From: SSVF
Sent: Wednesday, November 27, 2019 9:43 AM
To: SSVF
Subject: SSVF Program Update Friday November 27th, 2019
Topics:
1.
Save the Date: SSVF National Webinar December 12, 2019 2:00 EST
2.
Important: December Repository Upload
3.
Reminder: End of Year Requirements
4.
New: Revised FY2020 VA Data Guide
Save the
Date: SSVF National Webinar December 12, 2019 2:00 EST
Staff from the VA
Homeless Program Office Clinical Operations will present an overview of S.A.V.E
training, a nationally recognized best practice method for Veteran suicide
prevention. Participants will learn the steps of S.A.V.E. and receive
instructions on what resources to connect to when identifying a Veteran who is
at risk of suicide. SSVF Program Office staff will also review
requirements for all SSVF grantee agency staff regarding Suicide Prevention
training.
Registration
information will be provided when available.
Important:
December Repository Upload
New guidance from
the Program Office has recommended that grantees only conduct Rapid Resolution
conversations with Veterans who are enrolled in SSVF HP or RRH projects.
This new guidance eliminates the need for grantees to enter Rapid Resolution
conversations and the results of those conversations into a separate
Coordinated Entry Event and Rapid Resolution specific HMIS
project. While the SSVF program office is no longer requiring
grantees to set up these separate projects, the CSV file (Event.csv) included
to capture this information was not removed from the VA Repository in time for
the December upload that begins next week. When conducting uploads,
grantees may receive error messages stating that the Event.csv is a required
CSV file, however this is no longer a requirement and grantees will not be
penalized for uploads not working due to the missing Event.csv file.
Grantees who are experiencing other errors or rejected uploads should reach out
to TA for support at ssvfhmis@abtassoc.com.
Reminder: End of
Year Requirements
In an effort to
minimize the need for re-submissions and to streamline the review process for
the End of Year Requirement in GIFTS for grantees that were approved for an
extension, below are some tips that grantees can follow to avoid errors and
re-submission.
•
Read the instructions of the first tab of the FER (Financial Expenditure
Report)
•
Be sure to provide justifications for any line items with a variance of +/-10%
•
Be sure to use the FER template that was provided to your organization by the
program office.
•
When attaching the FER file to your requirement submission, please leave the
file name the same as what was provided
(XX-YY-ZZZ_FY19_Financial_Expenditure_Report)
•
Be sure to complete the FFR (Federal Financial Report) in PMS (Payment
Management System). There is a response requested on the EOY requirement in
GIFTS asking grantees to certify this is done. An organization should not be
answering “yes” to this question if the FFR has not been submitted.
New: Revised
FY2020 VA Data Guide
The revised VA
Data Guide describes data management expectations for SSVF grantees that are
required to participate in HMIS. The guide conveys information regarding
the tools needed to properly meet HMIS requirements and manage program
data. The reporting requirements in 38 CFR 62.71 have been designed to
provide VA with the information needed to assess the outcomes associated with
grantees’ programs. As a result of this, VA anticipates grantees’
programs will assist in reducing the number of Veteran families who are
homeless or at risk of homelessness. Grantees are encouraged to pay close
attention to updates in the VA Data Guide related to data standards, including
new guidance for FY2020 on Returning Home and Rapid Resolution data capture
requirements. The revised FY2020 Data Guide is on the SSVF website and
can be found at the link below:
https://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/ssvf/docs/VA_Data_Guide_November_2019.pdf
Thank You,
SSVF Program
Office