Purpose of the project: voaohins northwest indiana hvrp will provide veterans with comprehensive employment and training services, including wrap-around supportive service case management to…

Volunteers of America Ohio & Indiana (VOAOHIN) received a $580,480 Project Grant from the Department of Labor's Veterans Employment and Training Service under the Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program (HVRP, CFDA 17.805), effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028. The Northwest Indiana HVRP delivers comprehensive employment and training services to Category 1 homeless veterans, including chronically homeless veterans, in the non-urban Gary, Indiana area spanning Lake, Jasper, LaPorte, Newton, and Porter counties. Core services include outreach, assessment and intake with referrals for supportive services and housing, employment and training services utilizing an evidence-based Supported Employment model, and follow-up services to enhance job placement and retention. All services are coordinated through comprehensive case management with wraparound supportive services designed to address the full continuum of barriers facing individual participants.

The program targets enrollment and exit of 288 participants with a planned 75% employment placement rate, resulting in 218 participants placed into employment at an average hourly wage of $19.36 and a cost per placement of $3,994.13. Post-exit performance goals include a 62% employment rate in the second quarter following exit with median earnings of $7,677 and a 40% employment rate in the fourth quarter after exit. VOAOHIN leverages key partnerships to enhance service delivery and veteran outcomes throughout the region.

Purpose of the project: voaohins northwest indiana hvrp will provide veterans with comprehensive employment and training services, including wrap-around supportive service case management to effectively address the full continuum of barriers faced by each individual.activities to be funded by the grant: voaohins northwest indiana hvrp will provide veterans with comprehensive employment and training services, including wrap-around supportive service case management to effectively address the full continuum of barriers faced by each individual. All services will be coordinated through comprehensive case management, including follow-up aftercare services, and will also utilize the evidence-based supported employment (SE) model. The services provided by the program include: (1) outreach (2) assessment and intake, including referrals for appropriate supportive services and housing (3) employment and training services and (4) follow-up services to enhance placement and retention of employment.intended beneficiaries of the project: intended beneficiaries of the project include category 1 homeless veterans in the non-urban geographical area of gary, in in lake county as well as neighboring counties of jasper, laporte, newton, and porter. The greater gary area is characterized by non-urban rural areas with high poverty and high numbers of homeless veterans, including chronically homeless veterans.expected outcomes of the project: planned cumulative goals: # of participants enrolled 288 # of participants exited 288 placement rate (# employed # exited) 75% # of exited participants placed into employment 218 average hourly wage at placement $19.36 cost per placement $3,994.13 post-exit goals: employment rate in the 2ND quarter after exit 62% median earnings 2ND quarter after exit $7,677. Employment rate in the 4TH quarter after exit 40% key partnerships: voaohin has several key partnerships, such as these examples, that provide outstanding value to the veterans. Voaohin has served as a core provider of outreach to homeless individuals in the gary area for a decade, and is identified as such in the region 1 county continuum of care (COC) and in balance of state continuum of care plans. Thus, voaohin has established a reputation for effective and compassionate outreach to homeless individuals to engage them in services. Many of our key partnerships include: ssvf housing partners, VA medical center, VA crown point homeless outreach, VOS officer lake county, VET courts, ST jude homeless and city rescue mission shelter.