WDVA to Expand Homeless Veteran Program, Services to Green Bay
Grant Also Awarded to Existing Programs in Chippewa Falls, King, Union Grove
MADISON — The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) has been awarded a grant from the US Department of Veterans Affairs to continue to operate and expand Wisconsin’s successful Veterans Housing and Recovery Program (VHRP) which provides temporary housing, training, and supportive services to military Veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless in order to help them obtain permanent housing. Under the Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program, the USDVA agrees to make a per diem payment to the State for each day a Veteran participates in the VHRP.
This year’s award agreement also allows Wisconsin to expand its VHRP program to Green Bay where it will provide housing and services for up to 18 Veterans. The Green Bay VHRP will also include licensed clinical staff such as social workers who can provide case management for mental health issues and substance abuse. In addition, Wisconsin’s existing VHRP programs at King* and Union Grove will be expanded to include clinical services, as well as accept and serve female Veterans for the first time.
Under the program, the USDVA agrees to make a per diem payment to the State for each day a Veteran participates in the program.
“Helping Veterans regain mental and physical health, maintain steady employment, and find quality affordable permanent housing are the goals of our highly successful programs,” WDVA Secretary Daniel J. Zimmerman said. “We have worked hard to ensure that our programs are effectively meeting the needs of Veterans and are excited that the USDVA has expanded our grant so we can build upon our successful program in order to assist more Veterans.”
Like the WDVA’s other VHRPs, the Green Bay VHRP will offer stable, secure, and safe housing to Veterans while they receive training and services to become stably housed. VHRP staff work with residents on:
• Permanent Housing
• Employment Assistance
• Education & Job Training
• Healthcare & Mental Health Services
• Substance Abuse Treatment
• Claims & Benefits Assistance
Veterans may stay at a VHRP for up to 24 months, however many complete the training program in 6 to 10 months and transition to long-term, permanent housing. In 2017, the WDVA transitional housing programs at Chippewa Falls, King, and Union Grove assisted 190 Veterans.
The expansion of the VHRP comes on the heels of the expansion of the WDVA’s Veterans Outreach Recovery Program (VORP) to all 72 counties in Wisconsin. Through the VORP, Veterans can receive crisis services, as well as on-the-street case management in order to get them treatment for mental health and/or substance abuse, including paying for private treatment. Through partnership with County Veterans Service Officers, Veteran service organizations, local government agencies, community nonprofits, and others, Veterans receive individualized wrap-around services such as housing, food, clothing, furniture, education, and employment.
(Editor’s Note: *The USDVA grant announcement identifies Weyauwega as a Wisconsin grant location. However, the WDVA recently received USDVA approval to maintain operations and expand programming at King instead.)