WASHINGTON, DC. "Communities benefit when non-violent ex-offenders become contributing members of society," said United States Department of Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao this week as she announced almost $20 million in 30 awards for the President's Reentry Initiative. "This $20 million in grants will fund projects in 20 states to provide job training, mentoring and other services to prepare returning ex-offenders for new lives as productive workers."

The grants totaling $19.8 million to faith-and community-based organizations will assist non-violent ex-offenders returning to their local communities. These grants were awarded under the President's Prisoner Re-entry Initiative grant competition and are designed to serve urban centers and areas of greatest need. Introduced by President Bush in his 2004 State of the Union Address, the Prisoner Re- entry Initiative is designed to help strengthen urban communities and assist ex-prisoners re-entering the community through an employment-based program that incorporates housing, mentoring, job training and other services. This competition for grants turned out to be the biggest and most competitive in recent years, with 549 applications submitted to the Department of Labor.

The Prisoner Re-entry Initiative is a collaboration of the Departments of Labor, Justice, Housing and Urban Development and Health and Human Services. The Department of Justice is holding a limited grant competition in the 20 states where the Labor Department grants were awarded to conduct pre- release services for program participants.

WASHINGTON, DC. The nation will mark Veteran's Day on Friday, November 11, as the National Veterans Awareness Week declared for November 6- 12 by President Bush continues. "I urge all Americans to recognize the valor and sacrifice of our veterans through ceremonies and prayers. I call upon Federal, State, and local officials to display the flag of the United States and to encourage and participate in patriotic activities in their communities. I invite civic and fraternal organizations, places of worship, schools, businesses, unions, and the media to support this national observance with commemorative expressions and programs," stated the President in his Proclamation.

United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary R. James Nicholson also underscored his agency's role in noting the week's observances: "As we commemorate Veteran's Day here in 2005, I want every man and woman currently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan to know that the VA is here for them when they return. I want them to know they are eligible for our health care services, benefits if appropriate and I also want them to know that we have launched an initiative to help them get a job when they come home -- if they need that help -- because they certainly are worthy of good jobs in our employment community. They've volunteered, they've gone off, they've subjected themselves to discipline and the rigors of war and they are prime candidates as young employees in our nations businesses -- and they deserve it." More information on the Department's initiatives is at www.va.gov

The United States Department of Labor announced this week that approximately 300,000 wallet-sized cards and key fobs with critical employment and job training information will be distributed to military personnel and veterans over the next six months. The department also unveiled the elaws Recovery and Employment Assistance Lifelines (REALifelines) Advisor. This new online tool will provide valuable information and resources to help returning wounded and injured veterans successfully transition into civilian employment.

"The 'Key To Career Success' cards and REALifelines online advisor are part of our outreach efforts to help veterans and returning soldiers access good job opportunities and develop new career pathways," said Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao. "Our servicemen and women have put themselves in harm's way to protect our homeland and help other countries achieve freedom and democracy. We want to do everything we can to welcome them home and facilitate their reintegration into civilian life." More information is at www.dol.gov

The "Key to Career Success" card will be attached to a brochure for demobilizing and transitioning service members as they go through the joint DOL, Department of Veterans Affairs, and Department of Defense Transition Assistance Program. For veterans who have already made the transition, there will be additional information and professional staff guidance available at the nearly 3,500 One-Stop Career Centers nationwide. The card will help veterans access local One-Stop Career Center services connecting them to employers seeking men and women with the unique skill sets and experience characterized by military service. It will also highlight veterans' special status so that, upon arrival at One- Stop Career Centers, they will receive priority service as required under the Jobs for Veterans Act. The back of the "Key to Career Success" card and key fob features a toll-free phone number, 1-877-US2- JOBS (TTY: 1-877-889-5627), and Web link, www.servicelocator.org, to help veterans speak with a service representative or locate the nearest One- Stop Career Center and download a map and driving directions.

In addition, from July 21, 2005 through July 20, 2006, VA is celebrating its 75th Anniversary of service to America's veterans. In 1930, the newly established Veterans Administration had 31,500 employees, a $786 million budget and served 4.6 million veterans. Now known as the Department of Veterans Affairs, today's VA has more than 235,000 employees, a budget of nearly $70 billion and serves almost 25 million veterans. According to the agency, its name has changed and it has grown, but VA's mission remains the same: "To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan."

There's also change at the helm of the key national organization focused on the needs of homeless veterans and providing technical assistance to the field. Cheryl Beversdorff, RN, MHS, MA, assumed the role of Executive Director of the National Coalition for Homelessness Veterans in October. A former Army nurse, Beversdorf was stationed at Camp Zama Hospital in Japan and Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. She has served as chief staff executive for three national not-for- profit health organizations and an extensive background in health policy and government relations and was a staff member for the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs where she worked with veterans groups on a wide range of service- related issues including Agent Orange, post-Vietnam traumatic stress syndrome and spinal cord injury.

PIERRE, SOUTH DAKOTA. Developments across South Dakota this week point to growing momentum in the state to address homelessness and housing issues. The South Dakota Housing Development Authority convened its annual statewide conference in the capital city of Pierre this week, bringing hundreds of partners from the public and private sector together for the 3-day event hosted by Housing Authority Executive Director Darlys Baum and South Dakota Department of Human Services Secretary Berry Oldenkamp. Pictured here from left to right is Pam Roberts, South Dakota Secretary of the Department of Labor; Darlys Baum, SDHDA Executive Director; Director Mangano; Secretary Betty Oldenkamp; Sharon Stroschein, Office of Senator Tim Johnson.

United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano, invited to keynote the event, told conferees, "You know that change is not just happening 'out there,' and not just in cities. The initiatives that are being shaped by states and counties and cities and housing authorities are on the front edge of what is happening in our country. You can witness some of the steps forward that are happening right here in your own state to redefine prevention and intervention and end homelessness for your neighbors."

South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds appointed a cabinet-level State Interagency Council under his Executive Order 2003-07 in September 2003 to meet monthly and foster policy coordination and partnership, identification of best practices for the state, and to make recommendations for change.

Council Regional Coordinator Eduardo Cabrera also took part in the South Dakota events, along with partners from the United States Departments of Housing and Urban Development and Agriculture, and the Environmental Protection Agency.

IN THE CITIES. While in South Dakota, Director Mangano also visited with representatives of Sioux Falls and Mayor Dennis Eisbach of Pierre. Sioux Falls, the first South Dakota city to commit to a 10- Year Plan, is ready to cap their effort to develop a plan with a public announcement soon. Director Mangano discussed with Pierre Mayor Eisbach the federal initiatives to end chronic homelessness and the partnership work of cities of all sizes in the country in pursuit of the goal of ending chronic homelessness.

PHOENIX, ARIZONA. Arizona's capital city, which has been offering hospitality to evacuees of recent hurricanes, moved forward this week with new services for historically homeless people as government and business leaders gathered for the ribbon cutting of the area's new Human Services Campus. The Human Services Campus is a cooperative effort among Maricopa County, homeless service providers, and non-profit organizations to develop coordinated delivery of services to person experiencing homelessness.

United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano, invited to keynote the opening, had visited the site in September following the hurricanes to see progress leading to this week's event. Director Mangano noted the role of business and government leaders who brought resources to the new site, supporting the community in moving from stalemate to partnership and accomplishment.

Participating in the ceremonies were Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon, Arizona Secretary of State Jan Brewer, Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Chair Max Wilson and Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox, business leader Marty Shultz who co-chaired the site's Capital Campaign, Father Bill Wack of André House, Jerry Hirsch of Lodestar Foundation, Dan Withers of President, DL Withers Construction, and Mike McQuaid, Managing Director of the Human Services Campus, LLC. Arizona Department of Economic Security officials Charlene Moran Flaherty and Allie Bones accompanied Director Mangano and Council Region IX Coordinator Eduardo Cabrera on their visit.

The Human Services Campus provides coordinated delivery of housing, medical, educational and other services to homeless clients. The campus is located just west of the downtown Phoenix area. Other partners with Maricopa County in the Human Services Campus include, Central Arizona Shelter Services, St. Vincent de Paul, St. Joseph the Worker, Nova Safe Haven and the City of Phoenix.

While in Phoenix, Director Mangano also met with Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano to thank her for her commitment to the evacuees welcomed to her state, as well as her record of commitment to her state's interagency council and its accomplishments.

SAN FRANCISCO. Results of the federal commitment to end chronic homelessness were on display at the last stop of the official visit of Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall to the United States. The visitors spent their morning at the Empress Hotel, one site of the Direct Access to Housing initiative of the City and County. DAH is one of the 11 federal HUD-HHS-VA Collaborative Initiative sites providing permanent supportive housing in pursuit of the Administration's goal to end the chronic homelessness of the most vulnerable and long-term resident of streets and shelters.

United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano, invited to join the visit with Mayor Gavin Newsom, 10-Year Plan leader Angela Alioto, and DAH Director Marc Trotz, observed, "This is one of the best practices for permanent supportive housing in the United States. The British have done a great job with rough sleepers in England, but they haven't done as much supportive housing. We've pioneered it, and they can learn from us."

Director Mangano pointed out to Prince Charles the importance of the success of the Rough Sleepers Initiative to the shaping of federal initiatives in this country, including the regular consultation of national government officials from the United Kingdom, Canada, and the U.S. to share best practices and results-oriented policy approaches. Key leaders of the UK team visited Washington in 2004, and Canada this year hosted another of the "Tripartite Colloquies" that bring the officials together.

While San Francisco continues to report decreases in street homeless as a result of its initiatives under the city's 10-Year plan, the federal HUD-HHS-VA $55 million 11-city Collaborative Initiative has most recently reported the housing of 612 individuals who have experienced chronic homelessness that collectively totals over 4,300 years.

NEW YORK CITY. "Our goal is nothing short of ending chronic homelessness through proven, cost-effective solutions like prevention and supportive housing - and we're taking a giant step in that direction today, said New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg today as he announced a $1 billion, 9000-unit supportive housing commitment for persons experiencing chronic homelessness."I thank Governor Pataki for his support in making New New York/New York III a reality. Investing in solutions and reducing reliance on expensive shelter is good for our neighborhoods, taxpayers, and, most importantly, homeless New Yorkers."

Mayor Bloomberg committed to funding and developing 12,000 units of supportive housing along with State, Federal and private partners in June 2004 when he announced the administration's 5-year plan to end chronic homelessness. The 9,000 units in the New New York/New York III agreement along with the more than 3,000 additional units being produced by the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD ), the State and Federal government will fulfill the administration's commitment to create 12,000 units for supportive housing and increase by over 50% the existing 20,000 units of supportive housing available in New York City.

"We are proud of the work we have done to help people break cycles of dependency and today there are one million fewer people on our welfare rolls, but we know there is more work to be done," said New York Governor Pataki. "This new agreement will deliver 9,000 new units of supportive housing - an unprecedented number that is nearly double the commitment of NY/NY I and II, combined. This agreement not only will provide housing for homeless individuals and families, it marks another step in our efforts to provide housing and services to those most in need. I want to thank Mayor Bloomberg for partnering with the State on this historic initiative."

The first two NY/NY agreements produced units solely for single adults with mental illness and some history of homelessness, but the new pact targets a broader range of clients to better reflect the population of chronically homeless people on city streets and in shelters today. New New York/New York III includes units for clients with substance abuse disorders, HIV/AIDS, and mental illness. Also included for the first time are families with disabled heads of households and young people aging out of foster care and residential treatment.

New York/New York III will total approximately $1 billion over 10 years with annual operating expenses of $156 million once all 9,000 units are developed. A substantial portion of the $1 billion development cost will be in capital expenses, with additional funding from such sources as private equity and tax credits. Capital costs will be split evenly by the State and City. As part of the City's capital commitment, HPD is targeting over 25% of its Low Income Housing Tax Credit Allocation to supportive housing, dedicating units within some City-sponsored new construction to the formerly homeless, and operating with an increased capital budget to construct supportive housing. The estimated City share of operating expenses by year 10 is $35 million or 23% of the ongoing operating costs. 3,000 of the 9,000 units will be produced by the end of year two, and 5,700 by the end of year five.

Commenting on the announcement, New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal Commissioner Judith A. Calogero said, "As Chair of the Governor's Interagency Advisory Task Force on Housing for People with Special Needs, I am extremely hopeful about what an enhanced NY/NY III will mean to our consumers. This successful agreement addresses a number of overlapping special needs, and integrates a variety of supportive housing models that will provide an opportunity for people to live independently in the community of their choice while addressing the problem of chronic homelessness."

New York City cited the research of Professor Dennis Culhane of the University of Pennsylvania who found in 2002 that, by offering supportive housing units to clients with mental illness and some history of homelessness, the previous two New York/New York agreements had produced cost reductions that came close to paying for the housing and services. According to New York City data, approximately 16 % of single adults are chronic, or long-term, shelter residents, meaning they've spent at least two of the last four years in shelter. Chronically homeless single adults use roughly 50% of shelter bed nights.

An unprecedented intergovernmental partnership brought the agreement to completion.. State agencies included the Division of Budget, Division of Housing and Community Renewal, Office of Mental Health, Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, Department of Health, Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, the Office of Children and Family Services and the AIDS Institute. City agencies included the Office of Management and Budget, Department of Homeless Services, Department of Housing Preservation and Development, Human Resources Administration, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and the Administration for Children's Services.

WASHINGTON, DC. Whether in virtual form or face-to-face, one-stop technology is proving itself in a variety of ways in recent months, ranging from the spontaneous response of helping communities creating one-stop centers to assist hurricane evacuees to the new United States Department of Labor web site offering a one-stop source on government benefits at www.GovBenefits.gov . The site lists benefits by state and category and includes other useful resources.

In early September, President Bush promoted GovBenefits.gov, describing it as an accessible and readily available resource that's provided by the government to aid the victims of Hurricane Katrina. He emphasized to evaucees the importance of easy access to assistance, explaining, "In all the steps we take, our goal is not to simply provide benefits, but to make them easy and [as] simple as possible to collect."

The GovBenefits.gov team has reached out to extend the site to several sectors, including asking State CIOs to link to GovBenefits.gov and supplying consolidated benefit information to other Federal Government portals such as the Federal Consumer Information Center, Disasterinfo.gov, and Firstgov.gov.

WASHINGTON, DC. On Thursday, December 8, 2005, the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, supported by a range of federal agencies, will host the next in a series of regional conferences to help faith-based and community organizations learn more about President Bush's Faith-Based and Community Initiative and support the work of effective social service programs. The next conference will convene in Nashville, TN and build on the success of last month's conference in Milwaukee. The event is geared towards representatives from faith-based and community organizations that have experience with the government grants process, but are interested in producing more competitive applications.

The conference will also provide an opportunity to inform State and local officials about equal treatment regulations and other central elements of the Faith- Based and Community Initiative. White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives Director and Assistant to the President Jim Towey is pictured here.

Conferences will be supported by the Departments of Justice, Agriculture, Labor, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Education, Commerce, and Veterans Affairs, the Small Business Administration, and the Agency for International Development. Join the mailing list for upcoming conferences by visiting: http://www.dtiassociates.com/FBCI/mailingList.cfm