All across the nation last week, communities of all sizes gave a "welcome" to homeless neighbors at Project Homeless Connect one-day, one-stop events that were timed to coincide with local point-in-time counts. From Alaska to Washington to Montana and Texas and New Jersey, events extended a helping hand and open door with a warm word of welcome to homeless neighbors.

"Project Homeless Connect continues to stimulate community involvement and solutions in homelessness," indicated United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano, who "borrowed" the innovative idea from San Francisco in an act of "legitimate larceny." "Not only does Connect create a trajectory out of homelessness, stereotypes and myths about homeless people are debunked in the direct neighbor to neighbor interactions."

In Bellingham and Whatcom County, January was named Homeless Connect Month through Proclamation of Mayors and elected officials, with the Proclamation shaped by the principles of the America's Road Home Statement of Principles and Actions, now signed by over 460 elected officials. Bellingham County Executive Pete Kremen and Bellingham Mayor Dan Pike signed the statement, with Mayors of Lynden, Ferndale, Blaine, Everson, Nooksack, and Sumas. Over 600 homeless guests were welcomed by more than 500 community volunteers at the inaugural Connect event, spread over Depot Market Square, The Majestic, and the YWCA.

Volunteer coordinator Dan Hammill made an early report on an important quality shown during the day: "People problem-solved and adapted and did so with style and grace. We knew that we were all in this together and that for it to work, it would take every person to be at the top of their game. And that's what happened." Though just starting its Connect experience, Bellingham has established a web site to inform the community of its results.

In New Jersey, heavy snowfall was the order of the day, as Project Homeless Connect events welcomed over 2500 individuals and families at 32 sites in 18 counties. United Way, active partner to many of the state's 10 Year Plans, provided goods for distribution and supported the planning process with lead organizer Monarch Housing. Over 200 volunteers and 200 agencies were at these events providing services. All Ten Year Plan communities held events, including Bergen, Camden, Hudson, Passaic, Essex, Middlesex, Sussex, and Monmouth. Events were attended by elected Freeholders in Middlesex, Hudson, Camden, and Cape May.

Elected officials taking part included Hudson County Freeholders Jeffrey Dublin and Eliu Rivera, Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy, Hudson County Executive Thomas DeGise, Hudson County Councilwoman Viola Richardson, Middlesex County Freeholder Blanquita Valenti, and Cape May County Freeholder Gerald Thornton. Pictured here at the Middlesex County event are (left to right): Freeholder Valenti, Department of Human Services Director Tom Seilheimer, and Bridget Kennedy, Director of the Division of Social Work.

In New Britain, Connecticut, Trinity-On-Main Arts Cultural Center was the site of the Project Connect sponsored by Mayor Tim Stewart's Ten Year Plan partnership. Over 280 guests were welcomed by more than 70 volunteers. Mayor Stewart is shown here with Tom Robinson, Residence Director for the New Britain-Berlin YMCA, who is also a member of the Mayor's Task Force to End Homelessness in New Britain. The YMCA has over 80 recently renovated affordable residential units.

Employment is a specific focus of the Ten Year Plan, and Connect resources resulted in 140 connections to employment resources. Other outcomes included 70 business outfits distributed, 50 applications for public housing, 12 Energy Assistance applications, 50 connections with Children's' Early Detection Program, 12 eviction prevention interviews, 77 shoes for special needs cases, 60 haircuts, 62 connections with Spanish Speaking Center, 45 eye exams/glasses prescriptions, 33 prescriptions, and 40 glucose screenings.

In October 2008, Mayor Stewart briefed the Full Council meeting on employment strategies with the New Britain business community and expressed appreciation for the collaboration and support of the Interagency Council and the federal resources being invested in his communities under the Ten Year Plan.

In Waco, Texas, the annual Project Homeless Connect event is held the last week of January and combines a Stand Down event with Project Homeless Connect day. Some unexpected services for the more than 95 homeless neighbors this year included the donation of wireless service for the day from Grandecom. The wireless network was available throughout the entire First Lutheran church where the event was held. This allowed the Heart of Texas Workforce to connect people with possible employment immediately. It also allowed for approval for Food Stamps, veteran's benefits, and Social Security sign-up to be done on the spot.

Over forty volunteers included City staff members, McLennan Community College Mental Health students, Baylor School of Social Work students, and members of local churches. Donations came in many forms including 25 boxes of suits and dress shirts from Men's Warehouse to be given to those seeking employment; and afternoon appointments by Family Health Services including van transportation and accompaniment by various local agencies; dental screenings followed by van transportation for much needed procedures such as full and partial dentures, tooth extractions, and periodontal sealants provided during afternoon appointments at a local dental office.

One unique addition to this year's event was thanks to the help of a podiatrist and two local dentists. Dr. Patel and Dr. Schultz provided a valuable service by screening dozens of individuals for dental needs. They did several extractions, cleanings, and some dentures because of their generosity, an article in the Waco Tribune-Herald, and some kind donations from Member's Choice Credit Union, the Homeless Coalition, First Baptist Woodway Church, a social worker at Baylor University, Caritas, and other donors.

In Anchorage, Alaska, over 680 guests were welcomed at the William Egan Convention Center. 75 people received birth certificates, and 75 people received state ID cards. With fax machines, runners, and vans driving people to the State DMV offices, all participants left with their current ID's in hand. This in turn allowed participants to apply at Social Security and public assistance for more services and assistance in place at the event. Parish nurses, volunteer and pubic health nurses and medical providers provided direct medical assessments, a foot clinic, breast exams, flu shots, TB information, needle exchange and a variety of direct medical care. A Mobile Mammogram Van at the convention center allowed women to have free mammograms and participate in the YWCA's Encore Plus program for cancer screening. They will have follow up appointments with transportation and staff who will support them if they are diagnosed and need treatment.

The funding committee sent invitations to VIP's such as City Assembly Members, State Representatives, and other elected officials, funders from foundations, the oil companies, the Alaska Native Corporations and others. Throughout the day organizers gave special tours to these VIPs educating them on the event itself and on the homeless crisis in the city.

FORT WORTH, TEXAS. Fort Worth's annual "State of the Homeless" event was the setting for a public report of the most recent point-in-time count in Tarrant County. "Despite an extremely challenging economic climate," Tarrant County experienced nearly a 10% decrease in homelessness in the past year, finding 240 fewer people living on the streets or in shelters. According to Otis Thornton, Homelessness Coordinator in the City Manager's Office and Mayor's Advisory Commission on Homelessness, decreases in the unsheltered population, as well as in emergency shelter and transitional programs, were noted.

The Salvation Army's Mabee Center in Fort Worth was the site of this event, as well as last August's celebration by city-county partners of the new 10 year Plan. Mayor Mike Moncrief, Tarrant County Commissioner Roy Brooks, and Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley hosted United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano for the community event. Director Mangano visited Fort Worth several times at the Mayor's invitation and also that of business leaders, including Downtown Fort Worth's Andy Taft, to encourage and support the city-county 10 Year Plan.

"These new results in ending the long misery of homelessness stem directly from the steady leadership of Mayor Moncrief and Tarrant County Judge Whitley, and County Commissioner Roy Brooks, as well as Homeless Coordinator Otis Thornton," indicated Director Mangano. "Your leaders understand how things get done and make certain they do. When I first went to Fort Worth, Mayor Moncrief taught me the secret of the city - 'We go slow to go fast.' Only after a few visits with the Mayor did I understand that what that means is that Fort Worth will be thoughtful, creative, partnered, attentive, and thorough. That's the kind of "slow' that builds no false expectations and delivers on its promises."

"We had good news," said Cindy Crain, Executive Director of the Tarrant County Homeless Coalition, which hosted the event. Ms. Crain also noted that fewer empty campsites were found during the count, suggesting that volunteers missed fewer people. Over 575 volunteers, including 98 police officers and 5 homeless guides canvassed Tarrant County last Thursday night to conduct the biennial street count. This unprecedented volunteer effort combined with increased accuracy in the community's Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) gives advocates, service providers and policymakers reliable data to use in planning and improving housing and services.

Directions Home was released in August 2008, calling for an increase in the supply of permanent supportive housing to meet the need for over 1,000 additional tenancies, setting a goal of over 540 units in six years. The City has its own Housing Trust Fund with $570,000 earmarked for homeless housing, and the Housing Authority has committed 200 vouchers to the initiative. The Plan also proposes a new local form of Shelter + Care vouchers to accelerate the availability of housing. Fort Worth will commit to an annual Project Homeless Connect event, develop a Homeless Court, and focus on discharge planning by hiring a transition coordinator for the local jail.

PORTLAND, OREGON. Portland and Multnomah County, Oregon have newly committed $5.4 million for almost 200 units of housing for people below 30% of area median income that the city and county, as well as the Portland Development Commission and the Bureau of Housing and Community Development, will invest in. Six projects will benefit from the investment which will also use federal housing vouchers, and will renovate existing units, build new ones and provide support services for people with disabilities and health problems. The first units should be available this summer.

Home Again is Portland's 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness which was unveiled in December 2004 and emphasizes a Housing First approach that in initial implementation produced results that exceeded the plan's goals in reductions in homelessness, numbers of permanent supportive housing units created, and families housed.

DENVER, COLORADO. Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper's Fourth Annual Pajama Party to support Denver's Road Home, the city's 10 Year Plan, raised $500,000 last week, during a challenging fiscal time. In partnership with the Mile High United Way, Denver has supported and expanded this annual event to build partnership for its plan.

"Denver businesses and residents have made it clear that helping the poor and homeless in our city remains a priority," said Mayor Hickenlooper. "Raising a half million dollars in one evening is a stunning accomplishment during these challenging economic times. We are grateful to everyone who stepped up to help, and we are especially appreciative of the Morgridge family's generous gift." Proceeds included $120,000 in corporate sponsors, including a $50,000 matching donation by Suncor Energy and $10,000 donations from IMA Financial and Holme, Roberts & Owen, and $15,000 in revenue from individual ticket sales, silent auction and raffle.

Mayor Hickenlooper hosted the party with Walter Isenberg, president and CEO of Sage Hospitality Resources, and Evan Makovsky general partner of Shames-Makovsky Realty Co. The overnight event, which also offers a wake-up call from the Mayor, was hosted at the Denver Marriott Residence Inn. Community and business leaders commit to corporate sponsorships for the Plan. Sponsorships were matched by a surprise gift of $250,000 from Carrie and John Morgridge and the Morgridge Family Foundation. Tom Downey and the creative staff of the Children's Museum of Denver provided a well- attended bedtime story. Overnight sponsorships at the Cotton, Flannel, Satin, Silk, and Cashmere levels were available and include extras such as milk and cookies.

Fourteen hotels and restaurants donated a portion of their revenue for the night of January 29 toward Denver's Road Home. New this year was a "Wear Your PJs to Work Day" to enlist business partners in the event. Employees were invited to pay $5 to wear their pajamas on the job, and employees at 20 Denver organizations showed up to work in their PJ's for the first-ever "PJ Day" to help raise awareness and money. Students at Herzl Middle School, Westerly Creek Elementary School and the Ricks Center for Gifted Children at the University of Denver also showed off their best nighttime duds to support the event.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA. Even as the Regional Commission on Homelessness was convening to review five years' of progress in implementing the Blueprint to End Homelessness in Atlanta and seven surrounding counties, one of the key results being reported was increased access to SSI benefits. Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin is shown here.

In new data made available through the United Way supported Commission, Regional Commission on Homelessness collaborative partners, First Step Staffing and the Department of Human Resources' SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access and Recovery (SOAR) Program are dramatically improving both the number of annual approvals for benefits and the time it takes to receive those approvals.

"With this new report, we see more of the results that Mayor Franklin identified in her recent State of the City address, and we see how seriously the city has taken the call to put mainstream resources to work for people experiencing chronic homelessness," indicated United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano. "With her leadership and that of Commission Chair Horace Sibley, and the partnership of the United Way, the outcomes are many: over $30 million raised from private donors, $22 million in bond funds to develop housing with support and assessment centers, over 8,000 people reunified, over 6,000 served at the new Gateway Center, and over 1,200 people employed."

Newly reported SSI results include:

• Success rates for those using First Step and SOAR are higher. Success includes a 75% approval rate for homeless individuals assisted by First Step or SOAR trained case managers, compared with a 15- 20% approval rate for homeless Georgians who apply for benefits without assistance from First Step or SOAR case managers.
• Waiting times for approval are dramatically reduced. Average wait time for approval of Social Security benefits in 2008 was 88 days for homeless persons helped through these programs, compared with over two years for those who apply without assistance from First Step or SOAR case managers.
• Local results are increasing compared to the state. In 2008,163 homeless individuals were approved for SSDI/SSI benefits with help from community partners. This is nearly double the number approved for the entire state of Georgia in a prior 12- month period.
• New resources are being spent in the local economy. Benefits generated $1.32 million in income for homeless individuals with mental illness in 2008 through Social Security benefits.

The enrollment initiative is supported by the Joseph B. Whitehead Foundation, Anonymous Foundation and United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta. First Step is a non- traditional, non-profit staffing service that works with homeless individuals, providing employment, housing and benefits assistance.

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY. Exactly three years ago, noted business thinker and writer Malcolm Gladwell published his landmark "Million Dollar Murray" profile in The New Yorker magazine. Aptly subtitled "Why problems like homelessness may be easier to solve than to manage," the article documented the analysis that "enormous sums of money are already being spent" on people experiencing chronic homelessness, driving home the point that is at the heart of the policy goal of ending chronic homelessness through new strategies and solutions.

As Gladwell stated in a subsequent NPR interview about the article, "The thing that's driving this strategy towards homelessness is the notion that we have a very limited amount of money, a very limited amount of political will. And what are we going to do with that? Well, we're going to concentrate it on the worst part of the problem in the place where we can save the most money in the short term." Gladwell had pursued the cost issue after hearing U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano at one of the Council's city focus groups for 10 Year Plan leaders tell the results of cost analysis in San Diego, where 15 people tracked for 18 months showed $3 million in use of public systems in the city and county.

Three years later, more than 65 cost studies of the same population have been undertaken coast to coast in communities of all sizes to document the economic insight that has driven political will towards a new standard of expectation on homelessness and away from a view of chronic homelessness as an intractable part of the nation's social landscape.

The inaugural convening of the Executive Committee of the Kentucky Interagency Council on Homelessness (shown here) last week included a presentation on a new cost study from Louisville, the state's largest city. The Kent School of Social Work at the University of Louisville prepared the publicly-funded study for the Louisville Coalition for the Homeless, represented at the Council meeting by Executive Director Marlene Gordon.

A multi- faceted research project looked at 7,180 individuals over a 2-year period. About 25-30% of residential homeless clients used either jail or corrections services, and about 20% percent of residential homeless clients used community based mental health services. 12-13% use the Healing Place detox services, and about 4% use Central State Hospital. About 50% of residential homeless clients used the Phoenix Health Center for primary health care and about 40% used University Hospital. The data showed 97% of hospital mental health services costs was related to homeless clients with SMI/co- occurring conditions and substance abuse.

Of the 626 SMI/CC clients who received emergency shelter, 107 were "high-cost" clients whose multi- service system cost exceeded $50,000 per year (average per client cost of $53,596). Of the 792 SMI/CC clients who received transitional shelter, 167 were "high-cost" clients with an average multi-service system per client cost of $54,945 per year. In comparison, the 34 SMI/CC clients who lived in permanent housing had an average multi-service system per client cost of only $27,450 per year. Providing permanent housing for the high-cost SMI/CC clients in emergency and transitional shelter could have saved $7.4 million per year.

The next step in Louisville's analysis is to focus on high cost institutional care to identify high cost cases that could be served more effectively by alternative community based services. The first target group is the seriously mentally illness/co-occurring condition homeless cases that used emergency or transitional services. This group consumed 57% ($50,482,948) of all 2004 and 2005 multi-system service costs.

To obtain their data, individual records were obtained by the researchers from homeless services providers. All homeless cases were merged onto a single, master electronic data file with a Social Security Number as the main identifier. The research team then assigned a random identification number to each homeless person. The research team identified the following agencies for sharing data: Louisville Metro Jails; Kentucky Department of Corrections; Seven Counties Services (including JADAC); Healing Place; Central State Hospital, and UofL's University Hospital. After getting approval for the proposed electronic, data merging process from the University of Louisville's Institutional Review Board, each agency was contacted to participate in the study. Each institution required approval from its own IRB and HIPAA review group for the administrative data study.

In 2008, the Coalition for The Homeless and Louisville Metro Office On Homelessness published an update to the region's 10 Year Plan, in which they also reported on an extensive prevention pilot project for discharge planning. According to the report, the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services/Department for Metal Health and Mental Retardation Services in collaboration with The Coalition for the Homeless of Louisville, Families and Children First, and the Lake Cumberland MHMR Board, Inc. developed and implemented a homelessness prevention pilot program. The project was designed to offer institutional discharge planning on a voluntary basis to persons exiting state operated prisons, mental health facilities, and the foster care system. The project was conducted from June 2005 through June 2007.

The pilot project - implemented in just two communities - demonstrated that the State of Kentucky and the shelter system could save $1,788,865 per year if a reintegration program was used. The average daily savings for the State of Kentucky for each day when project clients were housed is $4,901. This shows it would only take 41 days for the state to recoup the costs of this program.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA. Public sector partners from every level of government and their frontline partners involved in the pilot of Project 50 on Skid Row in Los Angeles convened this week with community members to examine the results of first- year engagement of 50 chronically homeless individuals targeted for rapid intervention. Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky convened the partners, and Deputy Mayor Helmi Hisserich represented Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Los Angeles County Sheriff Leroy Baca and Supervisor Yarolslavky's Senior Deputy Flora Gil Krisiloff, who has been instrumental on the issue, also participated. Rosanne Haggerty of Common Ground, which has provided technical support to the initiative, presented results. The partners are shown here.

Following a 2007 Los Angeles-based national summit of innovators and 10 Year Plan Community Champions from across the country, convened in partnership by the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness and Common Ground, Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky embraced the pilot intervention of Project 50.

Project 50 has used a "vulnerability index" to create a registry of individuals and engaged 49 to move from the streets. The index is based on research by Dr. James O'Connell of Boston Healthcare for the Homeless, and categorizes as "high risk" those individuals who have been homeless for at least six months with one or more of the following characteristics: more than three hospitalizations or emergency room visits in a year; more than three emergency room visits in the previous three months; aged 60 or older with cirrhosis of the liver, end-stage renal disease, history of frostbite, immersion/trench foot, or hypothermia, HIV+/AIDS, or tri-morbidity of co-occurring psychiatric, substance abuse, and chronic medical conditions. Dr. O'Connell was recently recognized by the Council with the Presidential Volunteer Service Award's Call to Service Award for lifetime achievement in his commitment to the needs of the poorest. The Vulnerability Index as developed by Street to Home is applied as a street-level survey, intended to change strategies addressing street homelessness and reduce deaths.

43 of the 49 individuals remain housed. In operation, Project 50 is a collaboration of over 20 County and City and Federal agencies, including the Los Angeles County Chief Executive's Office (CEO), County Departments of Public Health, Mental Health, Health Services, and Public Social Services, the Alcohol and Drug Program Administration, County Probation, Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Homeless Service Authority (LAHSA), Community Development Corporation, Los Angeles Police Department, Skid Row Housing Trust, Didi Hirsch, JWCH, Volunteers of America, Los Angeles Courts, Public Counsel, Public Defender, City Attorney's Office, and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

In a message to the partners, Council Executive Director Philip Mangano indicated: "I remain very appreciative of the commitment of Supervisor Yaroslavsky on the important issue of ending chronic homelessness. With the resources and partnership of Sheriff Baca, the insights and energy of Flora Krisilof, and the talents of Rosanne Haggerty and her team, Project 50 has produced results. We've learned a lot through Project 50, we've seen new collaborations, and reaffirmed that housing works for our most vulnerable and disabled neighbors."

"Our big heart now needs to be connected to a smart mind to reduce and end homelessness," continued Director Mangano. "The single metric of measurement is how many and our intent is that the numbers go down - of programs, of meals, of shelter beds, of neighbors in the long misery. We have learned that no single initiative apart from a larger strategic plan can bring the remedy we all seek. But Project 50 needs to be contextualized within a larger strategic frame to achieve the result that we all are committed to on the streets of Skid Row and in the communities of Los Angeles County. In my recent meeting with Chair of the Board of Supervisors Knabe and Nick Ippolito, we again affirmed the importance of a plan in the county and the intent to have one this year." Council Regional Coordinator Eduardo Cabrera represented Director Mangano at the event.

WASHINGTON, DC. President Obama's new White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, created by Executive Order yesterday, will focus on four key priorities, to be carried out by working closely with the President's Cabinet Secretaries and each of the eleven agency offices for faith-based and neighborhood partnerships. The Office will also include a new President's Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, composed of religious and secular leaders and scholars from different backgrounds. Joshua DuBois will be Executive Director.

"Over the past few days and weeks, there has been much talk about what our government's role should be during this period of economic emergency. That is as it should be - because there is much that government can and must do to help people in need," said President Obama. "But no matter how much money we invest or how sensibly we design our policies, the change that Americans are looking for will not come from government alone. There is a force for good greater than government. It is an expression of faith, this yearning to give back, this hungering for a purpose larger than our own, that reveals itself not simply in places of worship, but in senior centers and shelters, schools and hospitals, and any place an American decides." The President spoke earlier in the day at the annual National Prayer Breakfast, where former Prime Minister Tony Blair also spoke.

The United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, which added the White House office to its membership upon revitalization in 2002, has worked closely with the office historically on issues of homelessness and poverty, access to treatment and reentry, as well as co-sponsoring events. The Executive Order also stressed the importance of results from Federal investment, noting, "Through rigorous evaluation, and by offering technical assistance, the Federal Government must ensure that organizations receiving Federal funds achieve measurable results in furtherance of valid public purposes."

Joshua DuBois is a former associate pastor and advisor to the President in his U.S. Senate office and campaign Director of Religious Affairs. According to the White House, the Office's top priority will be making community groups an integral part of our economic recovery, and poverty a burden fewer have to bear when recovery is complete. It will be one voice among several in the administration that will look at supports for women and children, as well as supporting fathers who stand by their families, which involves working to get young men off the streets and into well-paying jobs, and encouraging responsible fatherhood. The Office will also work with the National Security Council to foster interfaith dialogue with leaders and scholars around the world. There will be 25 members of the Council, appointed to 1-year terms.

WASHINGTON, DC. Key new Cabinet and agency positions continue to be announced as President Barak Obama names federal agency leaders who are being welcomed into the membership of the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness. The Council's membership is established by statute and includes many of the individuals confirmed to date by the U.S. Senate. Following are brief profiles of some of the new leadership and nominees of Council member agencies.

United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. President Obama announced this week that King County, Washington County Executive Ron Sims is his nominee to be Deputy Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. County Executive Sims has been widely recognized during his three terms and is Co-Chair of the Committee to End Homelessness in King County. As a member of the class of 2006 in which United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano was also recognized, Mr. Sims was named a Public Official of the Year by Governing Magazine for his pragmatic but forward looking initiatives.

"Ron's track record as an innovative leader with an exciting vision for the future of our nation's communities make him the perfect Deputy Secretary candidate as we tackle the nation's housing crisis amidst the biggest economic downturn in decades," said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan. "His experience at the helm of a large urban government provides a critical perspective and his collaborative approach to problem-solving has prepared him to effectively lead HUD's operations as the agency charts a new aggressive course."

United States Department of Veterans Affairs. President Obama also announced this week that L. Tammy Duckworth, Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs, is his nominee to be the Assistant Secretary of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). As Assistant Secretary, the nominee will direct VA's public affairs, internal communications and intergovernmental relations. She also will oversee programs for homeless veterans, consumer affairs and special rehabilitative events. Her Illinois initiatives were profiled last year in the Council's "20 in 20" series.

"Effective communications with Veterans and VA's stakeholders is key to improving our services and ensuring Veterans receive the benefits they deserve," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs and current United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Chair Eric K. Shinseki. "Tammy Duckworth brings significant talent, leadership and personal experience to this important work."

She is serving as a major in the Illinois National Guard and was previously deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom where, as a captain, she was assistant operations officer for a 500-soldier aviation task force. As a helicopter pilot flying combat missions in 2004, she suffered grave injuries when her helicopter was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade, losing both legs and partial use of one arm.

email: usich@usich.gov

web: http://www.usich.gov