From:                                         SSVF

Sent:                                           Friday, April 23, 2021 8:42 AM

Subject:                                     SSVF Program Update Friday April 23, 2021

Attachments:                          MACA Survey Questions.pdf; SSVF Program Guide March 2021 Revisions .pdf; Feeding Pets of the Homeless Policy for Emergency Veterinary Care rev 3.24.2021MASTER.pdf; Homeless Flyer.pdf

 

TOPICS:

ACTION NEEDED:  SmartSimple Grant Contacts Review & Updates

ACTION NEEDED:  SSVF Modified Costs Allocation Approach (MACA) Survey due: May 6, 2021 (PDF attached)

UPDATE: SSVF Program Guide Updated March 2021 (PDF attached)

RESOURCE: Feeding Pets of the Homeless (2 PDFs attached)

GOOD NEWS: “Permanent and Lasting Change”

 

 

ACTION NEEDED: SmartSimple Grant Contact Review & Updates

In order for Grantees to receive communications from the SSVF Program Office, contacts will need to be added to at least the FY2021 approved grant award in SmartSimple.  Please take time to review the pre-recorded webinar titled: “SmartSimple Grants Management System: Adding Contacts to Grant Awards” which explains how to add contacts to your current grant awards.

Note:  Contacts are added in the Grant file NOT the Organization file.  Grant account owners will need to first add themselves as a Grant Contact and then may send invitations to others, with designated roles.   If you have any questions, please contact your Regional Coordinator.  Access to the webinar:“SmartSimple Grants Management System: Adding Contacts to Grant Awards” is found here: https://youtu.be/oeCt3TuABgY.  

 

 

ACTION NEEDED: SSVF Modified Costs Allocation Approach (MACA) Survey due: May 6, 2021

As the SSVF Program Office has offered the opportunity for Grantees to transition to a new method to account for administrative costs using Modified Costs Allocation Approach (MACA), we would like to provide Grantees with an opportunity to provide feedback on this very important and critical process.  The SSVF Compliance Office is requesting that each Grantee complete the MACA Survey to provide feedback on the MACA process thus far and any recommendations for the remainder of the roll out. The survey is specifically designed for the Finance staff that oversee the administrative costs section of the SSVF budget.  The questions are attached and the survey may be found here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/K5BHGKW.  Only one survey should be completed per Grantee and are due by: May 6, 2021.  If you have any questions, please email Rico Aiello, SSVF Compliance at: Riccardo.aiello@va.gov

 

 

UPDATE: SSVF Program Guide Updated March 2021

The SSVF Program Guide has been updated as of March 1, 2021.  The main changes are provided in the attached summary, and in Exhibit I of the document. It is highly recommended that Grantees review the complete guide and share with SSVF staff.   The new Program Guide is available on the SSVF website at: https://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/ssvf/docs/SSVF_Program_Guide.pdf

 

 

RESOURCE: Feeding Pets of the Homeless (2 PDFs attached)

Feeding Pets of the Homeless is a valuable resource to assist Veterans experiencing homelessness who have pets. Any Veteran who is homeless and unable to afford their pet’s emergency veterinary care is eligible for free assistance AND they are now offering assistance to Veterans within the HUD-VASH program for the next 6 months to determine if they will have the bandwidth to continue these efforts for HUD-VASH Veterans long-term.  The only requirement is that the Veteran’s HUD-VASH case managers will need to verify that the Veteran is in the HUD-VASH program.  Please share widely with Homeless program staff and Veterans in your programs.

 

Feeding Pets of the Homeless® is a national non-profit organization, and their goal is to help the pets of homeless individuals & families by providing free assistance within these four programs:

 

  1. Pet Food Providers - Anyone is able to pick up pet food while also picking up their food at participating food banks.  Always ask for pet food.  Often, they also have flea treatments, collars, toys, and other items for pets.
  2. Emergency Veterinary Care Program - Feeding Pets of the Homeless covers the costs of veterinary needs when a pet is injured or ill and will include updating vaccinations. Veterans will need proof of homelessness or participation within the HUD-VASH program in order to receive assistance; the organization has confirmed that VA Homeless Program staff working with the Veteran will be able to verify the Veteran’s situation by phone if needed. They will also be able to provide assistance if proof of vaccinations is required to get into HUD-VASH housing with a pet, by helping to pay for a basic examination and needed vaccinations.  However, they cannot pay for yearly routine appointments.  All treatment must be pre-approved by a Feeding Pets of the Homeless Case Manager.  They are unable to cover treatment that has already been administered and/or not pre-approved.
  3. Sponsorship of Veterinary Wellness Clinics – enables veterinarians to be able to go to community events (such as Stand Downs & Wellness Clinics) to help pets of the homeless. If you know of a veterinarian who might be interested, please have them contact Feeding Pets of the Homeless directly to apply for a grant.
  4. Shipping collapsible pet crates to shelters – enabling anyone with a pet who needs to stay at a shelter to be able to take their pet with them. The crates become the property of the homeless shelter for repeated use. The shelter must contact Feeding Pets of the Homeless to apply for the crate(s) to be shipped.

 

The flyer for the program may be printed and placed in your common areas or have available for the Veterans who come in for assistance. Please read the attached Policies and Procedures to be sure everyone follows the required intake process.  Veterans and/or Homeless Program staff may contact Feeding Pets of the Homeless M-F 9am-3pm (PST) at (775) 841-7463 for further assistance & information.

 

 

GOOD NEWS: “Permanent and Lasting Change”

The SSVF Program Office is pleased to highlight the following success story from SSVF Grantee, The Opportunity House, in Reading, Pennsylvania. 

 

“I wanted to see the world,” said Thomas, a former jet mechanic when asked why he joined the Air Force. His travels started with school in Illinois and then he was stationed at Travis Air Force base in California.  He honed his skills working on 141 and C5 planes.  He was stationed in Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa, Japan. While stationed there he was able to fulfill his dream of seeing the world by travelling to Australia, New Zealand, Korea and the Philippines. Leaving the Air Force also meant he gave up his career as a jet mechanic. He began a long career in the construction industry when tough times hit.  Facing eviction, his brother, a fellow veteran encouraged him to reach out to Victoria Spitler, Case Manager for the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) in Schuylkill County, PA.  His brother, William, had worked with her when he was experiencing homelessness.  “She helped me get back on my feet,” he noted and now advocates for the program.  “Do it, ask for help. It’s what you need to do,” he advises other Veterans.  Through the program, Thomas was able to get connected to the VA Healthcare Services in Lebanon, PA to address his health concerns. Victoria was instrumental in making that happen.  Case management means that clients are never alone in the process. “Victoria called every week.  She cared about me,” he added.  It’s that care and compassion that makes a difference.  By providing on-going support, Thomas is taking steps in the right direction for permanent and last change.

 

 

Regards,

 

SSVF Program Office