VFW DEPARTMENT OF MISSOURI
HOMELESS VETERANS AND EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM GUIDANCE
2023-2024
Each District and Post Commander should appoint a Homeless Veteran and Employment Chair-person so we may be better prepared to assist veterans in need.
Below is a listing of organizations that have well established programs to help those in need. If further assistance is needed, contact the Department Homeless/Employment Chairperson at surgeon@movfw.org.
Legal Services for Veterans Programs
Veterans who are homeless or at risk for homelessness often face legal issues that make it difficult for them to obtain or maintain stable housing. The Legal Services for Veterans (LSV) program aims to increase access to legal services to eligible Veterans through the award of grant funds and by promoting Medical Legal Partnerships and VA-affiliated legal clinics throughout the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). LSV is a component of the Veterans Justice Programs (VJP) within the VHA Homeless Programs Office.
The new Legal Services for Homeless Veterans and Veterans At-Risk for Homelessness Grants (LSV-H) will enable VA to deliver legal services to these Veterans. Legal services – particularly civil legal services that support accessing government benefits, navigating family law, ensuring access to safe housing, and assisting with debt – can all be critical to resolving or preventing homelessness. View the LSV-H Interim Final Rule.
In alignment with the United States Inter-agency Council on Homelessness’s goal to End Veteran Homelessness, this grant program will assist in furthering access to legal services for Veterans. LSV-H is authorized under sections 4202 & 5105 of the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D., Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 (P.L. 116-315), signed into law on January 5, 2021. LSV-H is further codified in 38 U.S.C. 2022A.
American Red Cross of Missouri
From blazes and blizzards to floods and fires, the Missouri Red Cross fulfills the American Red Cross mission to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies. They provide immediate assistance for food, shelter, clothing and emotional support. For more information CALL: (877) 272 7337.
Bishop Sullivan Center
Kansas City, Missouri
Bishop Sullivan Center provides people in financial hardship with food, help in finding jobs, and other forms of aid.
3936 Troost Ave.
Kansas City, MO 64110
Center hours: 8 a.m. 4:30 p.m. | One City Café hours: 4:30 6 p.m.
Phone: 816 561 8515
Fax: 816 231 3096
6435 Truman Road
Kansas City, MO 64126
Hours: 8 a.m. 4:30 p.m.
Phone: 816 231 0984
Fax: 816 231 3096
Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri
Programs and services provide for individuals’ and families’ immediate needs, while also offering the tools and resources for a better to morrow.
Central and Northern Missouri
Kansas City - St. Joseph
Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri
Their goal is to assist in reintegrating homeless veterans into meaningful employment and develop effective service delivery systems. They provide training and employment services to homeless and at--risk veterans across southern Missouri. For more information contact Stephanie Arterberry at (417) 444-3261 or sarterberry@ccsomo.org.
Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program
Their goal is to assist in reintegrating homeless veterans into meaningful employment and develop effective service delivery systems. We provide training and employment services to homeless and at--risk veterans across southern Missouri.
Missouri Military Family Relief Fund (MMFRF)
The Missouri Military Family Relief Fund (MMFRF) provides financial assistance to qualified military members and their families. The fund is established to make Quality of Life and Medical Based Grants (QLMBG) during periods of financial hardship. This fund is available for members of the Missouri National Guard or a Missouri resident who is a member of another Reserve Component branch, and their families.
THE FUND IS SUPPORTED BY
• House Bill #437House Bill #437
• House Bill #1724House Bill #1724
• Code of State Regulations
• Revised Statutes
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
• Be a National Guard or a Reserve member that either lives in or drills for Missouri.
• Hold a rank from E--1 up to O--3 or W--2.
• Have not received a previous grant from this fund within the last 12 months.
• Not have a situation that requires a monetary resolution in less than a week.
NOT COVERED
• Non--essentials (cable, etc.)
• To finance leave or vacations
• Pay fines or legal expenses
• Help liquidate or consolidate debt
• Cover bad checks or pay credit card bills
APPROVAL PROCESS
Applicants can receive a grant up to $3000.00 based on the recommendation of a Review Panel consisting of a Command Sergeant Major from the Missouri National Guard, a Command Sergeant Major of a Command Sergeant Major of a Reserve Component, and a representative of the Missouri Veterans Commission.
POINT OF CONTACT
Please contact a Family Assistant Center Specialist nearest you for assistance and/or to turn in your application:
1-888-526-6664 Missouri National Guard 2302 Militia Drive Jefferson City MO, 65101-1203
H.E.R.O.E.S. CARE
Phone 636-600-0096
Statewide
Affiliation of program partners working together to provide support to military families in the communities where they live before, during, and after deployment
Disabled American Veterans (DAV)
DAV is a nonprofit charity that provides a lifetime of support for veterans of all generations and their families, helping more than 1 million veterans in positive, life-changing ways changing ways each year. For more information CALL: (877) 426-2838
Governor's Committee to End Homelessness
Statewide
The Missouri Governor's Committee to End Homelessness (GCEH) will lead Missouri's efforts to prevent and end homelessness.
MOVE: Missouri Veterans Endeavor
St. Louis, Missouri
Missouri Veterans Endeavor (MOVE--STL) is a community for Veterans experiencing homelessness and their families. The key to MOVE-STL's success begins with Veterans living among their peers in a secure and sober environment with on--site counseling services available 24/7. Once on site, each family member is assigned a Social Worker for Clinical Case Management services. Together they create and implement a well-defined personal action plan to address specific obstacles and goals. Call (314) 449-0200 for more information..
MU Veterans Assistance program for homeless Veterans
Aug. 22, 2023
Contact: Courtney Perrett, 573-882-6217, gperrett@missouriedu
Since 2009, the number of veterans experiencing homelessness across the United States has shrunk by more than 50%, according to a 2022 Department of Housing report.
With the support of a $150,000 grant from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the University of Missouri School of Law Veterans Clinic is aiming to continue this trend here at home with a new program designed to further empower veterans in taking steps out of homelessness.
The Veterans Outreach Program will help attorneys connect with veterans experiencing homelessness with the goal of offering them the legal assistance they need to access compensation from the VA for service-connected disabilities and health care. The clinic will also help veterans with applications for changing their discharge status.
"Those are the two primary things we will do because they're essential to lifting veterans out of being homeless," said Brent Filbert, director of the Veterans Clinic. "Homeless veterans are often experiencing mental health issues, and that's what prevents them from getting VA access, which can relate to how they were discharged. For example, a veteran who was in Afghanistan or Iraq who was in combat may come back with mental health issues, traumatic brain injury or physical trauma. Or they may have a discharge that prevents them from getting disability compensation or health care, and we work to get that rectified."
In part, the funding from the VA will support the hiring of a program manager, who will be tasked with streamlining the process of finding homeless veterans and veterans at risk of homelessness and
setting them up with legal services. Tigers for Troops also will support the program.
The School of Law Veterans Clinic, which was founded in 2014 by longtime law professor Angela Drake, is staffed by MU law students who serve real-life clients under the supervision of licensed attorneys specializing in veterans law. In this clinical experience, students learn skills vital to building a successful legal career, including preparing disability compensation appeals, writing amicus briefs and working closely with clients.
"I think most students really appreciate the opportunity to have that hands-on experience," said Drake. "The students come in and they get two or three clients and they're told what they need to do for their clients. Then we meet with them weekly to make sure they don't run down rabbit trails, but they do
the actual research. The clinic simulates the practical experience of being in a real law firm."
It can take several years for discharge upgrades to be granted and claims appeals to be accurately decided by the VA, processes that often require legal representation for the veteran to succeed. Today, half of the clinic's clients are veterans from the Vietnam era, Drake said.
For veterans in Missouri, this clinic represents a chance at navigating what Drake terms "the hamster wheel of appeals," which, when done successfully, can change the direction of a veteran's life.
https://showme.missouri.edu/2023/housinq-heroes-new-program-to-support-veterans-experiencinq-homelessness/
National Call Center for Homeless Veterans
Veterans who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness are strongly encouraged to contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at (877)-424-3838 for assistance. If Veterans do not have access to a phone or the internet, only then are they to visit their closest VA medical center without calling in advance. VA also urges Veterans who are not homeless or at risk of homelessness to contact their VA medical center before visiting for any reason. These steps are necessary to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Supportive Services for Veteran Familie(SSVF)
SSVF may include intensive case management, financial case management, housing search assistance, assistance in applying for VA benefits/services, life skills training, budgeting, job preparation, transportation assistance, landlord/tenant mediation, and temporary financial assistance (rent, utilities, etc.) to address housing barriers. Veterans do not need to be VA Health Care Eligible to qualify for SSV. Must be homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Income must fall below 50% area median income for their area. For more information, contact (573) 443-8001.
Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV)
Email: Eileen F. Devine
Contact Eileen F. Devine, National Coordinator, Health Care for Homeless Veterans, at Eileen.Devine@va.gov.
Salutes
West Plains, Missouri
Salutes is shelter for homeless veterans and a thrift store. For more information CALL: (417) 861-6967
St. Michael's Veterans Center (SMVC)
Kansas City, Missouri
St. Michael’s Veterans Center (SMVC) offers affordable housing & services.
Phone: (816) 921-0201
ADDRESS: 3818 Chelsea Dr Kansas City, MO 64128
St. Patrick Center
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Patrick Center helps homeless Veterans find employment, provide clothing, food and other forms of support. Contact Shelia Schneider at (314) 202--2164 for more information.
The Kaufman Fund
The Kaufman Fund, a 501(c)3 non--profit supports St Louis area Veterans and children who are at risk of abuse or poverty, needing food, shelter, clothing, medical care and basic needs.
Address:
The Kaufman Fund
9648 Olive Blvd Suite #250
Olivette, Mo 63132
Phone: (314) 753-8355
VA Homeless Veterans Initiative
Phone 877-424-3838
Nationwide
If you know a Veteran who is homeless or at imminent risk of becoming homeless, refer him or her to a local VA Medical Center, where VA staff are ready to help. Veterans and their families can also contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 1--877-4AID-VET to be connected to VA services.
Gene Taylor VA Clinic
Harry S Truman VA Medical Center
Jefferson Barracks Medical Center
John Cochran VA Medical Center
John J Pershing VA Medical Center
KC VA Medical Center
Homeless Programs
Veterans Inc.
This 501(c)3 nonprofit helps with transitioning veterans out of homelessness. For more information call (800) 482-2565.
Call (314) 449-0200 for more for more information. Veterans who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness are strongly encouraged to contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at (877) 4AID-VETfor assistance.
USICH https://www.usich.gov/homelessness--statisstatistics/mo/
As of January 2020, Missouri had an estimated 6,527 experiencing homelessness on any given day, as reported by Continuum's of Care to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Of that Total,704 were family households, 453 were Veterans, 664 were unaccompanied young adults (aged 18-24), and 1,090 were individuals experiencing chronic homelessness.