Supportive Services for Veteran Families at the University of Vermont US
Who Are We
Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) at the University of Vermont (UVM) is a program to help very-low income Veteran families who are homeless or imminently at risk of homelessness gain and retain stable housing. SSVF programs are funded through the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) to provide services to Veterans and their families.
Program Eligibility
1. A Veteran or a member of a family in which the head of household, or the spouse of the head of household, is a Veteran. The term “Veterans” for purposes of SSVF means a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, regardless of length of service, and who was discharged or released therefrom. Veteran excludes a person who received a dishonorable discharge from the Armed Forces or was discharged or dismissed from the Armed Forces by reason of the sentence of a general court-martial.
2. Very Low Income: Less than 50% of the Area Median Income (to be determined during the screening process).
3. Experiencing literal homeless or facing homelessness within 30 days.
Area of Service
SSVF at the University of Vermont provides homeless services throughout all 13 counties in the state of Vermont and in Clinton County, New York.
Services Offered
- Outreach
- Rapid Rehousing Assistance
- Homeless Prevention Services
- Case Management
- Housing Counseling Services
- Landlord Supports
- Financial Counseling Services
- Temporary Financial Assistance
- Returning Home Services
- Health Care Navigation Services
- Shallow Subsidy Services
- Legal Services
- Connections to VA benefits and Programs
- Connections to public benefits provided by Federal, State, or local agencies
- Connection to SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) services
- Connections to Employment Services
Who do I contact?
If you are a Veteran or know of a Veteran family experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness within the next 30 day days please call our intake line at 802-656-3232. If we are not able to assist you we will be able to provide referrals for other programs throughout Vermont and Clinton County, NY.
About Us
SSVF at the University of Vermont has met the standards and achieved accreditation through the Council on Accreditation (COA)
COA accreditation affirms that an organization meets the highest national standards of best practice and establishes the organization’s credibility as effective and professionally sound. In addition, it provides assurance to all of our stakeholders that SSVF at the University of Vermont is delivering high-quality services in our community, conducting its operations successfully, and managing its funds effectively.
SSVF at the University of Vermont
SSVF at the University of Vermont has been providing SSVF services since 2013 and provides services to approximately 146 Veteran families annually.
VETERANS RIGHTS
As a Veteran you have the right….
- to be treated equally, professionally, and with respect, regardless of your race, color, religion, national origin, limited english proficiency, age, sex (includes gender identity and transgender status), sexual orientation, pregnancy, marital and parental status, political affiliation, disability, or genetic information.
- to not face harassment or retaliation.
- to have your cultural and personal values, beliefs, and preferences honored. We ask that you identify any cultural, religious, or spiritual beliefs or practices that influence your care.
- to have your privacy protected.
- to be assessed for available services as a Veteran, whether you have your DD214 or not.
- to access or be directly referred to services you need for which you are eligible and that are available within your local community.
- to receive a copy of the grievance policy upon enrollment and upon request.
- to not be discriminated against based on religion, a religious belief, a refusal to hold a religious belief, or a refusal to attend or participate in a religious practice.
- to not be required to attend or participate in any explicitly religious activities (including activities that involve overt religious content such as worship, religious instruction, or be influenced to convert or be recruited to a new faith) that may be offered by our organization, and any participation by you in such activities must be purely voluntary.
Who to contact with concerns:
Supportive Services for Veteran Families
at the
University of Vermont
Rebecca Gural, Program Manager
P: 802-656-3232
Email: Rebecca.Gural@uvm.edu
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
SSVF at UVM is an organization that is housed at the University of Vermont. As such, SSVF at UVM strives to follow the Our Common Ground values that permeate the UVM community.
Our Common Ground
We aspire to be a community that values:
RESPECT: We respect each other. We listen to each other, encourage each other and care about each other. We are strengthened by our diverse perspectives.
INTEGRITY: We value fairness, straightforward conduct, adherence to the facts, and sincerity. We acknowledge when things have not turned out the way we had hoped. As stewards of the University of Vermont, we are honest and ethical in all responsibilities entrusted to us.
INNOVATION: We want to be at the forefront of change and believe that the best way to lead is to learn from our successes and mistakes and continue to grow. We are forward-looking and break new ground in addressing important community and societal needs.
OPENNESS: We encourage the open exchange of information and ideas from all quarters of the community. We believe that through collaboration and participation, each of us has an important role in determining the direction and well-being of our community.
JUSTICE: As a just community, we unite against all forms of injustice, including, but not limited to, racism. We reject bigotry, oppression, degradation, and harassment, and we challenge injustice toward any member of our community.
RESPONSIBILITY: We are personally and collectively responsible for our words and deeds. We stand together to uphold our common ground.
SSVF at UVM is also funded and works closely with the VA. Therefore, we include the VA’s equity statement as part of our own:
We aspire to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, equity, and inclusion. We work to recognize and mitigate our own biases. Our collective success depends on a robust exchange of ideas – an exchange that is best when we see rich diversity in our backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. To achieve this, we are committed to diversity in the staff and faculty we hire, equity in the policies we create, and justice in the decisions we make.
2023 Point-in-Time Report
The Point in Time Count in January 2023 found an 18.5% increase in persons experiencing
homelessness in Vermont compared to the prior year. This is an increase of 197% since the
pre-pandemic Point in Time Count in 2020.
2023 VT Statewide Count
122 Veterans (2022 counted 100 Veterans for reference)
To view the entire 2023 Vermont’s Annual POINT-IN-TIME COUNT of Those Experiencing
Homelessness, please visit: https://helpingtohousevt.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/2023-Vermont-Point-in-Time-Report-6-6-23.pdf
Veteran Resources
Contact Information for Helpful Resources
Vermont Office of Veterans Affairs https://veterans.vermont.gov
Friends of Veterans https://fovvtnh.org
Veterans2Veterans Group https://www.veterans2veteransgroup.com
Department of Defense Military Caregiver Support Guide https://warriorcare.dodlive.mil/Caregiver-Resources/
Vermont Veterans Outreach Team https://www.ngfamily.vt.gov/Programs-Services/Vermont-Veteran-Outreach/
Josh’s House https://www.joshpallottafund.org
Vermont Economic Services Division https://dcf.vermont.gov/esd
Vermont 211 https://vermont211.org
Clinton County Department of Social Services https://www.clintoncountygov.com/dss
Resume Builder https://www.resumebuilder.com/military-to-civilian-resume-examples/
Free Resume Templates for 2024 https://www.resumetemplates.com/resume-examples/
Free Resumes https://www.resume.org
How to Start a Small Business – A Veteran’s SMB Guide with Tools and Financial Resources https://digital.com/veterans-business/>
Guide to Choosing a Trade Career for Returning Service Members https://primeweld.com/blogs/news/trade-careers-for-veterans
Best Online Colleges for Veterans 2022 https://www.intelligent.com/best-online-colleges/military/
Eldercare locator: https://eldercare.acl.gov/Public/Index.aspx
ACL Support to Caregivers: https://acl.gov/programs/support-caregivers
National Association of Area Agencies on Aging: https://www.n4a.org/
A Guide to Veterans' Benefits: https://www.caring.com/caregivers/veterans-benefits/#va-benefits-explained
Annuity.org VA Retirement Benefits: Pensions, Disability, & Annuities https://www.annuity.org/financial-literacy/veterans/
Veterans Guide to Paying for Assisted Living & Home Care https://www.payingforseniorcare.com/veterans
Mesothelioma and Veterans https://www.asbestos.com/veterans/
SeniorHomes.com Veteran Benefits and Assisted Living: An Overview https://www.seniorhomes.com/veterans-benefits/