ODVA Awards Nearly $1 Million to Local Veteran Service Providers, Jan. 13

ODVA release – The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs is pleased to announce the award of nearly $1 million in grant funding to support a range of robust and innovative local veteran service efforts and key projects to improve veterans’ access to transportation, housing, health care and other vital services across the state. ODVA received 31 proposals from across Oregon, totaling more than $3.3 million in requested funds. Of these, 21 organizations received awards, ranging from $7,500 to $99,000 for the one-time grants. The projects were selected through a thoughtful and deliberate process by an evaluation committee composed of members of the Oregon Veterans’ Affairs Advisory Committee, representatives of Oregon’s national service organizations, as well as veterans and other partners from across the state. Grant funds will provide additional resources that enable organizations to offer services to veterans at no cost, that help improve outcomes in areas such as health or behavioral health care, housing security, employment opportunities or stability, education and training opportunities, transportation accessibility, or other critical services within a community. The Veteran Services Grant Program is made possible by funding from the Oregon Lottery through Measure 96, which voters approved overwhelmingly in November 2016. “ODVA is thrilled to be able to support the work of so many worthwhile organizations throughout the state of Oregon, who are working tirelessly to increase the availability of needed resources for veterans within their own communities,” ODVA Director Kelly Fitzpatrick said. “With the continued economic, educational, behavioral health, housing and other challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, we rely on these partners now more than ever to help ensure every veteran in our state has access to the benefits, resources and services they’ve earned.”  The complete list of awardees is available on ODVA’s website at https://www.oregon.gov/odva/agency-programs/grants/Documents/Veteran%20Services%20Grant/2022-23%20Veteran%20Services%20Grant%20Awardees.pdf. To learn more about the Veteran Services Grant or other grant opportunities available through ODVA, visit www.oregon.gov/odva. Veterans and families seeking claims and benefits assistance are encouraged to contact their local county or tribal veteran service office. A full listing of veteran service offices can be found at www.oregon.gov/odva.