Mineola, N.Y.- Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi was joined by Linda Barlow, Division Director of Vocational Services for the Education & Assistance Corporation (EAC) to announce a federal grant of $300,000 for outreach to homeless veterans. The funding allotted for Nassau County Veterans' Employment and Training Service (NC VETS), a partnership between Nassau County and the EAC, will be used to locate homeless veterans, and provide them with housing, job training, and job placement. It is estimated that over the course of the one-year grant approximately 180 veterans will find permanent housing and employment.

"It is fitting that we learn of this needed funding just before the July 4th holiday. Since our Country's birth 227 years ago tomorrow the men and women or our armed forces have given everything to protect the security of our borders and the safety of their fellow citizens; this funding will help us to embrace that spirit of service and assist our veterans during their time of need" said County Executive Suozzi.

The Nassau County Veterans Service Agency (VSA), under the direction of Edward Aulman, is the lead agency for the project and will use the grant funding to locate homeless veterans in the County, find them permanent housing through Section 8 and put them in contact with other needed social service departments such as Drug and Alcohol Addiction and Mental Health. The Education and Assistance Corporation will provide case management, individualized employment plans, and job placement services for homeless veterans in Nassau County.

The VSA will also coordinate a coalition of public and private agencies that will work to ensure effective service delivery and increased housing opportunities. Coalition members include the Nassau County Office of Housing and Intergovernmental Affairs, Nassau-Suffolk Coalition for the Homeless (NSCH), Nassau County Mental Health Association and other members of NSCH's Nassau HUD Continuum of Care.

Also present for the announcement were representatives from Catholic Charities, the Nassau-Suffolk Coalition for the Homeless and other charitable organization that supported the grant proposal. For more information on the VETS program please contact VSA director Edward Aulman at 572-8450.