May 17/Bellevue, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Portland OR +Anchorage, AK : Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program Training

This program provides training free of charge to attorneys who agree to counsel and/or represent a veteran/VA claimant or family member before the Veterans Court. As well as receiving the day-long training, attorneys who participate are assigned a case that has been screened for merit and provided a screening memo outlining the issues in the case. Volunteers are also assigned a mentor (a practicing veterans’ law lawyer or practitioner) to give advice and share sample pleadings. Attorney

s also receive the Veterans Benefits Manual (VBM) and other resource materials.
Attorneys who participate receive free training in exchange for a commitment to handle at least one appeal that is before the Veterans Court. Attorneys with little or no prior veterans’ law experience are generally able to capably represent an appellant before the Veterans Court provided they attend the training seminar and maintain contact with their mentor. Most cases can be completed in 50 to 60 hours; many cases may require fewer hours. A typical case lasts about 1 year from the time that the attorney enters the case. Some cases may be resolved more quickly and some may take longer.
These trainings tend to fill up quickly, so register asap.
The in-person training is in Seattle; recently webcasts of this training have been added in five other West Coast cities. All volunteers should register through the online form (which has "Seattle" in the title) and then contact the Program to indicate your actual city, if other than Seattle, at Daniella@nvlsp.org)
Title:
Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program Training
When/Where:
May 17, 2013
9:00AM to 5:00PM
Offices of Davis Wright Tremaine LLP:

• Anchorage: 188 West Northern Lights Blvd. #1100, Anchorage, AK
• Bellevue, WA: 777 108th Avenue NE, Suite 2300, Bellevue, WA
• Los Angeles: Suite 2400, 865 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA
• Portland, OR: Suite 2400, 1300 SW Fifth Avenue, Portland, OR
• San Francisco: Suite 800, 505 Montgomery Street; San Francisco, CA
• Seattle: Suite 2200, 1201 Third Avenue, Seattle, WA.

Registration is open!
By:

• Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program
• Davis Wright Tremaine LLP
• American Health Lawyers Association.

Credit:
These trainings have always featured a great many free CLE credit recognized in most or all mandatory CLE states.

More Information and Registration

Institutional Readmission Requirements for Servicemembers

Servicemembers seeking higher education can have problems when new orders conflict with their college and other arrangements, causing them to drop out of school. When they're able to get back into school again, readmission can sometimes be a problem but under Federal law, they have some protections, as detailed below. If these don't solve the problem, it can be worth consulting state law and perhaps the educational institution's own policies; sometimes college staff members themselves are veterans or otherwise sympathetic to the issue and may be able to dig up an interpretation of their rules to help out a servicemember.
Pay careful attention to the "notice" requirement. While notice is not required if there's a military necessity prevents it, and under the law oral notice may suffice, it is generally speaking a good idea to give notice in writing and to keep a copy of your own. Some people might type up a letter, email it AND send a paper copy; keep the email in an account that will be accessible to you when you need it.
The following FAQ from Ed.Gov describes federal readmission requirements:

1. What do the readmission requirements do?

They require institutions of higher education to promptly readmit with the same academic status a servicemember who was previously admitted to the institution but who did not attend, or did not continue to attend, because of service in the uniformed services.
 TOP


2. What is the purpose of the readmission requirements?
The purpose of the readmission requirements is to minimize the disruption to the lives of servicemembers, allowing them to return to an institution of higher education without penalty for having left because of their service. TOP


3. Where did the readmission requirements come from?
Congress added the requirements to the law in 2008 (section 484C of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, or 20 U.S.C. 1091c). The U.S. Department of Education published regulations that further implemented the law on October 29, 2009. Many parts of the law and regulations are based on the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) (38 U.S.C. 4301-4334) which establishes the process for servicemembers to return to employment after serving on active duty. The final regulations can be accessed athttp://www.ifap.ed.gov/fregisters/FR102909GeneralandNonLoanProgrammatic
FinalRule.html. The United States Code (U.S.C.) can be accessed athttp://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/browse/collectionUScode.action?collectionCode=USCODE. TOP


4. When did the readmission requirements become effective?
The law went into effect August 14, 2008 (the day the law was enacted). The regulations went into effect July 1, 2010. The requirements are effective for readmissions of servicemembers on or after those dates. TOP


5. Which institutions of higher education must comply with the readmission requirements?
These requirements apply to any institution of higher education that participates in a Title IV Federal student financial aid program, such as the Pell Grant Program, Stafford Loan Program, or Federal Work-Study Program. For a list of all Title IV Federal student financial aid programs, go to the Department's "Student Aid on the Web" web site athttp://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/funding.jsp#01and look under the heading "Federal Student Aid Programs." TOP


6. To whom do the protections of the readmission requirements apply?
The readmission requirements apply to servicemembers who perform service in the uniformed services, whether voluntary or involuntary, in the Armed Forces, including service as a member of the National Guard or Reserve, on active duty, active duty for training, or full-time National Guard duty under Federal authority (but not State authority), for a period of more than 30 consecutive days under a call or order to active duty of more than 30 consecutive days. TOP


7. Do the protections of the readmission requirements apply to servicemembers who must be absent from class for a short period of time to attend training?
No. The readmission requirements apply to servicemembers who have completely withdrawn from an institution for a period of service of more than 30 consecutive days. They do not apply to how an institution handles a servicemember’s absence from class to attend training. TOP


8. Are there any conditions a servicemember must meet to qualify?
Yes. An otherwise eligible servicemember qualifies if:

1. The institution is given notice of the servicemember’s absence for service.
2. The cumulative length of absences from the institution by reason of service does not exceed five years.
3. The servicemember gives notice of his or her intent to return by the applicable time limit.

 TOP


9. What are the requirements for the notice of absence for service?
Notice of absence for service must be provided by the servicemember or an appropriate officer of the Armed Forces or official of the Department of Defense—that is, a commissioned, warrant, or noncommissioned officer authorized to give such notice. The notice of absence for service may be oral or written. It must be provided to an office designated by the institution and must be provided as far in advance as is reasonable under the circumstances. An institution must designate one or more offices that a servicemember may contact to provide such notification. An institution may not require that the notice follow any particular format. An institution may not establish a rule for timeliness (for example, a "brightline" deadline for submission); timeliness must be determined by the facts in a particular case. The notice does not need to indicate whether the servicemember intends to return to the institution. TOP


10. Are there any circumstances under which advance notice of service is not required?
Yes. Advance notice is not required if it is precluded by military necessity (for example, a mission, operation, exercise, or requirement that is classified; or a pending or ongoing mission, operation, exercise, or requirement that may be compromised or otherwise adversely affected by public knowledge). If advance notice was not given and was not precluded by military necessity, the servicemember or appropriate officer of the Armed Forces or official of the Department of Defense may submit an attestation when seeking readmission that the servicemember performed service that necessitated the servicemember's absence. TOP


11. How is a period of absence from the institution before, after, or in between performing service treated in determining the cumulative length of a servicemember's absences from the institution by reason of service?
The cumulative length of a servicemember's absences from the institution for service includes only the time the servicemember spent actually performing service in the uniformed services. A period of absence from the institution before, after, or in between performing service does not count (for example, the period between completing service and returning to the institution). TOP


12. Are there any types of service that do not count toward the five-year cumulative length of absences?
Yes. The five-year cumulative length of absences does not include service--

• Beyond five years to complete an initial period of obligated service
• During which servicemember was unable to obtain orders releasing from period of service before the expiration of the five-year period, through no fault of the servicemember
• Performed by a member of the Armed Forces (including the National Guard and Reserves) who is ordered or retained on active duty under one of the following types of duty:
• 10 U.S.C. 688 (involuntary active duty by a military retiree);
• 10 U.S.C. 12301(a) (involuntary active duty in wartime);
• 10 U.S.C. 12301(g) (retention on active duty while in captive status);
• 10 U.S.C. 12302 (involuntary active duty during a national emergency for up to 24 months);
• 10 U.S.C. 12304 (involuntary active duty for an operational mission for up to 270 days);
• 10 U.S.C. 12305 (involuntary retention on active duty of a critical person during time of crisis or other specific conditions);
• 14 U.S.C. 331 (involuntary active duty by retired Coast Guard officer);
• 14 U.S.C. 332 (voluntary active duty by retired Coast Guard officer);
• 14 U.S.C. 359 (involuntary active duty by retired Coast Guard enlisted member);
• 14 U.S.C. 360 (voluntary active duty by retired Coast Guard enlisted member);
• 14 U.S.C. 367 (involuntary retention of Coast Guard enlisted member on active duty); or
• 14 U.S.C. 712 (involuntary active duty by Coast Guard Reserve member for natural or man-made disasters).
• Performed by a member of the Armed Forces, including the National Guard and Reserve, who is order to or retained on active duty (other than for training)
• under any provision of law because of a war or national emergency declared by the President or Congress
• In support, as determined by the Secretary concerned, of an operational mission for which personnel have been ordered to active duty under section 12304 of Title 10, U.S.C.
• Performed by a member of the Armed Forces, including the National Guard and Reserve, who is
• Ordered to active duty in support, as determined by the Secretary concerned, of a critical mission or requirement of the Armed Forces (including the National Guard or Reserve)
• Called into Federal service as a member of the National Guard under Chapter 15 of Title 10 U.S.C., or section 12406 of Title 10 U.S.C., (i.e., called to respond to an invasion, danger of invasion, rebellion, danger of rebellion, insurrection, or the inability of the President with regular forces to execute the laws of the United States).

 TOP


13. What are the requirements for notice of intent to return?
Notice of intent to return must be provided by the servicemember. It may be oral or written and must be provided to an office designated by the institution. An institution must designate one or more offices that a servicemember may contact to provide such notification. An institution may not require that the notice follow any particular format. In addition to providing notice, the servicemember must provide documentation to establish that--

• He or she has not exceeded the cumulative five-year limit on absences from the institution; and
• His or her eligibility for readmission has not been terminated (see Q&A21).

Documents that may be used for this purpose include:

• DD (Department of Defense) 214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.
• Copy of duty orders prepared by the facility where the orders were fulfilled carrying an endorsement indicating completion of the described service.
• Letter from the commanding officer of a Personnel Support Activity or someone of comparable authority.
• Certificate of completion from military training school.
• Discharge certificate showing character of service.
• Copy of extracts from payroll documents showing periods of service.
• Letter from National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) Team Leader or Administrative Officer verifying dates and times of NDMS training or Federal activation.

The types of documents necessary will vary from case to case. Not all of these documents are available or necessary in every instance. An institution may not delay or attempt to avoid readmission of a servicemember by demanding documentation that does not exist, or is not readily available, at the time of readmission. TOP


14. What are the time limits for providing notice of intent to return?
Notice of intent to return must be provided not later than three years after the completion of the period of service. For a servicemember who is hospitalized for or convalescing from an illness or injury incurred in, or aggravated during, the performance of service, notice must be provided not later than two years after the end of the period that is necessary for recovery from such illness or injury. TOP


15. Does a servicemember who fails to provide notice of intent to return within the applicable time limit automatically forfeit eligibility for readmission to an institution?
No. A servicemember who fails to provide notice of intent to return within the applicable time period does not automatically forfeit eligibility for readmission to an institution, but is subject to the institution’s established leave of absence policy and general practices. TOP


16. What does it mean to "promptly readmit" a servicemember?
To promptly readmit a servicemember means that an institution must readmit the servicemember into the next class or classes in the servicemember's program beginning after the servicemember provides notice of his or her intent to reenroll, unless the servicemember requests a later date of readmission, or unusual circumstances require the institution to admit the servicemember at a later date. For example, a later date of admission would be justified if an institution must make efforts to help the servicemember become prepared to resume the program, and such efforts would not be completed in time for the servicemember to begin the next class. TOP


17. What does it mean to readmit a servicemember with the same academic status?
To readmit a servicemember with the same academic status means that the institution readmits the servicemember:

• To the same program, unless the servicemember requests or agrees to admission to another program (if the servicemember’s program is no longer offered, the institution must admit the servicemember to the program that is the most similar);
• At the same enrollment status (for example, full-time), unless the servicemember requests or agrees to a different enrollment status;
• With the same number of credit hours or clock hours completed, unless the servicemember is admitted to a different program and the hours are not transferable;
• With same academic standing (for example, satisfactory academic progress status);
• For the first academic year, with the same tuition and fee charges as when the servicemember left, unless military benefits will pay the increase, but never more than the institution is charging other students; and
• For subsequent academic years or for a different program, by assessing tuition and fee charges that are no more than the institution is charging other students.

 TOP


18. What if the servicemember is not prepared to resume the program where he or she left off, or will not be able to complete the program?
The institution must make reasonable efforts at no extra cost to the servicemember to help him or her become prepared, or to enable him or her to complete the program including, but not limited to, providing refresher courses and/or allowing the servicemember to retake a pretest. Reasonable efforts are actions that do not place an undue hardship on the institution. An undue hardship exists if an action requires significant difficulty or expense when considered in light of the overall financial resources of the institution and the impact otherwise of such action on the operation of the institution. TOP


19. Are there any circumstances under which an institution is not required to readmit a servicemember?
Yes. An institution is not required to readmit a servicemember if it determines, after reasonable efforts, that the servicemember is not prepared to resume the program at the point where he or she left off, or is unable to complete the program. In addition, an institution is not required to readmit a servicemember if it determines that there are no reasonable efforts it can take to prepare the servicemember to resume at the point where he or she left off, or to enable the servicemember to complete the program. The institution carries the burden to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the servicemember is not prepared to resume the program with the same academic status at the point where the servicemember left off, or that the servicemember will not be able to complete the program. TOP


20. What if readmitting a servicemember conflicts with State law? For example, what if admitting the servicemember to the same program attended prior to serving would cause a class to exceed the maximum enrollment level set by the State?
These readmission requirements supersede any State law (including any local law or ordinance), contract, agreement, policy, plan, practice, or other matter that reduces, limits, or eliminates in any manner any right or benefit provided by these requirements for the period of enrollment during which the servicemember resumes attendance, and continues to do so as long as the institution is unable to comply with such requirements through other means. Thus, an institution must readmit an eligible servicemember even if doing so would cause a class to exceed the maximum enrollment level set by the State. However, these requirements do not supersede, nullify, or diminish any Federal or State law (including any local law or ordinance), contract, agreement, policy, plan, practice, or other matter that establishes an individual's right or benefit that is MORE beneficial or in addition to these rules. TOP


21. Are there any circumstances under which a servicemember's eligibility for readmission terminates?
Yes. A servicemember's eligibility for readmission terminates upon the occurrence of:

• A dishonorable or bad conduct discharge.
• A dismissal of a commissioned officer permitted under section 1161(a) of Title 10 U.S.C. by sentence of a general court martial, in commutation of a sentence of a general court-martial, or, in time of war, by order of the President.
• A dropping of a commissioned officer from the rolls pursuant to section 1161(b), Title 10 U.S.C. due to absence without authority for at least three months, separation by reason of a sentence to confinement adjudged by a court-martial, or a sentence to confinement in a Federal or State penitentiary or correctional institution.

 TOP


22. How can servicemembers and schools get more information?
For additional information, please contact Wendy Macias, Office of Postsecondary Education, at Wendy.Macias@ed.gov or 202-502-7526.
OPE Policy Initiatives TOP

More at http://www2.ed.gov/policy/highered/guid/readmission.html

April 26/Web: Combating Barriers to Fair Housing for Veterans

In this live online forum. the Department of Housing and Urban and Development (HUD), New England Region Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (Boson Office) addresses housing discrimination faced by veterans.
The presenters will provide critical examination of the systemic ways in which discrimination acts as a barrier to equal housing opportunities for veterans and they will explore ways in which veterans, HUD recipients, HUD partners and HUD staff, and housing advocates can more effectively discriminatory eliminate barriers.
Listen and talk with successful practitioners, experts, advocates, service providers, HUD partners, and HUD staff as they offer in-depth analysis and information on the subject of homelessness and housing discrimination.
Title: 
Combating Barriers to Fair Housing for Veterans
When/Where:
Friday April 26, 2013
2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern
More Information:
(The forum will be broadcast via this link, there is no registration required.)

April 25/Web: The Changes to the SF-86 Application and the Impact on Your Security Clearance Eligibility

The Standard Form (SF) 86, Questionnaire for National Security Positions, is the form that is used by military personnel, government contractors, and government employees to apply for a Security Clearance (e.g. confidential, secret, top secret).
Two security clearance attorneys will discuss the proposed changes to the SF-86 and the impact those changes may have on your security clearance eligibility.
Title:
The Changes to the SF-86 Application and the Impact on Your Security Clearance Eligibility
Speakers:

• Nicole A. Smith, Esq.
• Christopher Graham, Esq.

Thursday, April 25, 2013
12:00pm – 12:45pm EST
Webcast
By:
Tully Rinckey PLLC, Attorneys & Counselors at Law
CLE Credit:
The sponsor does not appear to have applied for CLE credit for this event. Its subject matter appears to be federal law and its speakers are attorneys. You should consult with your jurisdiction's credit-granting authority.

More Information

Commission on Veterans Care: A Bill Has Been Suggested

A bill establishing a Commission on Veterans Care has been proposed.
The bill has findings saying:

• While good work is being done, the United States needs a wider and more thorough process for welcoming veterans back from war and more effectively reintegrating them into society;
• The country has fought wars, but many citizens have not been directly involved, and civilians need to be more regularly connected with veterans.

The bill would create a Commission and a small program:
First, a Commission on Veterans Care -- a citizens’ commission, made up of veterans and citizens knowledgeable about the impacts of war on our Armed Forces and on society. The Commission would:

• Recommend ceremonies for Memorial Day Weekend in May, 2014 for a national acknowledgment of the wars recently fought and for the heroism and costs in lives, injuries, families and communities;
• Convene a conversation (hearings) around the country about:

1. the impact of war on soldiers, their families and communities,
2. the reintegration experience for veterans, and
3. the gap between the military, veterans and civilian life

• Report to Congress and the President on:

1. How we as a country can do a better job welcoming soldiers back from war;
2. How we can make reintegration a complete and positive experience;
3. How to put a particular emphasis on addressing the effects of post-traumatic stress and the other social, economic and health issues of veterans;

• Report to the Secretary of the VA, Congress and the President on how to best conduct an ongoing interaction between combat veterans and civilians, particularly with young people, with whom combat veterans will share their stories and the impact of their combat and reintegration experience directly with civilians and for recorded history.

Second, an Office of Armed Services and Veterans Public Outreach at the Dept. of Veterans Affairs:

This office will work with organizations throughout the government and country to facilitate, through private and non-profit groups, matching veterans and service members to audiences.

Membership:
The Commission would have 18 members appointed by the President and Congressional leadership.

Deliverables: 
Hearings around the country about the impact of war on our Armed Forces and communities would start within 120 days. The Commission’s recommendations for special remembrance are due in December 2013. The Commission’s report on programmatic gaps is due by the end of 2014. The veterans outreach program would start in 270 days and be ongoing.

Funding and Termination:
The Commission would finish its work at the end of May, 2016. The Veterans outreach program would be ongoing. The Commission would have some (several million $) initial start-up funding and then be able to raise money from the public. The small outreach facilitation Office at the VA would be run from existing funds.

If you have any questions, please call Toby Whitney in Congressman McDermott’s office at 202-225-0098


-------------
Note: there was a 2007 Commission on  Veterans’ Care, headed by Bob Dole and Donna Shalala, that issued useful recommendations. It is now time to go farther.

More Information

Service Members to Receive $39 Million for Bank Violations of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act

Any servicemember whose house was forclosed on by Bank of America should check out this press release from the Department of Justice Thursday, April 4, 2013:

Service Members to Receive $39 Million for Violations of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act
"The Justice Department announced today that under its 2011 settlements with BAC Home Loans Servicing LP, a subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation, and Saxon Mortgage Servicing Inc., a subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, 316 service members whose homes were unlawfully foreclosed upon between 2006 and 2010 are due to receive over $39 million in monetary relief for alleged violations of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA).

Under the first settlement, Bank of America is required to pay over $36.8 million to service members whose homes were unlawfully foreclosed upon between 2006 and 2010.   Each service member will receive a minimum of $116,785, plus compensation for any equity lost with interest.   Bank of America has already begun compensating 142 service members whose homes were illegally foreclosed on between 2006 and the middle of 2009.  Under the same agreement, Bank of America agreed to provide information about its foreclosures from mid-2009 through the end of 2010.   As a result of that review, Bank of America will now pay 155 service members upon whose homes it illegally foreclosed.   Borrowers receiving payment under this settlement may receive an additional payment under a settlement between Bank of America and federal banking regulators -- the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System -- if the foreclosure occurred in 2009 or 2010.   Payments provided under the federal banking regulators’ settlement will bring the total amount received by eligible borrowers to $125,000 plus equity where applicable.

Under the second settlement, Saxon Mortgage Services Inc. is in the process of paying out over $2.5 million to 19 service members whose homes were unlawfully foreclosed upon between 2006 and 2010.   Each service member will receive a minimum of $130,555.56, plus compensation for any equity lost with interest.

Bank of America is one of five mortgage servicers that entered into a settlement, known as the National Mortgage Settlement, with the Justice Department in 2012 regarding its foreclosure practices.   Pursuant to the National Mortgage Settlement, the Justice Department is overseeing ongoing audits of the five largest mortgage servicers in the country (Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Citibank, JP Morgan Chase and Ally) to identify violations of the SCRA’s foreclosure provisions between Jan. 1, 2006 and April 4, 2012 and its 6 percent interest rate cap provision between Jan. 1, 2008 and April 4, 2012.   The $36.8 million currently being paid by Bank of America to 297 service members is pursuant to the 2011 consent decree (which predated the National Mortgage Settlement), and represents only the non-judicial foreclosures conducted by Bank of America.   As the National Mortgage Settlement audits progress, the Justice Department will be requiring payments by Bank of America for judicial foreclosure and interest rate violations, and by the other four servicers for judicial and non-judicial foreclosure and interest rate violations.   Under the National Mortgage Settlement most service members wrongly foreclosed on will receive $125,000 plus any lost equity.  For the foreclosure violations that took place in 2009 and 2010, the Justice Department is coordinating closely with the Office of the Comptroller and the Federal Reserve Board, which are conducting separate reviews of 12 mortgage servicers under the Independent Foreclosure Review process.

“Our men and women in the military should not have to worry about a bank foreclosing on their home while they bravely serve our country,” said Eric Halperin, Special Counsel for Fair Lending in the Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department will vigorously enforce the laws that protect service members while they do their difficult and necessary work.”

The SCRA provides critical additional consumer and other protections to the men and women serving our nation in the military.  For more information on the Justice Department’s work to enforce service members’ rights, please visit www.servicemembers.gov.

This settlement won't bring your house back but you may be able to apply for some compensation.
If you are a servicemember and your house is in foreclosure, inquire whether the SCRA may help you.
More:

http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2013/April/13-crt-383.html

Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program (HVRP) Grant Applications Due

The U.S. Department of Labor Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS) announces a grant competition to expedite the reintegration of homeless veterans into the labor force, under the Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program (HVRP).
The deadline for grant applications is May 03, 2013. 
 HVRP grants are intended to address two objectives:

• Provide services to assist in reintegrating homeless veterans into meaningful employment within the labor force, and 
• Stimulate the development of effective service delivery systems that will address the complex problems facing homeless veterans. 

Successful applicants will propose programs that expedite the reintegration of eligible homeless veterans into the labor force by providing job placement services, job training, counseling, supportive services, and other assistance.
There is no prescribed or mandatory model for applicants to specifically adhere to; however, applicants must address all of the operational, administrative, and financial requirements described within this solicitation. Successful applicants will have demonstrated the ability to address the universal challenges as well as the local or regional problems that have contributed to veteran homelessness and have prevented these veterans from stabilizing their lives and reentering the workforce.
Awards will range from  $100,000 to $300,000.

• To read the full solicitation for grant applications, click here. 
• For more information on HVRP, visit the DOL-VETS homepage, or contact grants officer Cassandra Mitchell at 202-693-4570