The Association recognizes the rapid increase in the age of our veteran population and that Veterans Affairs may not be able to provide adequate care for the elderly veteran. Our Association has adopted the following goals:

• To establish and maintain the highest standard of domiciliary, nursing home and hospital care for veterans and their dependents that are eligible for admission to Homes.



• To provide a coordinated, composite analysis of the financial and legislative support required.



• To ensure solidarity in the presentation of our requirements to the Congress and VA and of their responsibility to meet these needs.



• To provide a clearinghouse for techniques and expertise in the care of veterans and the management of State Homes.



• To establish and maintain a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to promote mutual concerns in providing quality care for Veterans.

State Veterans Homes are one of the largest long term care providers in the United States. During FY 2005, State Veterans Homes furnished 6,852,875 days of nursing home care and 1,477,885 days of domiciliary care. As of February 13, 2006, there were 133 State Veterans Homes in 49 states and Puerto Rico with 30,255 total beds.

• There has been more liberalized federal participation in the cost of construction of State Home facilities.



• The Association is a medium through which common problems and experiences can be shared on a nationwide basis resulting in better services and better care throughout the country.



• There has been an improved relationship between the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Congress, and the State Home officials.

The logo belonging to the National Association of State Veterans Homes has levels of symbolism. The use of the colors red, white, and blue allude to a collective sense of patriotism. The outside border of the logo is navy "flag" blue and contains our Association name in large, prominent, white letters. Inside the border are 50 stars, representing the 50 states, which are placed in a tight circle indicative of our unity. In the lower center of this circle is an outline of the continental United States designed to resemble our Flag. The blue field in the upper left hand corner of the outline contains five white stars representing the five branches of service: Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard. The gold eagle hovering over the U.S. continent is similar to the eagle used in the Department of Veterans Affairs logo. The mutual display of the eagle represents our organizations partnership with the DVA and that together, we are indeed, "Caring for America's Heroes."