1. VA Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships (CFBNP) Battlemind to Home II Symposium Empowering Veterans ~ Faith-based and Community Organizations Working Collaboratively with Veterans Affairs (VA) The Role and Work of the VA CFBNP and the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships (WH OFBNP) November 16 & 17, 2011 Indianapolis Marriott East 7202 East 21 st Street Indianapolis, IN 46219 Presenter ~ Rev. E. Terri LaVelle, Director VA Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships (CFBNP) CFBNP Building Collaborations Empowering Veterans 1

2. VA Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships Supporting America’s Veterans 2 CFBNP Building Collaborations Empowering Veterans

3. Mission Centers for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships Initiatives Policy Goals White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships Supporting America’s Veterans 3 CFBNP Building Collaborations Empowering Veterans

4. White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships Supporting America’s Veterans "The particular faith that motivates each of us can promote a greater good for all of us. Instead of driving us apart, our varied beliefs can bring us together to feed the hungry and comfort the afflicted; to make peace where there is strife and rebuild what has broken; to lift up those who have fallen on hard times. -- President Barack Obama M ISSION We build partnerships between government, faith-based and neighborhood organizations to better serve individuals, families, and communities. 4 CFBNP Building Collaborations Empowering Veterans

5. White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships Supporting America’s Veterans Agency Centers Veterans Affairs Health and Human Services Housing and Urban Development Homeland Security U. S. Agency for International Development Agriculture Commerce Education Corporation for National and Community Service Justice Labor Small Business Administration Environmental Protection Agency 5 CFBNP Building Collaborations Empowering Veterans

6. White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships Supporting America’s Veterans President’s Advisory Council The President’s Advisory Council on Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships is a group of 25 leaders from both faith-based and non-sectarian organizations, each serving 1-year terms. The Advisory Council are leaders and experts in fields related to the work of faith-based and neighborhood organizations in order to make recommendations to government on how to improve partnerships. 6 CFBNP Building Collaborations Empowering Veterans

7. WH Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships Supporting America’s Veterans Partnerships for the Common Good A Partnership Guide for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships The Partnership Guide is designed to give local faith and community leaders a menu of opportunities to partner with President Obama’s Office for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships to address a variety of challengers and issues critical to local Communities. The Guide is by no means exhaustive. Use the Guide to review the kinds of partnerships that can be formed in the areas that are most important to your local congregation or organization. The staff at the Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships Centers are ready to support your local group in forming the Partnerships described in the Guide and to answer any questions you have about how to move forward. Email – whpartnerships@who.eop.govwhpartnerships@who.eop.gov Website – www.whitehouse.gov/partnershipswww.whitehouse.gov/partnerships CFBNP Building Collaborations Empowering Veterans 7

8. White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships Supporting America’s Veterans Grants and Resources One of the goals of the Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships is to make sure that community Organizations are aware of grant opportunities that may be relevant to them throughout the Federal Government. Neither the Office nor the Agency Centers administer or manage Federal grant programs. However, the links to grants below can help you identify those grant opportunities where faith-based and neighborhood organizations are being engaged as partners throughout the Federal Government. Grants Websites Grants.gov – This electronic system allows you to search for grant opportunities across multiple factors such as Agency, Services, Populations, and most Recently Announced. USASpending.gov This electronic system allows you to identify grants that have been awarded to entities in Community. 8 CFBNP Building Collaborations Empowering Veterans

9. White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships Supporting America’s Veterans Faith and community-based organizations have been at the forefront supporting military families and Veterans. Joining Forces is a comprehensive national initiative to mobilize all sectors of society to give our service members and their families the opportunities and support they have earned. http://www.whitehouse.gov/joiningforces http://www.whitehouse.gov/joiningforces Joining Forces is especially focused on education, employment and wellness.  Number one, you can make a special effort to ensure that your existing ministries and services integrate and are accessible to military families and Veterans.  Second, you could expand a military families’ ministry or program that you have already launched.  Third, if you don’t already have one, you could consider starting a new ministry or service for military families or Veterans, or partner with an existing program in your community.  For smaller congregations, you could coordinate a once a year fair, event or service that is focused on military families.  Finally, you can help raise awareness about the issues and challenges that military families and veterans face as well as their service and strength that some of their neighbors may not be fully aware of. CFBNP Building Collaborations Empowering Veterans 9

10. VA Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships Interagency Collaboration WH Regional Interagency Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships Conferences: Connecting Communities for the Common Good The WH OFBNP is convening conferences across the country in partnership with local officials. At each conference, workshops will be facilitated by Center Directors and workshop presenters will be local and regional agency staff. In order to support local organizations as they tackle community challenges, the regional events have three key goals:  To build and strengthen relationships between community and faith-based groups, and with local, regional and Federal government partners;  To highlight relevant Federal and public/private partnership opportunities, and to connect groups to these opportunities; and  To open the door and tell the story of the Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships. Completed Planned May 27, 2011 Philadelphia, PADecember 6, 2011 Chicago, IL June 5, New Orleans, LA July 27, 2011 Denver, CO September 27, 2011 Detroit, MI CFBNP Building Collaborations Empowering Veterans 10

11. White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships Supporting America’s Veterans 11 Strengthening the Role of Community Organizations in the Economic Recovery Reducing Unintended Pregnancies, Supporting Maternal and Child Health and Reducing the Need for Abortion Promoting Responsible Fatherhood and Strong Communities Promoting Interfaith Dialogue and Cooperation Agency Specific ~ VA Center will partner with the VA Homeless Program and external stakeholders to end homelessness among Veterans in five years President Obama identified 4 policy goals for the Agency Faith- based and Neighborhood Partnerships Centers to have as a focus for our work. CFBNP Building Collaborations Empowering Veterans

12. VA Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships Eliminating Homelessness Among Veterans “We will provide new help for homeless Veterans because those heroes have a home – it’s the country they served, the United States of America.” President Obama (March 26, 2009) “President Obama and I are personally committed to ending homelessness among Veterans. Those who have served this nation as a Veteran should never find themselves on the street, living without care and without hope.” - Secretary Shinseki http://www1.va.gov/HOMELESS/NationalCenter.asp 12 CFBNP Building Collaborations Empowering Veterans

13. The 21 st century VA is be built around 3 guiding principals We Are People-CentricResults-DrivenForward-Looking 13 CFBNP Building Collaborations Empowering Veterans

14. VA Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships T HEN AND N OW The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Center for Faith-based and Community Initiatives was established on June 1, 2004, by Executive Order 13342. The objective was to coordinate agency efforts for the elimination of regulatory, contracting, and other programmatic obstacles. The removal of these obstacles would enable faith-based and community organizations to access resources they need to provide social and community services. In February 2009, President Obama renamed the White House Office to the Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships. The name change reflects the emphasis and importance of developing and cultivating partnerships with those in the community that already provide services and meet the needs of so many of our citizens. The VA Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships (CFBNP) is one of thirteen Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships Centers in the Federal government. CFBNP Building Collaborations Empowering Veterans 14

15. VA Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships Mission Statement To develop partnerships with and provide relevant information to faith-based and secular organizations and expand their participation in VA programs in order to better serve the needs of Veterans, their families and survivors. Vision Statement VA’s Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships (CFBNP) will cultivate and develop relationships with faith-based and secular organizations working with them as collaborative partners to serve our Veterans, their families and survivors. CFBNP through its outreach efforts will provide opportunities for external partners to expand their understanding of and participation in VA programs. CFBNP Building Collaborations Empowering Veterans 15

16. VA Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships Eliminating Homelessness Among Veterans VA Secretary Shinseki (August 18, 2009) “We are going to take (the) 131,000 homeless Veterans off the streets over the next five years … To do this well, we will have to attack the entire downward spiral that ends in homelessness – we must offer education, jobs, treat depression, fight substance abuse, and offer safe housing. We have to do it all – no missed opportunities in going from 131,000 to zero and keeping it there…” http://www1.va.gov/HOMELESS/NationalCenter.asp CFBNP Building Collaborations Empowering Veterans 16

17. VA Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships N ATIONAL C ALL C ENTER FOR H OMELESS V ETERANS H OMELESS V ETERANS IN N EED OF H ELP ? C ALL 1-877-4AID VET (1-877-424-3838) ~ http://www1.va.gov/homeless/ W HAT W ILL H APPEN W HEN Y OU C ALL ?  You will be connected to a trained VA staff member.  Hotline staff will conduct a brief screen to assess your needs.  Homeless Veterans will be connected with the Homeless Point of Contact at the nearest VA facility.  Family members and non-VA providers calling on behalf of a homeless Veteran will be provided with information regarding the homeless programs and services available.  Contact information will be requested so staff may follow-up. CFBNP Building Collaborations Empowering Veterans 17

18. VA Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships VA Acquired Property Sales for Homeless Providers Program  Nonprofit homeless provider organizations may be eligible to purchase Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) acquired properties at a discount. VA markets these properties at fair market value through a property management contractor, Bank of America Corporation (BAC). Eligible nonprofits may purchase these properties at discounts only after the properties have been listed for sale. The percentage of discount will vary based on how long the property has been listed.  Faith-based non-profits may be eligible to purchase Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) acquired properties at a discount. The non-profit must agree to use the property as a shelter for homeless Veterans and their families for not less than 3 years.  Points of Contact VA: Valerie McDougle. Phone 571-272-0039. Email Valerie.McDougle@va.gov BAC: Marco Ordonez. Phone 972-918-8024. Email: Marco.Ordonez@bankofamerica.com CFBNP Building Collaborations Empowering Veterans 18

19. VA Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships Collaboration ~ Regional Veterans Roundtables Chicago, IL July 28, 2011 Cleveland, OH October 20, 2011 Previous Regional Veterans Roundtables February 24, 2011 Las Vegas, NV March 10, 2011 Louisville, KY VA Regional Roundtables are a collaborative effort between: VA CFBNP, VACO VBA VR&E Service and the VR&E Regional Office in the host city. CFBNP Building Collaborations Empowering Veterans 19

20. VA Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships Collaborative Relationships 20 CFBNP Building Collaborations Empowering Veterans  VA Mental Health and Chaplaincy Services ~ Bridging Chaplaincy and Mental Health Care  Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs (DOD/VA) Integrated Mental Health Strategies  WH Domestic Policy Council Interagency Work Group on Responsible Fatherhood  Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of HIV/AIDS Policy (OHAP) “Engaging Faith Communities” – National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS)  Military Family Research Institute (MFRI) based at Purdue University West Lafayette, IN  U.S. Department of Labor, Veterans' Employment and Training Service

21. VA Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships Center Programs Representatives from VHA, VBA, and NCA Representatives from the Program and Staff Offices Center hosts Quarterly Steering Committee Meetings VA CFBNP Steering Committee Opportunity to provide ListServ members with relevant information on VA programs and services to enhance their work with Veterans, their families and survivors ListServ sends information from other agencies on collaborative opportunities VA CFBNP Quarterly Conference Calls 21 CFBNP Building Collaborations Empowering Veterans

22. VA Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships Collaborative Opportunities ? What are your ministries? What programs do you currently have in place? What services do you offer to your community? Do you have a transportation program? Do you have members that are retired and looking for ways to keep busy? Do you have a food program? What are the interests of your youth group? Single adults? Do you host community events? 22 CFBNP Building Collaborations Empowering Veterans

23. VA Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships ( 888) 823-7458 Weekdays 8:00 am – 5:30 pm EST www.mirecc.va.gov/FamiliesAtEase www.mirecc.va.gov/FamiliesAtEase 23 CFBNP Building Collaborations Empowering Veterans

24. VA Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships Families AT Ease  Provides concerned family and friends with a place to call and get information about how to help loved ones.  The focus of the Families At Ease program is reaching Veterans who are not currently receiving VA services.  The program seeks to reach Veterans who have never received VA care or who have dropped out of VA care in particular, our returning OEF/OIF Veterans. Engagement of Family Members Improved care of the veteran is the goal Veteran’s engagement in treatment is often facilitated by family members Optimize family involvement in getting Veteran into care Sets the scene for support for veteran in treatment 24 CFBNP Building Collaborations Empowering Veterans

25. VA Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships O RGANIZATIONAL S TRUCTURE SECVA COSVA D IRECTOR, VA CFBNP R EV. E. T ERRI L A V ELLE D EPUTY D IRECTOR P ROGRAM S PECIALIST P ROGRAM S PECIALIST The VA CFBNP Director also has a reporting relationship to Joshua Dubois, Special Assistant to the President and Executive Director of the WH OFBNP. CFBNP Building Collaborations Empowering Veterans 25

26. VA Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships Contact Information Rev. E. Terri LaVelle, Director eterri.lavelle@va.gov ~ 202-461-7611 Stephen B. Dillard, Deputy Director stephen.dillard@va.gov ~ 202-461-7604 Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 810 Vermont Avenue, N.W. (00FB) Washington, D.C. 20420 Phone: (202) 461-7689 Email: vapartnerships@va.gov Website: www1.va.gov/cfbnpartnerships CFBNP Building Collaborations Empowering Veterans 26