CalVet Makes Funds Available For Outreach To Homeless...

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CALVET MAKES FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR OUTREACH TO HOMELESS VETERANS VIA STAND DOWNS AND JOB FAIRS

The California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) announces that it is making grants available to providers of services to homeless veterans for use in their outreach programs. This is the sixth year these grants, with an average amount of $1,000 for each day of an event, are being made available statewide. Most events range from 1 to 3 days.

“I am very pleased that we can make these grants available to organizations working with California’s homeless veterans population,” said Tom Johnson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs. “These grants will allow many homeless veterans to receive much needed services, such as counseling and legal services. CalVet unites with Governor Schwarzenegger in continuing to demonstrate our strong commitment and devotion to our country’s military heroes.”

Organizations wishing to apply for one of these grants can do so by going to http://www.cdva.ca.gov/Resources/StandDown.aspx and downloading the application form and instructions for the application. Applications are due March 31, 2009.

Funds from these grants will be used by nonprofit faith-based and community-based organizations, Veterans Service Organizations, local government agencies, and the California Stand Downs Associations to purchase and distribute personal care items, hygiene supplies, blankets, and backpacks. These items will be distributed to homeless veterans and their families attending the many local stand downs and homeless veterans job fairs being held throughout the state this year.

During 2008, sixteen organizations held twenty-two stand downs and resource fair events throughout California, where homeless veterans received an array of services. Among these services were meals, medical, dental, and vision care, screening for HIV, Hepatitis C, Diabetes, TB, and mental health, drug & alcohol counseling and/or placement into a rehabilitation facility, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) counseling, and court and legal services.

Homeless veterans also received United States Department of Veterans Affairs and Social Security benefits counseling and employment opportunities by local employers. Many veterans were taken off the streets and placed into emergency shelters, transitional or permanent supportive housing

Many veterans with minor violations were adjudicated by the homeless court system and in some instances, some received their driver’s licenses back, which helps them to become more employable and independent.