Human Services Receives Veteran Grant
The City of St. Louis, Department of Human Services,
has secured funding in the amount of $300,000 to operate a DOL
Homeless Veteran Reintegration Program (HVRP) within the City
of St. Louis. The program ultimately will assist 164 St. Louis
area homeless veterans in maintaining employment.
The program will be effectively integrated within
the St. Louis Continuum of Care that consists of over 30 homeless
service providers. The City will subcontract with Employment Connection
of St. Louis, who currently operates employment and career development
programs in St. Louis. A complete assessment of needs, barriers,
employment skills and deficiencies will be conducted for each
participant.
Outreach will be performed at the VA Medical
Center, VA Regional Office, local shelters, soup kitchens, substance
abuse recovery units, local Stand Downs, probation and parole
services, mental health care providers, food pantries, and other
groups that serve the homeless.
All participants will be required to attend a
MO Department of Elementary and Secondary Education certified
training program focusing on developing career strengths and interests,
job search, interview techniques, money management and overcoming
barriers to employment. Additional training will be made available
in either an on the job-training program, or a trade specific
program such as, truck driving, general maintenance, carpentry,
computer skills, office administration and customer service.
All participants will meet with an experienced
career developer to be assisted with an individually tailored
job placement upon completion of training programs.
It is expected that 192 participants exit the
program, while 164 maintain employment with a retention rate of
80%. Wages are expected to average $8 an hour at the beginning
and increase through out the 3rd and 4th quarters to $9.90.
Human
Services
City of St. Louis
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