Federal Grant Award Summary

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) awarded $314,057 in federal funding under CFDA 64.053, "Payments to States for Programs to Promote the Hiring and Retention of Nurses at State Veterans Homes," to the South Carolina Department of Mental Health, effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026. This represents the federal contribution matching a $314,057 non-federal contribution from Shenandoah Valley Hospital (SVH) for a total program budget of $628,114. The award funds workforce development and recruitment incentives designed to address nursing shortages at the state veterans home.

The funded program provides direct recruitment bonuses for new nursing hires, a preceptor program offering coaching and professional development for new staff, preceptor and preceptee performance bonuses, professional certifications in wound care and infection control, uniforms, and shift differential incentives to encourage staffing of less desirable work schedules. These complementary incentive mechanisms target both the immediate recruitment challenge and longer-term retention and professional development of nurses providing direct clinical care to veterans.