U.S. Senators Jon Ossoff and Rev. Raphael Warnock announced the state of Georgia will receive a $1.58 million construction grant from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs for state veterans homes in Milledgeville and Augusta, Ga.
The facilities in Augusta and Milledgeville are the state’s two skilled nursing care homes for eligible war veterans.
This funding comes from the CARES Act, which appropriated $150 million to the Department of Veterans Affairs for grants for construction of State Home Extended Care Facilities to prevent, prepare for and respond to coronavirus.
The grant allocation process was severely delayed, but thanks to a recent rules change eliminating the need for matching funds, the grants are now being deployed.
These resources can be used for preventative measures against the spread of virus, such as making upgrades to HVAC and ventilation systems, installing more plexiglass protective screens between patients and members, installing thermal scanners at entry points to check one’s temperature upon entering the building, and more.
“Taking care of our veterans is among our most important duties as elected officials. The men and women who serve and put their lives on the line to protect our country deserve the best care and support in the world, and I’m glad the VA is making the investment to ensure Georgia’s veterans get the care they need while protecting everyone from the spread of COVID-19,” Senator Ossoff said.
“It is my duty to ensure those who sacrificed for our country have access to the benefits and services they have earned. This vital funding provides tremendous aid to our state’s veterans in Augusta and Milledgeville, improving critical access to specialty care services and bolstering the fight against COVID-19. I am thankful, especially amid a once-in-a-century pandemic, to see this funding invested where Georgia’s veterans need it most,” Senator Warnock said.
The Georgia War Veterans Home in Augusta is a 192-bed skilled nursing care facility located adjacent to the campus of Augusta University, across from the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center. Dedicated in 1969, the home was the first of its kind built with federal financial grant assistance. The home also serves as a teaching facility to acquaint medical, dental, pharmacy, and allied health students with the medical conditions and diseases of the aged, which provides students with practical experience and helps them gain expertise in treating the disabled and the elderly.
The Georgia War Veterans Home in Milledgeville is a 550-bed skilled nursing care facility comprised of four buildings located on approximately 17 acres. The home provides skilled nursing care and specialty care for Alzheimer’s residents.
