US Labor Department announces $4 million grant competition for incarcerated veterans at risk of homelessness

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor's Veterans' Employment and Training Service today announced a $4 million competition to fund at least 12 Incarcerated Veterans Transition Program grants designed to assist eligible veterans who are currently incarcerated and/or transitioning out of the justice system who are at risk of homelessness. VETS is collaborating with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to better assist our nation's incarcerated veterans and help prevent their recidivism.

"For veterans who have been incarcerated and are at risk of becoming homeless, a good job goes a long way to aid in rehabilitation," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "This program will strengthen communities by improving career prospects for veterans who have been involved with the justice system."

Projects will be selected that provide services to incarcerated veterans at one or more levels – federal, state and/or local – of the correctional system. By congressional mandate, at least one grant will be awarded to a penal institution under the jurisdiction of the Federal Bureau of Prisons. This opportunity is designed to be flexible in addressing the national, regional and/or local issues that prevent veterans from returning to the workforce after incarceration.

The solicitation for grant applications is published in today's edition of the Federal Register. For more information, visit http://www.grants.gov and http://www.dol.gov/vets. Potential applicants with questions should call Cassandra Mitchell at 202-693-4570. Press with questions should call the contacts named above.