"Project Phoenix House Newsletter"

      Daily News from the Veterans Today Network

The Veterans Today Network is the premier cybernetwork source for US Military Veterans Jobs, VA Benefits, Home, Loans, Hospitals & Administration. 

 Visit website: http://www.veteranstoday.com 

House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs

1^st Quarter Update

Note from Chairman Bob Filner

I applaud President Obama’s budget request for the Department of Veterans Affairs.  After 16 years on the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, I am very encouraged that this outline is consistent with the recommendations made by the veterans’ groups who co-author the Independent Budget.  This has never happened in the 23-year history of the IB!  The Obama budget calls for the biggest increase for veterans programs ever requested by an Administration.

The House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs is committed to assisting the VA in its goal of becoming a model 21^st Century organization.  The Committee shares the Administration’s commitment to improving health care for all veterans, increasing access to mental health services, addressing and preventing homelessness among veterans, and honoring the veterans of previous generations.  I am confident that under the leadership of VA Secretary Shinseki, the needs of veterans will be the top priority. 

Veterans Funding

FY 2010 Budget Resolution

Ø      The House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs supports the President’s budget request and recommended an additional $800 million above the Administration proposal.  The recommendation was adopted by the House Budget Committee and passed by the House. 

Ø      H.Con.Res. 85, The House Budget Resolution, provides for a $5.5 billion increase over fiscal year 2009, an increase of 11.5% for veterans health care and other programs.  This budget increase builds upon the success of the 110^th Congress when Democrats added $16.3 billion to the VA budget.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (P.L. 111-5)

Ø      Congressional approval of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is the first major step in rebuilding our country’s economy, while also honoring our veterans. 

Ø      The bill provides a $1.4 billion increase for the Department of Veterans for maintenance at VA medical facilities, construction of veterans’ extended care facilities, and veteran cemetery repairs.  The bill also provides economic stimulus payments of $250 to disabled veterans receiving VA compensation or pension. 

Legislation

H.R. 1377 – Emergency Care Eligibility Expansion

Passed by the House of Representatives

Currently, veterans are not reimbursed for medical costs when they receive emergency care from non-VA medical facilities if they have insurance that pays either full or a portion of the emergency care.  In effect, veterans with third-party insurance are penalized and required to pay the remaining amount not covered by insurance.  H.R. 1377 is a common sense bill that clarifies the reimbursement responsibilities of the VA, so veterans can focus on their recovery, instead of being overburdened with financial concerns.

H.R. 1171 – Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program Reauthorization Act of 2009

Passed by the House of Representatives 

H.R. 1171 is an important step to ensuring that the VA is prepared to provide comprehensive services to prevent veteran homelessness.  This bill reauthorizes the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program for fiscal years 2010 through 2014 and includes an additional $10 million to provide dedicated services for homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with children.  Grants are available to provide job training, counseling, placement services, and child care services to expedite the reintegration of veterans into the labor force.             

H.R. 1513 – The Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2009

Passed by the House of Representatives

H.R. 1513 provides a cost-of-living adjustment for veterans and is one of the most important bills Congress passes each year.  This bill guarantees that those who have sacrificed so much for this country receive benefits and services that keep pace with inflation and their needs.  

H.R. 1388 – The Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act

Passed by Congress and sent to President Obama for signature

The Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act encourages a renewed spirit of national service and community volunteerism by establishing a Veterans Corp program designed to help veterans meet the needs of their fellow service members.  This volunteer program serves the needs of veterans and members of the Armed Forces, and creates opportunities for veterans to continue serving their country through education, mentoring, and job training for fellow veterans.

VA Oversight: Solutions for Veterans & Accountability for Americans

The House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs conducted rigorous oversight of various VA operations to improve services for veterans, as well as provide accountability for the American taxpayer.  The Committee has held a series of oversight hearings to measure program results, end waste, and combat mismanagement. 

Ø      The Committee continues to monitor VA’s planning and progress in implementing the new G.I. Bill requirements which are expected to go into effect on August 1, 2009. 

Ø      The Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing that focused on the lack of action by the Department of Defense and VA to establish the Vision Center of Excellence, a program that was funded in early 2008. 

Ø      The Committee addressed recent reports of misdated claims and shredded documents at the Veterans Benefits Administration, and is committed to working with Secretary Shinseki on fixing the disability claims process.

Veteran Outreach

Ø      The Committee held a Roundtable with more than 34 veterans service organizations and military associations to discuss their legislative priorities for the 111^th Congress. 

Ø      The House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees met in Joint Session 4 times to receive the legislative agendas of 17 veterans service organizations.

Recognition And Rewards For All U.S Veterans, Active Duty, National Guard, Reservists,

 And Your Families Every Day.

YOU deserve to be a Veterans Advantage member because as a member you have the upper hand in today’s economy!
Veterans Advantage is a national program that partners with corporations that want to do their part to honor and thank all who serve our country. Our partner companies show their appreciation and thanks by providing preferred pricing on their goods or services every day. Partners such as Target, Dell, Apple, Continental Airlines, Amtrak, Dollar and Thrifty Rental Car, T-Mobile, Boston Market, and so much more.

Travel & Entertainment Continental Airlines Amtrak Train Travel Greyhound Bus Travel Dollar Rent A Car Thrifty Car Rental Car Rentals VA Travel Services Delta Shuttle US Airways Shuttle Norwegian Cruise Line Hotel Reservations Airport Parking Reservations Vacation Rentals Escorted Travel Entertainment Discounts Choice Hotels Disney & Orlando Vacations Club Med National Park Resorts Zoos and Aquariums T-Mobile Wireless Services Gifts and Shopping Apple iPods and Computers Dell Computers Target.com Barnes and Noble.com eBags.com A&E and the History Channel Gourmet Foods Boston Market Flowers Eyewear and Prescription Lenses Pet Food and Supplies

Click here to start now!   Health & Wellness Prescription Discount Plan Health Clubs GNC.com Accident Insurance Long-Term Care Insurance Medical Evacuation Insurance Golf Equipment and Accessories Eastern Mountain Sports Eyewear and Prescription lenses And so much more...

Start with a 30-Day Trial
Just pay processing and handling of $4.95. You’ll receive all the benefits of membership – We will mail you your personalized I.D. card and your 60-page benefits booklet, gain instant “Members Only” access as well as our weekly email newsletter with new benefit updates. And if you choose not to continue with full membership, just contact us within 30 days.
Start TODAY and receive:

• Instant online access to all your benefits
• 50% OFF on family member enrollments
• Your own personalized membership ID card
• Your own 60-page Benefits Directory Book with your benefits package
• Prescription Drug Discount Plan Benefits: Nationwide coverage
• Your membership includes $55,000, travel and accident insurance insurance (a $300 value if purchase independently)

• Click on our Web site and visit our enrollment page.
  
  
• Contact us toll-free at:
  1-866-VET-REWARDS (1-866-838-7392)
  
  
• Click on our print-friendly enrollment form.

  
  
  All major credit cards are accepted in our secured encrypted online application.
  In addition, if you continue after 30 days of enjoying all the benefits of your trial, Veterans Advantage would also like to send you a $25 dollar GIFT CARD as “Our Way of Saying Thanks” for becoming a member!
  Join Today!
   
  

  If you continue after your 30-day trial, you will be charged for the full membership term; one year Veterans Advantage Card membership is $59.95.

   
   Have Your Friends and Family Members Become Veterans Advantage Members Yet?
  

  Those who served and their families can register today. Tell them to enroll at VeteransAdvantage.com.

                                

NCHV e-Newsletter September 2009

NAEH Publishes Data Update to Homelessness Report The National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH) has published a data update to its 2006 report, "A New Vision: What is in Community Plans to End Homelessness." The original report, which NAEH considers the first nationwide examination of local plans to end homelessness, breaks down communities' plans by plan type, primary strategies, implementation and funding resources, and implications for homelessness and future planning efforts. It can be viewed here. NAEH's data update, titled "A Shifting Focus: What's New in Community Plans to End Homelessness," expresses concern over whether communities' plans are being actuated. "While we know that a considerable number of communities have created 10-year plans, there has not been a comprehensive evaluation of the extent to which plans are being implemented," it states. The update includes an analysis of the 234 completed community plans to end homelessness, as well as an overview of factors that are most likely to lead to implementation. To view the data update, click here. To view an interactive timeline of 10-year plans, click here. 2009 Homeless Census and Survey Project Reports Released Applied Survey Research (ASR), a nonprofit social research firm, has released reports from its homeless census and survey projects conducted in January 2009. The reports comprise data from seven California counties (Madera, Orange, Riverside, San Francisco, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz and Sonoma) and Clark County, Nevada. Interactive graphing tools allow users to view survey results by location or sheltered/unsheltered status. Subcategories include age, ethnicity, veteran status, reason turned away from shelters, causes of homelessness, medical care, respondents with children, nights in jail and health issues. To view the reports and survey results, or to learn about ASR's survey methodology, click here. NCHV Resource Library Launched NCHV's Resource Library is a collection of valuable reports, fact sheets and other related materials for your reference and research needs. These are the same resources that have informed the development and expansion of programs to help veterans in crisis over the last five years. Service providers, veteran advocates and government officials use these resources to shape policy and establish funding requests. Consider that over that period of time, homelessness among veterans has decreased more than 40 percent. In the grant writing process, citing information from reliable, well-respected sources is critical. There are many government-funded reports here that can help define your position and strengthen your cause. The same goes for advocacy: championing homeless veterans' issues in a rapidly changing service provider community requires fresh data and up-to-date research findings. Addressing and preventing veteran homelessness can largely be divided into three primary focus areas: Health Issues, Economic Issues and Access to Housing. Most homeless veterans face challenges in all three. Additional sections on this site are dedicated to the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (Department of Labor-Veterans' Employment and Training Service), the VA Grant and Per Diem Program, Veterans of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF), Women Veterans and Re-entry from Incarceration.  This resource library will be updated frequently, and we welcome submissions from all stakeholders in the campagin to end and prevent veteran homelessness. Send submissions to rbrown@nchv.org. Upcoming Philanthropy Journal Webinar Dissects the Grant Proposal Philanthropy Journal is teaming up with Mark Goldstein ? CEO of Communication Mark, a consulting firm that specializes in grant-writing, strategic planning and organizational development ? to conduct a webinar on successful grant proposals. The webinar, which will run from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. ET on Thursday, October 8, will aim to teach the following: How to state your need for funding in a clear, fresh and compelling way Systematic methods that solidify and spotlight organizational strategies Key differences between strategies, goals, objectives, outcomes and tasks Participants will be able to access the webinar either via phone or internet. Cost is $20 for Philanthropy Journal members and $30 for non-members. For more information, click here. HAC Holds Free Conference to Preserve Rural Rental Housing The Housing Assistance Council (HAC) is holding a conference on policy and practice regarding the preservation of rural rental housing. The conference will be held on Thursday, September 24, at the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C. Members of Congress, leaders in Section 515 preservation legislation, expert congressional and USDA staff, and local practitioners will be on hand to help answer questions, including the following:  How are the administration and Congress changing the landscape for preservation of affordable rental housing in rural America? Will legislation be enacted in the 111th Congress? What's in H.R. 2987? How are rural preservation deals being financed in 2009? What funding will be available in 2010? What do successful preservation projects look like? There is no fee to attend the conference. Space, however, is limited, and advance reservations are required. For more information and to register, click here. Funding Opportunities Bank of America's national philanthropic strategy is neighborhood excellence. The company's local grant making activities can ? and do ? vary, depending on what your local community needs. Bank of America's local market presidents and their teams develop relationships with other community leaders to determine the best use of philanthropic dollars in each community. The majority of local grant making programs have no deadlines. Applications are reviewed throughout the year. To find if your organization is located in an eligible market, and for more information, click here. The M. J. Murdock Trust's mission is to enrich the quality of life in the Pacific Northwest, specifically Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington. The Trust makes grants in three general areas: education, arts and culture, and health and human services. Organizations that adopt preventative efforts to address physical, spiritual, social and psychological needs are given preference. A letter of inquiry, which can be submitted at any time, must be approved in order to pursue funding. For more information, click here.

Technical Assistance provided in this e-Newsletter is funded, in part, through a grant from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the U.S. Department of Labor. National Coalition for Homeless Veterans 333 ½ Pennsylvania Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20003-1148 Mission: The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans will end homelessness among veterans by shaping public policy, promoting collaboration, and building the capacity of service providers. This newsletter is sent to subscribers and members of NCHV. If you would like to be removed from our list, please send an email to: nchv4@nchv.org. You can subscribe or view past issues here: http://www.nchv.org/enewsletter.cfm