From: SSVF

Sent: Friday, May 31, 2019 2:00 PM

To: SSVF

Subject: SSVF Program Update Friday May 31, 2019

Topics:

1. Register Now: SSVF National Webinar, June 13, 2019, at 2:00 EDT

2. Announcement: Proposed Amendment to 38 CFR 62

3. Register Now: Rapid Resolution Office Hours Call, June 19, 2019, at 12:00 EDT

4. New: VHA Homeless Programs Office Promising Practices

5. Reminder: Reminder: FY 2019 Community Planning Survey

6. Reminder: SSVF Program Change Request Requirements available in GIFTS

7. Reminder: Updated Rapid Resolution Compliance Guide

This webinar will provide an overview of the new SAMHSA SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) for Children initiative. During the presentation, Kristin Lupfer and Jen Elder from the SOAR TA center will describe how the SOAR model can assist children in Veteran families, who have disabling conditions, access income, and health insurance to stabilize housing and maximize treatment options. The presenters will cover child SSI eligibility, the SOAR Online Course: Child Curriculum, and how grantees can become involved in their local SOAR initiative. Kristin and Jen will be available for questions from grantees about SOAR for Children and can assist in connecting grantees to local, state, and national SOAR contacts.

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5120152271015390978

Announcement: Proposed Amendment to 38 CFR 62

On May 19, 2019, a proposed rule was published in the Federal Register that would offer the option of a new SSVF rental subsidy in targeted communities. This rental subsidy would potentially become available starting October 1, 2019, in communities designated under Priority 3 in the last NOFA, which included the following CoCs: CA-500, CA-501, CA-502, CA-600, CA-601, DC-500, HI-501, IL-510, NY-600, and WA-500. Planning meetings will be scheduled for these CoCs to discuss the proposed rule.

The proposed rule is available on the SSVF website at:

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

The SSVF Program Office will continue to support grantees in their efforts to implement Rapid Resolution in their communities by holding Office Hours calls on the third Wednesday of each month. SSVF Program Office staff and Technical Assistance Providers will be available to answer questions and provide guidance during this time.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5432270636791836162

New: VHA Homeless Programs Office Promising Practices

The VHA Homeless Programs Office established a workgroup to examine innovative and promising practices to help VA staff and partner organizations accelerate progress in reducing homelessness among Veterans. These practices cover a wide range of topics related to Veteran homelessness. Through a peer review process, workgroup members will select practices that they believe are worthy of sharing with others in the community of practice. White Papers about these practices will be published here to inform VA staff, partners, and others of innovative ways to improve outcomes for Veterans who lack stable housing. White Papers may be found at:

https://www.va.gov/homeless/promising-practices.asp

Reminder: FY 2019 Community Planning Survey

Supportive Services for Veteran Families is inviting communities to complete the third VA, HUD, and USICH Community Planning Survey. The purpose of the survey is to help us to better understand community progress related to ending Veteran homelessness and the development of sustainable systems. The information gathered as a part of this survey will help the VA—along with HUD and the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH)—tailor training and technical assistance so that it more effectively addresses local needs. Responses should be inclusive of the perspectives of the CoC (or the CoC’s official representative in cases where the Veteran Work Group/Subcommittee has been designated by the CoC to respond), Veteran Work Groups/Subcommittees, the VA Medical Center(s) homeless leadership covering the CoC, SSVF grantees, GPD grantees, and other Community Partners.

Survey submissions will be one (1) response per Continuum of Care. While Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) grantees will facilitate submissions in the survey tool, it is critical that community dialogue occur to prepare a response that accurately depicts community progress and needs. It is also critical that we have the local HMIS Lead Agency assist in filling out Section 6: Data and Data Sharing for data accuracy.

This survey is not an evaluation; it has no impact on funding, awards, or compliance. Open and honest responses are needed.

The survey is due on or before Monday, June 3rd, 2019.

A Companion Guide to the survey is available on the SSVF Website.

https://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/ssvf/docs/Companion_Guide_2019_VA_HUD_and_USICH_Community_Planning.pdf

The link to the survey can be accessed here:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ssvfcpsurvey

FY18 survey results that were completed in August 2018 can be found here:

https://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/ssvf/docs/Community_Planning_Survey_Presentation_FY18.pdf

Questions? For questions and support related to the survey, please contact your Regional Coordinator or SSVF at ssvf@va.gov and include your CoC name and number.

We sincerely appreciate your work with community planning and implementation to end Veteran homelessness.

Reminder: SSVF Program Change Request Requirements available in GIFTS

The SSVF Program Change requirements are now available in GIFTS. All requests for program changes, including budget modifications, must be submitted to the SSVF Program Office through the GIFTS grant management system by June 1, 2019.

This requirement is OPTIONAL and should only be submitted if your agency is requesting a reportable change to your program or budget. Please review the Program Change Companion Guide to determine if a Program Change Request is necessary before submitting the requirement through GIFTS. The Program Change Companion Guide includes descriptions of the various types of program changes and is available on the SSVF website at:

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

For any questions, please contact your Regional Coordinator.

Reminder: Rapid Resolution Compliance Guide

The SSVF Program Office has released an updated version of the Rapid Resolution Compliance Guide. The guide was developed to help grantees in preparing to add Rapid Resolution services to their SSVF programs. This document will guide grantees on enrollment principles, documentation standards, use of temporary financial assistance, and HMIS data entry requirements.

The Rapid Resolution Compliance Guide is available on the SSVF Website at:

https://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/ssvf/docs/SSVF_Rapid_Resolution_Service_Compliance_Guidance_May_2019.pdf

Thank you,

SSVF Program Office