Federal Grant Award Summary

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) awarded $167,417 in federal funding to the South Carolina Department of Mental Health on October 1, 2025, under the "Payments to States for Programs to Promote the Hiring and Retention of Nurses at State Veterans Homes" program (CFDA 64.053). This award represents half of the total $334,834 project budget, with the South Carolina Veterans Home contributing an equal matching share. The grant period runs through September 30, 2026.

The funded initiative delivers a comprehensive workforce development and retention program designed to address nursing shortages at the state veterans home. Specific products and services include direct recruitment bonuses for new nursing hires, a structured preceptor program providing coaching and professional development for newly hired nurses, preceptor and preceptee performance bonuses, wound care and infection control professional certifications, and shift differential incentives and uniform allowances to promote recruitment and retention. These incentive mechanisms target nurses providing direct clinical care to residents, consistent with the VHA's statutory mandate under 38 U.S.C. 1744 to support state veterans homes in strengthening their nursing workforce.