August 2017 NCHV Newsletter

NCHV eNewsletter
August 2017
Homelessness and Disaster Preparedness, Response, and Recovery 
Guidance from the Department of Housing and Urban Development
NCHV stands with Houston. In light of the devastation that accompanied Hurricane Harvey, we urge all of our members to review preparedness plans. With limited resources and fewer connections to their communities, people experiencing homelessness are often the most vulnerable and at-risk in a disaster or other emergency situation. A community’s capacity to prepare for and respond to a disaster or emergency affects its ability to aid this population. Communities need a strong preparedness, response, and recovery plan to adapt to a dynamic event while continuing to serve one of the most vulnerable populations by ensuring that they receive essential services such as meals, prescription medicine management, housing, and other basic necessities. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) offers a web page that provides emergency preparedness, response, and recovery resources for CoCs, ESG recipients and subrecipients, shelters, and other homeless service providers.
To access these resources, click here.
If you are a provider in the Houston area and your organization has been affected by Hurricane Harvey, please contact Kathryn Monet at kmonet@nchv.org and let us know how we can be of service to you and your veterans.
Hill Watch: GPD Proposed Rule and Regulatory Changes
Your chance to comment on GPD, deadline Sept. 25
The new models and the funding application announced in December of last year are not the only changes being made to GPD. On a completely separate front, new GPD regulations were advanced through a “proposed rule” by VA on July 25, 2017. You can see the text of this proposed rule by clicking here.
A “proposed rule” is a statement of intent by the government to change the regulations of a program. It has a preamble with the Department’s rationale for the changes, and a main section which lays out the changes to the regulations section by section. Importantly, this document does not put these changes into effect, it merely proposes them. This allows any citizen the opportunity to review the changes, and make a comment on them.
As GPD providers, or even as organizations working in the field, you have a unique expertise that makes your input into this process invaluable. Please review the regulations, make some notes, and call Joshua Stewart at NCHV’s offices to let him know your thoughts. Then, submit your own comment on the regulations. You have until Sept. 25, 2017 to submit your comments, but getting them in as early as possible is always best.
Stay tuned to NCHV’s electronic communications to see the latest policy updates, especially as they relate to the important GPD happenings of the next few months.
DoD Releases Clarifying Guidance to Veterans Regarding Discharges and Military Records
Addressing how new guidance applies to more situations/conditions
The Department of Defense has released clarifying guidance for discharges and military records reviews. In the past few years, the department has issued guidance for consideration of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) but there remained some questions about how the guidance applied to sexual assault, sexual harassment, or mental health conditions other than PTSD.
This guidance fills in the gaps and resolves any confusion that veterans or the review boards may have had, and it ensures a fair and equitable review of separations for all veterans. The guidance has been forwarded to a number of Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) and Military Service Organizations (MSOs) in order to spread the news to as many veterans as possible.
To access a full overview of the new guidance, click here.
September is Suicide Prevention Month
Be There for veterans in crisis
We all can take action to help prevent suicide, but many people don’t know what they can do to support a veteran in their life who’s going through a difficult time. During Suicide Prevention Month and year-round, help the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) let people know that preventing suicide starts with this simple act of support: Be There.
You don’t need to make a grand gesture: A simple act of kindness shows you care. You can call up an old friend, check in on a neighbor, cook someone dinner, or invite a colleague on a walk. You can also encourage veterans to take time for themselves and to focus on their own health and wellness.  

To download VA's Suicide Prevention Month flyer, click here.
Stay tuned to NCHV's Facebook and Twitter pages for Suicide Prevention Month content throughout September.
New for NCHV Members! NCHV CEO Q&A Webinar!
Thursday, Sept. 7 at 2 p.m. ET
As an added benefit for NCHV members, we are launching ongoing NCHV Members Only Webinars. To be presented bimonthly, these webinars will allow NCHV members to hear from and interact with invited guests. The kickoff webinar will feature NCHV CEO Kathryn Monet.
We'll be offering you an opportunity to get to know Kathryn and allowing time for you to ask questions, express concerns, share what's working in your community, and tell us how we can best serve our members.
NCHV Members should have received information on registration for this webinar in the NCHV Members eNewsletter, and will receive another notification soon. If you are a member and did not receive this info, contact Randy Brown at rbrown@nchv.org.
For more information on how to become an NCHV member to receive access to these CEO Webinars and more, click here!
Funding Opportunities
The Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation administers several types of grants in the Orlando, Fla. metropolitan area of Orange, Seminole, Osceola, and Lake Counties. The Foundation offers large match-challenge grants, construction or renovation grants, start-up and seed grants, seed loans, and emergency grants. This funding generally ranges from $5,000 to $50,000. To read the application restrictions and guidelines (before submitting a letter of inquiry), click here.

The Guido A. & Elizabeth H. Binda Foundation provides grants in the Calhoun County area of Michigan. The grants are made primarily in the area of education, but also includes health and human services, as well as community development. The two step application process begins with a letter of inquiry, and then moves on to an online grant application. Deadlines for 2017-2018 cycles will be announced soon. To learn more, and begin the process, click here.
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