|
|
|
 |
www.dol.gov/vets
|
 |
 |
 |
| May 22, 2008 DOL Home > VETS > VETS Programs > HVRP Information Page > HVRP Best Practices |  |
|
Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program Best Practice Profiles of Employment Assistance Programs Introduction This publication was produced by the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV) in partnership with the U.S. Department of Labor-Veterans' Employment and Training Service (DOL-VETS). It contains profiles of some of the nation's most effective homeless veteran employment assistance programs, and is designed to inform community-based organizations and government agencies about the essential components of a comprehensive program that can be replicated and can successfully compete for federal grants. All of the organizations highlighted in this work receive grants under the DOL-VETS Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program, and most have served as guideposts for other community-based homeless service providers that have developed employment assistance programs. The Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP) is the only federal program wholly dedicated to providing employment assistance to homeless veterans. HVRP is funded by DOL-VETS in compliance with the requirements of 38 United States Code, Section 2021, as added by Section 5 of Public Law 107-95, the Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Assistance Act of 2001. Section 2021 requires the Secretary of Labor to conduct, directly or through grant or contract, such programs as the Secretary determines appropriate to expedite the reintegration of homeless veterans into the labor force. HVRP programs fill a special need because they serve veterans who may be shunned by other programs and services because of problems such as severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), long histories of substance abuse, serious psychosocial problems, legal issues, and those who are HIV-positive. These veterans require more time-consuming, specialized, intensive assessment, referrals and counseling than is possible in other programs that work with veterans seeking employment. The employment focus of HVRP distinguishes it from most other programs for the homeless, which concentrate on more immediate needs such as emergency shelter, food and substance abuse treatment. While these are critical components of any homeless program, and grantees are required to demonstrate that their clients' needs in those areas are met, the objective of HVRP programs is to enable homeless veterans to secure and keep jobs that will allow them to re-enter mainstream society as productive citizens.
In FY 1996 and 1997, HVRP received no funding from Congress. In FY 1998, Congress authorized $3 million for the program. In FY 2000, through a competitive application process, DOL-VETS awarded 43 urban HVRP grants and 11 non-urban grants to community-based organizations and government agencies to provide employment and other supportive services to more than 7,800 homeless veterans at a cost of more than $9.5 million. The following year, more than $16.9 million was allocated to fund 42 urban and 11 non-urban second-year grants, while an additional 27 urban grants were added to the list. That year, more than 14,150 homeless veterans received employment assistance and supportive services through the program. During FY 2002 and 2003, a combined $35.62 million in HVRP grants were awarded to fund 62 and 43 programs, respectively, offering employment and supportive services to more than 28,000 homeless veterans. The average cost per job placement reported by grantees in FY 2003 was $2,040, lower than the $2,308 reported in FY 2000; and the FY 2003 successful job placement rate of 68% was substantially higher than the 53% reported in FY 2000. Methodology NCHV announced the HVRP Best Practices Project after it secured a technical assistance grant through the Department of Labor-Veterans' Employment and Training Service in August 2003. Questionnaires were then mailed to community-based organizations and government agencies that expressed an interest in being considered for participation in the project. Because of the objectives of the project — to inform service providers about HVRP, the essential components of an employment assistance program, and the competitive grant process — we sought to include representative programs from both urban and rural areas, faith-based and community-based organizations, large and small operations, and government agencies that serve as community service network centers. Once the participants were selected, information from the questionnaires, follow-up interviews and reports to the Department of Labor was used to compile the program profiles. Organizations and agencies that were selected for inclusion in the project received a $500 stipend to offset the administrative cost of their participation. Table of Contents California
Kentucky
Maryland
Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota New York
Ohio Oregon Pennsylvania
Tennessee Texas Washington The Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP) Best Practices Project was made possible through a partnership between the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV) and the U.S. Department of Labor-Veterans' Employment and Training Service (DOL-VETS). The objective of the project is to present profiles of successful homeless veteran employment assistance programs funded by DOL-VETS as an information and development resource for community and faith-based organizations and government entities that are planning to implement such programs, or are exploring ways to enhance the programs they already administer. Compiling the 21 profiles presented in this report required nearly a year of information gathering through questionnaires, interviews and research. Great care was exercised to ensure the inclusion of programs representing the full range of program types — urban, rural, faith-based and community-based organizations, local projects, regional networks, and public agency homeless veteran service providers. Critical Universal Program Components Though the geopolitical locations, organizational structure and populations served by these programs vary widely, there are several critical components that are shared by all HVRP employment assistance programs: Community Collaboration — The HVRP program is designed to serve homeless veterans facing a multitude of barriers to employment, and client needs most often include the entire continuum of care: immediate access to emergency shelter, food, clothing, personal hygiene facilities, medical care, dental care, mental health assessment and services, transitional housing, transportation assistance, personal development counseling, legal aid, and employment readiness and placement services. No single organization or government agency can provide all of these services. Successful HVRP programs enter into contracts or detailed memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with local government agencies and community and faith-based service providers to support their employment assistance programs. To their credit, none of the participating organizations in this study dwelled on the importance of these MOUs when competing for and securing federal program grants, even though that is certainly the reality. However, all of them identified network collaboration as the single most effective means of enhancing the quality of services provided by their programs. Comprehensive Assessments and Reports — All HVRP programs utilize client intake assessments and progress reports to identify individual needs and to develop practical individual performance plans. These documents identify the services that are needed to ensure the success of each client. But they also serve as critical planning tools, charting the organization's dependence on the services provided by its partners and the degree to which clients' needs are being met. This information was identified as a critical element in the planning process and continuous development of even the most experienced HVRP programs. More detailed assessments yield the most valuable client assistance and case management plans. Diligent client progress and outcomes reporting attest to the program's success, while certifying the need for available services and the need to expand those services. This information is useful not only for HVRP and internal management purposes, but for participation in Continuum of Care planning and submitting applications for other federal grant programs. Developing Employment Opportunities — It may seem like stating the obvious, but there is a tremendous difference between preparing someone for the workforce and actually ensuring homeless veteran clients secure gainful employment. Successfully navigating through the immediate barriers to employment — homelessness, poverty, need for vocational training, legal problems and disabilities — is only the beginning. Approaching a potential employer with clients who have compromised work and personal histories is, at best, a herculean challenge. All of the HVRP programs featured in this project ensure success by creating job opportunities for their clients. In some cases, it is through cooperative agreements with local businesses or through subsidized employment and training programs for special needs populations. In some cases, it is through job-specific training at HVRP grantee facilities and subsequent placement, or on-the-job training facilitated by case management and employer support services. Some of the HVRP grantees in this study operate businesses that employ homeless veteran program participants directly, offering them work experience and management training they would otherwise be denied. In all cases, a considerable investment is required to ensure there are jobs for homeless veterans who are working to re-enter the workforce. General Observations Core Partners — The need for strong collaborative agreements has already been mentioned, but this study demonstrated a special emphasis on specific partners that are absolutely essential to the success of any homeless veteran employment program.
Funding Determines Capacity, Not Quality — All of the HVRP grantees that participated in this project make an earnest effort to extend employment assistance services to as many clients as possible. Training and employment preparation services are often enhanced by program partners, but program objectives and goals are clearly stated in HVRP grant proposals based on the anticipated costs of services provided by the applicant. A great majority of the organizations in this project reported that they accepted more clients than the number stipulated in their program plans. However, there was no discernable decline in successful employment placements that could be attributed to that extended outreach. Most often, the programs that failed to achieve projected placement goals were impacted by local economic factors, or were working with large groups of homeless veterans facing serious or multiple barriers to employment. The data seems to support what several program administrators claimed during the project: once a sound employment assistance program is developed and implemented, funding levels primarily and directly impact the number of veterans who can be helped, not the quality of the services that are provided. HVRP's Impact on Homeless Veteran Services — All of the organizations that participated in this project offered employment assistance to homeless veterans to some degree before they received HVRP funding. Some have provided those services for more than 30 years. However, the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program has allowed community and faith-based organizations to establish employment assistance as a priority in their service delivery plans. Through this program, DOL-VETS has acknowledged that employment is the key to successful transition from homelessness to a life of self-reliance, dignity and promise. The program fosters inter-agency and community cooperation among homeless service providers; offers supportive services and vocational training for homeless veterans; and ultimately helps veterans overcome significant barriers to employment and re-enter the workforce as productive citizens. According to some of the program administrators who participated in this project, one of the most important aspects of the HVRP program is that it requires successful employment placements for homeless veterans. Fulfilling that requirement necessarily enhances the performance and effectiveness of the entire organization. New Directions Inc. Combines Drug Treatment It is estimated that 23% of all homeless individuals are veterans. One of the greatest challenges homeless veterans and their families face is drug addiction. In 1999, the Interagency Council on Homelessness published "Homelessness: Programs and the People They Serve." That study found that approximately 49% of veterans had experienced problems with alcohol during the month prior to being surveyed, and that 31% had experienced problems with drugs. Approximately 1 in 10 experienced problems with both alcohol and drug abuse during the month before being surveyed. Mental health problems among homeless veterans co-occurred with substance abuse at a rate of 28% during the month prior to the survey. Drug and alcohol abuse among homeless veterans was found to be more prevalent than among homeless non-veterans. New Directions Inc. (NDI), a Los Angeles nonprofit drug treatment center founded in 1989, knows well the need to serve homeless veterans with substance abuse challenges, a significant subgroup within the LA homeless population, estimated to number between 18,000 and 27,000. The mission of NDI is "to provide veterans the tools they need to increase their marketable skills, an environment where they can strengthen their personal and social skills, and the opportunities to test these skills in real world working and living situations while maintaining a focus on the health and well-being of the individual." This is accomplished through a combination of drug and alcohol rehabilitation, supportive transitional housing and job training. In 2003, NDI provided supportive services to more than 760 homeless veterans. The work of NDI was enhanced in July 2001 when the organization began a computer training program funded by a grant it received from the Department of Labor-Veterans' Employment and Training Service (DOL-VETS) Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP). The grant was renewed in 2002, and a new HVRP grant was approved for $230,137 in 2003. Under New Directions' vocational program, homeless veterans who are frequently unable to access traditional employment services receive vital assistance to re-enter the workforce. In order for homeless individuals to become self-sufficient and independent, they need to have stability in their lives, including housing, freedom from addiction, and a consistent source of income. NDI utilizes HVRP funding to prepare homeless veterans to return to the workforce. HVRP funding makes it possible for NDI staff to provide computer training and occupational skills training in culinary arts and human services. Clients may receive job training in paid, part-time human service positions at NDI facilities, including detoxification coordinators, resident managers and service coordinators. The opportunity for veterans to offer support to other veterans helps clients believe they can succeed, and can lead to permanent employment with New Directions or other social service agencies. More than half of NDI's staff are graduates of the program. In addition to human service industry training, New Directions maintains three other job training programs called "social enterprises," where homeless individuals learn new skills in practical working environments. NDI provides a culinary arts program, where homeless veterans receive more than 700 hours of training and perform catering services for events throughout Los Angeles. NDI also provides a handiworker/construction services program, teaching carpentry, painting, repair and site clean-up skills. The training course includes 240 hours of classroom study followed by on-site experience. The newest social enterprise NDI operates with the assistance of the HVRP grant is a restaurant known as the Veterans' Village Diner. Located on the grounds of the VA West Los Angeles Healthcare Center in Brentwood, this 1950s-style diner is the result of a collaborative effort between NDI, DOL and the community. The revitalization of a preexisting canteen began after NDI partnered with a master's level business administration class at the UCLA Anderson School of Business to create an action plan and budget. The agency was then able to secure funding from the Liberty Hill Foundation to refurbish the site and turn it into a thriving business serving the public, including VA employees at nearby facilities. The goal of all of the NDI work programs is to become successful enough to be self-sustaining, and to provide additional funding to expand agency services. NDI believes that preparing homeless veterans with training and experience to enter the workforce, mitigating other problems including drug addiction challenges, and normalizing client social connections with family members helps them to return to a sense of stability in their lives. The veteran can then focus on future life goals with a positive outlook on life. The Department of Labor requires all grant recipients to institute job training programs that connect with the community in unique and innovative ways and can be replicated in other places. Pat Sheppard-Flores, NDI's Grant Proposal Writer, believes the work training program NDI has established can be successful elsewhere as long as there is strong cooperation between a lead agency, other community organizations, and small businesses so that appropriate guidance and supervision of participants is available throughout the training process. Successful implementation of the program is measured in the third quarter of each grant year and is required for continued funding. In 2003, New Directions met or exceeded every goal it set within the HVRP grant, and the program has received funding for an additional year. The HVRP program outcomes for NDI in 2003 include the following:
New Directions addresses homeless veteran needs in a comprehensive, community-driven, hands-on manner. It offers clients the opportunity to control their addiction problems, to learn highly marketable skills and to rebuild their ties with their families. HVRP funding enhances NDI by making occupational skills training in human service and culinary training programs possible. We find HVRP funding to be critical to the core of our job training program, said New Directions Executive Director Toni Reinis. Last year, 22 dually diagnosed veterans were placed in permanent jobs. NDI effectively leverages local initiatives and resources to expand services to the homeless veteran population, exemplifying how a modest amount of grant funding can be multiplied when local organizations work together. For all of these reasons, the NDI work training program is an HVRP best practice.
PATH Program Creates Innovative The shopping mall has become an American icon within our society. We flock to it to purchase consumer goods, to see movies, to take walks around miles of corridors, or to simply hang out. It's a place for families, seniors, teens — a place for everyone. It's a one-stop haven for just about all of our needs and wants. PATH (People Assisting The Homeless) has created a new kind of American mall in Los Angeles, California. Instead of a shopping mall, however, PATH has created a service mall for people who are homeless or living in poverty. The PATHMall houses dozens of private and public social service agencies in suites along a modern mall corridor. There's a full-service employment agency, a substance abuse counseling and treatment center, a mental health care office, a free medical clinic, a public benefits center, community court, and even a beauty salon. If a person is living in poverty or living on the streets, this mall provides every service that she or he would need to overcome the barriers and access to permanent housing and steady employment. PATH opened the PATHMall in 2002. It is a collaborative of 20 community-based organizations and government social service agencies that form a "one-stop shopping center" for homeless individuals and families. It is part of a 40,000-square-foot facility known as the PATH Regional Homeless Center. In the span of one year, the mall transforms the lives of thousands of people, providing mental health services to about 1,200 people; employment placement assistance to more than 500; health care to about 850, and free haircuts and manicures to more than 6,000. The total operating budget of PATH is $3.8 million (FY 03-04). The program first began in 1993, and Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP) funding through the Department of Labor-Veterans' Employment and Training Service (DOL-VETS) was approved in April 2000. During the first year of HVRP funding, the program received $103,441, and in the subsequent years it has received $102,000 annually. The PATHFinders Job Center/PATHAcademy program utilizes HVRP funding with a total budget of $127,000. The program is also supported by the Department of Veteran Affairs Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program, Employees Community Foundation of Boeing Southern California; and the Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation. Through its unique layout and design PATHFinders/PATHAcademy is able to offer the following services to participants:
Since the inception of the program, PATH has made several adjustments to respond to the unique service needs of its homeless veteran clients. Staff have increased their emphasis on providing training and job placement activities in specific vocations, such as security guards, forklift operation and building maintenance. They have also increased their efforts to ensure that clients are aware of and have access to on-the-job training (office managing, building maintenance) and basic computer training. These newer classes are very popular with the veterans, and have a much higher rate of enrollment than the longer, 15-week computer training course, which is often a problem for veterans who are looking for immediate employment. These services are provided through strategic partnerships with several local organizations that offer comprehensive employment and supportive services for homeless veterans, including:
To manage these collaborations, PATH utilizes formal memorandums of understanding (MOUs) and constant communication between PATH and the personnel of participating agencies. The unique aspect of this program is the central location of the service providers. Clients are able to walk into the mall, complete a single intake process and begin addressing all of the complex issues relating to their homelessness in one place. With this coordinated approach, each program enhances the likelihood of success of the others, thus reducing the chance that people will get frustrated or overwhelmed. In addition to promoting longer client retention and more comprehensive care, the mall service model reduces wasteful duplication of existing services and promotes greater cost-effectiveness through shared resources, overhead and a coordinated intake process. This collaboration allows each agency to build its capacity by providing more comprehensive care with improved outcomes at a lower cost-per-service. In addition to being a convenient location for the clients, a sense of community is created around a centralized mission. During the 2002-03 fiscal year, the program had difficulty achieving its goals. The average wage at job placement was $8.49, with 44 employment placements. The actual goal for the year was 65, but the slow pace of the economy and the stagnant state of the job market adversely impacted the program's success. As a result, the organization created a community advisory board comprised of business owners, entrepreneurs, corporate leaders and economic development agency representatives. The board uses its professional expertise and networks to connect PATH clients to employment opportunities. This initiative has allowed PATH to greatly improve their placement goals in the current fiscal year. Another area where there was difficulty meeting program goals was permanent housing placement. Staff discovered that most of the veterans referred to the PATH program already had access to acceptable shelter, and if they were not already housed, they were able to acquire housing at nearby shelters without too many problems. In order to assist clients who are not housed, PATH has strengthened partnerships with local agencies that place homeless veterans. They have also been successful in reserving a number of beds for veterans through PATH's housing programs. The PATHMall has had considerable success moving people from homelessness to self-sufficiency, and has been able to sharing its innovative model with other communities in need. The program has been featured in national and international media. ABC World News Tonight highlighted the PATHMall and stated it is the only facility of its kind in the nation. Community leaders throughout California, and representatives from Japan, Ireland and England have visited the PATHMall to learn more about replicating the program in their own cities. Staff are currently engaged in developing resource and technical assistance information to help organizations replicate the social and supportive services mall model, and are close to publishing the PATHMall Handbook, a how-to guide for building effective community and government partnerships.
Swords to Plowshares Coordination of Swords to Plowshares is a community-based veterans self-help group founded in 1974 to advocate for veterans' rights and to provide direct services to veterans. Through the vets-helping-vets model, Swords works to help rebuild the shattered lives of soldiers who were once put in harm's way to serve and protect this nation. Swords' goal is to help homeless and low-income veterans through direct services and advocacy for effective public policy. With more than 2,400 homeless veterans in San Francisco alone, Swords has been the city's most prominent agency to care for disenfranchised veterans. For those facing homelessness to substance abuse, legal issues to unemployment, Swords is there for veterans every step of the way. Located in San Francisco, Swords is recognized and respected nationwide for its pioneering and effective work on behalf of veterans struggling with homelessness and poverty. And for more than 25 years, Swords to Plowshares has been the principal provider of employment services for homeless and low-income veterans in the San Francisco area. Swords helps homeless veterans make the transition to gainful employment by offering vocational counseling, life-skills training, resume writing assistance and job referrals. In some cases, employers who accept referrals from Swords can be reimbursed for training costs, and the organization helps those companies apply for and obtain tax credits for hiring its program participants. Swords first received funding from the Department of Labor Veterans Employment and Training Service (DOL-VETS) Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program in 1990 through the local Private Industry Council of San Francisco. Since then, the program has successfully competed for funding consistently, with grants ranging from $110,000 to $312,000. In 2003, the Swords HVRP program received $250,000. The program is focused on helping homeless veterans with barriers to full employment. More than 50% of its clients are impacted by substance abuse and mental health problems. More than 55% are between the ages of 45 and 61. Approximately 45% of clients are Vietnam Era Veterans. About 59% identify themselves as being part of a minority community, the largest of which is African-Americans. More than 90% of the clients are male. Swords has a holistic approach to service delivery. In order to properly address each veteran's needs, organized "units" administer services ranging from transitional housing to comprehensive supportive services. The Residential and Community Resources unit provides transitional housing, housing assistance, assistance filing for VA benefits, and legal counseling. The Supportive Services unit provides mental health counseling and temporary housing assistance, both internally and through community service providers. The employment services team works closely with other programs offered by Swords and community-based organizations in the area to help stabilize the veteran so he or she is able to fully participate in employment and training activities. The majority of employment-related services are administered internally. Swords' HVRP employment and supportive services include:
When the program began in 1990, Swords was a sub-contractor with the Private Industry Council, and charged with running a HVRP demonstration project. In 1993, the Swords' HVRP program received the Department of Labor grant directly and was able to nearly triple the amount of services offered to veterans. Through the years, the organization has been able to develop collaborations with other community-based homeless service providers. These collaborations have enhanced and expanded the support available for homeless veterans. During the 10-year period from 1993 through 2003, the HVRP program has provided supportive services to more than 1,800 veterans, and helped secure jobs for more than 900. It is important to remember these numbers represent veterans who otherwise might not have had access to the broad spectrum of services needed to prepare for and gain steady employment. Because of its links to more than 40 service providers in the San Francisco area, Swords is a "One Stop Center" providing a continuum of care with seamless service delivery, and is a certified "Access Point" in accordance with the Workforce Investment Act. The agency is electronically linked to partners offering resources that include substance abuse treatment, mental health care, permanent supportive housing, life skills training, job searches and career counseling. The San Francisco Career Link offers veterans additional testing and vocational assessment for in-depth exploration of their employment goals. A Department of Labor Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP) representative is stationed once a week at Swords' main office through an agreement with the local Employment Development Department (EDD) office. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Comprehensive Homeless Center provides case management counseling and recovery services for eligible clients. VA's Veterans Industries operates the Compensated Work Therapy program for veterans with mental illness or other serious barriers to employment, and its Vet Center conducts group counseling sessions. These programs all have reciprocal referral relationships with Swords to Plowshares. Swords is also a charter member of the Treasure Island Homeless Development Initiative (TIHDI). In May 2000, Swords established a transitional housing program for homeless veterans at that location. The Presidio Veterans Academy provides the veteran residential community with educational and training opportunities. Through the Private Industry Council (PIC), Swords operates on-the-job training programs for eligible veterans under the Homeless Employment Collaborative (HEC) and Title 1B of the Adult Workforce Investment Act. Swords is a member of HEC and a member of the PIC Committee of Community Agencies (CCA). The CCA actively advises the PIC on issues relating to providing job services to economically disadvantaged job seekers. Swords is a member organization of the California Association of Veteran Service Agencies (CAVSA), a statewide association of community-based organizations providing employment and training services to veterans with significant barriers to employment, and the San Francisco Employment Committee, an EDD-sponsored group of local veteran advocacy organizations. It meets monthly to coordinate services, promote the hiring of veterans and plan the annual San Francisco Veterans Job Fair. Swords has also partnered with Goodwill Industries and Northern California Service League in the San Francisco Training Partnership (SFTP). Homeless and disadvantaged veterans receive short-term skills training for in-demand occupations, and are then placed into training related jobs. Effective communication between Swords and area employers ensures employment opportunities are available for program participants. General assistance benefits for eligible program participants are provided through the County Adult Assistance Program (CAAP) of the San Francisco Department of Social Services. The county's Personal Assisted Employment Services (PAES) program also refers veterans to the Swords program.
Through its interaction with numerous government and community service organizations, a stronger voice and enhanced service network have emerged. Services and dollars are stretched more effectively through collaborative efforts. Also, the ability to provide comprehensive services in-house permits a more stable support system for the veteran, reducing the need to go to several sites to secure needed assistance.
Vietnam Veterans of California One of the greatest challenges veterans face, especially those who are homeless, is obtaining work skills and securing employment. Without a steady income, homeless veterans enrolled in programs designed to help them re-enter society as productive, self-sufficient citizens will not succeed. Even veterans with mental and physical disabilities, those who need permanent supportive housing and other assistance, most often yearn for the added security and self-esteem gained through employment. The Department of Labor-Veteran's Employment and Training Service (DOL-VETS) administers two employment assistance grant programs targeted specifically to veterans, with the prime objective of helping homeless and at-risk veterans secure and maintain gainful employment through training, supportive services and job placement programs. Vietnam Veterans of California (VVC) utilizes funding from both programs to operate an extensive, coordinated employment assistance program for homeless veterans in Northern California. With facilities in Santa Rosa, Sacramento, Menlo Park and Eureka, VVC has maximized the benefits of the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP) and Veterans Workforce Investment Program (VWIP) grants it receives to provide the full range of employment services — from resume and interview preparation to job placement and follow-up case management. The organization also benefits from a state government that generously funds successful employment services programs. Introduction to VWIP DOL-VETS administers the program by releasing competitive Solicitations for Grant Applications (SGA) to state and local entities stipulating that proposed programs will assist eligible veterans in re-entering the workforce. VWIP grants are designed to last for 12 months and currently have a limit of $255,000. While successful programs are able to apply for subsequent years, there is no guarantee that funding will continue. Eligible veterans include:
At least 80% of the total funding of VWIP ($7.5 million in 2003-2004) must be earmarked for the competitive grant process. State governments have traditionally been the primary applicant to the federal government for these funds. The states then publish a request for proposals (RFP) that local governments, workforce investment boards, and community organizations apply to for funding. The states provide oversight and monitoring of the approved programs and frequently provide matching funds to increase employment opportunities. In California, for example, the state government matches the VWIP funding with Workforce Investment Act (WIA) discretionary dollars, which make up 15% of WIA funding. California is unique in that it matches the $850,000 grant from DOL-VETS with $6 million from the governor's discretionary portion of WIA funds. In 2003, the state was able to fund 30 local programs, the most extensive effort in the country. This almost equals the entire federal funding commitment and clearly demonstrates the state with the largest veteran population has the greatest commitment to provide employment and training services. Through the VWIP program, VVC is able to provide additional education and vocational training support for veterans, while enhancing its considerable efforts to explore and expand employment opportunities for them. Homeless veterans who successfully complete their initial personal stabilization and employment readiness programs through HVRP benefit directly from VWIP initiatives at VVC. VVC Homeless Veteran Employment Services The success of the VVC employment services program depends on a highly motivated professional staff and strong collaboration among hundreds of community-based and government agency service providers across a large territory. From outreach efforts to follow-up counseling, VVC staff provide positive reinforcement and encouragement to clients who gradually learn to believe in themselves again. As with all HVRP grantees, VVC provides the full continuum of care to help homeless veterans re-enter society as productive citizens. Outreach involves homeless care providers, VA medical clinics and hospitals, the faith community, veteran service organizations and charitable organizations throughout Northern California. Emergency shelter prior to individual needs assessments and referrals to mental health and substance abuse treatment programs are readily available. Food, clothing, transportation assistance, personal hygiene and health care are provided at all four VVC facilities or community partner organizations. When veterans fail to meet VA eligibility requirements for services, faith- and community-based organizations and state agencies step in to help. Along with HVRP funds, VVC receives HUD funding to provide transitional housing, and transitional housing is also available to program participants at Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers in Sacramento and Eureka and through the VA Grant and Per Diem program. While adequate, diversified funding and collaboration are important to the success of all homeless and employment programs, VVC Executive Director Peter Cameron cites three other vital elements that are critical to the success of his agency: First, it is important that skilled program staff believe in what they are doing, have confidence in the support they get from the agency and demonstrate, in a non-judgmental way, their respect for the veterans they serve. Secondly, it is important that the program have an element of homeless prevention as well as intervention by identifying and mitigating the often complex and interrelated issues veterans face. Thirdly, the program needs to address and educate the larger community with the goal of effecting public policy and garnering the required resources. The "Winning the Employment Game" program is an example of such an innovative program. Created by VVC's Tim Hodenfield, the "game" focuses on helping individuals, many with serious barriers to employment, achieve results by providing a personalized career exploration and job-search program. Approximately 90% of "Winning the Employment Game" graduates attain jobs they want or go on to pursue higher education because of the self-esteem and confidence they gain during the two-week program. Comprehensive placement services are offered, including job preparation, assistance with resumes, information resources and interview preparation. The average wage at job placement commanded by program participants was $13.07 per hour. This employment preparation and placement program has been so successful, in fact, VVC has shared it with California state government agencies and other service providers working with people facing a multitude of health and personal challenges.
In terms of building and maintaining collaborative arrangements with service providers stretching across a vast region, few have achieved the success of VVC. The organization founded and serves on a statewide collaborative group, the California Association of Veterans Service Agencies (CAVSA). The group meets regularly to share ideas and works to maximize services for veterans. Partners who share in the successful outcomes reported by Vietnam Veterans of California include:
VVC has dedicated staff members who search for and develop employment opportunities for its veteran clients, and case managers contribute to that effort as time permits. They also help ensure clients have the transportation assistance they need for appointments and interviews, occasionally providing it themselves. The commitment of staff members to the veterans enrolled in VVC programs reflect the philosophy of the organization's leadership. Success is rooted in knowing the local community, demonstrating respect for veterans who need assistance, and educating the larger community on how it can help end homelessness among America's veterans.
Volunteers of America of Kentucky and Tennessee Not long ago, homeless veterans in Eastern Kentucky had little hope of re-entering the workforce. In 1993, Volunteers of America of Kentucky and Tennessee (VOAKT) decided to act on their belief that these men and women, who have served their country with honor, deserved a helping hand to help them return to self-sufficiency and a sense of dignity. That year the organization applied for a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor-Veterans' Employment and Training Service (DOL-VET). They received a Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP) grant of $110,000, which allowed them to start a comprehensive employment assistance program on Veterans Day 1993. Since then, the program has provided employment to hundreds of veterans in a 17-county area in Eastern Kentucky. The VOAKT employment assistance program, funded by HVRP and located in Pikeville, KY, is the only VOA program currently offered in this 1,800-square-mile area of rural Eastern Kentucky. It is located in an area where residents face many challenges, such as the lack of public transportation and an unemployment rate of 15%. Finding employment in this area is difficult; and when added to the burden of being homeless, it can seem hopeless. The VOAKT HVRP staff has learned quite a bit over the last 11 years about helping homeless veterans find employment. They help homeless veterans prepare for job searches and placement, provide referrals for housing, help them apply for supportive services, and offer limited case management. VOAKT recognizes that people trying to become stable and independent in their work life need to achieve stability in their home life as well. Alex Carroll, VOAKT staff member, says that aggressive outreach is the key to the success of the program, as veterans in the area are often isolated, lack transportation, and do not always know what supportive services are available or where to apply for them. By providing housing for homeless veterans and connecting them with existing supportive service providers, VOAKT enhances the likelihood they can succeed in finding gainful employment. The staff constantly advocates for their clients to ensure that services are accessible and coordinated. After 10 years of service to the community, the VOAKT HVRP program has become the referral resource center for a wide range of veteran assistance projects. Staff maintain a close relationship with county social services agencies, Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities, Veterans Benefits Administration Regional Offices, the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs, and the region's landlords who provide veterans with housing opportunities. Most of the coordination of local services is accomplished without formal memorandums of understanding. The Department of Labor requires HVRP grant recipients to establish and achieve specific goals that demonstrate program success. VOAKT reported the following outcomes for its HVRP employment assistance program in fiscal year 2003:
One challenge to the completion of homeless assistance programs by veterans cited by VOAKT in the final quarter of FY 2003 (April to June) was the attraction of temporary work that is available during warmer months in industries like construction. Some clients are reportedly reluctant to enter the program while this short-term income is available. Efforts are ongoing to help potential clients understand the value of obtaining long-term employment rather than relying on seasonal work. VOAKT believes that a strong focus on job retention is the key to successful program outcomes. Clients are provided with housing and other services to maximize their potential for success, which has led to an impressive number of successful long-term placements. The key to their method is a focus on assessing the specific abilities of the veteran and matching them with employers who are interested in hiring them. VOAKT facilitates this matching process, offering support, encouragement and referral services as needed. VOAKT makes a daily effort to build on its network of partners, including local nonprofit groups, landlords, government agencies and employers. This communication helps clients overcome major barriers to employment. An example of effective collaboration is providing transportation. Some partner employers set up car pools for those that do not have vehicles. Constant communication with landlords often makes placement in housing possible for homeless veterans on the same day as their intake into the program. VOAKT provides vital employment and supportive services to almost 70 homeless veterans a year, and achieves a successful housing and job placement rate of 94% at an average cost of $2,205 per individual. Without the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program, it is doubtful homeless veterans in this expansive, rural area would have any access to employment assistance, and little chance of regaining their self esteem and economic independence.
Maryland Center for Veterans Education and Training The Maryland Center for Veterans Education and Training (MCVET), a nonprofit 501(c)3 corporation located in Baltimore, has been helping homeless veterans since its founding in 1993. On May 7, 1997, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) declared that MCVET was the "National Model" for community-based organizations providing seamless, comprehensive service delivery systems for homeless veterans. Using a military-style social and leadership structure, and a college campus community atmosphere, MCVET today boasts a $3 million annual budget and innovative programs that offer more than 500 formerly homeless veterans supportive services ranging from emergency shelter to permanent housing; from employment readiness and job training to steady, gainful employment in high paying jobs, trades and professions; and from substance abuse treatment to behavior modification and self-improvement courses. Nearly four dozen specialists — case managers, clinical psychologists, housing program managers, employment specialists, benefits counselors, facility managers — provide assistance and round-the-clock supervision for program residents. Education is such an important focus of the MCVET program that residents are referred to as "students," and they work toward "graduation" to self-reliance, economic independence and community involvement. Perhaps the clearest indicator of the value of the MCVET military academy model is the number of former students who now provide assistance to other homeless veterans struggling with the demons and challenges they once encountered. They serve as examples of what is possible, and are keenly aware of the obstacles students must overcome. In April 1999, MCVET enhanced its employment services when it received a grant of $70,000 from the Department of Labor Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP). The center's HVRP program has grown every year, and in 2003 it was awarded $203,558, which was used to provide intensive employment services to approximately 200 homeless veterans facing significant barriers to employment. The MCVET military model program stresses the principles of individual accountability, self-discipline, organization and teamwork. Residents are organized into platoons and squads. Students are accountable to each other, their fellow platoon members, and the designated platoon leadership. All residents are expected by their peers to be accountable for their actions. This order and structure replaces the chaos they have experienced while homeless and prepares them for reentry into the community. The highly structured and closely monitored social order is not universally accepted within the social services community, nor should it be. The military academy environment, however, makes it an ideal option for individuals who are working to regain self-esteem and self discipline, and who need strong supervision in the beginning of their development programs. MCVET prides itself in embracing "hard-to-place" veterans and helping them change their lives. As Executive Director Col. Charles Williams points out, "The program works for individuals who would almost certainly fail in other facilities, if they were admitted in the first place." The HVRP program has become an integral part of the continuum of services provided by MCVET. The fundamental approach to homeless services is to provide assistance through a continuum of incremental steps that enable students to rejoin their communities as productive citizens. For the first three months, homeless veterans are placed in emergency housing where case managers help determine their needs and challenges, ensure that all benefit resources are accessed, and help them set education and employment goals. Students who suffer from mental illness or substance abuse issues begin receiving treatment. This is a critical component of the enrollment process because more than 98% of homeless veterans who enter the MCVET program have addiction problems, and more than 80% have mental disorders such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Most of the veterans who complete the emergency housing program will still need supportive services and housing. These individuals are admitted to the transitional housing program for up to two years, where substance abuse counseling and mental health treatment continues and life skills classes are provided. Along the way, clients are enrolled in the Education, Training and Employment Program (ETE), where individual training needs are assessed and classes are provided. Upon successful completion of the ETE program, students are referred to employment services. The Employment Services Program provides intensive job development, job search, labor market information, assisted placement, job workshops, resume preparation and interview skills training. HVRP funding pays for the salary of an employment program coordinator, who provides career and employment counseling, assessments and referrals to employers. This resource is complemented by a DOL Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP) specialist, who conducts pre-employment and resume training on the MCVET campus. Most recently, HVRP funding increases have made it possible to purchase computer equipment and training materials for on-site training programs. Instruction is now available in skilled vocations such as heating and air conditioning, accounting, mechanical trades, and computer systems management. These improvements have allowed program graduates to earn, on average, almost 30% more than other veterans who did not participate in the program. MCVET provides a wide range of employment services for its students in a centralized location. This "one-stop" model is successful because it maximizes the ability of residents to access all available programs without having to travel to distant locations. It also improves communication among agency employees working with clients at different levels of the development process. Both factors reduce the number of students who fall through the cracks of traditional service delivery models. Another requirement for all HVRP programs is that they provide linkages to other mainstream services in the communities served. This includes communicating the availability of services that are provided by nearby agencies and organizations, and collaborating with them to maximize the support available to program participants. MCVET benefits from the assistance of several community partners, including:
For more information about MCVET partners, see http://www.mcvet.org/sponsors.htm.
As the table above shows, clients were being hired for jobs at wages that well exceeded the goal. This was a direct result of the improved training available to clients that year and strengthened relationships with employers hiring for skilled positions. However, fewer clients became employed than originally anticipated. MCVET explains that the number dropped below expectations during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year, when the economy was weak, unemployment was rising, and employers were not hiring. This also led to a higher cost per placement. However, those who gained employment received, on average, nearly $12 an hour in reliable, long-term positions, which improves the likelihood of successful graduation to permanent housing and a higher quality of independent living.
Massachusetts Veterans Inc. It the beginning of the 1990s, a group of Vietnam veterans banded together to open a homeless shelter for fellow veterans in Worcester, MA. In 1992, the group formed a nonprofit organization called Massachusetts Veterans Inc. (MVI), and with assistance from the state of Massachusetts, volunteers and labor unions, they opened a shelter in a previously condemned National Guard armory. The shelter served as a temporary home for nine clients when it opened. In the 11 years since, MVI has expanded to provide housing and supportive services to more than 5,000 homeless veterans. In 2000, MVI applied for and received an $82,425 grant from the Department of Labor (DOL) Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP). This funding allowed the organization to develop the MVI Employment and Training Division (MVIETD) to help shelter residents prepare for and find employment. The MVIETD employment program involves providing needed wrap-around services that maximize client success in securing employment and achieving self-sufficiency. Employment services that are provided include job counseling and assessment; pre-employment services such as interview training, application and resume completion; internet job search instruction; training; and job placement services. Wrap-around services that are an integral part of the program include transitional housing, clothing, medical and substance abuse treatment referrals, and transportation assistance. Employment specialists provide one-on-one case management to clients. They help clients conduct job searches, provide job coaching, schedule interviews and ensure clients receive the transportation assistance they need to get to interviews and job sites. Clients are encouraged to enroll in computer training courses at the MVI Computer Academy. Courses include basic computer literacy, an eight-week computer building and repair course, and a six-week certification preparation class. MVIETD has a current budget of $337,732, with $275,787 funded through the HVRP program, and the rest coming from the City of Worcester Community Development Block Grant, donations and fundraising. The organization has increased its interaction with local employers to help identify employment opportunities. The computer academy has instituted an internationally recognized certification and testing course provided free of charge to clients. MVI also owns and operates the Mobile Education Center, a handicapped-accessible, 32-foot recreational vehicle equipped with 12 Dell computers. This resource is used to expand access to computer training in several rural sites. HVRP programs are expected to provide linkages to other mainstream services in the communities they serve. MVI collaborates with local community-based organizations and government agencies to improve and expand services for its clients, including:
The Department of Labor traditionally approves HVRP programs that include innovative practices that can be replicated in other parts of the country. According to Allison Alaimo, MVI Employment and Training Manager, the Employment and Training Division is innovative in its approach to the care and rehabilitation of homeless veterans because of its focus on employment as the means to end homelessness. The goals established within each employment plan are individualized and attainable because they are based on a comprehensive understanding of the needs and skills of each client. The program also includes job retention efforts to ensure that those who find employment and housing have the resources they need to avoid returning to the street.
In order to determine the level of success each HVRP program achieves, DOL assesses outcomes that are compared to goals outlined in each organization's application. Grant recipients must file quarterly reports with the department. Massachusetts Veterans Inc. exceeded most of its program goals by large margins. According to the above measurements, the MVI program has earned high marks in enrollments, pre-employment services, occupational skills training, direct employment placement and hourly wages. The program had room to improve in employment retention and assisted placement. All other areas were within 5% of program goals. The combination of services, collaboration with the community, and the extensive outreach efforts provided by MVI constitute an effective, model program that other homeless veteran employment programs can implement. The program provides modern, useful computer training that gives homeless veterans skills that may not be possessed by other job applicants, and the mobile education center takes the training where clients need it. This innovative approach to employment training and outreach has earned MVIETD recognition as a national HVRP best practice.
Veterans Benefits Clearinghouse Located in Boston, MA, Veterans Benefit Clearinghouse Inc. (VBC) began its veteran assistance program in 1992. Formed to focus on the homeless veteran, the organization was originally called Vets Path, but the name was later changed to reflect the expansion of its services to meet an ever-increasing need for public assistance programs to help the poor and otherwise underserved communities in a large metropolitan area. The organization as a whole operates with a total budget of $1.2 million annually. The VBC Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP) receives funding from several sources, including the Department of Veterans Affairs Grant and Per Diem program, the State of Massachusetts Department of Veteran Services, a Community Block Grant from the City of Boston, and private foundations and individuals. VBC will spend $331,684 on its employment services programs in FY 2004. For the first three years of HVRP funding, VBC received $100,000 per year, and did not receive a grant in 1996. From 1998-1999, the VBC HVRP program was funded at $150,000; in 2000, VBC was awarded $300,000; and since then the program has received $250,000 per year. The VBC program specifically targets the homeless veteran population in the Boston area. Participant demographics are: 85% African American, 10% Caucasian, and 5% Hispanic; 15% are women, and 85% are men. The overall population is about 50% veterans, and the other half are family members and dependents of veterans. Veterans Benefits Clearinghouse feels that it is necessary to provide a wide range of services to its clients. Services available to HVRP program participants include case management and counseling, employment training and placement, pre-vocational training, emergency services — food pantry, rental assistance, utilities assistance, housing (SRO) and housing placement (section 8) — and health education. These services cover the entire continuum of care, and enables homeless veterans to return to society as productive, independent citizens at a much quicker rate When VBC first received HVRP funding, it was basically a homeless program aimed at providing shelter. Since then the organization has been able to focus on employment readiness services and job placement. VBC has added additional services such as computer training and emergency supportive services to its assistance programs. With the increasing value of technology in the workplace, VBC feels that computer skills are vital to its clients' success in searching for and gaining employment. By working with and maintaining in communication with area employers, staff have discovered where the region's manpower shortages are, and VBC has been able to prepare its clients for those targeted employment opportunities. In addition to providing employment counseling, job readiness courses, job referrals and placement services, VBC provides employment-specific training for program participants. A unique aspect of VBC's program is its internal employment training programs specializing in the medical and computer technology fields. Allied Health Training prepares people to become medical assistants, phlebotomists, laboratory assistants and medical receptionists. Graduates who complete this short-term classroom and hands-on training program are given assistance to find jobs paying up to $15.00 per hour. The Computer Training Laboratory provides residents of Greater Roxbury with affordable computer training and access to the type of computers they need to master to successfully compete for office and communications jobs. Both programs include pre-vocational skills training to prepare homeless veterans for their successful return to the work place. One of the organization's great successes is its collaboration with more than 100 government agencies and community-based service providers. These partners help to provide employment services, assistance in applying for and obtaining veteran benefits, substance abuse treatment and counseling services, medical and mental health services, emergency and transitional housing, halfway houses, and HIV and AIDS resources. This collaboration has resulted in an increase in the number of veterans who receive assistance because of the cooperation among agencies providing specialized services. Although VBC does not maintain formal memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with many of its collaborative agencies, its strategy is to belong to many of the state's collaborative service provider groups. These include the Human Service Providers, Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance, Boston Workforce Development Collaborative, Timothy Smith Network, and the Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership, to mention a few. VBC staff serve on the boards of directors of all those coalitions. Working relationships are maintained through monthly meetings. This network of service providers is the link to the success of the VBC program, promoting the reputation and visibility of its services and success within the service provider community. The foundation of VBC's employment services program is effective case management. Staff are experienced working with veterans who have experienced long-term homelessness and frequent substance abuse. Many of the program clients are struggling with one or more serious barriers to re-entering the workforce. VBC's Counseling, Information and Referral Services links individuals and families in crisis to VBC programs and other needed services. Staff provide individual and group counseling designed to help veterans find employment, housing programs, resolve personal and family crises, and deal with other stress issues they may face. Specialty counseling is also provided to help veterans work through Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression and emotional problems. This one-on-one focus allows the case manager to get to know the client and better understand what support he or she may need. A relationship of trust develops gradually, which results in an individual plan that enhances the veteran's prospects for gainful employment. During the last year of HVRP funding, the VOC program was within 15% of all its goals, exceeding the target in several categories. The average range was 92-108%. During the immediate future, VBC hopes to expand its programs to help a larger percentage of the area's increasing homeless veteran population.
Considering the challenges its homeless veteran clients must overcome for successful re-entry into the work place — many are dealing with several — and the heavy caseload the organization tries to help, the outcomes of the Veterans Benefits Clearinghouse are commendable. The success of the VBC program depends on highly skilled and dedicated staff connecting homeless veterans to the benefits and services provided by an extensive care provider network. The employment assistance program is regarded as the critical component of the VBC continuum of care model. Perhaps just as important is VBC's work to strengthen that network and its continuing efforts to advocate for the integration of available services into a system that provides comprehensive assistance to all of the city's homeless individuals and families.
Michigan Veterans Foundation In 2000, the Michigan Veterans Foundation applied to the Department of Labor-Veterans' Employment and Training Service (DOL-VETS) for a Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP) grant to develop an employment assistance program for homeless veterans in the Detroit area. MVF was awarded a grant of $246,050 and opened the Detroit Veterans Center-Project Charge (also known as HVRP-Detroit) in May. The program, now funded at $249,890, has received HVRP funding every year since, and continues to provide targeted services tailored specifically to the needs of homeless veterans. Clients of HVRP-Detroit are offered a wide variety of services, which are coordinated according to the needs of each individual. Each veteran receives an employability assessment when beginning the program. Individual development plans are developed and take into account such factors as physical and mental condition, sobriety, employment history, education and training, interest and skills, and personal needs such as proper identification and clothing. Program participants are given life skills training and in-house employability training (Vision Quest). Classes combine basic job seeking etiquette with discussions about challenges to obtaining employment, interview skills, and staying sober while seeking employment and after being hired. Veterans are entered in a vocational counseling program that begins the job placement process. This is accompanied by training in resume development and practice in mock interviews that will maximize client success during the recruitment process. Transportation assistance is available to help ensure that clients maintain attendance stability and opens up job opportunities in a larger area. Depending on the individual development plan, veterans may receive financial assistance to cover the costs associated with obtaining vital records and photo identification cards, police clearances, uniforms or suitable work clothing, training fees, tools and relief from other financial obstacles to employment. This kind of support is rare and requires a significant collaboration among community-based organizations, government agencies and the business community. Other services include:
HVRP-Detroit has grown significantly since May 2000 in size and range of services that are available. It has increased from one room with a phone and a computer to a four-office complex that includes a bank of computers that serves as a job search lab. The program staff now includes a co-located veterans representative from the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic growth, who officially registers clients as job-seekers in the state employment services system. This improves the likelihood of success by widening the scope of job searches and increasing the number of employment opportunity leads. Additional space and resources have led to several other positive changes, including improvements in:
One of the requirements for all HVRP programs is that they provide linkages to other mainstream services in the communities they serve. HVRP-Detroit has diligently worked to establish an extensive, collaborative network of resources to surround its clients with all possible services. Partners include: Government agencies:
Job skill and training programs:
Shelters:
Collaborations serving the homeless:
Medical, addiction and disability providers:
Other Non-profit organizations:
The HVRP-Detroit program has demonstrated a high level of success in connecting homeless veterans with the services and training they need in order to find and retain employment, housing, and stability. Almost every performance goal outlined in the MVF grant proposal has been met or exceeded. The key to the success of HVRP-Detroit, according to Tobi Geibig, Executive Director of MVF, is "facilitating an understanding of the special problems and needs of veterans to other social service and government agencies through active collaboration." That extensive partnership allows homeless veterans to benefit from the broadest possible spectrum of supportive services. They are also assured of basic necessities, such as housing, food, counseling and heath care. Active collaboration by HVRP-Detroit has led to some very impressive achievements, including::
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||