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Department of Health and Human Services
 SAMHSA Awards $27.7M in New Grants in Cooperative Agreements to Benefit Homeless Individuals (CABHI) Program
SAMHSA announced the recipients of $27.7 million in federal funding to provide services to individuals experiencing chronic homelessness who also suffer from behavioral health problems and substance use disorders. The purpose of the CABHI program is to support the development and/or implementation of local program infrastructures that integrate treatment and services with permanent housing for individuals and families. These grantees will work with Medicaid offices, public housing agencies and others in these collaborative efforts. Twenty new grantees will be able to begin or continue their work to reduce chronic homelessness in their communities with this three-year funding. Grantee programs are focused on reducing barriers to stability by providing housing that supports recovery.
- Learn more about the grantees and their work
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) Releases new briefing on Web-Based Tools for Improving Benefit Access and Program Efficiency
This month, ASPE released a new issue brief on the design and operation of web-based tools that assist individuals experiencing homelessness in learning about and applying for mainstream benefits. States and communities across the country are looking for cost-effective ways to increase the percentage of eligible individuals who access mainstream benefits. This brief draws on eight case studies of programs using web-based tools to evaluate the different types of tools available. The brief also outlines some common functions of web-based tools, considerations for program design, implementation and maintenance for providers, and illuminates potential advantages for stakeholders. These tools and this focus support one of the main goals in Opening Doors, Increasing Access to Mainstream Benefits.
- Access this brief from ASPE
- Find more resources on Increasing Access to Mainstream Benefits
Department of Housing and Urban Development
 New Regulations out on HUD-VASH, Information on PHA Partnership from the Office of Public and Indian Housing (PIH) HUD's Office of Public and Indian Housing recently released new information for public housing agencies (PHAs) on two very important topics: project-basing of HUD-VASH vouchers and guidance and strategies for PHA/service provider collaborations. Restrictions on HUD-VASH project basing have changed. Previously only up to 50% of HUD-VASH vouchers could be project-based. This limitation has been removed; however, the number of project-based HUD-VASH units must still stay within the 20% maximum budget authority that may be allocated for project-based voucher assistance overall. PIH also released guidance for PHAs in promoting partnerships with private and non-profit partners to enhance service delivery and tenant quality of life outcomes. This guidance provides resources on suggested ways for PHAs to connect with local health care, employment, and education systems. Suggestions for funding mechanisms are also included in this notice. - Read the HUD-VASH notice - Read the Promoting Partnerships Notice Department of Education  ED Releases new Guidance Publications about Students with Disabilities Earlier this month, the Department of Education released a series of publications with guidance on meeting the needs of students with disabilities. These publications discuss such topics as transition to post-secondary education, IDEA provisions for those enrolled in private schools, Employment 101 for students with disabilities, and student placement in elementary and secondary education schools that fit the needs of the student. If your program serves students with disabilities who are experiencing or who have experienced homelessness, we recommended that you take a look at all the resources provided. - Access these ED resources Department of Justice
 Attorney General Holder Convenes second Federal Interagency Reentry Council Meeting On September 27, Attorney General Holder convened the Federal Reentry Council, a group of Cabinet-level leadership and other federal stakeholders dedicated to improving the outcomes for people returning to society following incarceration. The Council discussed $83M in Second Chance Act grants that were recently awarded to local communities to continue their work mentoring and training both adults and juveniles as they transition back into society. The Attorney General also announced the release of new "Reentry MythBusters," fact sheets for service providers and employers on policies that govern eligibility for benefits, employment, and voting rights. USICH Executive Director Poppe attended this meeting of officials as they discussed ways to decrease both recidivism and barriers to stability for this population. - Read the press release from the Department of Justice - Read the Reentry MythBusters | 
