Veterans and Military Services Committee

The Veterans and Military Service Committee engages NACo and its members to develop and highlight county best practices and policies to promote innovative programs, services and benefits for our nation’s military, veterans and their families.

Veterans Affairs

Blog

Congress advances legislation promoting veteran treatment courts important to counties

On October 28, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Veteran Treatment Court Coordination Act (H.R. 886), a bipartisan proposal offering new resources to state and local governments for veteran treatment courts. Sponsored by Reps.
Veterans Affairs

Blog

U.S. Department of Labor announces availability of $13.5 million for Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program (HVRP) grants

On March 27, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced that $13.5 million dollars will be made available for grants to help homeless veterans re-enter the workforce under the Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program (HVRP). The DOL’s Veterans Employment and Training Service (VETS) expects grant awards to range from $100,000 to $500,000.
Veterans Affairs

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Federal government announces decline in veteran homelessness, citing success of HUD-VASH program

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently announced as part of its Annual Homeless Assessment Report that veteran homelessness decreased 5.4 percent in 2018 relative to 2017, completing a decline in veteran homelessness of almost 50 percent since 2010.
Veterans Affairs

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President signs bill promoting Veterans Justice Outreach specialists

On September 17, President Trump signed into law the Veterans Treatment Court Improvement Act of 2018 (H.R. 2147), which passed the U.S. House via voice vote in June and was unanimously approved by the U.S. Senate on August 22. The law requires the U.S.
Veterans Affairs

Blog

Congress passes bill to expand Veterans Justice Outreach Program and incentivize new veterans treatment courts

On August 22, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed the Veterans Treatment Court Improvement Act of 2018 (H.R. 2147). The bill, introduced by Rep. Mike Coffman (R-Colo.), would require the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to hire at least 50 Veterans Justice Outreach (VJO) Specialists.