Webinar on Participating in HMIS for VA Grantees, Community Agencies
Tuesday, May 3

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is hosting a national webinar on Tuesday, May 3, 2011, from 2-3:30 p.m. EDT. In addition to discussing VA’s long-term data collection and management plans, this webinar will provide updates on current Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) implementation for the following programs:

• Grant and Per Diem (GPD)
• HUD-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH)
• Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF)

GPD grantees, HMIS system administration staff, and Continuum of Care (CoC) leaders are welcome to attend. Participants will receive updated information on VA’s plans to partner with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and participate in HMIS.

Space for this webinar is limited. To register, click here.

SAMHSA Announces Availability of $6.5 Million for Cooperative Agreements to Help the Homeless
Applications due by May 27

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) and the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) are accepting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2011 for Cooperative Agreements to Benefit Homeless Individuals (CABHI). The purpose of the program is to support the development and/or expansion of local implementation and community infrastructures that integrate treatment and services for mental and substance use disorders, permanent housing, and other critical services for individuals who are chronically homeless.

Approximately $6.5 million will be awarded to up to 14 grantees. Each award will be up to $500,000 per year for up to three years.

Eligibility is restricted by statute to domestic community-based public and private nonprofit entities. States and for-profit agencies are not eligible. Applications are due by May 27, 2011.

For more information and to apply, click here.

Homelessness Resource Center Holds Two-Day Training in Denver
Starts on Thursday, May 19

SAMHSA’s Homelessness Resource Center (HRC) is hosting a two-day training in Denver, Colorado, from May 19-20, 2011. The purpose of this training is to advance best practices and innovative strategies to resolve homelessness based on person-centered, trauma-informed, and recovery-oriented approaches to care.

Sessions will cover such topics as: housing, employment, critical time intervention, consumer integration, motivational interviewing, medical care for non-medical providers, population-focused approaches, communities of practice, self-care and more.

This training will be applicable to anyone working in homeless services in contexts such as street outreach, drop-in centers, shelters, permanent supportive housing, criminal justice re-entry, mental health, addictions, health care, supported employment, faith-based initiatives, and schools.

For more information and to register for free, click here.

Register Now! 2011 NCHV Annual Conference, June 6-8 in Washington, D.C.
Discounted hotel room block nearly full – contact hotel today

Registration is now open for the premiere homeless veteran-specific training and networking event in the nation, the 2011 NCHV Annual Conference! This year's event will take place June 6-8 at the Grand Hyatt Washington in Washington, D.C.

• The conference brochure is now available for download here (PDF).
• To register, download the registration form here (PDF).

A block of rooms has been reserved at the discounted government rate. You are responsible for making your own reservations with Hyatt; call the hotel directly at (202) 582-1234 and specify you will be attending the NCHV Annual Conference in order to receive the discounted rate. Book in advance, as the reserved block has sold out several years in a row.

The 2011 conference will mark the second year of the current administration’s Five-Year Plan to End Homelessness among Veterans. Join us for updates from federal agencies, training on topics across the spectrum of homeless veteran services and issues, and networking with service providers from across the country.

Training tracks of special emphasis will include:

• Future of Grant and Per Diem Program, HVRP under the Five-Year Plan
• Housing: Effective Strategies in Supportive Housing
• Legal Assistance for Homeless Veterans

Conference fees will remain the same as last year in order to help attendees control costs. Three-day registration fees for the 2011 NCHV Annual Conference are $395 for members and $475 for non-members. All registration forms received after May 1 will be charged a $35 late fee.

For the latest updates, stay tuned to NCHV's 2011 Annual Conference page.

Funding Opportunities

The Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation’s current funding priorities focus on food and shelter. The Foundation provides grants to U.S. nonprofit organizations. Applications are accepted at all times, and the board meets on the last Friday of each month to review applications. Potential grantees should submit their requests at least six weeks prior to the beginning of the program need. For more information, click here.

The F.L. Abreu Charitable Trust benefits others by providing grants to arts and cultural programs, education, health associations, human services, and children and youth services in the metro Atlanta area only. The next deadline for applications is Sept. 30. For more information, click here.