From: SSVF
Sent: Friday, March 31, 2017 2:26 PM
To: SSVF
Subject: SSVF Program Update Friday
March 31, 2017
Topics:
1.
SSVF
Grievance Process
2.
SSVF
Monitoring Toolkit
3.
Register
for the SSVF National Webinar on April 27, 2017 at 2PM EDT
4.
Reminder
and Clarification Regarding Mandatory Return of SSVF Grant Funds
5.
UPDATED
CALL FOR ARTICLES: Activity Accomplishments / Success Stories
6.
Link to
USICH Webinar: Federal Criteria Benchmarks (March 9th)
SSVF Grievance Process
The SSVF Program Office
recognizes the positive and professional manner in which SSVF providers are
responding to Veteran complaints or grievances. As a reminder, SSVF
providers are required to communicate their internal grievance policy to all
SSVF program participants. In rare instances, it might not be possible to
resolve disagreements or grievances within your program or local
community. In these rare cases, Veterans can submit complaints or
grievances to the SSVF program office at SSVF@va.gov.
Grievances received by the program office will be processed internally and
require grantees to respond to a request for information within the online
grants management system (GIFTS). Please note that SSVF Regional
Coordinators do not provide direct assistance to Veterans as part of the
grievance process.
SSVF Monitoring Toolkit
The new Monitoring Toolkit is
available on the SSVF website! This comprehensive toolkit will assist
SSVF providers in preparing for monitoring visits by guiding grantees through
the process and conducting a monitoring self-assessment. The
toolkit includes a UMP Crosswalk that can be used to help grantees understand
questions on the Uniform Monitoring Package and where to find additional
information about each question. The toolkit will be reviewed
on the SSVF National Webinar on April 27th. The link to the toolkit
can be found on the SSVF website at: https://www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf/index.asp?page=/official_guide/reporting_and_monitoring_requirements
Register for the SSVF
National Webinar on April 27, 2017 at 2PM EDT (Note: Rescheduled from April 13,
2017)
The SSVF National Webinar,
originally scheduled for April 13, will now be on April 27, 2017.
Topic 1: Increasing Access for Low-Income Vulnerable Homeless Families with Young Children
Early childhood education is a critical component for
healthy developing children. Yet, despite what we know about the importance of
high quality early childhood opportunities, many children in the United States
lack access to quality programs, especially children from low income families
and vulnerable young children experiencing homelessness. This webinar profiles
the impacts on young children and families
experiencing homelessness, highlights relevant laws and federal programs, and
identifies strategies that have been effective in supporting the unique needs
of young children and families who find themselves homeless.
Topic 2: SSVF
Monitoring Toolkit Overview
Register here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8176505407421568769
Reminder and
Clarification Regarding Mandatory Return of SSVF Grant Funds
During FY 2017, the SSVF
Program Office is implementing the mandatory return of unspent grant funds. Per
the grant agreement between VA and SSVF grantees, the SSVF Program Office will
recoup funds from grantees who are not meeting the minimum expenditure rates.
This is the first year mandatory returns will be implemented. The grant
agreement (MOA) describes that, after each quarter, grantees are required to
have a minimum percentage of funds drawn from the HHS Payment Management
System; 1st quarter – 15% or more; 2nd quarter – 40% or more; 3rd quarter – 65%
or more. Please review your grant expenditures and your projected
spending for the remainder of the grant year.
On April 3rd (first
business day after the end of the 2nd quarter) drawdown data will be reviewed
by the SSVF Program Office to determine which grants are below the required 40%
draw down level through the second quarter. The Program Office will identify
the amount of funds to recoup from grantees by utilizing the following
calculation. A grantee’s draw down percentage on April 3rd will be subtracted
from 40%. That percentage will be deducted from each subaccount balance, The
goal is to better position a grantee to meet the 3rd quarter requirement of
being 65% drawn down while, at the same time, avoiding a reduction in the
amount of grant funds that would impact grantee operations.
Example: SSVF grantee
received an award of $1,000,000. On April 3, 2017, the amount of funds
drawn down in HHS are 25%. This is 15% below the 40% requirement and will
result in a reduction of $150,000 (15% from each subaccount), changing the
total funding amount to $850,000. The draw down percentage, after the recoup of
unspent funds, is 29.4%, and grantee is better positioned to meet the 65% draw
down requirement after third quarter.
*For comparison: If the
mandatory return calculation resulted in the grantee draw down percentage being
at 40%, the reduction calculation would be $250,000/.4 = $675,000, thus
requiring a reduction of the initial award by $325,000.
UPDATED CALL FOR
ARTICLES: Activity Accomplishments / Success Stories
The SSVF Program Office is accepting grantee submissions describing success stories related to the provision of SSVF services in the local community. These submissions provide grantees with the opportunity to chronicle 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 process and two Releases of Information (ROIs). Please note that it is now required that both ROIs be completed and submitted along with the success story. Success stories can be viewed at:
http://www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf/?page=/home/success_stories
Link to USICH Webinar: Federal Criteria
Benchmarks (March 9th)
On March 9th, USICH reviewed
the recently released clarifications to the criteria and benchmarks that
define the vision for ending Veteran homelessness within communities. To
download slides and view the webinar recording, please follow the link below:
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.