DOL Announces President's Prisoner Re-entry Initiative Grants

The President's Prisoner Re-entry Initiative (PRI) seeks to strengthen urban communities characterized by large numbers of returning prisoners through an employment-centered program that incorporates mentoring, job training, and other comprehensive transitional services. This program is a joint effort of the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Labor (DOL) designed to reduce recidivism by helping inmates find work when they return to their communities, as part of an effort to build a life in the community for everyone.

Under a solicitation announced September 5, DOL will be awarding grants to faith-based and community organizations (FBCOs) to provide post-release services primarily to the prisoners provided pre-release services under the DOJ grant in urban communities within the target counties. To read more about eligibility for these grants, click here.

Pennsylvania Veterans Programs

The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs is encouraging the state's 1.1 million veterans to take advantage of a variety of state benefits and services that are available to them. These benefits include the Veterans Emergency Assistance Program, which offers financial aid in an emergency to Pennsylvania veterans and their beneficiaries, as well as other programs. For a complete listing of eligibility requirements for each program, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) website or call a DMVA State Veterans Service Officer toll-free at: Fort Indiantown Gap office at 1-800-547-2838; Philadelphia office at 1-866-754-8637; or Pittsburgh office at 1-866-754-8636.

SAMHSA Offers Homelessness and Traumatic Stress Training Package

The Homelessness and Traumatic Stress Training Package is a resource offered by SAMHSA for service providers to train their staff on the relationship between homelessness and traumatic stress and how to apply trauma concepts to their day-to-day work with people experiencing homelessness. This package includes a Trainer's Guide, which provides an overview and instructions for using this package, as well as training materials.

To download the training package, click here.

VA Mobile Health Care Clinics Reach Rural Veterans

WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is rolling out four new mobile health clinics outfitted to bring primary care and mental health services closer to veterans in 24 predominately rural counties, where patients must travel long distances to visit their nearest VA medical center or outpatient clinic.

"VA is committed to providing primary care and mental health care for veterans in rural areas," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake. "Health care should be based upon the needs of patients, not their ability to travel to a clinic or medical center."

The pilot project is called Rural Mobile Health Care Clinics.  It features a recreational-type vehicle equipped to be a rolling primary care and mental health clinic.

VA is currently in the process of procuring and outfitting the vehicles, and officials expect the mobile clinics to be operational by early 2009.

Rural areas in Colorado, Nebraska and Wyoming will share a single mobile van, while Maine, Washington state and West Virginia will each have a VA mobile van.

The clinics are planned to serve:

• Colorado: Larimer, Jackson, Logan, and Weld counties;
• Maine: Franklin, Somerset and Piscataquis counties;
• Nebraska: Cheyenne, Kimball, and Scottsbluff counties;
• Washington state: Greys Harbor, Mason, and Lewis;
• West Virginia: Preston, Randolph, Upshur, Wetzel, Roane, and Taylor counties; and,
• Wyoming: Albany, Carbon, Goshen, and Platte counties.

Factors considered in the selection of the participating sites included a need for improved access in the area, the degree to which clinics will expand services and collaborations with communities the clinics serve.

NCHV Offers Training on Homeless Court and Legal Services

NCHV will be offering training sessions on Homeless Court and Legal Services for veterans during the fall. Whether your organization is looking to expand its current Homeless Court program at Stand Down events, provide additional legal services, or has never held a Homeless Court and is interested in organizing one, NCHV staff will provide intensive one-on-one training and cater to the specific needs of your organization.

If your organization would like to receive training on Homeless Court and Legal Services for veterans, please email Kristina Hunken at nchv6@nchv.org and include your organization's name, primary contact information, and what topics you would like to cover during the training session.
 
Upcoming Conference Calls

NCHV has scheduled conference calls on the OMB Circular A-133, HVRP replicable models, and GPD replicable models. For more information on each call and to register, visit the Conference Call page on the NCHV Web site by clicking here.

Funding Opportunities

The Bernard and Audre Rapoport Foundation seeks to build communities that improve the quality of life for all citizens and foster the growth and development of children. The Foundation encourages programs that build grassroots neighborhood networks, provide job training and job opportunities for the unemployed and under-employed, or provide a comprehensive safety net of social services for the least-advantaged citizens. The Foundation offers grants to organizations in Texas. The Board reviews grant applications three times each year. For more information on how to apply, click here.