ÿþ <STYLE> body,td { background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; } a:hover { text-decoration: none; color: #990000 } a:link { text-decoration: underline; color: #003366 } a:active { text-decoration: none; color: #990000 } a:visited { color: #990000 } ul { font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 14pt; font-weight: normal; color: #000000; font-style: normal; list-style-type: square; } .normal { font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 14pt; font-weight: normal; color: #000000; font-style: normal } p { font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 14pt; font-weight: normal; color: #000000; font-style: normal } .normalbold { font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 14pt; font-weight: bold; color: #000000; font-style: normal } .smallbold { font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; color: #000000 } .small { font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; color: #000000 } hr { color: #CCCCCC; width: 100%; height: 1px; } </STYLE> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <TABLE borderColor=#003366 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=3 width=600 border=1> <TBODY> <TR> <TD><IMG height=98 alt="" src="http://www.nchv.org/enewsletter/email_header.gif" width=590 useMap=#m_email_header border=0 name=email_header><MAP name=m_email_header> <AREA title=nchv@nchv.org shape=RECT alt=nchv@nchv.org coords=309,77,408,90 href="mailto:nchv@nchv.org"><AREA title=www.nchv.org shape=RECT target=_blank alt=www.nchv.org coords=322,62,411,77 href="http://www.nchv.org"></MAP></TD></TR> <TR> <TD> <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0> <TBODY> <TR> <TD class=normal vAlign=top align=left><STRONG>NCHV e-Newsletter </STRONG></TD> <TD class=normal vAlign=top align=right><STRONG>November&nbsp;2006</STRONG></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=top align=left> <P><B><BR>IN THE NEWS<BR></B><B><BR>NCHV</B><B> Launches 2006 Annual Member Survey; Data Will&nbsp;Determine Policy Priorities</B></P> <DIV> <DIV>The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans is asking all member veteran service providers to participate in the 2006 NCHV Member Survey. The on-line survey will take only 10 to 15 minutes to complete, and the information requested can be taken directly from your year-end reports.<BR><BR>This information is vital to establishing NCHV's public policy and legislative priorities for the 110<SUP>th</SUP> Congress, which begins in January. It will also provide insight into the issues with the greatest impact on homeless veteran service providers, which will strengthen our collaborative efforts with other national service organizations and our federal agency partners.<BR><BR>Please complete the survey at: <A href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=903782899932">http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=903782899932</A>. Results of the survey will be published in early January 2007.<BR><BR>The 2005 survey results revealed that the age of homeless veterans in NCHV programs is increasing, that the percentage of Vietnam veterans among those clients is on the rise, and that women in NCHV programs account for nearly twice the participation rate of homeless women veterans in programs offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Another concern was that veterans from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) represented nearly 2% of veterans requesting homeless assistance from NCHV members in 2005, a rate that is expected to increase annually for the foreseeable future. This year's survey will go a long way in identifying changes and trends in the homeless veteran population,&nbsp;as well as identifying the emerging needs of these deserving men and women.</DIV> <DIV>&nbsp;</DIV> <DIV><B>VA Announces Grants for Homeless Programs</B></DIV> <DIV><B></B>&nbsp;</DIV> <DIV>Washington, DC&nbsp; Homeless veterans across the country will have greater access to assistance, thanks to grants awarded by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to&nbsp;52 service providers. "Only through a dedicated partnership with community- and faith-based organizations can we hope to end homelessness among veterans," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim Nicholson. "Veterans answered their country's call to serve during its greatest times of need, and now some live without shelter.&nbsp;This grant will help them get back on the road to self-reliance."</DIV> <DIV>&nbsp;</DIV> <DIV>The 52 grants recently announced by VA are worth nearly $11.6 million to public, private non-profit and faith-based groups for programs assisting homeless veterans. This latest round of grants brings the number of community-based beds to more than 10,000, provided by public and community non-profit and faith-based organizations with VA funding in 50 states, the District of Columbia&nbsp;and Puerto Rico.</DIV> <DIV>&nbsp;</DIV> <DIV>VA has the largest integrated network of homeless assistance programs in the country.&nbsp;&nbsp;It is the only federal agency that provides substantial one-on-one contact with the homeless.&nbsp;&nbsp;In many cities and rural areas, VA social workers and other clinicians conduct extensive outreach programs, clinical assessments, medical treatment, alcohol and drug abuse counseling and employment assistance.<BR>To view the news releases for each program receiving a grant, go to: <A href="http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/index.cfm" target=_blank>http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/index.cfm</A></DIV> <DIV><B></B>&nbsp;</DIV> <DIV><B></B>&nbsp;</DIV> <DIV><B>RESOURCES</B></DIV> <DIV>&nbsp;</DIV> <DIV><STRONG>The Corporation for National and Community Service Resource Center</STRONG></DIV> <DIV>&nbsp;</DIV> <DIV>The CNCS Resource Center provides a variety of online courses to benefit service programs. The following fundraising focused courses are currently available for free: <STRONG><I>Build Fundraising Volunteer Champions, Corporate Motivation and Response, Individuals Writing to Individuals, Funding Challenges Can Work for You, Writing Proposals.</I></STRONG> To find out more about these courses and to register, go to: <A href="http://my.nationalservice.org/learning/">http://my.nationalservice.org/learning/</A></DIV> <DIV>&nbsp;</DIV> <DIV><B>CSH, </B><B>NCHV</B><B> Produce New Guidebook on Supportive Housing for Veterans</B></DIV> <DIV><B></B>&nbsp;</DIV> <DIV>CSH has published the "Guidebook on Developing Permanent Supportive Housing for Homeless Veterans," created through a subcontract with the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans with funding from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The guidebook is geared for veterans housing and service organizations that are interested in developing permanent supportive housing for homeless veterans. The document also includes a case study of a permanent supportive housing project for homeless veterans in San Francisco. To download the publication for free, visit <A href="http://www.csh.org/publications">http://www.csh.org/publications</A>. To request a printed copy, send email to <A href="mailto:nchv5@nchv.org">nchv5@nchv.org</A>.</DIV> <DIV>&nbsp;</DIV> <DIV><STRONG>Grants Available From the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation</STRONG></DIV> <DIV>&nbsp;</DIV> <DIV>The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation is interested in addressing critical community needs by helping nonprofit organizations strengthen their infrastructure, improve programs, and reach new constituents. In order to accomplish this, the Foundation makes one-to three-year grants that support strategies to improve organizational capacity and enhance community impact. Funding may be requested for as much as 50% of the overall cost of an organizational development initiative, with the expectation that the balance of funds will be covered by general organizational resources or other funders. The next deadline for submitting a letter of inquiry is February 15.&nbsp; For more information on the grant process and how to apply, go to:&nbsp;<A href="http://www.pgafoundations.com/TemplateProgramArea.aspx?contentId=16">http://www.pgafoundations.com/TemplateProgramArea.aspx?contentId=16</A>.</DIV> <DIV><STRONG></STRONG>&nbsp;</DIV> <DIV><STRONG>Human Services Grants from Medtronic Foundation</STRONG></DIV> <DIV><STRONG></STRONG>&nbsp;</DIV> <DIV>The Medtronic Foundation's grant making supports human services programs that help individuals become self-sufficient. Programs range from family support services to transitional housing assistance for the elderly. In the Minneapolis/St. Paul area all human services programs are funded through contributions to the United Way.</DIV> <DIV>&nbsp;</DIV> <DIV>Grant applications are accepted on a continuing basis.&nbsp; For more information on how to apply, visit the Foundation's website at: <A href="http://www.medtronic.com/foundation/programs_hs.html">http://www.medtronic.com/foundation/programs_hs.html</A>.</DIV> <DIV><STRONG></STRONG>&nbsp;</DIV> <DIV><B>NCHV</B><B> Teams With American Bar Association to Produce </B><B>Homeless Court</B><B> Manual </B></DIV> <DIV>&nbsp;</DIV> <DIV>NCHV and the American Bar Association have collaborated to produce a comprehensive manual titled "Taking the Court to Stand Down," a guide on bringing the court to your Stand Down event. The manual is now available through NCHV. To receive a copy send an email request with the subject line "Homeless Court Manual" to <A href="mailto:nchv2@nchv.org">nchv2@nchv.org</A>.</DIV> <DIV>&nbsp;</DIV> <DIV><B>Stand Down Guide for Event Organizers Available Through </B><B>NCHV</B><B></B></DIV> <DIV>&nbsp;</DIV> <DIV>Stand Down co-founder Dr. John Nachison of San Diego and the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV) have teamed up to produce the revised Stand Down Guide, a resource for organizations that are planning to develop a homeless veteran outreach assistance program in their communities. The guide may be obtained by sending an email request to <A href="mailto:nchv2@nchv.org">nchv2@nchv.org</A>. Please include your organization name and contact information: event coordinator/sponsor; address; phone number; email address; and website, if applicable.</DIV> <DIV>&nbsp;</DIV> <DIV>The Stand Down program discussed in this guide is widely recognized as the most effective outreach program to help homeless veterans in the nation. In partnership with the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Labor, more than 100 communities nationwide hold Stand Down programs, reaching more than 25,000 homeless veterans each year. Programs range from one to three days, and costs range from $8,000 to more than $40,000 per event depending on length and variety of services offered. This guide will help you organize the event, develop a reasonable budget, and plan your activities to maximize the effectiveness of the program.</DIV> <DIV>&nbsp;</DIV> <DIV>For more information on Stand Down program planning and resources, and coordinators who can help ensure success, go to: <A href="http://www.nchv.org/">www.nchv.org</A> and click on "Stand Down."</DIV> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">&nbsp;</P></DIV></TD></TR> <TR> <TD class=small> <P class=normal align=center>Technical Assistance provided in this e-Newsletter is funded, in part, through a grant from the <BR><SPAN class=normalbold>U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. </SPAN></P> <P class=normal align=center><STRONG>National Coalition for Homeless Veterans</STRONG><BR>333 ½ Pennsylvania Avenue, SE<BR>Washington, DC 20003-1148</P> <P class=small><STRONG>Mission: </STRONG>The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans will end homelessn6ess among veterans by shaping public policy, promoting collaboration, and building the capacity of service providers.</P> <P class=small>This newsletter is sent to subscribers and members of NCHV. If you would like to be removed from our list, please send an email to: <A href="mailto:nchv4@nchv.org">nchv4@nchv.org</A>. You can subscribe or view past issues here: <A href="http://www.nchv.org/enewsletter.cfm" target=_blank>http://www.nchv.org/enewsletter.cfm</A><BR></P></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>