Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program Presentation to the VA Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans January 31, 2008 Washington, D.C. Charles S. Ciccolella Assistant Secretary for Veterans’ Employment & Training U.S. Department of Labor Helping End Homelessness Among Veterans

2 U.S. DOL – VETS Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program (HVRP) Strategy for Preventing Homelessness Among Veterans During military service separation process: –Engage in “pre-separation” counseling process –Enroll in Transition Assistance Program (TAP) Employment Workshop –Educate on VA Benefits Nationwide Link to employment thru DOL funded DVOPs/LVERs and One-Stop Career Centers. Encourage to seek early assistance for mental health and substance abuse issues. 2

3 U.S. DOL – VETS Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program (HVRP) The HVRP provides employment, training and supportive services to assist in reintegrating homeless veterans into meaningful employment within the labor force. 3

4 U.S. DOL – VETS Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program (HVRP) The HVRP Program is focused on helping homeless veterans reenter the workforce. –Funds are awarded through competitive grants. –Grantee services leverage federally-funded housing and mental health programs. –Demonstration grants assist incarcerated veterans, who are at high risk of homelessness (IVTP authorizing legislation expired September 31, 2007). 4

5 U.S. DOL – VETS Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program (HVRP) HVRP is making a difference in reducing the number of homeless veterans in America. –The program is successful in terms of employment outcomes for one of the most difficult populations to serve; it is also cost effective.* –HVRP supports the President’s goal of ending chronic homelessness. –The following slide summarizes HVRP outcome data from 2000 to 2007 (projected). * In PY 2004, the HVRP’s Average Cost per Placement ($2,152) was less than the Average Cost per Participant under both the Dislocated Worker program ($3,318) and the Employment Opportunities for Youth and Adults with Disabilities program ($2,882) during the same year. (Source: PART Review for FY 2008) 5

6 U.S. DOL – VETS Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program (HVRP)

7 Budget Outlook for HVRP in FY 2008 Total GrantNumber of GrantsFunding 1 st Year Approximately 15 Grants $3,500,000 Grantees (Urban & Non-Urban with the completion of the FY 2008 Competition) 2 nd Year 33 Grants $8,404,375 Grantees(24 Urban, 9 Non-Urban) 3 rd Year 41 Grants (26 Urban, 8 Non-, $10,178,053 Grantees Urban, and 7 New Grantees) Subtotal 89 Grants (estimated)$22,082,428

8 U.S. DOL – VETS Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program (HVRP Budget Outlook for HVRP in FY 2008 Total GrantsNumber of GrantsFunding Stand DownsApproximately 50 Grants $400,000 Outreach(max award $ 7,000 for a 1-Day Event Effortsand $10,000 for a Multi-Day Event) 2 Nat’l HVRPCompetitively Awarded July 1, 2007 $734,630 Technical (with 2 optional years of funding) Cooperative (1) Nat’l Coalition for Homeless Veterans and Agreements (2) Virginia Commonwealth University ($ 315,925 and $418,705 respectively) Subtotal 50 Stand Down Grants & 2 Coop Agreements$1,134,630 Grand Total for all HVRP Grant Awards$23,217,058 FY 2008 HVRP Authorization$23,620,000 Difference (misc. expenses training, e-grants, etc.)$402,942

9 U.S. DOL – VETS Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program (HVRP) Timing of FY 2008 HVRP Grant Process Federal Register announcement of 2008 Urban and Non-Urban HVRP SGA to be published by end of March 2008 with 30 days for applicants to respond. Applications reviewed, ranked, and scored by VETS Staffed Grant Officer Application Review Panels. Awards announced by early to mid-June Period of performance begins July 1, Continuing 2 nd and 3 rd Optional Year funding grantees to begin new grant award period July 1, Post Award Training Conference to be held the 1 st week of August

10 U.S. DOL – VETS Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program (HVRP) HVRP Nat’l Technical Assistance Center (Virtual) at website address: Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV) assist USDOL – VETS in providing technical assistance services to homeless veterans and grantees nationwide.  Virginia Commonwealth University at website address: Grantee Training Webcasts via Internet Regional HVRP Conferences and Quarterly HVRP Conference Calls HVRP Grantee Mentors - National Veterans Employment Network Outreach Activities to Employer Community Self-Employment Boot Camps Research and Evaluation of HVRP Development of a Checklist for HVRP Best Practices Learning Communities Publications and Briefing Documents

11 U.S. DOL – VETS Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program (HVRP)  National Coalition for Homeless Veterans at website address Toll-Free Hotline at VET-HELP National Stand Down Registry & Information Training on how to develop a “Homeless Court” Incarcerated Veterans' Transition Program Guide Permanent Supportive Housing Consults Employment Assistance Guide for Service Providers Bi-Monthly Newsletters and publications Legislative Updates Available Funds from Various Resources  Both VCU and NCHV have been effectively collaborating and coordinating in order to reduce duplication of efforts.

12 Incarcerated Veterans’ Transition Program (IVTP) The Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Assistance Act (P.L ) amended Title 38 U.S.C. to revise, improve, and consolidate provisions of law providing benefits and services to homeless veterans. 38 U.S.C. § 2023 mandated a demonstration program of referral and counseling for veterans who are transitioning from certain institutions and who are at high-risk of homelessness.

13 Incarcerated Veterans’ Transition Program (IVTP) The period of performance for these IVTP demonstration programs began April 1, 2004 and ran through June 30, In addition, P.L , the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans’ Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act of 2007, provided for an emergency extension of the IVTP pilot demonstration program from July 1, 2007 thru September 30, 2007.

14 Incarcerated Veterans’ Transition Program (IVTP) The demonstration program was carried out by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Labor (DOL) in at least six (6) locations. One (1) of the locations mandated was to be a penal institution under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Prisons. DOL awarded seven (7) IVTP demonstration grants thru a competitive grants process to provide services at the federal, state, and local levels.

15 Incarcerated Veterans’ Transition Program (IVTP)

16 Incarcerated Veterans’ Transition Program (IVTP)

17 Incarcerated Veterans’ Transition Program (IVTP) To date, 4,094 veterans within 18 months of transitioning from incarceration were assessed by IVTP demonstration grantee outreach staff. Of those assessed, 2,191 veterans were enrolled into IVTP and received customized employment and training services as well as medical and other benefits from the VA. 54% of IVTP participants were successful in entering employment at an average hourly rate of $10.00 and will go from “tax taker to tax payer” at a cost significantly lower than the cost of prisons or jails. Cost for incarceration at state and federal prisons is approximately $22,000 a year compared to IVTP demonstration grantee costs of approximately $4,500 per placement into employment. VA and DOL partners are currently completing a comprehensive report to Congress on the outcomes of the IVTP demonstration.

18 U.S. DOL – VETS Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program (HVRP) Issues under consideration :  Increase $300,000 Urban and $200,000 Non-Urban thresholds for HVRP awards.  Award additional funds for programs that train for high-demand occupations where wages significantly exceed HVRP averages.  Incentivize HVRP grantees to focus on licensing and certification. 18

19 U.S. DOL – VETS Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program (HVRP) Issues under consideration:  Adding up to 20% of HVRP participants “at high-risk” of homeless as a homeless prevention component (similar to HUD)  “At High-Risk” of Homelessness meaning: Veterans with evictions notices in-hand; or Veterans who have been unemployed for 3 months or longer (with unpaid bills piling-up) and not receiving any government subsidies such as unemployment (VA disability excluded); or Veterans who are transitioning from incarceration or other institutions into the workforce.