Total request was $260,000 of which VA will pay half or $130,000 and SVH will contribute the other half

The Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Health Administration awarded $130,000 to the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs on October 1, 2025, under the Payments to States for Programs to Promote the Hiring and Retention of Nurses at State Veterans Homes program (CFDA 64.053).

The funding supports nurse hiring and retention incentive programs at New Jersey state veterans homes through sign-on bonuses to attract new hires, overtime bonuses to encourage weekend staffing during shortages, perfect attendance bonuses for employees who work full shifts without call-outs, and a staff appreciation fund to provide food and gifts for nursing staff attending educational seminars. The award represents the VA's contribution to a total project budget of $260,000, with the State of Veterans Homes contributing an equal $130,000 match.

Performance runs through September 30, 2026, with place of performance in New Jersey.

Their program will consist of sign-on, overtime, and perfect attendance bonuses and a staff appreciation fund. Sign-on bonuses are used to attract new hires while the overtime bonus is used to encourage staff to work weekends during staffing shortages. Perfect attendance bonuses are given to employees who work their full shifts without call-outs. Staff appreciation funds will be used to provide food and gifts for nursing staff that attend educational seminars.