Grand Rapids Home for Veterans earns full VA certification

August 26, 2013 

LANSING – Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency Director Jeff Barnes announced today that the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans has earned full certification from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for meeting VA standards of care for state veterans’ homes. The VA was able to grant full certification to the Home after the MVAA finalized its contract with Behavioral Care Solutions, LLC, to provide comprehensive on-site mental health services at the Home.

“The Behavioral Care Solutions team will be a great addition to our team and will enhance our ability to provide high-quality care to our residents,” said Grand Rapids Home for Veterans Administrator Sara Dunne. “With the contract in place, we can immediately begin offering comprehensive on-site mental health services to our residents, bringing us into full compliance with VA standards of care.”

After completing its annual survey of the Grand Rapids Home earlier this year, the USDVA granted the Home provisional certification for its nursing home program, contingent on the Home securing needed psychiatric care for its residents. The MVAA was appropriated additional funding for mental health services as part of the upcoming Fiscal Year 2014 budget, and the Home was already actively pursuing a contract to provide those services to its residents when the USDVA issued its report.

“It is a major accomplishment to be able to provide psychiatric services so expeditiously,” said Dr. Mary Beth Skupien, director of the Battle Creek VA Medical Center. “This is another example where all parties involved are focused on providing the highest quality services needed to our nation’s heroes.”

The Grand Rapids Home for Veterans occupies 90 acres of land adjacent to the Grand River in northwest Grand Rapids and is home to approximately 400 nursing care members and 60 domiciliary care members. It was established in 1886 as a home for veterans of the Civil War and continues to serve our nation’s military veterans and their spouses today.