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Home My WebLink AboutIR 23-1774 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 23-1774 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council December 5, 2023 Page 1 of 3 SUBJECT: VETERANS ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS 0VA - f4l'F3 Since 2017, the City of Fort Worth Neighborhood Services Department (NSD) has managed two programs to assist with emergency financial relief and housing repairs for eligible veterans and their families through its Community Services Division's Community Action Partners. Both programs are open to Tarrant County residents and funding is made available through grants received from the Texas Veterans Commission; the amount of each grant is $300,000.00. The Forward Home program helps veterans, surviving spouses, and their families by providing them with one-time rental/mortgage and utility payments to prevent homelessness. The Healthy Homes for Heroes program provides home modifications and home repairs for veterans and surviving spouses. In addition to the programs managed by the Neighborhood Services Department's Community Action Partners, there are several other programs available to veterans and families throughout Tarrant County. Below is information and eligibility requirements for these programs. Forward Home Veteran Assistance Grant — This program provides a one-time assistance with rent/mortgage and utility payment, to include electric, gas and water,not to exceed six months in arrears,to veterans, surviving spouses of veterans, or dependents of veterans 25 years of age or younger, who can demonstrate a financial need. Healthy Homes for Heroes Grant — This program provides home modification and home repairs for veterans and surviving spouses; accessibility,health and safety modifications are to ensure that veterans will be able to remain in a healthy home. Some examples of modifications include,but are not limited to,ramps, grab bars,sealing of doors and windows,door widening,handrails,repair of HVAC systems,water and sewer plumbing, electrical system, leaky roofs, and unstable flooring. Priority will be given to low-income households or disabled veterans. Additional information can be found on the NSD website: https://www.fortworthtexas.gov/departments/neighborhoods/cap/programs-for-veterans CLC Inc, COIN (Combatants Overcoming Income Needs) — This program offers one-time financial assistance to low-income combat veterans, surviving spouses of combat veterans or spouses of combat veterans that are the resident of a long-term treatment facility in the state of Texas. Financial assistance is available for: rental/mortgage assistance, auto repairs, auto payments, bus passes, child care and utilities. Contact: 817-569-9008; info(agcicinc.org CLC Inc, HARTH (Home Adjustment Program) — This program provides employment related services to veterans. These services include resume development, referral to employer partners, preferential interviews,skills training from CLC case management and job search assistance. Contact: 817-569-9008 ext. 16, 555 N. Grants Lane, Fort Worth, TX 76108 CLC Inc,Veteran Programs—This program provides home modifications and home repairs. Endeavors, Fort Worth - Veteran Supportive Services (VSS) — This program provides rapid re-housing and prevents homelessness among eligible veterans and their families. Emergency Financial Assistance- ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 23-1774 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council December 5, 2023 Page 2 of 3 SUBJECT: VETERANS ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS 0VA - fa'M short-term emergency housing, rental/utility payment, obtaining VA benefits and services, mental health resources, access to substance abuse programs, job placement assistance, skills and parenting workshops. Contact: infonendeavors.org Fort Worth Vet Center-Veteran Services—This program is open to veterans from World War II through the present conflict era who have experienced combat and/or military sexual trauma and open to dependents. Description: provides outpatient psychological counseling including; individual and group counseling for veterans, service members, and their families; family counseling for military related issues; bereavement (grief) counseling; military sexual trauma counseling and referral; community outreach and education; substance abuse assessment and referral; employment referral. Contact: 6620 Hawk Creek Ave Fort Worth TX, 76114 Community Based Employment Services (CBES)/Transitional Work (TW)- Fort Worth Veterans Health Administration Vocational Rehabilitation (VHA VR) — This program is open to all veterans eligible for VA health care that are living with mental health illness or physical impairment with barriers to employment, such as experiencing homelessness and criminal justice involvement Description: provides rapid employment services to those who are work ready, along with vocational support and resources needed for a veteran to successfully transition to permanent competitive employment. Contact: 101 New York Avenue Fort Worth TX, 76104 Transportation 4 Heroes-Military Warriors Support Foundation-Fort Worth—This program is open to combat-wounded veterans and to unmarried Gold Star spouses whose loved ones were killed in action that live within a one-hour travel radius to Fort Worth; are honorably discharged or within 90 days of discharging; and have obtained vehicle insurance. The program provides payment-free vehicles to combat-wounded veterans and to unmarried Gold Star spouses whose loved ones were killed in action. Texas Lawyers for Texas Veterans- Tarrant County Bar Association — This program is open to all veterans and surviving spouses,providing them with free legal counsel and advice clinics to veterans and the surviving spouses of deceased veterans.Areas of law covered at legal clinics include: family law wills, estate planning and probate, employment, housing and landlord/tenant, consumer bankruptcy, guardianship, criminal defense. Phone: 817-338-4092. Hours of operation: Third Friday of the month (except December and March) Veteran Service Navigation-Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of Tarrant County— This program is open to all veterans and open to dependents and surviving spouses. Description: assists all veterans,their spouses and dependents,with navigating veteran services and provides case management for goal setting, assessing employment, and education skills. Phone: 855-937-2372. Hours of operation: Monday—Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm. Continuing the Climb Reentry Job Fairs—This program targeted to veterans returning home from jail and prison, and their families, ready to start work. The City of Fort Worth EnVision Center, Cornerstone ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 23-1774 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council December 5, 2023 Page 3 of 3 SUBJECT: VETERANS ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS 0VA - f4173 Assistance Network,Reentry 1st Stop Center for Tarrant County,Redemption Bridge,Tarrant County,Texas Offenders Reentry Initiative,Unlocking Doors, Fort Worth Municipal Court, Goodwill North Central Texas and Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County host this event semi-annually. This is the largest re-entry job fair in Tarrant County. Over 70 employers and resource providers typically participate. For veterans looking for a job or higher paying job, this event can connect those with challenged backgrounds to temporary-to- hire,part-time,and full-time jobs,along with long-term career opportunities. On-site help is available to help with IDs, interview skills,resumes, emergency services, housing and shelter, legal services, health services, education, SNAP, food pantries,utility assistance, and more. National Veterans Outreach Program-American GI Forum - The EnVision Center refers clients to this provider for case management assistance and crisis intervention for individuals experiencing homelessness, trauma and other emergency needs. This partner also provides veteran (and non-veteran)housing and employment services for Dallas, Collin and Tarrant County. Texas Veterans Commission(TVC)-The EnVision Center refers clients to this partner for veteran support, including employment services, workforce skills training, and job readiness. TVC supports all veteran job seekers except veterans who have a dishonorable discharge from the military. Texas Workforce Commission—Vocational Rehabilitation Services -The EnVision Center refers clients to this partner for veteran support, including employment services, workforce skills training, and job readiness. Veterans Crisis Line - Suicide prevention, 1-800-273-8255 U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs —VA benefits assistance include survivor benefits, burial assistance, home loans, healthcare through the Civilian Health & Medical Program, and Intensive Mental Health Recovery services. Phone 1-800-827-1000. The City of Fort Worth will soon to fill the important role of Veteran Affairs Coordinator. The position will cooperate with internal and external stakeholders to create and maintain a veteran's program providing support and assistance to Fort Worth military veterans,which include addressing the unique needs and challenges that veterans may face. For additional information about this topic,please contact Victor Turner, Director of the Neighborhood Services Department, at 817-392-8187. David Cooke City Manager ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS