Project Grant 23560HV000023

THE PURPOSE OF THE PROPOSED HVRP PROJECT IS TO ASSIST MILITARY VETERANS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN REINTEGRATING INTO MEANINGFUL EMPLOYMENT WITHIN THE LABOR FORCE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. DURING THE 3-YEAR GRANT PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE, EASTERSEALS CROSSROADS WILL ASSESS 450 VETERANS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, ENROLL 300 VETERANS, AND PLACE 243 ENROLLED VETERANS INTO EMPLOYMENT IN STABLE, HIGH-DEMAND OCCUPATIONS EARNING GOOD WAGES. THE STAFF OF THIS HIGHLY COLLABORATIVE PROJECT WILL WORK CLOSELY WITH AN ARRAY OF COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO PROVIDE INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT, WRAPAROUND SUPPORT, TRAINING, JOB DEVELOPMENT, AND PLACEMENT SERVICES. THE PROJECT S OVERARCHING GOAL IS TO HELP VETERANS DEVELOP THE SKILLS NECESSARY TO ACHIEVE LONG-TERM SELF-SUFFICIENCY.THE SERVICE DELIVERY MODEL MAINTAINS A CLIENT-CENTERED, CASE-MANAGEMENT APPROACH DESIGNED TO PROVIDE AND COORDINATE EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE INCLUDING JOB-DRIVEN TRAINING, PLACEMENT, AND SUPPORT SERVICES. THIS APPROACH HELPS TO DEVELOP BOTH CONFIDENCE AND SKILLS FOR IN-DEMAND JOBS FOR THE VETERANS SERVED. THE EASTERSEALS CROSSROADS HVRP PROGRAM DESIGN INCORPORATES EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES TO ASSIST VETERANS TO UPGRADE JOB SKILLS, BECOME EMPLOYED IN JOBS PAYING AN AVERAGE OF 16.37 PER HOUR, AND FIND SECURE HOUSING. SPECIFIC PROGRAM ACTIVITIES INCLUDE TARGETED OUTREACH AND RECRUITMENT, ASSESSMENT TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY AND READINESS, CREATION OF AN INDIVIDUALIZED EMPLOYMENT PLAN, INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT, SUPPORT SERVICES, TRAINING, JOB DEVELOPMENT AND PLACEMENT SERVICES.THE PROJECT WILL SERVE MILITARY VETERANS WHO MEET HVRP ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS AND WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, ARE AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS, AND OR ARE TRANSITIONING FROM INCARCERATION. FOR THE PURPOSES OF DETERMINING A VETERANS AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS STATUS, THE INDIVIDUAL OR FAMILY HAS AN INCOME BELOW 30 PERCENT OF THE MEDIAN FOR THE REGION, HAS INSUFFICIENT RESOURCES TO ATTAIN HOUSING STABILITY, AND IS CURRENTLY LIVING IN AN UNSTABLE OR TEMPORARY HOUSING ARRANGEMENT (FOR EXAMPLE, STAYING AT THE HOME OF SOMEONE ELSE OR LIVING IN A MOTEL ROOM). EASTERSEALS CROSSROADS HAS SEVERAL SPECIFIC PROGRAMS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR INCREASED ENGAGEMENT OF HISTORICALLY MARGINALIZED VETERANS INCLUDING PEOPLE OF COLOR, DISABLED VETERANS INCLUDING THOSE WITH TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURIES, AND FORMERLY INCARCERATED VETERANS. OUTREACH EFFORTS HAVE ALSO BEEN ADDED TO THE PROGRAM TO TARGET VETERANS LIVING IN RURAL AREAS, PARTICULARLY IN HENDRICKS COUNTY WHERE THERE ARE STRONG PARTNERSHIPS WITH MENTAL HEALTH AMERICA OF HENDRICKS COUNTY AND THE HENDRICKS COUNTY VETERAN COALITION.OVER THE PAST TEN YEARS IN DELIVERING HVRP SERVICES, EASTERSEALS CROSSROADS HAS DEVELOPED A COMPREHENSIVE NETWORK OF BEST-PRACTICE PARTNERS AND VETERAN STAKEHOLDERS, INCLUDING THE AMERICA JOB CENTER (WORKONE), THE LOCAL WORKFORCE INVESTMENT BOARDS AND HUD CONTINUUM OF CARE (COC). A SUCCESSFUL PARTNERSHIP WITH THE AMERICAN JOB CENTER IS A KEY COMPONENT OF AN EFFECTIVE HVRP PROGRAM. WORKONE IS THE AMERICAN JOB CENTER IN INDIANA. EASTERSEALS CROSSROADS HAS ENJOYED A CLOSE WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH BOTH WORKONE REGION 12 (INDIANAPOLIS) AND WORKONE REGION 5 SERVING THE SURROUNDING COUNTIES. THIS PARTNERSHIP ENSURES OUR PARTICIPANTS ARE SUCCESSFULLY CO-ENROLLED AND CAN TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF WIOA SERVICES. OTHER KEY VETERANSTAKEHOLDERS AND PARTNERSHIPS INCLUDE SSVF, VETERANS COURT, VETERAN SERVICE OFFICERS, VA EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS, VA DOMICILIARY, AMERICAN RED CROSS, AMERICAN LEGION, HVAF, HIP, AND LOCAL HOMELESS SHELTERS AND FOOD PANTRIES.NOT APPLICABLENOT APPLICABLE