (Written Testimony)


      Public Comments

      Public Notice

      PUBLIC NOTICE

      FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
      June 9, 2017

      For Additional Information Contact:
      Carole D’Elia, Executive Director
      (916) 445-2125

      Notice of Meeting

      On Thursday, June 22, 2017, the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a public hearing on the Veterans Home of California, Yountville.  The hearing will begin at 9:30 a.m. in Room 437 of the State Capitol in Sacramento.

      The Commission will hear from Dr. Vito Imbasciani, Secretary of the California Department of Veterans Affairs, who will describe his plans for the Yountville veterans home campus. Next, the former executive director of the Presidio Trust will share lessons from his experiences transforming San Francisco’s Presidio using public-private partnerships. The Commission also will hear from the senior advisor to the Chancellor of University of California, Merced, who will share lessons learned through the UC Merced 2020 Project.  The Commission then will hear from a resident of the Yountville home, as well as a couple members of the home’s Allied Council who will share their experiences as residents of the campus and discuss ideas for improvements. Next, Yountville Mayor John Dunbar will discuss the local impact of possible changes to the veterans home campus. Two representatives from the Department of General Services will discuss the department’s role in managing leases on the Yountville veterans home campus and describe the process to establish new leases on the property. Finally, the Commission will hear from the California Department of Developmental Services, who will describe the department’s process to close the state’s developmental centers which, like the veterans homes, offer long-term care for certain Californians.

      There will be an opportunity for public comment at the end of the hearing.  Public comments will be limited to three minutes per person.  The Commission also encourages written comments. 

      Immediately following the hearing, the Commission will hold a business meeting in room 175 of 925 L Street in Sacramento. 

      If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Commission Executive Director Carole D’Elia at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Thursday, June 15, 2017.

      Video
    • March 3
      2016
      CalVet
      9:00 a.m., State Capitol, Room 437, Sacramento, CA
      Public Hearing
      Agenda

      AGENDA

      Public Hearing on CalVet
      Thursday, March 3, 2016, at 9:00 a.m.
      State Capitol, Room 437
      Sacramento, CA 


      Opening Remarks

      California Department of Veterans Affairs

      1. Vito Imbasciani, Secretary, California Department of Veterans Affairs (Written Testimony)
         
      2. Coby Petersen, Deputy Secretary, Veterans Homes, California Department of Veterans Affairs 
         

      California Veterans Home Administrators

      1. Donald Veverka, Administrator, Veterans Home of California, Yountville (Written Testimony)
         
      2. Lael Hepworth, Administrator, Veterans Home of California, Chula Vista (Written Testimony)
         
      3. Timothy Bouseman, Administrator, Veterans Home of California, Redding (Written Testimony)
         

      California Veterans Board

      1. Charlene Taylor, Chair, California Veterans Board (Written Testimony)
         

      Tennessee State Veterans’ Homes

      1. Ed Harries, Executive Director, Tennessee State Veterans Home Board (Written Testimony)


      Public Comments

      Public Notice

      PUBLIC NOTICE

      FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
      February 18, 2016

      For Additional Information Contact:
      Carole D’Elia, Executive Director
      (916) 445-2125

      Notice of Meeting

      On Thursday, March 3, 2016, the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a public hearing to review the California Department of Veteran Affairs and its operation of the veterans homes program. The hearing will begin at 9:30 a.m. in Room 437 of the State Capitol in Sacramento.

      At the hearing, the Commission will hear from Dr. Vito Imbasciani, the Secretary of the California Department of Veterans Affairs, who will provide an overview of his vision for the department and the veterans home program. Next, three administrators of California veterans homes will share their experiences overseeing facilities and discuss strategies to engage residents, ensure quality care, reimburse costs and plan for the future. The Commission also will hear from the chair of the California Veterans Board who will discuss the role of the board in relation to the veterans homes and reforms that could be established. Finally, the executive director of the Tennessee State Veterans Home Board will discuss lessons from Tennessee’s experience turning around the veterans homes to become among the best in the nation, at little cost to state taxpayers.

      There will be an opportunity for public comment at the end of the hearing. The Commission also encourages written comments. Immediately following the hearing, the Commission will hold a business meeting at 925 L Street, Room 175, in Sacramento.

      All public notices for meetings are on the Commission’s website, www.lhc.ca.gov. If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Commission Executive Director Carole D’Elia at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Thursday, February 25, 2016.

      Video
    • October 22
      2015
      CalVet
      9:00 a.m., State Capitol, Room 437, Sacramento, CA
      Public Hearing
      Agenda

      AGENDA

      Public Hearing on CalVet
      Thursday, October 22, 2015, at 9:00 a.m.
      State Capitol, Room 437
      Sacramento, CA 


      Opening Remarks

      CalVet: Veterans Services, Home Loan and Homes Program

      1. Keith Boylan, Deputy Secretary, Veterans Services Division, California Department of Veterans Affairs (Written Testimony)
         
      2. Theresa Gunn, Deputy Secretary, Farm and Home Loan Division, California Department of Veterans Affairs (Written Testimony)
         
      3. Coby Petersen, Deputy Secretary, Veterans Homes, California Department of Veterans Affairs (Written Testimony)
         

      County Services Officer Perspective

      1. Ted Puntillo, Director of Veterans Services, Solano County (Written Testimony)
         

      A Look Nationally at Veterans Homes Costs and Quality

      1. Marina Fisher, Graduate Student Researcher, Berkeley Center for Health Technology (Written Testimony)
         

      Public Comments

      Public Notice

      PUBLIC NOTICE

      FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
      October 15, 2015

      For Additional Information Contact:
      Carole D’Elia, Executive Director
      (916) 445-2125

      Notice of Meeting
      (Revised Witness List)

      On Thursday, October 22, 2015, the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a public hearing on the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) to assess the progress that CalVet has made implementing recommendations from the Commission’s 2013 report, An Agenda for Veterans: The State’s Turn to Serve. The Commission also will use this hearing to begin a new review of the department’s veterans homes and home loan programs, in response to a request from Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, Chair of the Assembly Committee on Veterans Affairs. The hearing will begin at 9 a.m. in Room 437 of the State Capitol in Sacramento.

      At the hearing the Commission will hear from a panel including staff members from CalVet, featuring the deputy secretaries from the Veterans Services Division, the Farm and Home Loans Division and the Veterans Homes Division. They will provide an update on the 2013 Commission recommendations to reduce the claims backlog and expand outreach to veterans, as well as information on the current operations of the home loan programs and the veterans homes. The Commission also will hear from the director of veterans services in Solano County, to share the perspective of county service officers who interact with thousands of veterans and also with CalVet. The final panel will feature a graduate student researcher at University of California, Berkeley, who authored a study earlier this year for the California Assembly that examines and provides recommendations on improving California’s veterans homes program.

      There will be an opportunity for public comment at the end of the hearing. The Commission also encourages written comments. Immediately following the hearing, the Commission will hold a business meeting at 925 L Street, Room 175, in Sacramento.

      All public notices for meetings are on the Commission’s website, www.lhc.ca.gov. If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Commission Executive Director Carole D’Elia at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Thursday, October 15, 2015.

      Video

    August 24
    2017
    Business Meeting
    at approximately 12:30 p.m., Room 175, 925 L Street, Sacramento, CA
    Business Meeting
    Agenda

    AGENDA

    Business Meeting
    Thursday, August 24, 2017
    925 L Street, Room 175
    Sacramento, CA 


    The Commission will consider agenda items I-VI at approximately 12:30 p.m. The precise time will vary depending upon the testimony of witnesses and will be determined at the discretion of the chair. Members of the public will have an opportunity to make comments about Commission agenda items during the meeting.

    1. Business Meeting Minutes from June22, 2017
       
    2. Yountville - Draft Report for Possible Adoption
       
    3. Special Districts - Draft Report for Possible Adoption
       
    4. Subcommittee Reports and Project Selection
       
    5. Implementation
       
    6. Reports from the California State Auditor’s Office
    Public Notice

    PUBLIC NOTICE

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    August 10, 2017

    For Additional Information Contact:
    Carole D’Elia, Executive Director
    (916) 445-2125

    Notice of Meeting

    On Thursday, August 24, 2017, the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a public hearing on forest management and examine strategies for long-term forest resilience. The hearing will begin at 9:30 a.m. in Room 437 of the State Capitol in Sacramento.

    At the hearing, the Commission will first hear from a panel consisting of members of the Dinkey Landscape Restoration Project. This panel will feature a representative from the U.S. Forest Service as well as a representative from Sierra Forest Legacy, who will discuss the Dinkey project as a potential model for collaboration in forest management. Next, the Commission will hear from a representative from CAL FIRE who will address the department’s participation in landscape-level collaborations, reforestation efforts and climate change adaptation. Also present at the hearing will be a researcher from the Water Policy Center at the Public Policy Institute of California who will discuss forested upper headwaters protection. The hearing also will include representatives from the California Air Resources Board and the California Air Pollution Control Officers Association who will address the impact of prescribed fire on air quality. Finally, the Commission will hear from a panel focusing on market development for California wood products. This panel will consist of a representative from the Tree Mortality Task Force’s Marketization Working Group and a representative from the California Natural Resources Agency. They will discuss the importance of market development in utilizing the 102 million dead trees and for long-term forest management.

    There will be an opportunity for public comment at the end of the hearing. Public comments will be limited to three minutes per person. The Commission also encourages written comments. 

    The Commission will convene a business meeting in room 175 of 925 L Street in Sacramento at approximately 12:30 p.m. An additional teleconference location accessible to the public during the biomass meeting will be: 15 Henry Street, Southampton, NY 11968.

    If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Commission Executive Director Carole D’Elia at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Thursday, August 17, 2017.

    June 22
    2017
    Yountville Veterans Homes
    9:30 a.m., State Capitol, Room 437, Sacramento, CA
    Public Hearing
    Agenda

    AGENDA

    Public Hearing on the Veterans Home of California, Yountville
    Thursday, June 22, 2017, at 9:30 a.m.
    State Capitol, Room 437
    Sacramento, CA


    Opening Remarks

    Update: CalVet Plans for the Yountville Veterans Home Campus

    1. Dr. Vito Imbasciani, Secretary, California Department of Veterans Affairs (Written Testimony)


    Transforming Public Spaces Using Public-Private Partnerships

    1. Craig Middleton, Former Executive Director, The Presidio Trust (Written Testimony)

    2. Daniel Feitelberg, Senior Advisor to the Chancellor, University of California, Merced (Written Testimony)


    In the Home: A Resident’s Perspective

    1. James “Jim” Peifer, Resident, Yountville Veterans Home (Written Testimony, Attachment)


    In the Home: The Allied Council’s Perspective

    1. Ed Warren, Chair, Yountville Allied Council (Written Testimony)

    2. James Musson, Treasurer, Yountville Allied Council (Written Testimony)


    The Yountville Impact

    1. John Dunbar, Mayor, Town of Yountville (Written Testimony)


    Managing Lease Agreements on the Yountville Veterans Home Campus

    1. Jim Martone, Chief, Asset Management Branch, and Robert “Bob” McKinnon, Assistant Chief, Asset Management Branch, Department of General Services (Written Testimony)


    Lessons From Ramping Down California’s Developmental Centers

    1. Amy Wall, Assistant Director of Developmental Center Closure, and Tiffani Andrade, Assistant Deputy Director of Community Development and Housing, California Department of Developmental Services (Written Testimony)


    Public Comments

    Public Notice

    PUBLIC NOTICE

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    June 9, 2017

    For Additional Information Contact:
    Carole D’Elia, Executive Director
    (916) 445-2125

    Notice of Meeting

    On Thursday, June 22, 2017, the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a public hearing on the Veterans Home of California, Yountville.  The hearing will begin at 9:30 a.m. in Room 437 of the State Capitol in Sacramento.

    The Commission will hear from Dr. Vito Imbasciani, Secretary of the California Department of Veterans Affairs, who will describe his plans for the Yountville veterans home campus. Next, the former executive director of the Presidio Trust will share lessons from his experiences transforming San Francisco’s Presidio using public-private partnerships. The Commission also will hear from the senior advisor to the Chancellor of University of California, Merced, who will share lessons learned through the UC Merced 2020 Project.  The Commission then will hear from a resident of the Yountville home, as well as a couple members of the home’s Allied Council who will share their experiences as residents of the campus and discuss ideas for improvements. Next, Yountville Mayor John Dunbar will discuss the local impact of possible changes to the veterans home campus. Two representatives from the Department of General Services will discuss the department’s role in managing leases on the Yountville veterans home campus and describe the process to establish new leases on the property. Finally, the Commission will hear from the California Department of Developmental Services, who will describe the department’s process to close the state’s developmental centers which, like the veterans homes, offer long-term care for certain Californians.

    There will be an opportunity for public comment at the end of the hearing.  Public comments will be limited to three minutes per person.  The Commission also encourages written comments. 

    Immediately following the hearing, the Commission will hold a business meeting in room 175 of 925 L Street in Sacramento. 

    If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Commission Executive Director Carole D’Elia at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Thursday, June 15, 2017.

    Video
    March 3
    2016
    CalVet
    9:00 a.m., State Capitol, Room 437, Sacramento, CA
    Public Hearing
    Agenda

    AGENDA

    Public Hearing on CalVet
    Thursday, March 3, 2016, at 9:00 a.m.
    State Capitol, Room 437
    Sacramento, CA 


    Opening Remarks

    California Department of Veterans Affairs

    1. Vito Imbasciani, Secretary, California Department of Veterans Affairs (Written Testimony)
       
    2. Coby Petersen, Deputy Secretary, Veterans Homes, California Department of Veterans Affairs 
       

    California Veterans Home Administrators

    1. Donald Veverka, Administrator, Veterans Home of California, Yountville (Written Testimony)
       
    2. Lael Hepworth, Administrator, Veterans Home of California, Chula Vista (Written Testimony)
       
    3. Timothy Bouseman, Administrator, Veterans Home of California, Redding (Written Testimony)
       

    California Veterans Board

    1. Charlene Taylor, Chair, California Veterans Board (Written Testimony)
       

    Tennessee State Veterans’ Homes

    1. Ed Harries, Executive Director, Tennessee State Veterans Home Board (Written Testimony)


    Public Comments

    Public Notice

    PUBLIC NOTICE

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    February 18, 2016

    For Additional Information Contact:
    Carole D’Elia, Executive Director
    (916) 445-2125

    Notice of Meeting

    On Thursday, March 3, 2016, the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a public hearing to review the California Department of Veteran Affairs and its operation of the veterans homes program. The hearing will begin at 9:30 a.m. in Room 437 of the State Capitol in Sacramento.

    At the hearing, the Commission will hear from Dr. Vito Imbasciani, the Secretary of the California Department of Veterans Affairs, who will provide an overview of his vision for the department and the veterans home program. Next, three administrators of California veterans homes will share their experiences overseeing facilities and discuss strategies to engage residents, ensure quality care, reimburse costs and plan for the future. The Commission also will hear from the chair of the California Veterans Board who will discuss the role of the board in relation to the veterans homes and reforms that could be established. Finally, the executive director of the Tennessee State Veterans Home Board will discuss lessons from Tennessee’s experience turning around the veterans homes to become among the best in the nation, at little cost to state taxpayers.

    There will be an opportunity for public comment at the end of the hearing. The Commission also encourages written comments. Immediately following the hearing, the Commission will hold a business meeting at 925 L Street, Room 175, in Sacramento.

    All public notices for meetings are on the Commission’s website, www.lhc.ca.gov. If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Commission Executive Director Carole D’Elia at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Thursday, February 25, 2016.

    Video
    October 22
    2015
    CalVet
    9:00 a.m., State Capitol, Room 437, Sacramento, CA
    Public Hearing
    Agenda

    AGENDA

    Public Hearing on CalVet
    Thursday, October 22, 2015, at 9:00 a.m.
    State Capitol, Room 437
    Sacramento, CA 


    Opening Remarks

    CalVet: Veterans Services, Home Loan and Homes Program

    1. Keith Boylan, Deputy Secretary, Veterans Services Division, California Department of Veterans Affairs (Written Testimony)
       
    2. Theresa Gunn, Deputy Secretary, Farm and Home Loan Division, California Department of Veterans Affairs (Written Testimony)
       
    3. Coby Petersen, Deputy Secretary, Veterans Homes, California Department of Veterans Affairs (Written Testimony)
       

    County Services Officer Perspective

    1. Ted Puntillo, Director of Veterans Services, Solano County (Written Testimony)
       

    A Look Nationally at Veterans Homes Costs and Quality

    1. Marina Fisher, Graduate Student Researcher, Berkeley Center for Health Technology (Written Testimony)
       

    Public Comments

    Public Notice

    PUBLIC NOTICE

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    October 15, 2015

    For Additional Information Contact:
    Carole D’Elia, Executive Director
    (916) 445-2125

    Notice of Meeting
    (Revised Witness List)

    On Thursday, October 22, 2015, the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a public hearing on the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) to assess the progress that CalVet has made implementing recommendations from the Commission’s 2013 report, An Agenda for Veterans: The State’s Turn to Serve. The Commission also will use this hearing to begin a new review of the department’s veterans homes and home loan programs, in response to a request from Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, Chair of the Assembly Committee on Veterans Affairs. The hearing will begin at 9 a.m. in Room 437 of the State Capitol in Sacramento.

    At the hearing the Commission will hear from a panel including staff members from CalVet, featuring the deputy secretaries from the Veterans Services Division, the Farm and Home Loans Division and the Veterans Homes Division. They will provide an update on the 2013 Commission recommendations to reduce the claims backlog and expand outreach to veterans, as well as information on the current operations of the home loan programs and the veterans homes. The Commission also will hear from the director of veterans services in Solano County, to share the perspective of county service officers who interact with thousands of veterans and also with CalVet. The final panel will feature a graduate student researcher at University of California, Berkeley, who authored a study earlier this year for the California Assembly that examines and provides recommendations on improving California’s veterans homes program.

    There will be an opportunity for public comment at the end of the hearing. The Commission also encourages written comments. Immediately following the hearing, the Commission will hold a business meeting at 925 L Street, Room 175, in Sacramento.

    All public notices for meetings are on the Commission’s website, www.lhc.ca.gov. If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Commission Executive Director Carole D’Elia at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Thursday, October 15, 2015.

    Video