This weekly update is targeted
towards the SSVF Grantees and shared with valuable partners for
awareness.
August 11, 2023
NEW: HUD-VASH SSVF Collaborative Case Management Guidance &
Collaborative Agreement Sample Documents Published
NEW: PACT Act Update
UPDATE: Customer Satisfaction Survey Update
RESOURCE: Legal Resources
REMINDER: SSVF
Data Office Hours August 18, 2023, 12:00pm EST
REMINDER: Outreach Activities
NEW:
HUD-VASH SSVF Collaborative Case Management Guidance & Collaborative
Agreement Sample Documents Published
The SSVF
Program Office and the HUD-VASH Program Office have collaboratively developed
written guidance about the development of Collaborative Case Management in
conjunction with the recently released memo. Additionally, a sample
Collaborative Agreement was also developed to support the development of local
coordination efforts between programs. Both of these documents, as well
as the HUD-VASH and SSVF Coordination Memo, are on the Coordination and Planning
page of our website or viewed at:
https://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/ssvf/docs/VASH_SSVF_Collaborative_CM_Guidance.pdf
https://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/ssvf/docs/SSVF_VASH_Service_Coordination_Agreement.docx
NEW: PACT Act Update
Today VA announced that Veterans and survivors who apply (or submit their intent to
file) for
PACT Act benefits by 11:59PM ET on Monday, August 14, 2023 will be eligible to
have their benefits backdated to August 10, 2022 – the day that President Biden
signed the PACT Act into law. This is an extension from the original deadline
of August 9, 2023. We encourage all Veterans and their survivors to apply – or
submit their intent to
file –
for PACT Act benefits now by visiting VA.gov/PACT.
UPDATE:
Customer Satisfaction Survey Update
The goal of
the Satisfaction Survey is to ensure that Veteran families receiving supportive
services under the SSVF Program are receiving quality services. Each SSVF
Grantee is required to register all household for the SSVF designated
satisfaction survey within 30 days of the participant’s pending exit from the
grantee’s program. Veteran households that are enrolled using the
HUD-VASH or GPD packet and only receive TFA are excluded from the satisfaction
survey registration requirement. If the Veteran is co-enrolled
in SSVF and HUD VASH or GPD and receives services other than one-time TFA, the
Grantee is required to register Veteran household for the satisfaction
survey.
RESOURCE:
Legal Resources
The SSVF
Program Office requires all SSVF grantees ensure access to legal supports for Veterans.
In addition to the recently added Legal agreements or contracts held by SSVF
grantees, the VA also has other legal resources that may address a Veteran’s
legal needs. The link below provide information and links to additional VA legal services for
Veterans.
Legal Help for Veterans - Office
of General Counsel (va.gov)
REMINDER: SSVF Data
Office Hours August 18, 2023, 12:00PM EST
The SSVF Program Office
continues to host monthly SSVF Data Office Hours for SSVF Grantees and their
community partners. Our technical assistance partners with Abt Associates will continue to provide “deep dive”
education and conduct live Q & A about SSVF data requirements. These
Office Hours are a great opportunity for SSVF grantees to grow their data entry
and data quality skills and improve local processes.
Please register using
the following link: Webinar Registration - Zoom
After registering, you
will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the
webinar.
REMINDER:
Outreach Activities
The SSVF Program
Office would like to remind grantees that outreach is a required
activity. As a core component of the grant, grantees should have a
robust outreach strategy to engage Veterans experiencing or at-risk of
homelessness.
SSVF
grantees should:
·
Ensure
outreach activities cover the full geography and all unsheltered
Veterans are offered a pathway to permanent or interim housing in the near
term.
·
Collaborate
with community partners for street outreach including Coordinated Entry
Outreach Teams, VA Outreach Teams, Law Enforcement, local businesses such as
railroads or gas stations, public services such as street or highway
departments, health departments, bus or train stations, advocacy groups
including domestic violence providers, organizations specifically focused on
supporting marginalized groups
·
Strongly
consider hiring in-house or elevating existing the employment of peer
specialists in outreach settings and across program operations; ensure
outreach personnel include Veterans who have had similar experiences to those
for whom Services are designed to support
·
Provide
access to training in trauma-informed, culturally responsive outreach and
engagement strategies, including Rapid Resolution approaches, motivational
interviewing and implicit bias