"There are over 100 veterans workforce specialists stationed in One-Stops across the state. Without in any way denying services to other vets, we are now collectively making a commitment to allow no recently-released Iraq War vet fall between the cracks without getting personal one-on-one workforce services offered. Please spread the word to the local homelessness coalitions/shelters that the workforce VETS staff have made this commitment, and so any unemployed/underemployed Iraq War vet whom you encounter as needing housing or other help can and should be referred to the local One-Stop, and told to identify themselves as a vet and ask to speak with a VET rep. If no One-Stop is convenient, or if the referral fails for any reason, please contact Mitch Collier at (850) 245-7451. Also if any of the local homelessness providers would like to establish local VETS contacts, Mitch can provide contact info and arrange for intros. He is also urging them to make contact with local homelessness coalitions, FBCOS serving vets, etc., if they are not already working together, as many are.

It is important that we have good strategies in place on this issue and are alert to the needs of these Iraq veterans who may be homeless or in jeopardy of future homelessness and ensure they are provided the necessary workforce and other supportive services. We need to act on this now and not allow a situation similar which impacted and continues to impact Vietnam vets who became homeless after that war and still are in the cold.

This message is being circulated among homeless shelters and other providers around the state. A directory to One-Stop centers is at http://www.employflorida.net/index.html Please pass this along as appropriate so the it gets to the right organizations and people that may encounter freshly discharged homeless vets.