Secretary Shinseki Announces $41.9 Million for Grant and Per Diem Program
Will fund nearly 2,600 transitional housing beds

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki has announced that 40 states will share more than $41.9 million in grants to community groups to provide 2,568 beds for homeless veterans this year.

The Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program (GPD) provides grants and per diem payments to help public and nonprofit organizations establish and operate new supportive housing and service centers for homeless veterans.

The $41.9 million is broken into two categories. About $26.9 million will help renovate, rehabilitate or acquire space for 1,352 transitional housing beds. A second group of awards, valued at $15 million, will immediately fund 1,216 beds at existing transitional housing for homeless veterans this year. The awards will cover daily living costs based upon the number of homeless veterans being served in transitional housing.

A complete list of capital grant recipients can be found here (PDF).

A complete list of "per diem only" grant recipients can be found here (PDF).

For more information, visit the National GPD Office's webpage. Additionally, VA has a National Call Center for Homeless Veterans, which can be accessed at 1-877-4AID VET (1-877-424-3838).

Oprah Episode Focuses on Homeless Women Veterans
Will air Friday, Oct. 15

A new episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show, airing on Friday, Oct. 15, will focus on homeless women veterans. For a preview and full coverage of the episode – “American War Heroes: Why Are These Women Now Homeless?” – click here.

Check your local listings to watch the episode here.

U.S. Chamber of Commerce, DOL-VETS Launch Pilot Program
To help veterans find meaningful employment

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Oct. 1, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and U.S. Department of Labor-Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (DOL-VETS) announced the launch of a 14-state pilot program to help veterans find meaningful employment after service to our nation.

By leveraging a network of state and local chambers of commerce, this effort will expand on the Chamber’s “Hiring Our Heroes” initiative, which launched in 2008 to focus on the employment of wounded, ill and injured veterans as they transition from military service. This program involving the Chamber and DOL-VETS will educate employers on the value of hiring veterans and help connect employers with veteran talent.

To support this program, Chamber executives will collaborate with the DOL-VETS directors in their states to discuss sponsorship of events that offer veterans the opportunity to network with prospective employers. The pilot program launched in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Virginia and Georgia. The Chamber’s goal for 2011 is to expand the program into all 50 states.

DCoE Hosts Webinar on Combating Psychological Health Stigma
Oct. 28 at 1 p.m. EDT

The Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE) will host a webinar called “Understanding, Addressing and Combating Stigma Surrounding Seeking Help for Psychological Health Issues in Today’s Military.” The event, which will take place on Oct. 28 from 1-3:30 p.m. EDT, will highlight helpful resources and explore how various organizations and agencies are attempting to tackle stigma at the national, state and local levels.

Speakers will include the executive director of the University of Michigan Depression Center, the deputy project director of the Real Warriors Campaign, and the program manager of the U.S. Marine Corps’ Combat Operation Stress Control.

To register, be added to the distribution list or for more information, email DCoE.MonthlyWebinar@tma.osd.mil.

For resources relating to combating stigma, click here.

DOL-VETS Seeks to Enroll Young Veterans in Job Corps Project
All expenses paid for eligible 20- to 24-year-old veterans

The U.S. Department of Labor-Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (DOL-VETS) is partnering with the Employment and Training Administration (ETA)’s Job Corps in a demonstration project that will provide Job Corps’ comprehensive array of career development services to eligible 20- to 24-year-old veterans to prepare them for successful careers. This is a fully funded, all-expenses-paid project. The program includes transportation to and from the Job Corps center, housing, meals, basic medical services, academic and career technical training, biweekly living allowance, and job placement and post-graduation support.

The project provides a total of 300 slots for veterans. One hundred residential slots are set aside at each of the following three centers:

• Atterbury Job Corps Center in Edinburgh, Indiana
• Earle C. Clements Job Corps Center in Morganfield, Kentucky
• Excelsior Springs Job Corps Center in Excelsior Springs, Missouri

For more information, click here.

To sign up for the project, call the toll-free admissions line 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at 800-733-5627.

ODEP Unveils Return-to-Work Toolkit
For employees and employers

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) has unveiled a new toolkit to help both employers and employees understand the return-to-work process. This toolkit provides resources to assist in getting employees, who have experienced an illness or injury, back on the job quickly and smoothly.

Through this toolkit, the following information and strategies are offered: job accommodations, preparing for a job interview, resume writing, self-employment, employment-related laws, offering the opportunity to work part-time, telecommuting, and modifying work duties or schedules. Additionally, resources that can help employers retain the talents of older workers are available through the site.

To access the toolkit, click here.

Funding Opportunities

Achieve, a fundraising consulting firm, is providing grants for 2011 designed to provide counsel to nonprofit organizations seeking new opportunities for fundraising success. This is the third year Achieve is offering this grants program to nonprofit organizations throughout the United States. One grant opportunity includes approximately $20,000 worth of Achieve counseling for the entire year. Other opportunities include access to Achieve resources and services. The deadline for applications is Nov. 12. For more information, click here.

DuPont is committed to improving the quality of life and enhancing the vitality of the communities in which it operates throughout the world. Each year, DuPont contributes to numerous efforts that meet the needs of various groups and global communities where the company operates. Areas of support include: educational programs; culture and the arts; environmental initiatives; human and health service organizations; and civic and community activities. Proposals are reviewed in the spring and fall, but are accepted throughout the year. For more information, click here.