From: SSVF

Sent: Friday, September 02, 2016 11:51 AM

Subject: SSVF Program Update September 2, 2016

Importance: High

Topics:

1. VA Announces FY 2017 SSVF Grant Awards

2. Clarification on SSVF Regional Meeting Participation

3. VA Releases SSVF Proposed Rule for Public Comment

4. Grantee Action Needed Regarding Outstanding FFR Financial Status Reports (FSR)

VA Announces $300 Million in Grants Helping to End Veteran Homelessness

On August 30, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) awarded approximately $300 million more in grants under the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF).  SSVF funding has been awarded to 275 non-profit organizations in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.  A list of SSVF grantees is located at www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf.asp. 

Clarification on SSVF Regional Meeting Participation

We would like to provide clarification regarding the upcoming set of SSVF Regional Meetings. The Regional Meetings will be held from late August through early October at 10 locations throughout the U.S.  Grantees are assigned to one of these 10 locations and will receive email notification regarding meeting sites and registration details.  Please note that the Regional Meeting is a one-day event that offers SSVF 101 training as well as and practices related to rapid rehousing, Housing First, and homelessness prevention.  Due to space limitations, grantees may register no more than two (2) program staff for this one-day Regional Meeting.  Furthermore, grantee representatives may attend only one of two tracks that will run concurrently at the Regional Meeting: 1) a track targeted for Direct Service staff, or 2) a track targeted for Program Management staff.    

Grantees with more than one SSVF grant award may send up to two (2) representatives per grant award.  Registration for many of the Regional Meetings has opened and assigned grantees have received these notifications.  When you receive the registration email (sent to the primary and secondary contacts within your agency’s SSVF grants management account) please be sure to complete registration before it closes.

IMPORTANT:  For those grantees who serve the location (city) in which the regional meeting is being held, VA has added an additional day for grantees and community stakeholders that will focus on community coordination efforts.  These meetings are customized to meet the needs of the local community.  If you have questions, please contact Bobby Thompson at:  robert.thompson2@va.gov.

VA Releases SSVF Proposed Rule for Public Comment

The VA has released proposed changes to the SSVF Final Rule, which is open for public comment until September 26, 2016.  The link to the proposed rule can be found at:

https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2016-07-27/pdf/2016-17624.pdf

Grantee Action Needed Regarding Outstanding FFR Financial Status Reports (FSR)

This is a reminder to grantees that they must close any outstanding (FY 14 and FY 15) FFR Financial Status Reports in the HHS Payment Management System.  It is a Federal requirement that all SSVF grantees submit the Financial Status Report portion of the Federal Financial Report (SF-425). Grantees must complete this report for all subaccounts within the HHS Payment Management System no later than 45 days after the end of the grant term, or at the end of an approved grant extension.

IMPORTANT:  Effective August 31, 2016, any failure to complete this process will cause a suspension of your HHS SSVF account.  Your HHS account will remain frozen until this delinquency is resolved.  Please note that all SSVF grant accounts associated with that grantee’s banking will be frozen.

Instructions can be found within the HHS website:

https://www.dpm.psc.gov/training/ffr_training.aspx?explorer.event=true.

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.