In early 2023, Education and Health Centers of America, Inc. (EHCA) sought state legislative funding to increase New Jersey’s veteran services and resource footprint. EHCA proposed the development and implementation of a new Veteran Resource Program, serving all 21 counties throughout the state. In July of 2023, EHCA was awarded grant funding for the new Veteran Resource Program through the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA).
With the support of DCA and the state legislature, EHCA’s new Veteran Resource Program provides direct veteran support services, including: case management, transportation resources, emergency housing hotel vouchers, rental and housing assistance, utilities assistance, home furnishing assistance, and supplemental clothing and hygiene care packages, to at-risk veterans with unmet needs throughout New Jersey. In addition to direct veteran support services, the Veteran Resource Program connects veterans with U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) programs and benefits, mental health/behavioral health referrals, medical/healthcare referrals, employment opportunities, state resources, and other collaborative community resources as needed on an individualized, case by case basis.
Veteran Resource Program participation is voluntary. Program participants can apply for direct veteran support services through an application process, in order to obtain monetary assistance for veteran housing related costs. Applications are reviewed by a committee made up of EHCA executive staff and eligibility for monetary assistance is determined by service delivery area, veteran status, employment status, and homelessness/risk of homelessness status. All Veteran Resource Program participants are eligible for case management, community outreach, resource referrals, housing/placement coordination, and case follow-up.
The Veteran Resource Program was designed to:
- Increase available long-term, short-term, and emergency housing resources for the New Jersey veteran population.
- Increase available assistance for at-risk veterans residing in the state of New Jersey.
- Increase New Jersey’s Veteran services and resource footprint.
- Increase collaboration between Veteran service providers throughout the state of New Jersey.
Check back for more Veteran Resource Program updates coming soon!
