Department of Veterans' Services

Department of Veterans Services.

0610-0093

For the purposes of allowing the department of veterans' services to make bonus payments to Persian Gulf war veterans; provided that all such payments shall be consistent with the purposes of the trust instrument for "A Hero's Welcome Trust Fund"

...............................................................$18,000

A Hero's Welcome Trust Fund........................................................... 100.0%

1410-0010

For the administration and support of the office of veterans' services; provided, that not less than $10,000 shall be obligated for a contract with the Korean War Veterans Committee of Massachusetts for the purpose of maintaining the Massachusetts Korean War Memorial located in the Shipyard Park of the Charlestown Navy Yard; and provided further, that said office shall fund a housing specialist from this item

...............................................................$1,763,821

1410-0012

For services to veterans, including the maintenance and operation of outreach centers; provided, that said centers shall provide counseling to incarcerated veterans and to Vietnam era veterans and their families who may have been exposed to agent orange; provided further, that $203,500 shall be obligated for a contract with the Veterans Benefits Clearinghouse in the Roxbury section of the city of Boston; provided further, that $82,500 shall be obligated for a contract with the Veterans Northeast Outreach Center in the city of Haverhill; provided further, that $104,610 shall be obligated for a contract with the North Shore Veterans Counseling Center in the city of Beverly; provided further, that $77,000 shall be obligated for a contract with the Veterans Association of Bristol County in the city of Fall River; provided further, that $110,000 shall be obligated for a contract with NamVets of the Cape and Islands in the town of Hyannis; provided further, that $60,500 shall be obligated for a contract with the Outreach Center, Inc., in the city of Pittsfield; provided further, that $90,420 shall be obligated for a contract with the Montachusett Veterans Outreach Center in Gardner; provided further, that $77,000 shall be obligated for a contract with the Metrowest/Metrosouth Outreach Center in the town of Framingham; provided further, that $66,000 shall be obligated for a contract with the Puerto Rican Veterans Association of Massachusetts, Inc., in the city of Springfield; provided further, that funding increases appropriated to this item which are in excess of the amounts appropriated in fiscal year 1998 shall be expended to adjust the wages, compensation or salary and associated employee-related costs to personnel earning less than $30,000 in annual compensation who are employed by vendors whose contracts are funded by this item

...............................................................$905,172

Local Aid Fund........................................................... 100.0%

1410-0015

For the women veterans' outreach program

...............................................................$25,000

Local Aid Fund........................................................... 100.0%

1410-0100

For the elder affairs revenue maximization project to identify individuals eligible for veterans' pensions who are currently receiving home care and home health services

...............................................................$126,183

1410-0250

For homelessness services, including the maintenance and operation of homeless shelters and transitional housing for veterans; provided, that not less than $267,750 shall be obligated for a contract with the Central Massachusetts Shelter for Homeless Veterans located in the city of Worcester; provided further, that not less than $267,750 shall be obligated for a contract with the Southeastern Massachusetts Veterans Housing Program, Inc. located in the city of New Bedford; provided further, that not less than $207,900 shall be obligated for a contract with the United Veterans of America shelter located in the town of Leeds; provided further, that $31,500 shall be obligated for a contract with the Veterans Benefit Clearinghouse located in Dorchester; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be obligated for a contract with Unity House located in the city of Gardner; provided further, that not less than $31,500 shall be obligated for a contract with the Transition House located in the city of Springfield; provided further, that not less than $49,875 shall be obligated for a contract with the Mansion located in the city of Haverhill; provided further, that not less than $31,500 shall be obligated for a contract with the Homestead located in the town of Hyannis; provided further, that not less than $120,000 shall be obligated for a contract with the Veterans Hospice Homestead in the city of Leominster; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be obligated for a contract with Habitat P. L. U. S. in the city of Lynn; and provided further, that funding increases appropriated to this item which are in excess of the amounts appropriated from this item in fiscal year 1998 shall be expended to adjust the wages, compensation or salary and associated employee- related costs to personnel earning less than $30,000 in annual compensation who are employed by vendors whose contracts are funded by this item

...............................................................$1,157,775

1410-0251

For homelessness services, including the maintenance and operation of homeless shelters and transitional housing for veterans at the New England Shelter for Homeless Veterans located in the city of Boston; provided, that funding increases in this contract that are in excess of amounts appropriated in fiscal year 1998 shall be expended to adjust the wages, compensation or salary and associated employee- related costs to personnel earning less than $30,000 in annual compensation who are employed through said contract

...............................................................$2,250,000

1410-0300

For the payment of annuities to certain disabled veterans and the parents of certain deceased veterans; provided, that such payments shall be made pursuant to section 6B of chapter 115 of the General Laws; provided further, that the department shall take reasonable steps to terminate payments upon the death of a recipient; provided further, that the commissioner of veteran's services shall file with the house and senate committees on ways and means a report detailing the number of applications received for annuities offered under this program not later than September 1, 1998

...............................................................$4,424,000

1410-0400

For reimbursing cities and towns for money paid for veterans' benefits and for payments to certain veterans; provided, that said reimbursements shall be made pursuant to section 6 of chapter 115 of the General Laws; provided further, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, 100 per cent of the amounts of veterans' benefits paid by cities and towns to residents of a soldiers' home shall be paid by the commonwealth to the several cities and towns; provided further, that pursuant to section 9 of chapter 115 of the General Laws, the department shall reimburse cities and towns for the cost of United States flags placed on the graves of veterans on memorial day; and provided further, that the commissioner shall establish a training program for veterans' agents pursuant to section 355

...............................................................$8,413,276

Local Aid Fund........................................................... 100.0%

1410-0620

For a veterans' cemetery in the town of Agawam, prior appropriation continued.

1410-0622

For a contribution by the commonwealth to the cost of construction of the MIA/POW Eternal Flame at the Massachusetts National Cemetery at Bourne

...............................................................$14,000