SSVF Program Update: October 10, 2014
1. VA Data Guide – Addresses the New HMIS Data Standards!
2. Recording of VEHU Session
3. SOAR Veteran Brief
4. Quarterly Reports
5. The Benefits Assistance and Support System (BASS) Project
6. Reminder: Priority 1 Webinar on October 16th
VA Data Guide and Upcoming Webinar – Addresses the New HMIS Data Standards!
The VA Data Guide has been revised to include information regarding HUD's new HMIS data standards. The SSVF University site will post a number of new training materials for grantees on topics such as Data Collection & Reporting 101, Reporting Data through VA Repository, HMIS Beyond Data Collection, HMIS Leads and Vendors, and Data Quality. As the HMIS data standards took effect on October 1st, the SSVF Program Office is making every effort to post these materials by next week. Please note that the SSVF Program Office will host a webinar on 10/30/2014 at 2:00 PM Eastern to provide instruction on the monthly data uploads. Representatives from Abt Associates will highlight the significant changes that affect data collection and reporting among SSVF grantees. A registration link will be provided in the coming days. Please save the date! October 30, 2014 at 2:00 PM Eastern.
An Introduction to SSVF and Overview of Compliance & Reporting Recording Now Available
On September 25th, the SSVF Program Office hosted an interactive webinar on an introduction to SSVF, overview of compliance, and reporting through the MY VEHU Campus. The recorded webinar can be found at
http://www.myvehucampus.com/desktop/#loc=contentid8912 by using the search feature and typing SSVF. This website requires registration to view the event. Non-VA entities may enroll following the online instructions.
SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) Connecting Veterans Issues Brief
The SAMHSA SOAR TA Center recently released an issues brief (attached) on connecting Veterans to SSI/SSDI benefits and the role that this linkage plays in ending homelessness among Veterans. The brief provides a detailed description of the types of benefits, how social security benefits can interact with VA benefits, expedited processes, community examples, and resources.
Final Quarterly Reports for FY2014: IMPORTANT CHANGES
Please note the modification to the reporting deadlines for grant programs that have just completed the last quarter of FY2014.
- GRANTEES WITHOUT EXTENSIONS: submit qualitative/narrative and quantitative/financial QPR (Excel) by November 17th.
- GRANTEES WITH EXTENSIONS: submit qualitative/narrative QPR (Excel) by November 17th.
To clarify, SSVF would like ALL grantees, regardless of extensions, to submit the Qualitative Quarterly Performance Report to Regional Coordinators no later than November 17th. Those grantees who have been granted an extension will receive a new deadline for submitting the quantitative/financial (Excel) QPR once your grant term officially closes. Grantees should use the reporting templates that they have been using throughout the year; please note that both the qualitative/narrative report and the quantitative/financial report should be in their excel individualized templates. No pdfs will be accepted. Please contact your Regional Coordinator if you have questions. It has come to our attention that grantees may still need to make a final HHS transfer among subaccounts. We will provide guidance on the timeline for this process in the coming week.
The Benefits Assistance and Support System (BASS) Project
The VA is working to prevent homelessness among Veterans by assisting in the development of web-based tools that will aid Veterans in applying for benefits. Eligibility and access criteria can be complicated, and many Veterans lack the information they need to enroll or even to find appropriate benefits for which they qualify. In 38 selected cities* the Benefits Assistance and Support System (BASS), will provide Veterans with information on mainstream benefits available through national programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program, Medicaid, Medicare, various Social Security programs, the Child Health Insurance program, as well as locally administered legal aid, credit counseling, vocational, income, and benefits assistance including the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program.
To get assistance in your community*, go to www.bass4vets.org
SSVF Webinar Invitation: SSVF Webinar Series: Priority 1 / Surge National Kick-Off on Thursday 10/16 2PM EDT
SSVF will host a webinar for the "Priority 1 (P1) / Surge National Kick-Off" on Thursday 10/16 from 2:00PM – 3:30PM EDT. Grantees awarded P1 funding are required to participate. Grantees serving in P1 communities through their Priority 2 or 3 grant are strongly encouraged to attend. Please see the below link for registration.
SSVF Webinar Series: Priority 1/Surge National Kick-Off
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
