From: SSVF

Sent: Friday, May 29, 2020 1:01 PM

Subject: SSVF Program Update Friday, May 29th, 2020

Attachments: vha-10-3203-fill Media Release blank.pdf

Topics:

1. REQUIREMENT:  SSVF CARES Resource Status GIFTS Requirement Due Monday June 1, 2020

2. AVAILABLE NOW:  Grant and Per Diem Program Office Shares Webinar About Income, Employment and Benefits for Homeless Veterans

3. FEATURING NOW: SSVF TFA Flexibility Document Available on SSVF Website

4. ATTENTION: SSVF VA Medical Center (VAMC) Point of Contact (POC) Coordination

5. REQUEST: SSVF Program Office Request for SSVF Success Stories

REQUIREMENT:  SSVF CARES Resource Status GIFTS Requirement Due Monday June 1, 2020 

The SSVF Program Office has published the CARES Resource Status GIFTS Requirement.  All Grantees will need to complete this Requirement and submit in GIFTS by Monday June 1, 2020.  This information is an essential first step in identifying locations where additional funding is needed.  If you have any questions, please reach out to your Regional Coordinator. 

AVAILABLE NOW:  Grant and Per Diem Program Office Shares Webinar About Income, Employment and Benefits for Homeless Veterans

The Grant and Per Diem Program Office has shared a recent podcast style webinar about income and benefits for homeless Veterans.  This 30-minute webinar features Dr. Carma Heitzman, the National Director for Homeless Veterans Community Employment Services with the Department of Veterans Affairs and Jen Elder, M.SC., the National Policy and Partnerships Coordinator & Assistant Director for the SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access and Recovery Technical Assistance Center. 

We encourage SSVF providers to watch the video using the link below: 

http://va-eerc-ees.adobeconnect.com/p24loya7hak2/

FEATURING NOW: SSVF TFA Flexibility Document Available on SSVF Website

SSVF is temporarily allowing for greater financial assistance flexibilities in response to the COVID-19 public health crisis.  SSVF grantees now have both the regulatory authority and budget to subsidize enrolled households more deeply and for longer periods of time. This flexibility provides a unique opportunity for SSVF to support Veteran households in a way that promotes longer-term housing stability.  The SSVF Program Office, in partnership with their technical assistance providers has developed a one-page document highlighting opportunities for SSVF providers to promote longer-term housing stability.  This document can be viewed at link below:

https://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/ssvf/docs/SSVF_Income_Use_Considerations_during_COVID19.pdf

Attention:  SSVF VA Medical Center (VAMC) Point of Contact (POC) Coordination

The SSVF Program Office is excited to announce the reinvigoration of the VAMC POC coordination efforts.  The Program Office held a kick-off webinar on May 21, 2020 with those identified as the POC for their VAMC.  These efforts will support coordination and communication with the VAMC, the Network Homeless Coordinators (NHCs) and the SSVF Program Office.  This will ensure the local medical centers are notified of updates, changes, and webinars relevant to the work being done within local communities and at the National level.  The designated VAMC POC will receive a list of SSVF Grantees and those listed as Contacts 1 & 2 in the GIFTS Grants Management System.   

REQUEST:  SSVF Program Office Request for SSVF Success Stories

The SSVF Program Office is seeking Success Stories from grantees for the FY19 Annual Report.  The Annual Report is a great platform for grantees to share the wonderful work of their agencies and communities.  When sending story ideas, please include the following information:

• Case manager’s name, telephone number and email address

• Veteran’s name, telephone number, and email address

• Veteran’s demographic information (age, gender, branch of service, etc.)

• Veteran’s location (city and state)

• Closest VAMC to the Veteran

• Overview of Veteran’s journey from homelessness to stable housing (one-page maximum)

• A photo of the Veteran when possible

Please send Success Stories to the SSVF inbox at SSVF@va.gov

Attached you will find the Release of Information as it related to VA Media Platforms for Grantee use. 

Thank you,

SSVF Program Office