Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) to Speak at Opening of NCHV Annual Conference June 6

Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL), member of the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs who introduced the "Sheltering All Veterans Everywhere Act" in the 109th Congress, will speak at the Opening Session of the 10th NCHV Annual Conference June 6 at the L'Enfant Plaza Hotel in Washington, D.C. 

NCHV worked with Sen. Obama's staff to draft The Sheltering All Veterans Everywhere Act (S. 1180). Among its provisions are a reauthorization of the VA Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program at $200 million a year; reauthorization of the Department of Labor Homeless Veteran Reintegration Program (HVRP) at $50 million through 2011; expansion of the VA homeless veteran dental care program; reauthorization of Comprehensive Service Centers, which provide a full range of services to homeless veterans through coordinated networks; and reauthorization of special needs grants to support organizations that serve women, frail elderly, terminally ill and chronically ill veterans.

Obama was born in Hawaii in 1961, and graduated from Columbia University in 1983. He then moved to Chicago to work for a church-based group seeking to improve living conditions in poor neighborhoods plagued with crime and high unemployment. In 1991, he graduated from Harvard Law School where he was the first African-American editor of the Harvard Law Review.

Make Your Hotel Reservations Now; Deadline for Special Rate is May 8

Special discount rates for the 2006 NCHV Annual Conference are available through May 8, as long as the reserved room block lasts. The daily rate is $153.00 plus 14.5% sales tax. Conference attendees should know that for the last three years, the room block has sold out well before the reservation deadline. Government Employees must make payment with a government check to receive the tax-exempt rate. Make your reservations directly with the L'Enfant Plaza Hotel Hotel by calling 202-484-1000, or toll-free at 800-635-5065. Be sure to identify yourself as a participant in the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans Annual Conference.

Special Luncheon Session Dedicated to Discussion on Transition Assistance Strategies

NCHV members have recently engaged in discussions about exploring ways to provide better support for servicemembers who are transitioning back into civilian society, and how to make sure veterans know help is available whenever they need it. While acknowledging the value of and advocating for improvements to the Transition Assistance Programs (TAP) offered by the U.S. Departments of Defense and Labor, some NCHV service providers say these programs do not adequately address the needs of veterans years after they leave the military. VA research shows the emotional effects of combat and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) often take several years to take their toll.

NCHV is prepared to reserve a room for a special luncheon session for service providers who would like to explore this issue with the hope of developing strategies to address the longer-term needs of veterans. If you are interested in attending this session, please send an email to nchv4@nchv.org so we may make appropriate arrangements.

Deadline to Submit Nominations for NCHV Annual Awards Approaches

The deadline to submit nominations for the 2006 NCHV Annual Awards is rapidly approaching. There is still time to send in your nominations, but we request that nominations now be sent either by fax to 202-546-2063, or by email to nchv4@nchv.org. Awards that depend on nominations by NCHV members include the Partnership, Outstanding Member, Public Policy, Department of Veterans Staff, Department of Labor Staff, and Unsung Hero awards. For information about the nominating process, go to www.nchv.org, and click on the "2006 Annual Conference" logo.


NCHV MEMBER SURVEY UPDATE

NCHV Conducts Survey to Confirm Growth in Three Homeless Veteran Subpopulations

A random survey of homeless veteran service providers conducted in November 2005 by the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV) suggests the homeless veteran population in America is experiencing significant changes. Results of the survey identify three subpopulations that may present significant increases in demand for services in the immediate future: aging Vietnam veterans, women veterans, and combat veterans of America's current operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In order to confirm these preliminary findings, NCHV is asking member service providers to participate in a comprehensive survey on-line by April 30. Completing the survey should take only about 10 to 15 minutes, and the survey instrument is designed for rapid completion through multiple choice questions. This information will provide NCHV a reliable source of data to strengthen its advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill, and will also provide important information for members' grant applications and involvement in local public assistance planning committees. The integrity and utility of the information obtained will be directly proportionate to the percentage of participation by NCHV member organizations that provide housing and supportive services to homeless veterans. To participate in the 2005 NCHV Member Survey, go to: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=992211655933.


RESOURCES

Department of Labor Grants to Strengthen FBO, CBO Employment Assistance

The U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration (ETA) has announced a $4 million grant competition for faith-based (FBO) and community-based (CBO) organizations to help hard-to-serve populations prepare for and succeed in employment opportunities.

Services funded by the grants will focus on individuals who face significant hurdles to employment, including welfare recipients, high school dropouts and ex-offenders. Grantees will provide personalized care and supportive services, such as mentoring or life skills coaching, to enable individuals to fully utilize the employment services offered at local One-Stop Career Centers.

These grants will become part of the Department of Labor's ongoing effort to partner its existing programs with effective faith-based and community organizations to better serve the needy. ETA expects to award between 60 and 70 grants through this $4 million competition, amounting to four times the funding given in 2005.

A competitive solicitation for grant applications can be accessed online through www.doleta.gov/sga/sga.cfm or Grants.gov. The competition for grants will close May 2, 2006.