SOAR December eNews

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	December - 2014



	SOAR 2014 Outcomes Preview The SOAR 2014 Outcomes data is almost here! Curious about the data? Here is a sneak peak to get you through the holidays! Stay tuned for the issue brief to be released January 2015, which will have a more comprehensive set of data along with explanations of the data sets. National Homeless Persons' Memorial Day National Homeless Persons' Memorial Day, a day to honor all those who died on the streets this past year, will take place on Sunday, December 21, 2014, the longest night of the year. Get involved by attending or hosting an event. Use the hashtag #HomelessMemorial to spread the word about National Homeless Persons' Memorial Day. Sharing Our Successes On September 9, 2014, SOAR TA Center Project Director, Kristin Lupfer, presented on the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans' webinar, "Work Incentives and Employment Networks." The webinar provided an overview of how veterans with disabilities can return to work without jeopardizing their Social Security disability benefits. If you have a SOAR-related success story to share, e-mail soar@prainc.com. Job Postings The Colorado Disability Benefits Support Program (DBS) is hiring a full-time Disability Benefits Advocate, based in Colorado Springs, CO. The Colorado Branch of Volunteers of America (VOA) is hiring a full-time Disability & Benefits Specialist, based in Grand Junction, CO. Visit http://soarworks.prainc.com/content/soar-job-postings for more details on these two postings. Federal Updates Social Security Guide for Organizational Representative Payees and Organizational Payee Best Practices Released The Social Security Administration has released the Guide for Organizational Representative Payees, which helps organizations understand the duties and responsibilities of serving as a representative payee, along with a list of best practices for maintaining an effective representative payee accounting system, aimed at helping organizations ensure the integrity and accuracy of their accounting system. National Center on Homelessness Among Veterans Releases Housing First Video Series The National Center on Homelessness Among Veterans, in partnership with Pathways to Housing, has created a video series on Housing First, an evidence-based, low-barrier, supportive housing model that emphasizes permanent supportive housing to end homelessness. The five-part video series covers many topics, including an overview of Housing First, a Housing First team meeting, and a Veteran's perspective on homelessness and housing. 2014 Annual Homeless Assessment Report Released The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Office of Community Planning and Development released the 2014 Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) to Congress this October. The report noted a continued general decline in Veterans experiencing homelessness and persons living on the street. Read the press release. Upcoming Events 2015 Leadership Academy Dates The 2015 Leadership Academy dates have been released! January 14-16, 2015 - Dallas, TX March 3-5, 2015 - Kansas City, MO June 9-11, 2015 - Chicago, IL September 1-3, 2015 - Denver, CO What is a SOAR Leadership Academy? The SOAR Leadership Academy is a 3-day training program designed to prepare individuals to serve as local leads within their communities, guide the SOAR initiative, and support individuals who complete the SOAR online course. How do I apply? All attendees must be selected by their State Team Lead (STL) or TA Center Liaison to ensure that the candidate will assist with the implementation of the state's SOAR action plan. Those interested in attending a Leadership Academy to become a local SOAR lead should contact their STLs. Don't know your STL or TA Center liaison? Visit the SOAR In Your State Directory to find out! January Webinar Save the date! Our next webinar on Coordinated Entry Systems: Identifying & Prioritizing Applicants will be held on January 28, 2015 at 3:00 p.m. EST! Funding Opportunities Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Changes in Health Care Financing and Organization Grants Changes in Health Care Financing and Organization (HCFO) supports research, policy analysis, and evaluation projects that provide policy leaders timely information on health care policy, financing, and organization issues. MacArthur Foundation Grants Current calls for proposals on "Community & Economic Development: Youth Violence Prevention." The Corporation of National and Community Service Funding Opportunities FY 15 Operation AmeriCorps Competition (deadline: 01/13/2015) AmeriCorps State and National Grants FY 2015 (deadline: 01/21/2015) A Guide to Becoming an AmeriCorps VISTA Project Sponsor National Service in Your State Learn more about SOAR and AmeriCorps programs on our website.