Purpose of project: since 1982, VLP has operated with a focus on empowering veterans to navigate the transitions of life

The proposed service delivery area (SDA) for this rural homeless veterans reintegration program (hvrp) category one grant is comprised of ten counties (clarion, crawford, ELK, erie, forest, jefferson, mckean, mercer, venango, and warren). The proposed program will serve veterans in the eastern PA COC (509) and the western PA COC (601), and will utilize the local careerlink s and dvop s in the proposed SDA. Pennsylvania has the 4TH highest concentration of veterans in the united states. IT is estimated that 4,520 veterans of the total veteran population of 34,301 live below the federal poverty threshold within the SDA which displays the potential risk of housing instability and need for employment and benefits assistance. Activities funded by grant: VLP s client-centered, employment focused hvrp program centers on an intensive case management approach to reintegrate homeless veterans into the community and the local workforce. Proposed activities include: outreach and awareness building throughout the local community and service provider network assessment and client intakes providing supportive services and connections to benefits financial literacy education housing stability assistance resume writing and job search workshops job placement and training initiatives employment recruitment events and expanding the HR professional network. All activities are conducted in partnership with the disabled veterans outreach program (dvop) and the local veterans employment representative (lver) staff who are in daily communication with VLP veteran career advisors. Intended beneficiaries of the project: homeless veterans (including veterans who were homeless, but have found housing during the 60-day period preceding the date on which the veteran begins to participate in the program includes those at imminent risk (within 14 days of homelessness) veterans who at the time of enrollment in the program are at risk of homelessness within the next 60 days veterans participating in the department of veterans supported housing program for which rental assistance is provided pursuant to section 8(o)(19) of the united states housing act of 1937 the tribal HUD-VA supportive housing program or veterans participating in the department of veterans affairs supportive services for veteran families (ssvf) program authorized in 38 U.S.C.2044 veterans who are receiving assistance under the native american housing assistance and self determination act of 1996 homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with children veterans described in section 2023(d) of title 38 of the U.S. Code or any other veterans who are transitioning from incarceration and veterans recently released from incarceration who are at risk of homelessness.outcomes of the project: VLP will enroll at least 240 eligible veterans, place at least 180 veterans into sustainable employment opportunities at an average hourly rate of at least $15.50 within this rural service delivery area. VLP s overall placement rate will be above 75% throughout the funding years with the average cost of placement at $4,228. The median quarterly earnings of program participants who are in unsubsidized employment in the second quarter after exit from the program will be $8,060. Enrolled program participants will be provided with training to make clients aware of marketable job skills in order to be competitive in the job market. Key partnerships: VLP erie currently works closely with all american job centers, PA careerlink offices, and dvop s within the SDA to assist eligible veterans in quickly finding sustainable employment opportunities. In the proposed twelve county SDA, VLP will continue to collaborate with the erie VA and VET centers.subrecipient activities: n arecipient of other funding: VLP is the sole GPD grantee in the erie VA catchment area.