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DHS Outlines $5 Million CARES Program, $3.4M in Grants for Veteran Service Organizations
Summary
DHS told the committee it will use $5 million in CARES Act funds for veteran behavioral health outreach, crisis stabilization and direct grants; $3.4 million is earmarked for VSOs with awards of $15,000–$100,000 and an application deadline of Nov. 18, 2020.
The Department of Human Services told the Senate State Agencies committee it will distribute $5 million in CARES Act funding to support veterans during the holiday season and the COVID-19 emergency.
Jay Hill, Division Director for Aging Adult Behavioral Health Services at DHS, described a three-pronged effort: (1) an information and outreach campaign run through the state’s 12 community mental health centers (CMHCs) serving all 75 counties, (2) expanded access to four crisis stabilization units (CSUs) that can stabilize veterans for up to 96 hours, and (3) direct grants to veteran service organizations (VSOs).
Hill said DHS earmarked $3.4 million for nonprofit VSOs and that eligible organizations may apply for awards between $15,000 and $100,000 depending on size. Eligible uses include first-aid and trauma supplies, personal protective equipment, training and professional development, naloxone, food and nutrition assistance, shelter for homeless veterans, outreach campaigns and information technology. "We want to put this, it's very easy to administer," Hill said of naloxone distribution, noting near‑term life‑saving potential.
Applications are submitted electronically to a DHS mailbox and will be vetted, Hill said, including review by the state veterans commission; awardees must spend funds by the end of the calendar year and provide a budget as part of the application. Hill said DHS had received early applications covering about $500,000 and expected a larger response before the Nov. 18 deadline.
Committee members asked whether "VSO" meant groups such as the DAV and VFW (Hill: yes) and requested additional outreach and some schedule flexibility; Hill said DHS would check whether the Nov. 18 deadline could be extended and would circulate application links to committee members.
Hill said CMHCs will also provide suicide-intervention training to law enforcement, EMS and VSOs and that DHS will assist eligible veterans without payer sources to enroll in Arkansas Works (Medicaid expansion) when appropriate.
DHS staff were thanked and dismissed at the end of the presentation.
