|
|
|
|
USICH June Newsletter
|
June 2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
Save the Date: Opening Doors Anniversary Stakeholder Call
June 22nd 3:30-4:30pm EDT
Labor Secretary Hilda Solis who also serves as USICH Chair invites you to attend a stakeholder conference call on June 22nd to mark the one year anniversary of the release of Opening Doors: Federal Strategic Plan to End Homelessness.
Opening Doors is the first ever comprehensive federal plan to prevent and end homelessness. Since its release USICH and its federal partners have been working to implement the Plan. Unprecedented collaboration has occurred throughout all levels of government and with private, non-profit, and faith based organizations as we work to end homelessness in America. The Council agencies have both individually and collectively advanced the strategies contained in the Plan.
Special Assistant to the President for Urban Affairs Derek Douglas and USICH Executive Director Barbara Poppe will join Secretary Solis to discuss the roles the federal government and Administration have played over the first year of Opening Doors. Key leaders will share their thoughts on the impact of plan implementation to date and what is needed as we move forward into year two of implementation.
The conference call will be interactive and USICH will answer submitted questions at the end of the call. We look forward to you joining us.
- Go to the online registration form to sign up
|
|
Department of Veterans' Affairs
Housing Expansion Plan for Homeless Veterans and Their Families
On Wednesday, the VA announced plans to develop unused and underused department buildings to increase the number of beds available to Veterans experiencing or at-risk of homelessness. Over 5,000 new beds will be added: an increase of 33%. Development will occur on 32 VA sites and projects will consist both of supportive housing and independent and assisted housing with beds available both for individual Veterans and for Veterans living with families. This project will support the VA's goal of ending Veteran homelessness by providing safe, affordable, cost-effective, and sustainable housing for Veterans on a priority basis.
- Read the press release
Department of Labor $5 Million Available to Train Veterans Experiencing Homelessness for Careers On Wednesday, Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis announced this grant competition which will be funded through Labor's Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program and will provide approximately 3,000 homeless veterans with job training and other services to help them succeed in civilian careers. Funds will be awarded on a competitive basis to state and local workforce investment boards, local public agencies and nonprofit organizations, including faith-based and community-based organizations. Administered through the department's Veterans' Employment and Training Service, the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program is the only federal program that focuses exclusively on the employment of veterans who are experiencing homelessness.
- Read the release to learn more
Department of Health and Human Services
SAMSHA LGBTQ Youth Video Series SAMHSA's Homeless Resource Center (HRC) has announced a new video series titled "Larkin Street Stories: Serving Homeless Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Youth." The series will convey lessons learned by staff and youth at the Larkin Street Youth Center in San Francisco. The HRC just released the first of three videos which focuses on the challenges faced by LGBT youth experiencing homelessness and the importance of providing a safe space for youth to self-identify and regain stability. All three videos will share real advice on how providers can empower youth to reach their full potential despite the challenges they have faced.
- Watch Episode 1 now
|
|
Cabinet Secretaries and USICH Engage Stakeholders at National Homeless Conferences
 National Coalition for Homeless Veterans
Participants at the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans annual conference had the opportunity to hear from a number of the key Council officials on the latest on the Administration's goal to end Veterans homelessness by 2015. The conference focused on best practices, partnerships, and tools available to implement Opening Doors.
- Read Secretary Donovan's blog post about the event
- Read Secretary Shinseki's remarks
- Read USICH Director Poppe's remarks
LGBT Youth Summit This first of its kind summit hosted by the Department of Education's Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools brought together students, educators, administrators, and heads of federal and nonprofit agencies to provide information and seek solutions to the issues faced by LGBT youth. HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and ED Secretary Arne Duncan spoke about the importance of ensuring equal opportunity and safety for LGBT youth in America's schools. Both Secretaries' speeches highlight actions that have been taken within their respective agencies to improve policy and practice for LGBT youth. Many speakers throughout the summit talked about the over-representation of LGBT youth among homeless unaccompanied youth.
- Read Secretary Sebelius' remarks
National Forum on the Human Right to Housing  USICH Executive Director Barbara Poppe also spoke this week at the National Forum on the Human Right to Housing hosted by the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty. She spoke about the challenges and next steps needed to make the goals of Opening Doors a reality, to end homelessness in America.
- Read Barbara Poppe's remarks
|
|
In Memoriam: Bob Hohler, Executive Director of the Melville Charitable Trust, Chair of Funders Together, Board Member of Billings Community Works, and Chair of The Partnership for Strong Communities Board
 On June 2, the community of homeless service providers, advocates, and philanthropists lost a partner and friend with the passing of Bob Hohler. Bob was a dedicated life-long partner and supporter of work in his home state of Connecticut and in the nation's efforts to end homelessness and ensure affordable housing for all Americans. Bob was a tremendous ally in our work. His unwavering sense of justice and possibility will be sorely missed. We join the community in offering Bob's family our deepest condolences.
- Read the full statement from the Melville Charitable Trust on Mr. Hohler's life, work, and legacy
|
|
Job Openings at USICH
Program and Management Analyst
USICH is looking to add a Management and Program Analyst to our team in Washington, DC. This full-time permanent employee will work with Director-level staff on special projects, project management, stakeholder communication, and more. Looking for a talented and motivated individual with experience in the area of homelessness to join our team.
- View a detailed job description and apply
Graduate Student Internships Paid graduate level internships at our Washington, DC office are available on a rolling basis, year round and open now for talented students. We have openings in a number of fields including public policy, communications, accounting and administration, and research. If you or someone you know is a graduate student in the DC metro area and is looking for great experience in an agency, please learn more about this opportunity on our website.
- View a detailed job description and apply |
Stay Connected:
Telephone: 202.708.4663
Fax: 202.708.1216
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
