FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 27, 2023

WDVA and Governor Evers Announce Applications for Second Round of Three Mental Health Grants

MADISON — Today, Gov. Tony Evers and Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) Secretary-designee James Bond announced that applications are now being accepted for the second round of three Veteran Mental Health Grants:

The Emergency Crisis Mental Health Treatment Program Grant is open to mental health providers administering emergency/crisis mental health treatment for Wisconsin veterans. Individual grants requested are subject to the availability of funds and may not exceed $200,000 per applicant. The provider must have at least one employee who possesses one of the following professional degrees: psychologist (Ph.D. or Psy.D.), licensed professional counselor, licensed marriage and family therapist, social worker with a master’s degree or higher, psychiatrist, or psychiatric or mental health nurse practitioner.

The Veteran Mental Health Ancillary Treatment Program Grant is open to certified/licensed mental health providers who provide ancillary veteran mental health treatment programs for Wisconsin veterans. Individual grant requests may not exceed $100,000 per applicant and are subject to the availability of funds and further limitations contained within the grant application. The provider must have at least one certified/licensed occupational therapist, certified occupational therapist assistant, massage or bodywork therapist, acupuncturist, art therapist, clinical substance abuse counselor, dance therapist, dietitian, music therapist, prevention specialist, equine therapist (certification must be from the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International), or recreational therapist (certification must be from the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification).

The Veterans Mental Health Community-Based Organization Grant is open to registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that promote positive mental health through activities, programs, and services that enhance the emotional, psychological, and social well-being of Wisconsin veterans. Applicants, who did not receive a prior Veterans Mental Health Community-Based Organization Grant, can apply for up to $100,000 per this grant period. Applicants who received a prior grant may only request funding such that the requested amount does not exceed $100,000.

WDVA encourages all who work on behalf of veteran mental health care, including non-profit organizations and ancillary mental health providers, who meet the grant requirements to apply. For all three grants, any applicant who applied during the first round of applications is eligible to apply again, subject to limitations contained within each grant application.

All further questions about the grant application process should be directed to the DVA Grants Unit at vetsbenefitsgrants@dva.wisconsin.gov. The applications for the second round of ARPA-funded grants are due by 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, January 11, 2024.

For additional information on the grants, including evaluation criteria, application materials, and tips for applying, please see the DVA Grants Page.

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For additional information, contact:

WDVA Office of Public Affairs

Colleen Flaherty, Communications Director

608.266.0517

colleen.flaherty@dva.wi.gov

About the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs

The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs works on behalf of Wisconsin's veterans community — veterans, their families and their survivors — in recognition of their service and sacrifice to our state and nation. For more information,visit www.WisVets.com.