March 19/Web: Meeting Legal Needs of Homeless and At-Risk Veterans: Homeless Court Programs and Veteran Treatment Courts #MCLE

For 25 years, Homeless Court Programs (HCP) have used close collaboration between the criminal justice system and service providers to aid homeless veterans in providing proof of engagement with rehabilitation and treatment services to address misdemeanor offenses. For veterans with disabling psychological conditions facing possible incarceration, alternative sentencing programs through Veteran Treatment Courts (VTC) provide an avenue to appropriate treatment, gainful employment and housing stability. Homeless veterans must often address misdemeanor charges, discharge upgrades, child support issues, and other legal issues that can act as barriers to training, education, employment placement, and career growth. Participants in this training will obtain a baseline understanding of court models developed to provide alternatives to incarceration and remove legal barriers to employment placement, permanent housing stability, and availability of treatment services. Speakers will outline important partners in each court model and strategies for engaging with existing courts and developing new courts. Title: Meeting Legal Needs of Homeless and At-Risk Veterans: Homeless Court Programs and Veteran Treatment Courts When/Where: Tuesday, March 19, 2013 3 p.m. EST (Noon PST) Webcast Speakers:

• Steve Binder, Deputy Public Defender and founder of the nation’s first Homeless Court
• Matt Stiner, Director of Justice for Vets. HVRP Best Practice grantee Veterans Outreach Center.

By: NCHV’s Technical Assistance Center Preregistration Required More Information And Registration

Free Grant Writing Services for VISNs 1-23

From the Homeless Veterans Provider Technical Assistance Center:

"Free Grant Writing Services for VISNs 1-23

The free grant writing workshops provide participants the skills needed to prepare a Grant and Per Diem and Per Diem Only application. The workshops will consist of didactic instruction, exercises, and the provision of handouts and other resources.

OVERVIEW TO THE GRANT AND PER DIEM (GPD) GRANT:

Objectives:

• To increase your awareness of the Capital Grant and Per Diem Only program opportunities under the VA Homeless Providers GPD Program and determine your eligibility
• To help you determine whether or not you want to apply for the GPD
• To provide you with information to complete a grant application

DEVELOPING A BUDGET USING OMB CIRCULARS:

Prerequisites:

• Completion of a Governor's Institute training AND
• Current or pending 501(c)3 status (if your organization does not have non-profit status, please call us toll free at 1-877-838-8221)

Objectives:

• To provide an overview of developing a budget in compliance with OMB guidelines
• To enhance your skills in developing a budget and completing the federal forms
• To provide information about other grant opportunities

YOU MAY REGISTER FOR ONE OVERVIEW WORKSHOP AND/OR ONE DEVELOPING A BUDGET WORKSHOP.

Please do not register for the Developing a Budget Workshop only, unless you are registered for both days or have completed a Governor's Institute training.

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND CONSULTATION:

• Individualized review of your grant application with feedback and suggestions
• Individualized consultations by phone and e-mail

You must register online.
Registration will close 2 weeks prior to the event due to travel arrangements of the trainer(s).

We reserve the right to adjust our workshop schedule and policies as necessary. Please click on Privacy Policy to review our procedures.

Registration Questions: Please contact our registrar.
Phone: (919) 843-3018 E-mail: bhrinstitute@listserv.unc.edu

Content Questions: Please contact
Kristy Termina, MSW (kristy.termina@governorsinstitute.org) or
David Zell (david.zell@governorsinstitute.org) or
call toll free at 1-877-VET-TAC1 (1-877-838-8221)

A minimum number of participants is needed for a training to occur.
If a workshop is closed or full and you are still interested in attending, please contact Kristy Termina or David Zell.

***Please contact your Network Homeless Coordinator or GPD Liaison if you do not see a workshop in your VISN.

*** Please see the Network Coordinators' button at the top left of the screen."

MORE INFORMATION:
http://homelessvetprovidertac.net/index.php?Itemid=44

National Coalition for Homeless Veterans Conference

From the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans website:

"NCHV will host its 13th Annual Conference May 20-22. Headquarters for the conference will be the Hyatt Regency Crystal City, 2799 Jefferson Davis Highway, in Arlington, VA, just outside of Washington, D.C.

The NCHV Annual Conference is an opportunity for service providers to access knowledge, training and experience to increase the effectiveness of their organizations in assisting homeless veterans.
View the Conference Brochure here.

Capitol Hill visits: Time is set aside on Thursday, May 21 from 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. for you to arrange visits with your representatives in Congress to discuss issues and legislation affecting homeless veterans. For information on how to set up meetings with your representatives, click here".

More information: http://www.nchv.org/annualconference.cfm

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Now, the cost of this conference might be a little spendy to some of us (but I supposes that's the trade-off of meeting where you might actually connect with federal public official); it might be just the thing for networking and learning. The group certainly seems to have its heart in the right place and a good group to check out. Its "Meeting With Your Congressional Representatives" pages has good advice that transcends this particular event.

Developing Permanent Supportive Housing for Homeless Veterans

"The Veterans Administration 2007 CHALENG Report estimates that nearly 154,000 veterans are homeless on any given night, and more than half a million experience homelessness over the course of a year. ...

There is an entire continuum of housing options available depending on the needs of the clients. Short term housing options such as emergency shelter or transitional housing may be very appropriate for what they were intended to serve, short term emergency housing needs. However for those with the most complex set of service needs and significant challenges in establishing housing stability, permanent supportive housing may be the most appropriate housing intervention. Supportive housing works well for individuals and families who are not only homeless, but who also have very low incomes and serious, persistent issues that may include substance use, mental illness, and HIV/AIDS. ..."

Thus begins the Guidebook for Developing Permanent Supportive Housing for Homeless Veterans, a joint effort of our federal government and the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans.

This 94-page guide aims to help community-based homeless veteran service providers explore the various supportive housing development options available for homeless veterans:

"Readers will be given the tools needed to initiate the
development process, identify available capital, operating and services funding for supportive housing, and assess their organization’s capacity to develop and/or operate supportive housing."

Lawyers experienced in steering business projects to success, but frustrated at finding appropriate pro bono opportunities, should consider assisting projects that develop solutions for homelessness among veterans; this guide may be a good introduction. Read it at http://www.nchv.org/docs/CSHVeteransDevelopmentGuidebook2008FINAL.pdf

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Regional Trainings

From another press release:

"Since 2004, The Corporation for Supportive Housing has subcontracted with the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV) to provide targeted technical assistance around the topic of permanent supportive housing for homeless veterans to its member base of homeless service providers. Based on recent events including the allocation of 10,000 HUD-VASH vouchers in 2008 there is an increased momentum around the development and operation of permanent supportive housing for homeless veterans.

To assist in building the capacity of homeless veteran housing and service providers, CSH will be providing 2-day trainings on a regional basis. The first day will consist of a basic overview of how to develop process in permanent supportive housing, moving from providing transitional to permanent housing, property management and service coordination. The second day will consist of a morning session dedicated to the overview of supportive housing budgets and an afternoon session focused on operating budgets and effective service strategies in supportive housing.

The dates and locations for the trainings are as follows:

• Western Region
• Eastern Region – Newark , NJ – February 18-19, 2009
• Central Region – Chicago , IL – March 10-11, 2009

Registration: FREE

How to Register: To apply for the Los Angeles training click here

For all questions regarding these trainings, please contact Melanie Lilliston with the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans at nchv5@nchv.org or by phone at 202-546-1969."

VA Benefits Related to Home Ownership

Veterans, their survivors and caretakers may not be aware of the full range of benefits related to home ownership that they have earned by their service.

• The unmarried surviving spouse of a veteran who died on active duty or as the result of a service-connected disability is eligible for the home loan benefit. See Home Loan Guaranty Service Frequently Asked Questions
• Veterans or servicemembers who have specific service-connected disabilities may be entitled to a grant from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for the purpose of constructing an adapted home or modifying an existing home to meet their adaptive needs. See Specially Adapted Housing Program
• See much more at VA Loan Guaranty Web Site

Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) Training

Per National Coalition for Homeless Veterans:

"HUD's webcast from May 8, 2008 "Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Training" is available online through HUD's website. The webcast was 1 hour 30 minutes long, and you can access it by clicking here.

To view HUD's page on HUD-VASH which includes information on the program, materials for the webcast, and a link to the original Federal Register notice of operating requirements, click here.

Corrections to the original notice in the Federal Register were published on May 19. You can view the notice with corrections here."

110th Congress Legislation: Homeless Veterans

In The House of Representatives

H.R. 2874, Veterans Health Care Improvement Act of 2007

Introduced by: Michael Michaud (D-ME)
Referred to: Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs
Action: Passed House July 30, 2007 (voice vote)

• Expands and extend authority for the Incarcerated Veterans’ Transition Program (IVTP), a joint DOL and VA initiative authorized by Congress to assist incarcerated veterans in their reentry to the community.
• Authorizes the VA to make financial assistance available to nonprofit organizations to facilitate their provision of supportive services for very low-income veterans in permanent housing.
• Provides for permanent authority for domiciliary services for homeless veterans and enhances the VA’s capacity to provide domiciliary care for women veterans.
• Reduces from 60 to 30 the number of days required for homeless veterans to be enrolled for and receive care in a VA program in order to be eligible for dental services.

More Information:

• Bill Status (GovTrack): http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h110-2874
  
• CBO Report: http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/84xx/doc8493/hr2874.pdf
  
• WashingtonWatch.com estimates this bill would cost the average individual $0.57

H.R. 3329, Homes for Heroes Act of 2007

Introduced by: Al Green (D-TX)
Referred to: House Committee on Financial Services
Action: House Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity conducted a hearing on Affordable Housing needs of America’s Low Income Veterans on December 5, 2007; H.R. 3329 was discussed during the hearing.

• Would establish a supportive housing program for very low-income veterans, with housing assistance financed by HUD and supportive services financed by VA.

More Information:

• Bill Status (GovTrack): http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h110-3329

H.R. 4161, Veterans Homelessness Prevention Act

Introduced by: Al Green (D-TX)
Referred to: House Financial Services and House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Health
Action: In Committee

• Would authorize a pilot housing program within the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development with the goal of preventing at-risk veterans and veterans’ families from falling into homelessness.

More Information:

• Bill Status (GovTrack): http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h110-4161
  
• Related Bill(s): The Veterans Homelessness Prevention Act (S. 2330)

In The Senate

S. 1084, Homes for Heroes Act of 2007

Introduced by: Barack Obama (D-IL)
Referred to: Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs
Action: In Committee

• Would establish a supportive housing program for very low-income veterans, with housing assistance financed by HUD and supportive services financed by VA.
  

More Information:

• Bill Status (GovTrack): http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s110-1084
  

S. 1233, Veterans Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitation Act of 2007

Introduced by: Daniel Akaka (D-HI)
Referred to: Senate Veterans Affairs Committee
Action: Reported out of Committee in July. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders

• Expands and extend authority for the Incarcerated Veterans’ Transition Program (IVTP), a joint DOL and VA initiative authorized by Congress to assist incarcerated veterans in their reentry to the community.
• Authorizes the VA to make financial assistance available to nonprofit organizations to facilitate their provision of supportive services for very low-income veterans in permanent housing.
• Provides for permanent authority for domiciliary services for homeless veterans and enhance the VA’s capacity to provide domiciliary care for women veterans.
• Repeals authority for adjustments to per diem payments to homeless veteran service centers for receipt of other sources of income.
• Makes grant funds available to maintain adequate staffing for services in homeless veteran service centers.
• Requires VA to conduct a demonstration program to identify veterans at risk of becoming homeless after discharge or separation from the armed services and provides referral and counseling services to help prevent such veterans from becoming homeless.

More Information:

• Bill Status (GovTrack): http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s110-1233
• CBO Report: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billreport.xpd?bill=s110-1233&type=cbo
• Related Bill: The Traumatic Brain Injury Health Enhancement and Long-Term Support Act of 2007 (H.R. 2199)

S. 2273, Enhanced Opportunities for Formerly Homeless Veterans Residing in Permanent Housing Act of 2007

Introduced by: Daniel Akaka (D-HI)
Referred to: Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs
Action: In Committee

• To enhance the functioning and integration of formerly homeless veterans who reside in permanent housing.

More Information:

• Bill Status (GovTrack): http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s110-2273
  

S. 2330, Veterans Homelessness Prevention Act

Introduced by: Barack Obama (D-IL)
Referred to: Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs
Action: In Committee

• Would authorize a pilot housing program within the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development with the goal of preventing at-risk veterans and veterans’ families from falling into homelessness.

More Information:

• Bill Status (GovTrack): http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s110-2330
• Related Bill: H.R. 4161: Veterans Homelessness Prevention Act

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Kudos to National Coalition for Homeless Veterans for this list, to which I've added some information

Homeless Veteran Service Providers

This looks like a very useful resources for homeless veterans, or those looking to find help for one:

http://www.nchv.org/network.cfm


Actually, it's a good resource for lawyers looking to do a little pro bono. See if there's one near you, and you should be able to make your pro bono target hours easily.

KUDOS to the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans for hosting this!

VA Homeless Providers 'PER DIEM ONLY' Grants

The Department of Veterans Affairs announced about $12 million is available as "per diem only" grants to help programs that help homeless veterans, under the VA Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program.

This Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA), published in the February 15, 2008, edition of the Federal Register, is for eligible programs that have not previously applied for or received per diem in connection with a grant.

Learn more, then act:

• National Coalition for Homeless Veterans announcement (including resources for help in filling out the forms): http://www.nchv.org/news_article.cfm?id=339
• VA's Grant & Per Diem Program Homepage
• View the complete NOFA – including application instructions and directives – go to http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-2933.htm.
  

National Coalition for Homeless Veterans

Got a homeless client or friend? Here's some help on getting started ... a checklist and procedure, courtesy of National Coalition for Homeless Veterans

http://www.nchv.org/gettingstarted.cfm