VA offers grants to fund adaptive-sports programs for disabled Veterans

Wednesday, February 22, 2017 - 5:45pm By Scott Holwell, Veterans Resources

Scott Holwell

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is providing up to $8 million in grants to fund adaptive-sports programs that offer activities for disabled Veterans and members of the armed forces who have disabilities.

The application period for the fiscal 2018 Adaptive Sports Grant begins Feb. 21, 2017, and will close at 11:59 p.m. (EST) on April 21, 2017.

“We know disabled Veterans and military members of all ages and abilities report better health and an improved quality of life when participating in adaptive sports,” said VA Secretary Dr. David Shulkin. “We encourage organizations to apply for a grant to better assist those who have faced life changes due to their military service. At VA, caring for Veterans, day in and day out, is a noble cause.”

Previous VA grants included eligible nonprofits, Veterans’ groups, universities and municipalities, which plan, develop, manage and implement adaptive sports activities. Funding may be used for training, program development, coaching, sports equipment, supplies, program evaluation and other activities related to adaptive-sports program implementation and operation.

In fiscal 2016, VA awarded $7.8 million in adaptive-sports grants to 90 programs providing services nationwide. The Grant Notice of Funding Availability is published on the Grants.gov website (www.grants.gov) under opportunity number VA-ASG-2018-01, linked through https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/search-grants.html?keywords=adaptive%20sports.

For more information about VA’s Adaptive Sports Program, go to http://www.va.gov/adaptivesports/va_grant_program.asp.

VA offers grants to fund adaptive-sports programs for disabled Veterans

The Kings County Veterans Service Office can complete the DMV Veteran Status Verification Form for the new California Veteran Designation on your driver’s license and also issues Veteran I.D. cards to honorably discharged veterans. Contact Scott Holwell if you would like to receive periodic veteran’s information by email. There are many state and federal benefits and programs available to veterans and their dependents. To determine if you are eligible for any of these benefits, call or visit our office. We can and will assist you in completing all required application forms. You can get information on the Web from the Kings County Veterans Service Office webpage at www.countyofkings.com/vets.

Scott Holwell, retired Navy Master Chief Petty Officer, is the Veterans Service Officer for Kings County. Send your questions to the Veterans Service Office, 1400 W. Lacey Blvd, Hanford, CA 93230; call (559)852-2669; or e-mail scott.holwell@co.kings.ca.us.