NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE. The capital city of the "Volunteer State" launched its inaugural Project Homeless Connect event this week, welcoming over 1,000 homeless neighbors and marking the start of the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Fourth Annual National Project Homeless Connect Week. Nashville joined the national partnership of volunteers from every walk of life welcoming their homeless neighbors into the living room of the community during Connect events coast to coast, as are four state capitals and five inaugural Project Connect events during the 2008 National Week.

United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano was invited to join Nashville and Davidson County officials for the event, along with business and civic leaders and volunteers. Welcome remarks and introductions were made by Howard Gentry, former Vice Mayor of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville, and Davidson County, and Metro Homelessness Commissioner Luvenia Butler.

"Just as if your next door neighbor needed some help, you'd invite them over, offer some refreshment, hear their story, and connect them with people and resources," indicated Director Mangano (pictured above). "This week jurisdictional officials, business and faith leaders, and volunteers from all walks of life will welcome their neighbors to the community's living room to offer refreshment and resources to create a trajectory out of homelessness." Project Homeless Connect advances the goals of the Nashville/Davidson 10 Year Plan launched under former Mayor Bill Purcell.

Erik Cole, Chair of the Homeless Commission and elected member of the Metro Council , and Clifton Harris, the Metro Commission's Homeless Services Coordinator, also spoke. Rita Roberts- Turner, Chief of Staff to Mayor Karl Dean, and J. Hunter Atkins, the President of the Bank of Nashville which sponsored Connect and who represented private sector involvement in Nashville's 10 Year Plan, participated. Candy Christmas, a veteran Gospel performer whose faith-based Bridge Ministry provides essentials to people living on the streets, sang for the event rally and welcome. Council National tTeam Leader Michael German participated.

Grace Ohlhaut of USA Freedom Corps (USAFC), a White House office and COuncil member, participated (pictured here). President Bush created USA Freedom Corps to build on acts of service, sacrifice, and generosity that followed September 11th. As a White House office, USAFC is charged with building a culture of service, citizenship, and responsibility in America. USAFC promotes and expands volunteer service in America by partnering with national service programs, working to strengthen the non-profit sector, recognizing volunteers, and helping to connect individuals with volunteer opportunities.

Pictured here are (left to right): Jason Holleman, Homeless Commissioner; J. Hunter Atkins, President of the Bank of Nashville; Director Mangano; Grace Ohlhaut of USA Freedom Corps; Luvenia Butler, Homeless Commissioner; Erik Cole , Chair of the Homeless Commission; Rita Roberts Turner , Mayor Dean's Chief of Staff; Phil Ryan, Homelessness Commission; and Howard Gentry, Homeless Commission. Candy Christmas is performing.

Project Homeless Connect is encouraged by the Interagency Council as an innovative field tested and evidence based practice that effectively engages consumers and increases their access to basic necessities and the means to leave homelessness. Project Homeless Connect is a one-day, one-stop event that offers immediate access to resources that create a pathway out of homelessness in a convenient location for people experiencing homelessness. Resources include housing, jobs, mainstream benefits, healthcare, and resources for veterans, elder, youth and families. Over 200 communities in the U.S., Canada, and Australia have adopted the innovation of Project Homeless Connect over the last three years.

CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE. In Concord, New Hampshire, the capital of the Granite State, where the first-ever Project Homeless Connect convened at the Green Street Community Center, more than 50 volunteers welcomed homeless neighbors. Members of the General Federation of Women's Clubs of New Hampshire distributed 100 gift bags for the attendees; the bags were specialized for men and women. In a community with harsh winter weather and without public transportation reaching all needed services, the one-stop innovation of Connect was a solution for those in need of resources, which included medical/health care information and referrals, prescription financial information, haircuts, employment services, housing resources, mental health, substance abuse, and other referrals, and social services information. Pictured here are volunteers Sandi Jones, Jeannie Wolf, President, and Judy McPhail.

The Concord Coalition to End Homelessness sponsored the event, called a "smorgasbord" of resources by the local media. Reverend Jean O'Bresky of the First Congregational Church and Linda Newell of the Community Services Council of New Hampshire, who co-chair the coalition, participated. Council Regional Coordinator John O'Brien also took part.

The Fourth Annual National Project Homeless Connect Week starts as San Francisco, the historic home of the innovation of Connect hosts its 25th Connect event during National Week. Other National Week Project Homeless Connect events are scheduled in Concord, NH, Phoenix, Danbury, CT, Miami, FL, Madison County, IL, Nashua, NH, St. Louis, MO, Chattanooga, TN, New York City, Pomona, CA, Springfield, MO, St. Clair County, IL, Hartford, CT, Los Angeles County, Morristown, NJ, Clarksville, TN, San Diego, Manchester, NH, Huntington, WV, San Antonio, and Minneapolis. The Council will bring you continuing coverage of the National Week, its results, and innovations.

TRENTON, NJ. THANKSGIVING EVE, NOVEMBER 26. There was new reason for thanksgiving in New Jersey, as Governor Jon Corzine signed Executive Order 126 creating the New Jersey Interagency Council on Preventing and Reducing Homelessness. The new Council is charged with providing recommendations to the Governor for ending chronic homelessness, preventing and reducing homelessness, and improving services to individuals and families who lose their housing.

United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano, invited to participate in the signing event after his recent visit with Governor Corzine where the Governor committed to move ahead rapidly with a new Executive Order, joined state officials and civic leaders and more than two hundreds partners at the Greater Trenton Behavioral HealthCare Adult Services facility. Pictured above are (left to right): a consumer, Department of Community Affairs Commissioner Joseph Doria, Human Services Commissioner Jennifer Velez, host John Monahan, Greater Trenton Behavioral Healthcare, Reverend Bruce Davidson, Lutheran Office of Governmental Ministries, Alison Recca-Ryan, Corporation for Supportive Housing, Director Mangano, and Daniel Altilio, United Way of Hudson County.

Speaking to those gathered on the day before Thanksgiving, Governor Corzine acknowledged the work underway in various state agencies and at the local level on homelessness and the importance of connecting with efforts at the national level and noted, "if we use this new state council appropriately, we'll get more leverage to help more people from a place of homelessness to a place of self sufficiency." Governor Corzine and Director Mangano are shown here.

In his remarks, Director Mangano acknowledged the deep talent pool at the state, local and non profit level in New Jersey. Hudson County United Way CEO Dan Altilio, who attended the event, has led efforts to foster United Way partnerships for county 10 Year Plans across the state. Other key partners to state initiatives to end homelessness who were present were Alison Recca-Ryan, New Jersey Director of the Corporation for Supportive Housing, and Richard Brown, Executive Director of Monarch Housing Associates. Reverend Bruce Davidson, Lutheran Office of Governmental Ministries and President of the Board of Homes for New Jersey and Alison Badgett, Executive Director of Homes for New Jersey, a statewide nonpartisan housing initiative.

"I have confidence the mission will be advanced," Director Mangano said. "The political will of your Governor. Commissioner Doria's can-do leadership which I have experienced repeatedly - if he says he'll do it, just get out of the way. His word is good. And Commissioner Velez today has demonstrated her assurance that the Council will get done and get going. " Commissioners Doria and Velez are shown here.

"With the vitalization of your State Council, the partnership with 10 Year Plan counties and cities and the experienced and expert non-profits partnered here, we anticipate extra-ordinary achievements," indicated Director Mangano. "New Jersey is set to establish that new standard of expectation on homelessness we are beginning to see in other states. We now, through our plan, through innovations, expect to see visible, measurable, quantifiable change in our communities, on our streets, and in the lives of our homeless neighbors."

Speakers at the event included Community Affairs Commissioner Doria who was instrumental in pursuing the creation of the Council and Human Services Commissioner Velez who spoke of her personal commitment and of the "collective capacity" embodied in the Council's membership. Calling the evidence based practice of Housing First "the rediscovery of common sense," Greater Trenton Behavioral HealthCare President and CEO John Monahan observed that "there is nothing more personal than homelessness and homelessness is not inevitable. We know how to correct it."

The new state Interagency Council will provide a mechanism for bringing everyone together to ensure the effective investment of resources in solutions. "The single metric for measuring the success of this new state Interagency Council is that fewer of your neighbors will be suffering from the long misery and human tragedy of homelessness," said Director Mangano.

The new Council will be co-chaired by Commissioner Doria and Commissioner Velez. Members will include the Commissioners of the Departments of Children and Families, Corrections, Education, Health and Senior Services, and Labor and Workforce Development as well as the Executive Director of the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, the Chairman of the State Parole Board, and the Adjutant General of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. The Governor will also appoint 14 public members representing a diverse group of stakeholders.

GREENVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA. Calling their action "an unprecedented commitment" to end chronic homelessness, Greenville Mayor Patricia Dunn and new Pitt County Commissioners Chair Melvin C. McLawhorn last night joined Reverend Albert Shuler and Dr. Bob Thompson of East Carolina University, Co-Chairs of the 10 Year Plan, to welcome United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano, who had been present for the January launch of the planning process, to the Plan's public presentation to partners in the community. Chair McLawhorn has succeeded former Chair Mark Owens, who led the Blue Ribbon Task Force planning process with Mayor Dunn. Pictured here are (left to right): Mayor Dunn, Rose H. Glover, Council Member, Greenville City Council, Melvin C. McLawhorn, Chair, Pitt County Board of Commissioners, Mildred A. Council, Mayor Pro-Tem, City of Greenville, Director Mangano, and Veronica W. Roberson, Alderwoman, Winterville Board of Aldermen.

"This plan stands out," Director Mangano indicated. "It is a very realistic, down-to-earth plan that intends to get the job done. It focuses on prevention and intervention and stands out in both in its approach and in the strategic nature of the plan. It is not just a wish list." The new Plan was developed by an expansive stakeholder group whose co-chairs Reverend Albert Shuler and Dr. Bob Thompson oriented their efforts toward prevention and housing, bringing their faith and academic perspectives to the plan.

Director Mangano, noting that Mayor Dunn had committed to the Plan when she first took office, affirmed her commitment in seeing the plan finalized, and assured both Mayor Dunn and Chair McLawhorn that the initiative would be the legacy of their term in office.

Paulette White, Homeless Management Information Systems Coordinator for the Pitt County Planning Department, who was instrumental in the plan development and launch, hosted Director Mangano and National Team Leader Michael German during their visit. Consultant Ruth Peebles was Project Manager. Pictured here are (left to right): Mayor Dunn, County Chair McLawhorn, Reverend Albert Shuler, Plan Co-Chair, Dr. Bob Thompson, Plan Co-Chair, and Director Mangano.

"Ultimately, we believe this will bring stability to individuals and their families, and enable them to live life to the fullest," Mayor Dunn told the partners. Private sector support was represented by the National Alliance on Mental Illness and business partners.

The Housing First Plan developed an incipient cost study of several public systems, showing that at least $23,000 is consumed annually by an individual experiencing chronic homelessness in the area. The Plan has significant goals in the area of discharge planning, proposes three SOAR trainers for SSI enrollment, and commits to convene a Project Homeless Connect event in Spring 2009. Director Mangano is shown here with Greenville Police Department Lieutenant Earl Phipps, who also took part.

WASHINGTON, DC. $20 million in funding is available under the recently released Notice of Funding Availability of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the Family Unification Program (FUP), which supports incremental voucher assistance to provide adequate housing as a means to promote family unification. The purpose of the FUP is to promote family unification by providing Housing Choice Vouchers (HCVs) to families for whom the lack of adequate housing is a primary factor in the separation, or the threat of imminent separation, of children from their families and to youths 18 to 21 years old who left foster care at age 16 or older and lack adequate housing.

The new allocation stems from the support given FUP in the appropriations process by Senator Patty Murray of Washington and Missouri Senator Kit Bond. Signed into law by President George H.W. Bush in 1990 and with a statutory change in 2000 initiated by Senator Bond which added some foster care youth as an eligible population for FUP resources, the FUP program makes housing subsidies available to families where the lack of adequate housing is a primary factor in the separation, imminent separation, or ongoing separation of children from their families. Youths at least 18 years old and not more than 21 years old (have not reached 22nd birthday) who left foster care at age 16 or older and who do not have adequate housing are also eligible to receive housing assistance under the FUP. A FUP voucher issued to such a youth may only be used to provide housing assistance for the youth for a maximum of 18 months.

"Family Unification Program resources work," indicated United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano. "Local interagency partnerships are at the heart of the program, and it is good news to have these expanded resources which have been field tested for families now available. State and local partners will welcome these investments to prevent family separation and homelessness and achieve better outcomes for parents and children."

The terms ''FUP-eligible family'' and ''FUP-eligible youth'' are defined as: (1) A FUP-eligible family is a family that the public child welfare agency (PCWA) has certified as a family for whom the lack of adequate housing is a primary factor in the imminent placement of the family's child, or children, in out-of-home care, or in the delay of discharge of a child, or children, to the family from out-of-home care, and that the PHA has determined is eligible for a voucher. A FUP- eligible youth is a youth that the PCWA has certified to be at least 18 years old and not more than 21 years old (has not reached his/her 22nd birthday) who left foster care at age 16 or older and who does not have adequate housing, and that the PHA has determined is eligible for a voucher.

Potential applicant Public Housing Authorities are urged to review the entire series of NOFA announcements and procedures. The application deadline date is January 28, 2009. PHAs are the eligible applicants and may submit only one application under this NOFA. This one application per PHA limit applies regardless of whether the PHA is a State or regional PHA.

Applications must be received and validated by Grants.gov by the deadline date. The $20 million will provide voucher assistance to approximately 2,840 eligible families and youths. The total number of vouchers that a PHA may apply for will be based upon the size of the PHA. PHAs with a voucher program of 2000 or more units under an ACC may apply for funding that will support approximately 100 units. PHAs with a voucher program of 500 units to 1999 units may apply for funding that will support approximately 50 units. PHAs with a voucher program of less than 500 units under an ACC may apply for funding that will support approximately 25 units. If more approvable applications are submitted than funding available under this NOFA, a national lottery will be conducted to select approvable applications.

The NOFA is governed by the information and instructions found in the Notice of HUD's FY2008 Notice of Funding Availability; Policy Requirements and General Section (General Section) to HUD's FY2008 NOFAS for Discretionary Programs that HUD published in the Federal Register on March 19, 2008 (73 FR 14882), the SuperNOFA Introduction published on May 12, 2008 (73 FR 27032), and the correction published on June 12, 2008 (73 FR 33446).

WASHINGTON, DC. With National Domestic Violence Month past, the U.S. Department of Justice has announced three funding rounds focused on domestic violence and relate issues. With reported increases in family homelessness, domestic violence is a special concern, and communities can support a variety of strategies to help prevent and end this form of homelessness.

DOJ's Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) has announced the Transitional Housing Assistance Grants for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Stalking, or Sexual Assault Program (Transitional Housing Assistance Program) which focuses on a holistic, victim-centered approach to provide transitional housing services that move individuals into permanent housing. Grants support programs that provide assistance to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking who are in need of transitional housing, short-term housing assistance, and related support services.

DOJ considers it critical for resources to be consumer- centered and notes that successful transitional housing programs provide a wide range of flexible and optional services that reflect the differences and individual needs of victims and that allow victims to choose the course of action that is best for them.

"The DOJ investments are critical to individuals and families experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness because of domestic violence," indicated United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano. "The focus of these federal resources on flexible and expedited supports that respond to the needs of the consumer is an important element in preventing and ending family homelessness."

Transitional housing programs may offer individualized services such as counseling, support groups, safety planning, and advocacy services as well as practical services such as licensed child care, employment services, transportation vouchers, telephones, and referrals to other agencies. Trained staff and case managers may also be available to work with clients to help them determine and reach their goals.

Eligible applicants are State, County, and City governments and Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), as well as domestic violence and sexual assault victim service providers, domestic violence and sexual assault coalitions, other nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations, faith-based and community organizations, and culturally specific organizations, that have a documented history of effective work concerning domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. Applications are due January 8, 2009, and interested applicants are urged to read the entire announcement for details. Up to 60 awards are expected with an award ceiling of $250,000.

Enhanced Training and Services to End Violence Against and Abuse of Women Later in Life Program (Elder Grants Program) is a response to the recognition that that individuals who are 50 years of age or older who are victims of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation, including domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, face unique barriers to receiving assistance. In FY 2009 OVW plans to fund projects that will support a comprehensive approach to addressing elder abuse in their communities. Theses projects will provide training to criminal justice professionals, governmental agency staff and victim assistants to enhance their ability to address elder abuse, neglect and exploitation in their communities; provide cross training opportunities to professionals working with older victims; develop or enhance a community coordinated response to elder abuse; and provide or enhance services for victims who are 50 years of age or older.

Applications are due February 27, 2009, and 12 awards of up to $400,000 are expected. Eligible applicants are State, County, and City government, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized and other than Federally recognized), and non-profits having 501©(3) status other than institutions of higher learning.

DOJ's Legal Assistance for Victims (LAV) Grant Program is intended to increase the availability of civil and criminal legal assistance necessary to provide effective aid to adult and youth victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking who are seeking relief in legal matters arising as a consequence of that abuse or violence.

Grant funds may be used to provide direct legal services to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking in matters arising from the abuse or violence and to provide enhanced training for lawyers representing these victims. The objective of the LAV Grant Program is to develop innovative, collaborative projects that provide quality representation to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

Applications are due February 27, 2009, and interested applicants should review the entire announcement for details. Up to 70 awards of up to $650,000 are expected. LAV Grant Program awards funds to law school legal clinics, domestic violence victims' shelters, bar associations, sexual assault victims' programs, private nonprofit entities, Indian tribal governments and tribal organizations, territorial organizations, legal aid or statewide legal services, and faith- and/or community-based legal service providers.

Eligible applicants include Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), and private institutions of higher education.

WASHINGTON, DC. The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) collaborated with the Departments of Defense (DoD) and Veterans Affairs (VA) as cosponsors of the August 2008 conference, "Paving the Road Home: Returning Veterans and Behavioral Health." State partners included the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD) and the National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors (NASADAD).

SAMHSA has now posted conference materials and presentations on its website as part of the rollout of its newly redesigned monthly newsletter.

Issues covered at the conference included: community partnerships among mental health, substance abuse, and veterans and military services; traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder; special concerns of women veterans; experiences of military families; prevention of homelessness; suicide prevention; workforce issues; labor and employment strategies; program development and planning; and promising approaches to veterans' services by states.

WASHINGTON, DC. Special Courts - so-called problem-solving courts including drug courts, mental health courts, homeless courts, and more - have been shown to help reduce recidivism among nonviolent offenders and increase an offender's likelihood of successful rehabilitation through early, continuous, and intense judicially supervised treatment, mandatory periodic drug testing, community supervision, and appropriate sanctions and other supportive services. These positive outcomes support individuals in stabilizing their lives, in removing barriers to housing and employment, as well as clearing courts of backlogged or repetitive cases, reducing costs in law enforcement and the judicial system stemming from repeat offenders.

The United States Interagency Council on Homelessness has identified special courts as an innovation for 10 Year Plans. Consumer preference is a key theme of Council innovations, and the voice of the consumer has shaped the strategy of special courts. Homeless veterans inspired the new judicial model now in use across the nation. At the conclusion of the 1988 Vietnam Veterans of San Diego inaugural Stand Down event, homeless veterans were asked to identify their greatest need. More than 20% responded by identifying their need for assistance in the criminal justice system to resolve court cases and warrants.

The U.S. Department of Justice is currently seeking competitive applications for adult drug courts from eligible applicants including states, state and local courts, counties, local government, and Indian tribal governments, acting directly or through other public or private entities. For DOJ's statewide grants program, eligibility is limited to state agencies such as the State Administering Agency (SAA), the Administrative Office of the Court, or the state Alcohol and Substance Abuse Agency. Applications through grants.gov are due January 29, 2009, Interested applicants are urged to read the entire notice of competition carefully for details.

According to the announcement, a drug court can be a specially designed court calendar or docket as well as a specialized court program. Drug courts funded through the Bureau of Justice Assistance's (BJA) Drug Court Discretionary Grant Program are required by law to involve only nonviolent offenders and must implement an adult drug court based on the BJA and National Association of Drug Court Professionals' publication: Defining Drug Courts: The Key Components. Implementation grants may also serve DUI/DWI offenders. Further information on drug courts and the statutory requirements can be found in the FY 2009 Resource Guide for Drug Court Applicants.

The DOJ FY 2009 solicitation offers three drug court grant categories with priority given to: applicants that have never received BJA Drug Court Discretionary Grant Program funding; applicants providing services in rural areas, or intensive services to individuals addicted to methamphetamine; and applicants applying for Category III funding described below.

Category I grants for implementation carry a maximum award of $350,000 and a project period of 36 months. Implementation grants are available to jurisdictions that have completed a substantial amount of planning and are ready to implement an adult drug court. Jurisdictions who are in the planning stages should consider participation in BJA's Drug Court Planning Initiative (DCPI). DCPI provides training, technical assistance, and travel support to assist jurisdictions in planning a new drug court program.

Category II grants for enhancement of courts carry a maximum award of $200,000 and a project period of 24 months. Enhancement grants are available to jurisdictions with a fully operational (at least 1 year) adult drug court to: provide additional services to drug court participants; develop and provide training programs for drug court practitioners; evaluate a drug court; develop or implement an automated data collection system for the court; or meet the special needs of certain drug court participants, including individuals addicted to methamphetamine; individuals suffering from co-occurring mental health issues; members of cultural and language minorities; and individuals coping with severe traumatic experiences.

Category III awards are statewide granters which carry a maximum award of $200,000 and a project period of 24 months. Statewide drug court grants are available to state agencies to improve, enhance, or expand drug court services statewide through activities such as: training or technical assistance programs for drug court teams; tracking or compiling state drug court information and resources; disseminating statewide drug court information to enhance or strengthen drug court programs; increasing communication, coordination, and information sharing among drug court programs; conducting a statewide drug court evaluation; and establishing an automated drug court data collection system.

While many of these court issues involved misdemeanor offenses and warrants for such things as disorderly conduct, there were many barriers to individuals pursuing resolution of these issues on their own and no assurance of an outcome that would put them on a positive trajectory rather than risk fines or custody. Program staff also learned from veterans that it was lack of resources and documentation, as well as their focus on everyday survival, that prevented their participation in court proceedings, not a lack of respect for the court.

The Council's e-news 20in20 Innovations series in May 2008 featured both the San Diego special curt story and a profile of Ohio's Mental Health Court - just one of the Special Courts in Ohio's Supreme Court "Specialized Docket" - which is an active partner under the leadership of Justice Evelyn Stratton. Seeking better outcomes through policy and practice for persons who are homeless with mental health issues and in the criminal justice system has been the focus of Ohio's partnerships. The Court creates strategic intergovernmental partnerships with state agencies in both the executive and judicial branches and with local agencies seeking to break the costly cycle of random ricocheting for persons with behavioral health issues and histories of homelessness who are in the court system.

President Bush issued official greetings for the Council's Fourth Annual National Project Homeless Connect Week.

"I send greetings to all those observing National Project Homeless Connect Week 2008, hosted by the Interagency Council on Homelessness.

"Our country relies on our citizens to look after each other and surround those in need with love and support. Since 2004, Project Homeless Connect events have given communities an opportunity to reach out to the most vulnerable in our society. By providing valuable services, treatment and housing to help end the cycle of chronic homelessness, Project Homeless Connect is helping to ensure a better tomorrow for more individuals.

"I appreciate all those involved with this week for your good hearts and dedicated efforts to give all Americans the opportunity to realize their full potential. Your work demonstrates the power of human compassion and reflects the true spirit of our nation."

email: usich@usich.gov

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