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Key agenda items included recommendations in the areas of permanent housing for homeless veterans, use of surplus property for homeless veterans, and administrative issues in VA's Grant and Per Diem Program. The Committee also discussed OEF/OIF veterans in the homeless population, and the need and complexity of issues involving women veterans who become homeless, as well as several program areas including the Multifamily Transitional Housing Loan Guarantee program, and VHA's Mental Health Strategic Plan.
Members were briefed on local programs, including San Diego Health Care for Homeless Veterans engagement teams and other services designed to reach currently homeless veterans who are unable or unwilling to access VA Healthcare; Veterans Village of San Diego's continued expansion of transitional and permanent housing for homeless veterans and the July Summit for OEF/OIF veterans held in San Diego; and Interfaith Community Services to currently homeless veterans and recently separated veterans focused on eliminating barriers to self sufficiency and employment.
Interagency Council Regional Coordinator John O'Brien, official representative to the Advisory Committee, reported to members on reductions being reported in more than 30 cities in the number of street or chronically homeless people. The ten Regional Federal Interagency Councils are each creating Regional Resource Guides detailing the programs, resources and contacts each federal agency has to prevent and end homelessness, including identifying the resources for homeless veterans. At the state level, Mr. O'Brien identified government initiatives in Maine and Connecticut, and work in the New England states to convene a Regional Meeting of State Departments of VA to discuss regional wide programs, resources and best practices in preventing homelessness among veterans.
Mr. O'Brien reported to the Advisory Committee on progress in addressing the needs of veterans in 10-Year Plans now underway in more than 300 cities and counties, noting that the Council continues its engagement strategies to ensure the involvement of VA representatives and veterans service providers in 10-Year Plan committees and work groups and to encourage cost benefit analysis specifically focused on veterans. He identified the unanimous resolution of the U.S. Conference of Mayors on the needs of homeless veterans and growth of the Project Homeless Connect model as positive recent developments.
Cheryl Beversdorf, Executive Director of the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV) and Vice President John Driscoll provided an overview of TA grants and initiatives including their website. TA includes brochures that offer guidance on starting a homeless veteran assistance program, and organizational management and financial management issues. NCHV offers free teleconferences throughout the year on topics ranging from program development to funding strategies.
Committee members in attendance were: Ralph Cooper, Executive Director, Veterans Benefits Clearing House, Roxbury, MA, Sam Galbreath, Principal, Sam Galbreath Associates, Oregon, Leslie Lightfoot, Executive Director, Veterans Hospice Homestead, Inc., Fitchburg, MA, Sandra Miller, Program Coordinator, LZII Transitional Residence for Veterans, Philadelphia Veterans Multi-Service & Education Center, Philadelphia, Joseph Smith, Director Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, County of Los Angeles, CA, Kathy Spearman, President/CEO, VOA, Florida, Roosevelt Thompson, Systems Account Associate, Counsel for Early Childhood Recognition, Washington, DC, Dr. Craig Burnette, formerly VA CHALENG national coordinator, Dr. Joseph H. Autry III, Deputy Administrator, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and Pete Dougherty, Designated Federal Official for the Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans. Ex-Officio members present were John O'Brien, U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, Paul Smits, Veterans Health Administration, and Joe Moran, U.S. Department of Labor.
Jim McGuire, PhD, Program Manager, Homeless Veterans and Incarcerated Veterans Program, reported that 20 of the 21 Incarcerated Veteran Re-Entry Specialists have been hired and are now working in all the VISN's except VISN 23. These individuals are designed to be the point of contact for incarcerated veterans' services in each area. In addition, the Incarcerated Veterans Re-Entry Guide, which was developed for each state has been widely distributed and methods of updating the Guides are under discussion.
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