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EXTENDED PROGRAM INITIATIVES A HonorVet Program IN RECOGNITION OF THE VETERANS STRATEGIC LEGAL RESOURCES, INC. - MANDATE, "VSLR" ALSO ASSISTS AND SUPPORTS ELIGIBLE VETERANS, THERE FAMILIES AND NON-PROFIT GROUPS THAT ASSIST THESE POPULATIONS WITH THE FOLLOWING EXTENDED PROGRAMS INITIATIVES. The VSLR Career Development Program is a framework for building and evaluating a comprehensive career development programs for veterans in a variety of settings. Educators, counselors, career development professionals, or administrators can create high quality career development programs such as the establishment of a mentor and internship program. Help veterans acquire skills they’ll need to transition successfully into the mainstream workforce. Help veterans achieve more by linking classroom study to future choices; and Help veterans acquire new skills and move through career transitions The new realities of the contemporary workplace and the contemporary worker have changed our perception and use of the concept of career. Career development is now viewed as complex and multidimensional, involving growing through life and work - an interweaving of learning, experiencing, living, working, changing, and identifying and discovering pathways. Thus career development can be seen as the creation of an individual's life/work designs. AmeriCorp As part of the national VA effort to help homeless veterans, helping homeless veterans may benefit selected students. Working with VA staff, eligible VA beneficiary-students may receive funds to help defray school and living expenses. If you are a veteran or a VA eligible beneficiary, attending school and receiving VA education assistance, you may be entitled to participate in this work-for-pay program authorized through the VA Work-Study in this work-for-pay program authorized through the VA Work-Study Allowance Program and the AmeriCorps Education Awards. Loan Guarantee Program for Homeless Veterans Multifamily Housing This new initiative authorizes VA to guarantee no more than 15 loans with an ager gate value of $100 million within 5 years for construction, renovation of existing property, and refinancing of existing loans, facility furnishing or working capital. No more than 5 loans may be guaranteed under this program prior to November 11, 2001. The amount financed is a maximum of 90% of project costs. Legislation allows the Secretary to issue a loan guarantee for large-scale self- sustaining multifamily loans. Eligible transitional project are those that: 1) Provide supportive services including job counseling; 2) Require veteran to seek and maintain employment; 3) Require veteran to pay reasonable rent; 4) Require sobriety as a condition of occupancy; and, 5) Serves other veterans in need of housing on a space available basis. VSLR Assistance to Stand Downs VA programs and staff have actively participated in each of the Stand Downs for Homeless Veterans run by local coalitions in various cities each year. In wartime Stand Downs, front line troops are removed to a place of relative safety for rest and needed assistance before returning to combat. Similarly, peacetime Stand Downs give homeless veterans 1-3 days of safety and security where they can obtain food, shelter, clothing, and a range of other types of assistance, including VA provided health care, benefits certification, and linkages with other programs. Veterans Industries In VA's Compensated Work Therapy/Transitional Residence (CWT/TR) Program, disadvantaged, at-risk, and homeless veterans live in CWT/TR community-based supervised group homes while working for pay in VA's Compensated Work Therapy Program (also known as Veterans Industries). Veterans in the CWT/TR program work about 33 hours per week, with approximate earnings of $732 per month, and pay an average of $186 per month toward maintenance and up- keep of the residence. The average length of stay is about 174 days. VA contracts with private industry and the public sector for work done by these veterans, who learn new job skills, relearn successful work habits, and regain a sense of self-esteem and self-worth. CHALENG The Community Homelessness Assessment, Local Education, and Networking Groups (CHALENG) for veterans is a nationwide initiative in which VA medical center and regional office directors work with other federal, state, and local agencies and nonprofit organizations to assess the needs of homeless veterans, develop action plans to meet identified needs, and develop directories that contain local community resources to be used by homeless veterans. DCHV The Domiciliary Care for Homeless Veterans (DCHV) Program provides biopsychosocial treatment and rehabilitation to homeless veterans. The program provides residential treatment to approximately 5,000 homeless veterans with health problems each year and the average length of stay in the program is 4 months. The domiciliaries conduct outreach and referral; vocational counseling and rehabilitation; and post-discharge community support. AmeriCorp This joint Supported Housing Program with the Department of Housing and Urban Development provides permanent housing and ongoing treatment services to the harder-to-serve homeless mentally ill veterans and those suffering from substance abuse disorders. HUD's Section 8 Voucher Program has designated 1,780 vouchers worth $44.5 million for homeless chronically mentally ill veterans. VA staff at 35 sites provide outreach, clinical care and ongoing case management services. Rigorous evaluation of this program indicates that this approach significantly reduces days of homelessness for veterans plagued by serious mental illness and substance abuse disorders. Supported Housing Like the HUD-VASH program identified above, staff in VA's Supported Housing Program provides ongoing case management services to homeless veterans. Emphasis is placed on helping veterans find permanent housing and providing clinical support needed to keep veterans in permanent housing. Staff in these programs operate without benefit of the specially dedicated Section 8 housing vouchers available in the HUD-VASH program but are often successful in locating transitional or permanent housing through local means, especially by collaborating with Veterans Service Organizations. Drop-In Centers These programs provide a daytime sanctuary where homeless veterans can clean up, wash their clothes, and participate in a variety of therapeutic and rehabilitative activities. Linkages with longer-term assistance are also available. SSA-VA Outreach In this pilot project with the Social Security Administration, HCMI and Homeless Domiciliary staff coordinate outreach and benefits certification with SSA staff to increase the number of veterans receiving SSA benefits and otherwise assist in their rehabilitation. In this demonstration project, both applications and benefits awards have increased significantly and the time to process applications has decreased dramatically. Comprehensive Homeless Centers VA's Comprehensive Homeless Centers (CHCs) place the full range of VA homeless efforts in a single medical center's catchment area and coordinate administration within a centralized framework. With extensive collaboration among non- VA service providers. VBA-VHA Special Outreach and Benefits Assistance VHA has provided specialized funding to support twelve Veterans Benefits Counselors as members of HCMI and Homeless Domiciliary Programs as authorized by Public Law 102-590. These specially funded staff provide dedicated outreach, benefits counseling, referral, and additional assistance to eligible veterans applying for VA benefits. This specially funded initiative complements VBA's ongoing efforts to target homeless veterans for special attention. To reach more homeless veterans, designated homeless veterans coordinators at VBA's 58 regional offices annually make over 4,700 visits to homeless facilities and over 9,000 contacts with non-VA agencies working with the homeless and provide over 24,000 homeless veterans with benefits counseling and referrals to other VA programs. These special outreach efforts are assumed as part of ongoing duties and responsibilities. VBA has also instituted new procedures to reduce the processing times for homeless veterans' benefits claims. VBA's Acquired Property Sales for Homeless Providers This program makes all the properties VA obtains through foreclosures on VA-insured mortgages available for sale to homeless provider organizations at a discount of 20 to 50 percent, depending on time of the market. VA Excess Property for Homeless Veterans Initiative This initiative provides for the distribution of federal excess personal property, such as hats, parkas, footwear, socks, sleeping bags, and other items to homeless veterans and homeless veteran programs. Program Monitoring and Evaluation VA has built program monitoring and evaluation into all of its homeless veterans' treatment initiatives and it serves as an integral component of each program. Designed, implemented, and maintained by the Northeast Program Evaluation Center (NEPEC) at VAMC West Haven, CT, these evaluation efforts provide important information about the veterans served and the therapeutic value and cost effectiveness of the specialized programs. Information from these evaluations also helps program managers determine new directions to pursue in order to expand and improve services to homeless veterans. |
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT LINKS
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Never underestimate the government's ability to give you information. It's all
here! Reams upon reams...so much for the Paperwork Reduction Act. In the box below you'll find important toll-free VA
phone numbers and a listing of VA web sites.
Important Phone Numbers
VA Benefits 1-800-827-1000
Health Care 1-877-222-8387
Education 1-888-442-4551
Life Insurance 1-800-669-8477
Debt Management 1-800-827-0648
Mammography Hotline 1-888-492-7844
Telecommunication Device for the Deaf (TDD) 1-800-829-4833
CHAMPVA 1-800-733-8387
Headstones and Markers 1-800-697-6947
Special Health Issues: Gulf War, Agent Orange, Project 112/Shad
1-800-749-8387
Web Sites
VA Home Page ....................................................... www.va.gov
VA Health Care ............................. www.va.gov/health_benefits/
Returning Veterans ................. www.seamlesstransition.va.gov/
Survivors .......................... www.vba.va.gov/survivors/index.htm
VA Facilities ................... www.va.gov/directory/guide/home.asp
VA Forms ................................................. www.va.gov/vaforms/
VA Benefit Payment Rates ........ www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/Rates/
Education Benefits ........................................ www.gibill.va.gov/
Home Loan Guaranty ......................... www.homeloans.va.gov/
Life Insurance ....................................... www.insurance.va.gov/
Voc Rehab ........................... www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre/index.htm
Burial and Memorial Benefits ......................... www.cem.va.gov/
Veterans Employment and Training .............. www.dol.gov/vets/
Federal Jobs ......................................... www.usajobs.opm.gov/
Veterans Preference ............ www.opm.gov/veterans/index.asp
Records .............. www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel/
Department of Defense ............................ www.defenselink.mil/
The National Archives and Records Administration is where you can order a copy of your military personnel and medical records.
Always have copies of these.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims could be your next step if your claim has been denied. Study this site
carefully...you will find everything needed to take your claim to the court.
You can get to the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs with this link. Are your Senators working for you?
Click on this link to find out how your Senator has voted. There are lots of great links on this page...especially check out the
appropriations link.
Here is the link to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Find out what your reps are doing for you.
You can click on this link to find out how your representative in the House has voted. Again, there are other great informational
links on this page.
If you want to write to the elected Representative for your district...here is the page to find them.
If you want to write to your Senator...here is the page to find them.
And, firstgov.gov is a portal that will take you to all government sites.
Want to raise hell with the Reps and Senators on the Veterans' Affairs Committees? View the complete list of members with
addresses, phones and emails and get to work! (click here) (Thanks to Richard Carter.)
To call your Senator or Representative toll-free just dial: 1-877-SOB-U-SOB (honest)
SERVICE, HELP AND INFORMATION ON ORGANIZATIONS FOR VETERANS
The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is one of the best organizations when it comes to fighting for your benefits. Even if you are
not a member the VFW has Service Officers at most VA facilities who can help you with your claims.
The American Legion is the largest veterans organization in the world. Again, a great source of information and help if you need
it. The Legion can represent you in the claims process and you don't have to be a member.
A great organization with incredible resources and lots of informaion is the Disabled American Veterans (DAV). Just click the link
to peruse their services and see if they might be able to help with your particular situation.
Here is the link to AMVETS, another great service organization.
Even if you aren't a Vietnam vet the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) can provide great information on VA benefits and
dealing with the VA. This is a great site to explore.
USDR is the Uniformed Services Disabled Retirees. This is a great site for retirees who are disabled. Always up-to-date
information. Find them here...
Here is the best source for information on medical malpractice at the VA...
http://www.vamalpractice.info
Just for women veterans...the help and information you need at...Sisters Bound by Honor...
http://www.sistersboundbyhonor.org
Blue Water Navy ... Dioxin exposure information for sailors.
HR2370 dot Org ... Check out this site to support H.R. 2370 which will issue a medal to certain veterans who died after their
service in the Vietnam War as a direct result of that service, or who were presumptively exposed to ionizing radiation,
herbicide agents, or chemical agents during their service in the Armed Forces.
Here is great PTSD info and support for all vets at PTSD Support dot Net
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) ... Formerly known as Operation Truth.
Veterans Rest Camp of Minnesota is open to all vets. Click here for more.....
The Veteran's Coalition, People who Care is a great site. This is a spin-off of VVW.
The National Gulf War Resource Center provides incredible information for anyone who served in the Gulf at any time. The site
is NGWRC.org.
And don't forget the International Gulf War Council -- a centralized working group for the advancement of veterans health issues.
I know you'll find Vets for Justice an interesting site. Full of mind-boggling information about the condition and operation of the
Department of Veterans Affairs.
Veterans Equal Rights Protection Advocacy will set you straight on the Feres Doctrine. Also, many links to other great sites.
Veteran's Help Network is just that. Lot's of great help and many links to places you'll want to explore. Especially good if you are
looking for legal help with a VA claim.
AHRP is the Alliance for Human Research Protection and this link takes you to pages that detail human research at VA hospitals.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Never underestimate the government's ability to give you information. It's all
here! Reams upon reams...so much for the Paperwork Reduction Act. In the box below you'll find important toll-free VA
phone numbers and a listing of VA web sites.
Important Phone Numbers
VA Benefits 1-800-827-1000
Health Care 1-877-222-8387
Education 1-888-442-4551
Life Insurance 1-800-669-8477
Debt Management 1-800-827-0648
Mammography Hotline 1-888-492-7844
Telecommunication Device for the Deaf (TDD) 1-800-829-4833
CHAMPVA 1-800-733-8387
Headstones and Markers 1-800-697-6947
Special Health Issues: Gulf War, Agent Orange, Project 112/Shad
1-800-749-8387
Web Sites
VA Home Page ....................................................... www.va.gov
VA Health Care ............................. www.va.gov/health_benefits/
Returning Veterans ................. www.seamlesstransition.va.gov/
Survivors .......................... www.vba.va.gov/survivors/index.htm
VA Facilities ................... www.va.gov/directory/guide/home.asp
VA Forms ................................................. www.va.gov/vaforms/
VA Benefit Payment Rates ........ www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/Rates/
Education Benefits ........................................ www.gibill.va.gov/
Home Loan Guaranty ......................... www.homeloans.va.gov/
Life Insurance ....................................... www.insurance.va.gov/
Voc Rehab ........................... www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre/index.htm
Burial and Memorial Benefits ......................... www.cem.va.gov/
Veterans Employment and Training .............. www.dol.gov/vets/
Federal Jobs ......................................... www.usajobs.opm.gov/
Veterans Preference ............ www.opm.gov/veterans/index.asp
Records .............. www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel/
Department of Defense ............................ www.defenselink.mil/
The National Archives and Records Administration is where you can order a copy of your military personnel and medical records.
Always have copies of these.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims could be your next step if your claim has been denied. Study this site
carefully...you will find everything needed to take your claim to the court.
You can get to the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs with this link. Are your Senators working for you?
Click on this link to find out how your Senator has voted. There are lots of great links on this page...especially check out the
appropriations link.
Here is the link to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Find out what your reps are doing for you.
You can click on this link to find out how your representative in the House has voted. Again, there are other great informational
links on this page.
If you want to write to the elected Representative for your district...here is the page to find them.
If you want to write to your Senator...here is the page to find them.
And, firstgov.gov is a portal that will take you to all government sites.
Want to raise hell with the Reps and Senators on the Veterans' Affairs Committees? View the complete list of members with
addresses, phones and emails and get to work! (click here) (Thanks to Richard Carter.)
To call your Senator or Representative toll-free just dial: 1-877-SOB-U-SOB (honest)
SERVICE, HELP AND INFORMATION ON ORGANIZATIONS FOR VETERANS
The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is one of the best organizations when it comes to fighting for your benefits. Even if you are
not a member the VFW has Service Officers at most VA facilities who can help you with your claims.
The American Legion is the largest veterans organization in the world. Again, a great source of information and help if you need
it. The Legion can represent you in the claims process and you don't have to be a member.
A great organization with incredible resources and lots of informaion is the Disabled American Veterans (DAV). Just click the link
to peruse their services and see if they might be able to help with your particular situation.
Here is the link to AMVETS, another great service organization.
Even if you aren't a Vietnam vet the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) can provide great information on VA benefits and
dealing with the VA. This is a great site to explore.
USDR is the Uniformed Services Disabled Retirees. This is a great site for retirees who are disabled. Always up-to-date
information. Find them here...
Here is the best source for information on medical malpractice at the VA...
http://www.vamalpractice.info
Just for women veterans...the help and information you need at...Sisters Bound by Honor...
http://www.sistersboundbyhonor.org
Blue Water Navy ... Dioxin exposure information for sailors.
HR2370 dot Org ... Check out this site to support H.R. 2370 which will issue a medal to certain veterans who died after their
service in the Vietnam War as a direct result of that service, or who were presumptively exposed to ionizing radiation,
herbicide agents, or chemical agents during their service in the Armed Forces.
Here is great PTSD info and support for all vets at PTSD Support dot Net
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) ... Formerly known as Operation Truth.
Veterans Rest Camp of Minnesota is open to all vets. Click here for more.....
The Veteran's Coalition, People who Care is a great site. This is a spin-off of VVW.
The National Gulf War Resource Center provides incredible information for anyone who served in the Gulf at any time. The site
is NGWRC.org.
And don't forget the International Gulf War Council -- a centralized working group for the advancement of veterans health issues.
I know you'll find Vets for Justice an interesting site. Full of mind-boggling information about the condition and operation of the
Department of Veterans Affairs.
Veterans Equal Rights Protection Advocacy will set you straight on the Feres Doctrine. Also, many links to other great sites.
Veteran's Help Network is just that. Lot's of great help and many links to places you'll want to explore. Especially good if you are
looking for legal help with a VA claim.
AHRP is the Alliance for Human Research Protection and this link takes you to pages that detail human research at VA hospitals.
This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the
copyright owner. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without
profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and
educational purposes. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml. If you wish
to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain
permission from the copyright owner.
copyright owner. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without
profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and
educational purposes. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml. If you wish
to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain
permission from the copyright owner.
VSLR
STRATEGIC LEGAL RESOURCES
STRATEGIC LEGAL RESOURCES
Southern MASS Veterans Housing Program, Inc.
20 Willis Street, New Bedford, MA 02740
508-992-5313
20 Willis Street, New Bedford, MA 02740
508-992-5313
