The 2016 CHALENG Survey
2016 CHALENG survey on Veterans Homelessness is open. Veterans, Community, Partners, VA Staff
The 2016 CHALENG Survey
2016 CHALENG survey on Veterans Homelessness is open. Veterans, Community, Partners, VA Staff
Start a Vet Program
HOW TO START A HOMELESS VETERAN PROGRAM
Determine Need
Learn About Nonprofit Organization Management
Additional Resources
DETERMINE NEED
Gather data from
Homeless Coordinator at VA Medical Center nearest you
Your city, county or state’s Homeless Coalition (click here for the most recent CHALENG report)
Local service providers
Police
Formerly homeless veterans
Your state’s homeless coordinator (usually appointed by Governor)
Answer questions
How many homeless are there?
How many of those are veterans?
What services are currently available?
What services are missing in order to break the cycle of homelessness?
What are the short-, medium- and long-range needs?
What resources are available?
What additional resources are needed?
Who is involved now?
Who could/should be involved?
Most of this information can be found in the CHALENG report.
Visit or talk to other homeless veteran programs
NCHV has a list of providers throughout the nation that can be used as contacts. Click here to locate community-based service providers in your area.
Involve Others
Select an organizing committee of individuals that might be interested in attacking this issue. At this stage, it’s wise to select individuals that can see the big picture and the long road. Individuals that are doers have a hard time during the development stage sitting around talking and planning. They want to be doing, not talking! Click here for our fact sheet on collaboration.
Develop
Mission
Goals and objectives
Business plan
Resource plan – e.g. people, things, money that you will need
Budget
Bylaws
Program guidelines
Test
Is there enough commitment to make the plan work?
Is there enough access to resources to make plan work?
Is your plan meeting the needs of homeless veterans within your community?
LEARN ABOUT NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION MANAGEMENT
Management
Starting a Homeless Veteran Program
Organizational Planning
Effective Board Development
Board of Directors
Risks, responsibilities, recruitment, demographics and client representation
Committee structure
Tenure
Executive committee
Financial Management
Tips for Grantseeking
Restricted funds versus unrestricted funds
IRS 990 filing requirements
Charitable solicitation requirements
Director and officer liability insurance
Annual Reports
Creating an Annual Report
Why and how?
Apply for 501(c)(3) IRS tax-exempt status
Obtaining a 501(c)(3) status gives the organization access to grants from federal and state governments, as well as private and corporate foundations.
The process takes 2-6 months, from filling out an application to receiving ruling from the IRS. The complete process is described here.
It will be necessary to have a mission, business plan, budget, bylaws and a board of directors before applying.
Each state has different requirements to become a nonprofit organization. Check these requirements prior to completing IRS application.
Participate in Local Homeless Coalitions
HUD Continuum of Care
Develop partnerships that will assist in meeting the needs of homeless veterans.
Often local coalitions assign or influence the priorities for government funds. If you are not at the table, you will be less likely to receive a share.
Develop a Public Education and Marketing Campaign
Brochures or one-piece information “fact sheets” are helpful to educate or request investments from the community. Make sure yours look professional and answer the basic who, what, where, when, why and how questions.
Prepare several individuals to be speakers for the organization. Educating the community often happens at organization meetings, and you need a representative that can face an audience and gain their support.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Fact Sheets
Homeless Veterans Fact Sheet
How to Advocate for Homeless Veterans
Nonprofit Resources
BoardSource builds exceptional nonprofit boards and inspires board service. Call 877-892-6273 or visit their website for more information.
National Council for Nonprofit Associations: Most states have a nonprofit association that provides technical assistance to other nonprofits. Click here to find the association nearest you.
Jossey-Bass Publishers have a wide variety of topics for nonprofits. Call 415-433-1767 for a catalog or visit their website.
Fieldstone Alliance has a wide variety of topics for nonprofits. Call 1-800-274-6024 for a catalog or visit their website.
Start a Vet Program
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — While most other states are limiting expectations as they try to recover from the recession, Gov. Jerry Brown is dreaming of a bright future for his native California.
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The $85 billion in cuts that went into effect at the beginning of the month will not spare soldiers and veterans, with a wave of cuts being announced for tuition assistance and a program that helps homeless veterans get back on their feet.
San Juan County Prosecuting Attorney Randall K. Gaylord announced that budget cuts in in March 2012 will force him to lay offthe one deputy prosecutor handling misdemeanors from full-time to about half-time.
“This 50 percent reduction in misdemeanor prosecution will disrupt what people expect in public safety,” Gaylord said
Source: Google Alert
Millions of vacant homes in the USA (most already owned by the government) & these homeless families & homeless veterans have to live in prison-like jammed-packed shelters, in cars.
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Veteran Bill Fly talks about his time in the United States Air Force, and then as a general contractor with the Department of Defense.
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The plan eliminated the Social Services Block Grant (Meals on Wheels) and renewed efforts to go after food stamp recipients. The misguided emphasis on food stamps will not balance the budget but it will put hundreds of thousands of children at risk.
See all stories on this topic »
PolicyMic
Canada’s food inspectors say they fear budget cuts could endanger food safety in Canada. Bob Kingston, the head of the Agriculture Union, raised the issue Monday morning, along with the daughter of a woman who died of listeriosis poisoning in 2008. …
The Kaneland School Board is in familiar waters, facing a decline in state revenues and having to prepare for spending cuts to eliminate a projected $930000 budget deficit.
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