Homeless Veteran Service Providers > Vietnam Veterans of California
Vietnam Veterans of California
HVRP and VWIP Working Together in Northern California
One of the greatest challenges veterans face, especially those who are homeless, is obtaining work skills and securing employment. Without a steady income, homeless veterans enrolled in programs designed to help them re-enter society as productive, self-sufficient citizens will not succeed. Even veterans with mental and physical disabilities, those who need permanent supportive housing and other assistance, most often yearn for the added security and self-esteem gained through employment.
The Department of Labor-Veteran's Employment and Training Service (DOL-VETS) administers two employment assistance grant programs targeted specifically to veterans, with the prime objective of helping homeless and at-risk veterans secure and maintain gainful employment through training, supportive services and job placement programs.
Vietnam Veterans of California (VVC) utilizes funding from both programs to operate an extensive, coordinated employment assistance program for homeless veterans in Northern California. With facilities in Santa Rosa, Sacramento, Menlo Park and Eureka, VVC has maximized the benefits of the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP) and Veterans Workforce Investment Program (VWIP) grants it receives to provide the full range of employment services – from resume and interview preparation to job placement and follow-up case management. The organization also benefits from a state government that generously funds successful employment services programs.
Introduction to VWIP
DOL-VETS administers the program by releasing competitive Solicitations for Grant Applications (SGA) to state and local entities stipulating that proposed programs will assist eligible veterans in re-entering the workforce. VWIP grants are designed to last for 12 months and currently have a limit of $255,000. While successful programs are able to apply for subsequent years, there is no guarantee that funding will continue. Eligible veterans include:
- Veterans with a service connected disability
- Those who have served on active duty in a war or campaign where a campaign badge was authorized
- Veterans who are recently separated from the military
- Veterans who have significant barriers to employment, which includes issues that result in or arise from homelessness.
At least 80% of the total funding of VWIP ($7.5 million in 2003-2004) must be earmarked for the competitive grant process. State governments have traditionally been the primary applicant to the federal government for these funds. The states then publish a request for proposals (RFP) that local governments, workforce investment boards, and community organizations apply to for funding. The states provide oversight and monitoring of the approved programs and frequently provide matching funds to increase employment opportunities.
In California, for example, the state government matches the VWIP funding with Workforce Investment Act (WIA) discretionary dollars, which make up 15% of WIA funding. California is unique in that it matches the $850,000 grant from DOL-VETS with $6 million from the governor's discretionary portion of WIA funds. In 2003, the state was able to fund 30 local programs, the most extensive effort in the country. This almost equals the entire federal funding commitment and clearly demonstrates the state with the largest veteran population has the greatest commitment to provide employment and training services.
Through the VWIP program, VVC is able to provide additional education and vocational training support for veterans, while enhancing its considerable efforts to explore and expand employment opportunities for them. Homeless veterans who successfully complete their initial personal stabilization and employment readiness programs through HVRP benefit directly from VWIP initiatives at VVC.
VVC Homeless Veteran Employment Services
The success of the VVC employment services program depends on a highly motivated professional staff and strong collaboration among hundreds of community-based and government agency service providers across a large territory. From outreach efforts to follow-up counseling, VVC staff provide positive reinforcement and encouragement to clients who gradually learn to believe in themselves again.
As with all HVRP grantees, VVC provides the full continuum of care to help homeless veterans re-enter society as productive citizens. Outreach involves homeless care providers, VA medical clinics and hospitals, the faith community, veteran service organizations and charitable organizations throughout Northern California. Emergency shelter prior to individual needs assessments and referrals to mental health and substance abuse treatment programs are readily available. Food, clothing, transportation assistance, personal hygiene and health care are provided at all four VVC facilities or community partner organizations. When veterans fail to meet VA eligibility requirements for services, faith- and community-based organizations and state agencies step in to help.
Along with HVRP funds, VVC receives HUD funding to provide transitional housing, and transitional housing is also available to program participants at Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers in Sacramento and Eureka and through the VA Grant and Per Diem program.
While adequate, diversified funding and collaboration are important to the success of all homeless and employment programs, VVC Executive Director Peter Cameron cites three other vital elements that are critical to the success of his agency: First, it is important that skilled program staff believe in what they are doing, have confidence in the support they get from the agency and demonstrate, in a non-judgmental way, their respect for the veterans they serve. Secondly, it is important that the program have an element of homeless prevention as well as intervention by identifying and mitigating the often complex and interrelated issues veterans face. Thirdly, the program needs to address and educate the larger community with the goal of effecting public policy and garnering the required resources.
The "Winning the Employment Game" program is an example of such an innovative program. Created by VVC's Tim Hodenfield, the "game" focuses on helping individuals, many with serious barriers to employment, achieve results by providing a personalized career exploration and job-search program. Approximately 90% of "Winning the Employment Game" graduates attain jobs they want or go on to pursue higher education because of the self-esteem and confidence they gain during the two-week program. Comprehensive placement services are offered, including job preparation, assistance with resumes, information resources and interview preparation. The average wage at job placement commanded by program participants was $13.07 per hour.
This employment preparation and placement program has been so successful, in fact, VVC has shared it with California state government agencies and other service providers working with people facing a multitude of health and personal challenges.
HVRP Program Outcomes – 2003:
Goal Actual % of Goal
Total Agency Enrollments 461 555 120%
Vocational Assessments 620 750 121%
Educational Assessments 620 750 121%
Employment Placement 275 287 104%
Permanent housing placement 290 384 132%
Average wage at job placement $8.25 $9.90 120%
VWIP Program Outcomes – 2003:
Goal Actual % of Goal
Total Agency Enrollments 403 432 107%
Vocational Assessments 500 510 102%
Educational Assessments 500 510 102%
Employment Placement 283 315 111%
Average wage at job placement $9.95 $13.03 131%
In terms of building and maintaining collaborative arrangements with service providers stretching across a vast region, few have achieved the success of VVC. The organization founded and serves on a statewide collaborative group, the California Association of Veterans Service Agencies (CAVSA). The group meets regularly to share ideas and works to maximize services for veterans. Partners who share in the successful outcomes reported by Vietnam Veterans of California include:
- U.S. Department of Labor
- Department of Veterans Affairs – VA hospitals and clinics
- Department of Housing and Urban Development
- Social Security Administration
- California Employment Development Department
- California Department of Rehabilitation
- Community Action Committees (all four VVC locations)
- Continuum of Care Committees (all four VVC locations)
- Colleges – Humboldt State, Foothill Community College, Sacramento Community College and Sacramento State
- Salvation Army
- Volunteers of America
- Faith Community (all four VVC locations)
- Workforce Investment Boards
- CAL Works (programs for low-income women)
- California Department of Motor Vehicles
- County Departments of Social Services
- Municipal Drug Courts
- Sacramento Housing Alliance
- Mercy Housing Coalition
- Community Food Banks
VVC has dedicated staff members who search for and develop employment opportunities for its veteran clients, and case managers contribute to that effort as time permits. They also help ensure clients have the transportation assistance they need for appointments and interviews, occasionally providing it themselves. The commitment of staff members to the veterans enrolled in VVC programs reflect the philosophy of the organization's leadership. Success is rooted in knowing the local community, demonstrating respect for veterans who need assistance, and educating the larger community on how it can help end homelessness among America's veterans.
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