IN THE NEWS

Charles “Chick” Ciccolella Confirmed by Senate as Assistant Secretary for DOL-VETS

Department of Labor Secretary Elaine Chao announced on August 1 that the U.S. Senate has confirmed Charles "Chick" Ciccolella to be assistant secretary of labor for the Department of Labor-Veterans' Employment and Training Service (DOL-VETS). Prior to his confirmation, Ciccolella served as deputy assistant secretary of labor for VETS. Before his appointment, he served three-and-a-half years in the U.S. Senate as the chief of Operations for the Senate Sergeant at Arms, and later as the director of Information Technology Policy for the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration. Before his service in the Senate, Ciccolella served as the assistant director on the national staff of the American Legion, the nation's largest veterans' service organization.

Ciccolella spent 28 years in the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1996. Before leaving the Army as an infantry colonel, he was the senior military advisor for the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency at the State Department. Ciccolella began his military service as an infantry lieutenant after graduation from Auburn University in 1968. Ciccolella served with the 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam and is a recipient of the Silver Star Medal.

Senate Appropriations Committee Approves Funding Hike for HUD Homeless Programs

Before its August recess, the Senate Appropriations Committee passed a HUD funding bill that would increase homeless assistance spending by $174 million over last year. In addition to the increased funding, the bill requires HUD to strengthen data and performance outcomes for programs serving homeless families, to improve implementation of HMIS (homeless information management systems), and to improve the coordination and substance of 10-year plans.

All Shelter Plus Care renewals that meet minimum standards and are still required by local Continuums of Care (CoC) are automatically funded. Thirty percent of housing assistance grants must be used for permanent housing for people with disabilities, and homeless assistance grants must include coordination with health, social service and employment programs. For more information about the Senate Appropriations Committee proposal for HUD homeless assistance programs, go to: http://www.endhomelessness.org/news/06HAG.pdf.

GAO Releases Report on Key Challenges to CARES Implementation

This month, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services (CARES) program, identifying several challenges to the realignment and delivery of services at VA medical facilities. GAO was asked to examine the difficulties VA will face in completing and implementing CARES. The report discussed three key challenges: developing information to complete inpatient alignment decisions; improving management of excess property; and determining priorities for purchasing care to improve access.

"GAO's analysis is based on its prior CARES work, review of CARES documents, and interviews with VA officials," according to the report summary. To read or download the complete GAO report "Key Challenges to Aligning Capital Assets and Enhancing Veterans' Care," click here.

September is National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month

September is the 16th annual celebration of National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month. Organizations across the country will be organizing events recognizing community efforts to educate the public that substance abuse is a national health crisis and that addiction is a treatable disease. This year’s theme is: Join Voices for Recovery: Healing Lives, Families and Communities.

To help communities share information, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) developed www.recoverymonth.gov. This web site contains resources including informational links and searchable databases as well as audio, streaming video and print information. There is also a tool kit that contains materials tailored to key constituent groups with steps to improve treatment and recovery programs, templates of media outreach materials customizable to publicize events and suggestions for educating your community about addiction treatment and recovery.

RESOURCES

HUD to Hold Second HMIS National Conference in September

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced its second National Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) Conference on September 13-14 in St. Louis. This conference will provide an opportunity for communication and information sharing between HUD, Continuums of Care, HMIS administrators, HMIS providers, research partners and State Policy Academy leaders. Attendees will choose from over 30 breakout sessions over two days in four topic areas: HMIS Management, HMIS Participation, Data Analysis & Performance Evaluation, and Final Data & Technical Standards. Registration is only available on-line, and should be filed as soon as possible. To register visit: www.hmisconference.info.

Corporation for National and Community Service “AmeriCorps” Grants

The Corporation for National and Community Service announces the anticipated availability of approximately $69.2 million to award to AmeriCorps State and National Grant Programs. The Notice of Federal Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is for 2006 deadlines and 2006 funding.

AmeriCorps programs provide human and other resources to community organizations, including faith-based organizations, to build their capacity to meet local needs in education, the environment, senior independent living, public safety, homeland security, and other critical areas. This year, more than 1.6 million individuals of all ages and backgrounds will serve through Corporation programs, and those individuals will recruit, train, and manage an additional one million community volunteers. For grant guidelines and deadlines, go to: http://charitychannel.com/publish/templates/?a=6081&z=26.

DOL Now Accepts On-line Filing of Veterans’ Preference Claims for Employment

The Department of Labor (DOL) has implemented The Veterans' Preference Advisor, which allows Veterans to examine the preferences for which they might be entitled with regard to Federal jobs, and to file a veterans’ preference claim on-line. This Advisor was developed by the Veterans' Employment and Training Service, and is part of the DOL elaws system.

The Department of Labor (DOL) elaws Advisors help employees and employers understand their rights and responsibilities under numerous Federal employment laws. VETS has developed this internet-based system to allow Veterans’ Preference claimants to officially submit a claim via the Internet VETS Website using an electronic version of Form 1010 (E-1010). VETS staff are available to provide technical assistance prior to filing an official claim. For information and instructions on how to use this tool, go to: http://www.dol.gov/elaws/vetspref.htm.

Report on Role of Community Hospitals in Ending Homelessness

The Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH) recently published a report titled “Involving Public and Nonprofit Hospitals in Supportive Housing.” CSH describes how community hospitals are becoming more involved in supportive housing programs. The report highlights Saint Vincent Catholic Medical Centers of New York, a large nonprofit hospital system operating eight hospitals and health care institutions across the five boroughs of New York City and Westchester County. The report is part one of CSH’s Integrating Supportive Housing and the Health Care Sector series. To read the report, go to: http://www.csh.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=page.viewPage&pageID=3569&nodeID=81.