By JASON MATTHEWS
Stand Down Grants are a powerful tool for empowering veterans experiencing homelessness, providing them with essential services and a pathway to reintegration. Through Stand Down Events hosted by organizations across the country, veterans can access vital resources like food, shelter, health screenings, and benefits counseling—all in one place. This article explores the mechanics of Stand Down Grants, celebrates successful Stand Down Events, and introduces innovative strategies to enhance these life-changing gatherings, inspiring those ready to take action in support of our nation’s heroes. [1]
Success Stories: Stand Down Events have impacted homeless veterans nationally.
[2] Williams, AZ. Stand Down: This event effectively communicated essential details, making it easy for veterans and community members to participate and access services.
[3] Santa Barbara County Stand Down: Known for its comprehensive services and volunteer engagement, this event highlighted the impact of Stand Down initiatives.
[4] VFW Post 4372 Stand Down in Odessa, Texas: This event focused on building strong emotional connections through storytelling and community, emphasizing the personal stories behind the support provided to veterans.
Understanding Stand Down Grants: Managed by the Department of Labor’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (DOL VETS) and supported by the Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program (HVRP), the Stand Down Grant Program is an essential tool designed to provide veterans experiencing homelessness with the critical services they need to reintegrate into civilian life. Drawing from the military term “Stand Down,” which refers to a break from active combat for rest and recovery, these grants serve a similar purpose by funding events that offer a safe space where veterans experiencing homelessness can access vital resources. Unlike traditional grants, Stand Down Grants are non-competitive and are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, making funds accessible quickly for community and non-profit organizations to aid those who need it most. Typical funding amounts range from $7,000 for one-day events to $10,000 for multi-day events, ensuring that organizers can deliver immediate and effective support to veterans experiencing homelessness. [5] The following NVTI courses provide a comprehensive look at Stand Down grants: 9648: Stand Down Grants and 9607: Federal Grants Management: Monitoring and Oversight for VETS Staff. 9617: Federal Grants Management for HVRP Recipients also provides some information about these grants. [6]
Community Engagement: Engaging the broader community and forging strong partnerships are key to the success of Stand Down Events, ensuring that veterans experiencing homelessness receive comprehensive care. Collaboration with local businesses, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offices, and non-profits not only enhances resource availability but also strengthens logistical planning and community involvement. Effective volunteer management, clear communication, and a welcoming environment are essential best practices that contribute to the event’s impact. Organizations hosting Stand Down Events are encouraged to follow up with participants and partners post-event to measure success and improve future initiatives, fostering sustained support for veterans beyond the event itself.
Opportunities for New Perspectives
Expanding the Scope: DOL VETS requires these events to offer five baseline services: health screenings/examinations, housing/shelter referral, mental health services, DOL employment and job training assistance, and veterans’ benefit counseling, ideally by the VA. Other services offered at Stand Down Events can even extend into legal aid, social and community services, personal care/hygiene services, clothing, outdoor gear for individual use, food and other goods and services that can significantly broaden the impact of veterans’ long-term support.
Ideas to Spark Your Stand Down Event Planning
- Art Therapy and Creative Workshops: Integrating art therapy into Stand Down events offers veterans a creative outlet to heal and build community.
- Peer Mentorship Programs: Peer mentorship programs can extend support beyond the event, fostering ongoing guidance and encouragement.
- Sustainable Living and Environmental Stewardship Initiatives: Workshops on sustainable living can provide veterans with new skills and job opportunities in environmental fields.
- Shelter and Housing Partnerships: Stand Down events could feature Rapid Rehousing projects, Rental Assistance programs, or homelessness prevention workshops that help veterans secure housing, smoothing their transition to stability.
- Mobile Health and Hygiene Units: Mobile units at Stand Down events offering showers, laundry services, and mobile health clinics can restore dignity and aid reintegration for homeless veterans.
New Ideas and Future Directions: Certification Programs and Mental Health Integration Innovative Approaches: As we look toward expanding the reach and impact of Stand Down Events, incorporating technology could offer groundbreaking solutions. Envision virtual Stand Down events that enable veterans in remote locations to access essential services online. Additionally, mobile service units
could deliver critical support directly to those unable to attend traditional gatherings. These technological adaptations are potential initiatives that could be explored by VA to provide more personalized and impactful support, especially for female veterans and those with families experiencing homelessness. These ideas are prospective enhancements and are not currently part of the VETS directions.[7]
Certification Programs: Stand Down events could serve as platforms to introduce and orient veterans towards obtaining professional certifications, such as OSHA safety training and IT skills, which could be critical for enhancing employability. These certification programs, facilitated through partnerships with local businesses and educational institutions, would provide veterans with the qualifications needed to secure stable, well-paying jobs. Coordination with employers would be essential to ensure that the certifications offered are aligned with market needs.
Health and Wellness Focus: Integrating mental and physical health programs into Stand Down events enhances veterans’ overall well-being. Activities such as yoga, meditation, and nutrition workshops address both physical and mental health, fostering healthier lifestyles and better preparation for employment. Coordination with local health providers and potential funding from health organizations ensures these services are effective and sustainable.
Tie-in to Mental Health Services: Mental health services at Stand Down events provide crucial support, offering crisis management, on-site counseling, and therapy, as well as referrals to long-term resources. These services help veterans transition smoothly to civilian life and employment.
Funding and Collaboration: Expanding services at Stand Down events demands collaboration with various stakeholders like federal/state agencies, private employers, and community organizations. Such partnerships enhance the range and impact of services offered.
Stand Down Grants are a lifeline for veterans experiencing homelessness, providing essential services that facilitate reintegration into civilian life. These grants, rooted in esteemed military tradition, have evolved into powerful community events that deliver healthcare, job training, and vital resources to veterans in need. As we move forward, we have immense opportunities to enhance and expand these efforts through innovation and collaboration, whether by organizing an event, volunteering, or advocating for stronger support systems. Together, we can build a brighter, more stable future for those who have served our nation.
[1] Stand Down Grants on the DOL website: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/vets/programs/StandDown
[5] 2024 HVRP Grant Recipient Program Guide: https://nvtac.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/2024-NVTAC-HVRP-Program-Guide.pdf
[6] NVTI.ORG: NVTI Courses: https://www.nvti.org/training/class-descriptions/
[7] VA Homeless Programs: https://www.va.gov/homeless/events.asp