From: SSVF

Sent: Friday, May 13, 2016 12:25 PM

Subject: SSVF Program Updates May 13, 2016

Attachments: Call_for_SSVF_Articles.pdf; ROI VHA-10-3203-fill.pdf; ROI VHA-10-5345-fill.pdf; SSVF Program Guide May 2016 Edition.pdf; Summary of SSVF Program Guide Revisions May 2016.pdf

Importance: High

Topics:

1. SSVF Program Guide Updated May 1, 2016

2. National SSVF Webinar on May 26, 2016 (Note Date Change)

3. USICH Webinar on May 19, 2016

4. SSVF Participant Satisfactions Surveys Update

5. Call for SSVF Good News Stories: Accomplishments / Successes

6. Reminder: Community Plan Updates Due on June 3, 2016

7. Reminder: SSVF Q3 Program Change Requests Due on June 1, 2016

SSVF Program Guide: Revised Version Released May 1, 2016

The Program Guide has been updated as of May 1, 2016. The main changes are provided in the attached summary, and in Exhibit H of the document. It is highly recommended that grantees review the complete guide and share with SSVF staff. All documents are provided in this Program Update and will also be posted on the SSVF Website. The changes will be reviewed on your next SSVF Regional Call and a webinar will be made available in the near future.

National SSVF Webinar on May 26, 2016 at 2:00 PM EDT (Note Date Change)

SSVF Webinar Series: Using Conflict Resolution for Effective Homeless Prevention and Diversion

The concept of empowering clients is central to the way the Domestic Violence (DV) community works with victims and survivors of domestic abuse, and it is one of the National Alliance to End Homelessness' Principles of Good Homeless Prevention. The conflict resolution field also recognizes the importance of empowerment, and mediators use specific interventions to support clients as they regain control of their lives after a crisis and/or conflict.

This presentation will show how Cleveland Mediation Center encourages client choice and decision-making for Veterans who are about to lose their housing or are in need of new housing (prevention). It will demonstrate how empowerment is a key component of helping those who may be entering the shelter system to immediately return to safe and appropriate housing (diversion).

Please register at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4047832640930597377

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Note the Date Change: This replaces the National Webinar that was previously scheduled for May 19, 2016. We encourage grantees to register for the USICH webinar that is being held on this date (information below).

USICH Webinar on May 19, 2016 at 1:00 PM EDT

Key Strategies for Connecting People to SSI/SSDI Benefits

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) can provide an important source of income for people who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness and have a mental illness, medical condition, and/or a co-occurring substance use disorder. In this webinar, speakers from SSA, SAMSHA, VA, PRA, Inc.'s SOAR TA Center, and USICH will present a set of strategies for connecting people experiencing homelessness to SSI and SSDI benefits by improving practices and collaboration among SSA field offices, VA Medical Center staff, organizations and agencies that provide services to people experiencing homelessness, and other community-based partners. Presenters: Lindsay Knotts, USICH, ML Jordan, SSA, Jayme Marshall, SAMHSA, Jesse Vazzano, VA, HUD-VASH, Linda Southcott, VA, SSVF, and Kristin Lupfer, PRA Inc.

Registration is required to attend this webinar. https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2829173534963488770

Once you are registered, you will receive a confirmation email with a URL link and audio information.

SSVF Participant Satisfactions Surveys Update

As of March 18, 2016 the transition to the new Participant Satisfaction Survey is complete and survey weblinks are active. Per the SSVF Final Rule, grantees are mandated to provide each exiting participant household with a SSVF Participant Satisfaction Survey. In order to satisfy this requirement, grantees should electronically distribute the survey to participants within 30 days of the participant's exit from the program, using a customized weblink provided by VA survey vendor, M. Davis and Company (MDAC).

If your grantee Point of Contact has not received the survey weblink or you have questions regarding the process, please contact MDAC at 215-790-8900 ext. 132 or vassvf@mdavisco.com.

To review the National Webinar PowerPoint presentation from the March 17^th on our website please visit: http://www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf/?page=/home/.

Call for SSVF Good News Stories: Accomplishments / Successes

The SSVF Program Office is accepting submissions in order to recognize and share success stories from SSVF grantee. These submissions provide your organization with the opportunity to chronicle your successes and share them with the VA, partner Federal agencies, consumer providers, the general public and, of course, Veterans who may be seeking services. Please review the attached materials for submission instructions. Materials include an overview of the submission process and samples of the two required Releases of Information (ROI). Please note that it is now required that both ROIs be completed and submitted with the success story. Success stories are posted at: http://www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf/?page=/home/success_stories

Reminder: Community Plan Updates Due on June 3, 2016

Community Plan submissions are due on Friday, June 3^rd. Grantees should refer to the Program Update: Special Edition on May 5^th for additional guidance, instructions, and the submission link.

Reminder: SSVF Q3 Program Change Requests Due on June 1, 2016

To assist grantees with their Program Change submissions, the SSVF Program Office has released a FY2016 Companion Guide for Program Changes, which can be found at: (http://www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf/index.asp?page=/official_guide/reporting_and_monitoring_requirements).

This guide provides clarification on the various types of program changes and includes detailed instructions for accessing and completing the GIFTS requirement form. Please thoroughly review this guide prior to submitting any program change requests, as it was based directly off of grantee feedback and developed in order to prevent mathematical errors that resulted in the declination of previously submitted program change requests. Requests that do not contain sufficient detail/documentation will be denied by the Program Office.

It should be noted that the majority of Q2 submission errors involved the budget modification/new position sections. While the Companion Guide includes more detailed information, general guidance regarding those sections is provided below:

Dollar amounts must be entered for all budget fields, regardless of whether that specific budgeted category is being modified.

For example: a budget modification that changes the distribution of funds in Personnel and TFA must also include the dollar amounts for OTNP, Admin, and Vehicles.
Without this information the calculations to determine the correct HHS subaccount distributions will result in an error.

The sum of all dollar amounts entered into the requirement form must equal your award amount.

Any submissions with discrepancies will be denied.

Modified amounts cannot exceed the NOFA/Final Rule limitations (e.g. Admin cannot exceed 10%).
Detailed explanations are required for all budget modifications.

Be specific - explanations should detail where funds are being moved to and from and the reason why.

If you are adding new positions, please note that the budget modification section must be completed along with the new position section of the requirement form.

Requirement forms for Q3 submissions are available at this time. Program change submissions are due no later than 6/1/16. Please direct any questions to your Regional Coordinator.

Thank you,

SSVF Program Office

NOTE: If you are receiving this email in error, please disregard. We request your patience as the SSVF Program Office continues to address system issues with the grants management database.