Denis R. McDonough Secretary of Veterans Affairs | Oficial Website
WASHINGTON — On Military Spouse Appreciation Day, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced a new grant program designed to aid service members and their spouses in transitioning from military to civilian life. The grants will be awarded to eligible organizations that provide employment-based resources and tools for transitioning service members and spouses. This includes resume assistance services, interview training, job recruitment training, employment placement services, and other services that directly contribute to a successful transition.
The VA expects to award approximately $4 million in grants in 2024, with increments of up to $500,000 per organization. These grants will be matched by the receiving organization, effectively doubling the impact for service members and their families.
The Biden-Harris Administration and the VA are dedicated to providing comprehensive support to the approximately 200,000 service members who separate from the military each year. In addition to this new grant program, the VA helps service members and their families transition by educating them about VA care and benefits they’ve earned, assisting them in applying for VA services before leaving the military, conducting check-ins throughout the first year of separation, providing educational and career counseling, among other things.
“These grants will help our nation’s service members —and their spouses — get the tools and assistance they need to get the jobs they deserve,” said Under Secretary for Benefits Joshua Jacobs. “Our goal is to put service members and their families into positions where their transition out of the military isn’t only manageable — it’s successful — and empowers them to continue to lead our country. That’s what this new grant program is all about.”
The VA acknowledges the challenges that transitioning service members face during this significant life change. Veterans and their spouses often report difficulties in employment, physical health, and finances. The VA is eager to provide additional support for those who have served in uniform through this new program.
This initiative is part of a broader effort by the VA to assist veterans in advancing their careers and securing good jobs. The VA offers additional services to help transitioning service members and veterans find and keep jobs, including the Personalized Career Planning and Guidance (PCPG) program, the Veteran Readiness and Employment program, among others.
The VA is also committed to supporting military spouses within its workforce. Earlier this year, the VA signed the 4+1 Commitment— a voluntary commitment championed by Dr. Jill Biden, which encourages employers to adopt policies that could expand employment and career opportunities for military spouses.
This new grant program was created as part of executing the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020. A notice of funding opportunity for this program will be posted in June.
