Homeless

Seattle Mayor Murray and King County Executive Constantine issue declarations that homelessness is in a state of emergency in King County

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Good morning All Home stakeholders  –

This morning, Monday November 2, Seattle Mayor Murray and King County Executive Constantine will issue declarations that homelessness is in a state of emergency in King County, and will outline local actions, including shelter, prevention, outreach, and they will call on the State and Federal governments to do more.

This act of leadership by Mayor Murray and Executive Constantine represents a significant step toward implementing the All Home Strategic Plan. Their joint requests of the State and Federal government are action steps toward our strategies for addressing the root causes of homelessness, and support our goal of making homelessness rare. Their commitments of local resources are action steps toward our strategies for addressing the immediate crisis of homelessness, and making it brief and only a one-time occurrence.

Los Angeles, Portland, and the State of Hawaii have also recently issued declarations that homelessness is in a state of emergency.  Seattle and King County’s declarations go one step further. In addition to local action, the declarations make significant requests of the State and Federal governments. Homelessness knows no borders, and requires synergy of local, state, and federal partners. The effort to end veteran homelessness is a good example of how this can work. With new Federal resources from the Veteran’s Administration, and strong local coordination among nonprofits and government, we have made significant progress – 717 veterans have been housed, and 310 more have a voucher and are looking for housing. We now need a significant investment from the Federal government, and the State, to support all other populations.

Homelessness is in a state of emergency. Our community has rallied to provide shelter and support for others in crisis – from international refugees to local and national disaster victims – and we should also do the same for our neighbors without a permanent place to call home.

More information will be posted on the City, County, and All Home websites later this morning.

Mark

Mark Putnam

Director, All Home, formerly the Committee to End Homelessness

mark.putnam@allhomekc.org

(206) 263-9001

www.allhomekc.org

Veterans Day

Seeking Veteran Referral for EZ-ACCESS/UPS — Ramp for Veteran and Family on Veterans Day

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Help EZ-ACCESS and UPS find a Veteran recipient of our Veteran Day’s Celebration – A Free Access Ramp for their home.

UPS and EZ-ACCESS have been teaming up to provide ramps for Veterans and their families throughout the United States and we are very excited to bring the program to the Seattle area. Our focus is to support Veterans who may not qualify through the traditional VA program, as well as a Veteran’s family member who may need a ramp.

We are looking to install the ramp on Veteran’s Day, November 11th – so expediency is crucial to make this all happen.  UPS does a fabulous job in promoting the event, bringing teams of employees who volunteer their time to install the ramp,  and we will be tickled to aide in including your agency and support of Veterans and their families – as well as support for future ramps in your community.

If we could get your help in locating a Veteran that would fantastic –

Please feel free to call me at 253-315-2052

Much appreciation,

Ms. Skip Davis

National Sales Manager, Government Sales

EZ-ACCESS, A DIVISION OF HOMECARE PRODUCTS, INC.

CELL 1-253-315-2052

DIRECT 1-253-736-2046

FAX  517-924-0048

Homeless

December 17 & 18 Seattle Stand Down Flyer

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2015_4Up_General

Greetings Veteran Supporters!

The 5th annual Seattle Stand Down will be here before we know it:

December 17 & 18, 2015 at Seattle Central College

Please see the attached flyers and distribute to your clients and throughout your networks.

If you or your agency would like to sign up as a service provider, please click HERE to register!

Thank you for your support and all you do for the Veteran community!

Rebecca Murch, B.A.B.S.

Executive Director
One Less Mountain
Purpose…Direction…Community
_________________________________

Program Director

The Seattle Stand Down
Premier project of One Less Mountain

www.theseattlestanddown.org

Education

VBA GI Bill: Choosing a School & Comparison Tool

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Colleagues and Fellow Veterans and Servicemembers,

Like any military mission, transitioning to civilian life takes preparation, research, planning, and the right tools. One of the most powerful tools you have is the GI Bill®, and it’s important to know how to use it.

That’s why we are excited to introduce two unique tools to help you in your decision process.

We have recently updated our ‘Choosing the Right School’ Guide.  This new version includes information about the different types of degrees/programs that you can use with the GI Bill, the importance of school accreditation, and much more valuable information to help you make the right decisions on where to use your hard earned benefits!  You can check it out at:http://www.benefits.va.gov/…/factshee…/Choosing_a_School.pdf

As well we would like to introduce VA’s “Know Before You Go” video, featuring Veterans who have used their GI Bill benefits and offer great advice for how you can make the most of yours.

You can use your benefits to obtain an associate, bachelor’s, master’s degree, or even a Ph.D. You can participate in a certification program to gain the credential required for the civilian job you want. You can learn a new trade through an apprenticeship or on-the-job training.

For some Veterans, having so many options can feel overwhelming. “Make sure you have a plan,” says Kyle White, an Army Veteran and Medal of Honor Recipient who appears in the video. The GI Bill Comparison Tool is a great place to start. But perhaps the most powerful resource to help you make well-informed decisions about the future is your network of fellow Veterans.

Take a moment to watch the video https://Know_Before_You_Go to hear more from Kyle and other Veterans. I am confident that you will learn something new and want to share the video with your fellow Servicemembers and Veterans.  We will soon have it on our GI Bill website, our Comparison Tool and including it in our TAP classes.

We all need to make sure this generation of Veterans has every opportunity to succeed. We understand how important it is to prepare for life after the military, and we will continue working to provide you with the research and tools you need.

As always – please feel free to pass this on!

V/R

Curtis L. Coy

Deputy Under Secretary for Economic Opportunity

Veterans Benefits Administration

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

VA Core Values:  Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, Excellence (“I CARE”)

Please Remember:

  • If you are seeking employment in the federal government, particularly the VA, our VA for Vets high-tech tools and resources can help. Visit online at http://vaforvets.va.gov/or call 1-855-824-8387.

If you would like to contact us about your VA education benefits:

You can send us a secure email that will usually be answered within 48 hours. You can also search for answers to frequently asked questions and register to be notified of any updates to the information. This contact method is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can also be utilized worldwide. Click here to enter the “Ask A Question” site or here to review our frequently asked questions.

You can call 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551). This line only accepts calls from 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM central time Monday – Friday.

Workshop

11/4 @ 1:35 p.m. Veteran Support Resources via the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Presents at the Financial Education Partners Network Mtg

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Financial Education Partners Network (FEPN) Meeting & Workshop

Date:   Wednesday, November 4, 2015 (first Wednesday of every month)
Time:   1:35 p.m. – 3:35 p.m.
Location:  YWCA at Greenbridge, 9720 8th Ave SW, Seattle

Workshop: CFPB Veteran Support Resources 
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), offers assistance for veterans who are facing financial and legal challenges. Through the Office of Service Member Affairs (OSA) at the CFPB, financial challenges affecting service members, veterans and their families have been resolved with incredible statistics. This is done through financial education, monitoring of complaints submitted by consumers, and coordinating with other Federal and State agencies on military consumer protection measures.

Charles H. Woods, Jr. a local CFPB Coach and workshop facilitator will focus on common questions regarding financial and legal challenges that our veterans encounter. Remember, what we don’t know and ultimately do not convey, can hurt.

Workshop attendees will learn the following:

  • How does the CFPB handle complaints?
  • What is the CFPB complaint resolution success rate?
  • What is the Military Lending Act?
  • Can a debt collector garnish a veterans federal benefits?
  • What is a pension advance?
  • What is the Service member Civil Relief Act?
  • What is an active duty alert?
  • What is the Fair Credit Reporting Act?

FEPN Chairs: Amy Samudre, Global to Local, Lydia Assefa-Dawson, King County Housing Authority and Sameth Mell, Mt Baker Housing

Homeless

Senate Passes Homeless Veterans Services Protection Act

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Senate Passes Homeless Veterans Services Protection Act

NCHV works to protect eligibility of OTH veterans for services

Just now, the United States Senate passed S.1731, the “Homeless Veterans Services Protection Act” which will protect the eligibility for VA homeless services of homeless veterans with “Other Than Honorable” (OTH) discharges.

These veterans have been served through the Grant and Per Diem (GPD) and Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) programs since these programs were created. However, recently a legal review conducted within VA called that eligibility into question.

S.1731 would clarify the intent of Congress that the GPD, SSVF, and GPD Special Needs programs be allowed to serve these OTH veterans. NCHV applauds the work of the Senate in its passage of this crucial bill, and thanks in particular the original cosponsors of the bill: Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Mazie Hirono (D-HI). They are committed and passionate advocates for the nation’s most vulnerable heroes.

This is just the first of two hurdles to ensure legal protections for these veterans: the United States House of Representatives must pass this bill before it can go to the President for his signature and become law. NCHV strongly urges the House to do so and join the Senate in protecting those most in need of our help.

For the latest news, resources and grant information, visit our website at www.nchv.org.

National Coalition for Homeless Veterans

333 1/2 Pennsylvania Avenue SE
Washington, DC 20003
202-546-1969 or toll-free 1-800-VET-HELP

No One Does More For Veterans