IN THE NEWS

Visionary NABVETS Co-founder Thomas H. Wynn Sr. Dies After 40 Years of Service

Thomas H. Wynn Sr., co-founder and Vice Chair of the National Association for Black Veterans Inc. (NABVETS), and a former member of the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV) Board of Directors, died on Nov. 5, 2004, at Columbia Hospital Hospice Care in Milwaukee, WI.
During his retirement ceremony in Milwaukee on June 21, Wynn was honored for a lifetime of dedicated service to America’s veterans, their families, and communities – particularly African-American, women and low-income veterans. During the ceremony, he was presented the NCHV Jerald Washington Memorial Founders Award by President Dr. Charles Haenlein and Executive Director Linda Boone. The nation’s homeless veteran service community’s highest honor has only been awarded three times.

Wynn was an honorably discharged veteran of the Korean War, and was one of the nation’s most influential figures in developing and expanding services to homeless veterans for nearly 40 years. He created the Center for Veterans Issues, introduced the National Council of Churches Vietnam Generation Ministry Working Group in 1972, founded the National Incarcerated Veterans Project a year later, and founded Veterans United for Community Services and the Veterans/Community Working Group, which has become a model to address the issues of veteran homelessness and youth development. Memorial contributions may be sent to NABVETS-Thomas H. Wynn Sr. Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o NABVETS, P.O. Box 11432, Milwaukee, WI 53211.

2005 BRAC Process May Result in Surplus Properties Being Available for Programs

Among items discussed at the VA Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans meeting in Denver October 25-26 was the Base Realignment and Closure plan for 2005. Regional Force Structure and Base Selection criteria studies are ongoing, and the Secretary of Defense is scheduled to submit his recommendations to the BRAC Commission by May 2005. Once those have been reviewed by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), final recommendations on closing or realigning facilities will be submitted to the president in September. The president will then forward the recommendations to Congress.

By law, military facilities scheduled for closure are exempt from the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act Title V requirement that surplus federal property be reserved for use by homeless service providers. However, local governments – in partnership with service providers – may propose uses that serve the public welfare, and may present proposals to acquire or lease those properties or facilities at below market value. It is critical that service providers participate in their local Continuum of Care (CoC) planning committees to gain support for and inclusion of their project proposals in local public service plans. For the 2005 BRAC cycle, you should already be at the planning table. For CoC contacts in your community, go to www.hud.gov/local/index.cfm, select your state, and click on “Communities.”

Vietnam Veterans Assistance Fund Supports Community Veteran Service Providers

The Vietnam Veterans Assistance Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit humanitarian and educational organization founded to improve the lives of America's veterans. The main objectives of the fund are to advocate for improvements in veterans employment rights, education and training, and health care to enhance the lives of all veterans and their families; assist disabled and all needy veterans, widows, and orphans of veterans; and enrich the lives of Vietnam veterans and their families.

Established in 1991 by Vietnam Veterans of America, the fund is committed to serving today's needy veterans and their families by awarding grants to organizations that address essential employment, housing, education and medical needs. Grants ranging from $5,000 up to $25,000 are awarded to VVA chapters to support veteran service provider organizations and programs in their communities. Applications for the next round of funds are due in April 2005, so you need to begin preparing your proposal now. For more information, go to www.vvafund.org/main.html; call 301-589-4613; or send email to Executive Director Joseph A. Sternburg at jsternburg@vva.org.

RESOURCES

SAMHSA Grants to Expand Substance Abuse Treatment Capacity for Underserved Areas

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT), announces the availability of FY 2005 funds for Grants to expand substance abuse treatment capacity in targeted areas of need. These Targeted Capacity Expansion Grants are awarded to state and local governments and tribal governments to enhance and expand the services provided by integrated networks and community-based organizations to underserved populations. Approximately $16.5 million in grants will be awarded through this Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). Grants of up to $500,000 per year for three years will be awarded in three categories: treatment for selected American Indian populations; treatment programs for adults in rural areas; and campus screening, prevention and short-term treatment programs.

Grant applications are due January 13, 2005. Complete application kits may be obtained from: the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information (NCADI) at 1-800-729-6686. When requesting an application kit for this program, the applicant must specify the funding opportunity title (TCE Grants) and number (TI 05-003) for which detailed information is desired.
Prospective applicants and service providers who would partner with state, local and tribal governments should read the entire NOFA in the Federal Register carefully before applying. To review the complete NOFA, and for contact information and instructions, go to: http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/04-25188.htm.

Reminder: Send Your Survey About Afghanistan, Iraq War Veterans to NCHV Now!

Last month, NCHV sent a survey to homeless veteran service providers asking for information about the number of veterans from the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq who are requesting their assistance. Increasingly, we are receiving calls from policymakers in Washington, D.C., and the national media about various reports that the number of homeless veterans from these current-day combat theaters is on the rise. Information you include in the survey will be used to develop NCHV policy and guide our advocacy efforts during the 109th Congress, which convenes in January 2005. There currently are no reliable statistics demonstrating an increase in the number of these veterans seeking help, so the information you send is vital to our campaign to ensure increased funding for homeless veteran assistance programs for the next two years. If you need a replacement form, click here.

Everything You Need to Know to BEFORE You Start a Stand Down Program

NCHV, with the help of Vietnam Veterans of San Diego, has produced a condensed Stand Down Guide for homeless veteran service providers and community leaders to help them understand the objectives of this innovative outreach program, and what it takes in human and material resources to stage a successful event. Created in 1988 by Robert Van Keuren, Dr. Jon Nachison and Vietnam Veterans of San Diego, the Stand Down program offers homeless veterans food, clothing, medical care, referrals to housing and employment services, and other supportive services at one location in a secure, nurturing environment.

It takes community involvement and a great deal of planning to stage a successful Stand Down. This online guide includes tips on what services should be offered, a 10-step approach to organizing your event, and resources that will provide you with more complete information on set-up, logistics and costs. To view the guide, go to: http://www.nchv.org/standdown.cfm#section3.

NCHV Holiday Gift Ideas that Show You Care About Homeless Veterans

NCHV is selling sweatshirts, hats and tote bags bearing the organization’s name and logo during this holiday season. Share your commitment to help homeless veterans with your family and friends, or reward your staff for their dedication to your organization. For gift descriptions and order information, click here.