SSVF Program Update November 21, 2016
Hi Team,
Please find the latest SSVF Program Update. Please review all information in detail. Also, please note that as a follow up to the national webinar last week on 11/17, we just wanted to clarify with grantees that monitoring notifications will be similar to last year. Several weeks before the scheduled visit, grantees will receive notification via email.
Thanks so much! I hope that you have a very Happy Thanksgiving!
Adrienne
SOAR LEGAL SURVEY COMPANION GUIDE
-----Original Message-----
From: Foley, Sandra
Sent: Monday, November 21, 2016 03:23 PM Central Standard Time
To: SSVF
Subject: SSVF Program Update November 21, 2016
-----Original Message-----
From: Foley, Sandra
Sent: Monday, November 21, 2016 03:23 PM Central Standard Time
To: SSVF
Subject: SSVF Program Update November 21, 2016
Topics:
1. FY 2017 SSVF SOAR and Legal Survey: Due by December 21, 2016
2. Save the Date: SSVF National Webinar on December 15, 2016 at 2PM EST
3. Attention FY16 Grants with an Approved Extension
4. Reminder: Final FY16 HHS Account Transfer
5. Program Guidance: Clarification on Verifying Veteran Status
FY 2017 SSVF SOAR and Legal Survey: Due by December 21, 2016
The new SOAR & Legal Survey aims to provide a more in-depth picture of how SSVF grantees are utilizing the SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) model and legal services to connect Veterans and their families with Social Security disability benefits, when eligible. It builds on the individual SOAR and legal surveys released by the SSVF Program Office in prior fiscal years to document the progress of community collaborations in increasing access to mainstream benefits and can lead to further efforts in establishing technical assistance with specific communities based upon their stated needs.
Survey Goals:
• Obtain an update on SOAR model and legal service utilization among SSVF grantees;
• Document grantee success in increasing access to SSI/SSDI using SOAR;
• Document success resolving legal cases via direct SSVF provision of legal services;
• Assess future SOAR training needs;
• Determine barriers to SOAR and legal service implementation and technical assistance needs;
How to submit: Similar to the previous survey the SSVF Program Office can only accept one survey submission per grant award. Do not access the survey link unless you are designated to complete the survey and are ready to submit your answers. The survey link is contained in the attached Nov 2016 SOAR & Legal Survey Companion Guide. These document are available on the SSVF Website at
http://www.va.gov/homeless/
Tools: The SSVF Program Office has prepared several materials to assist with this process:
1.) Companion Guide (pdf)
• This guide provides an in-depth description of each question, the question format, and response options and should be used as grantees are preparing their responses.
2.) Blank Survey Question Document (Word document)
• This document includes each question and the responses. It is expected that grantees use this as a worksheet to prepare their answers prior to accessing the Survey Monkey link. This way, grantees will have a copy of what they submitted and it should streamline the process for entering data into the survey, since the survey software does not allow users to save drafts of the survey or to save a copy of the final submission.
Survey Deadline: All survey responses must be submitted no later than December 21, 2016
Save the Date: SSVF National Webinar on December 15, 2016 at 2PM EST
Topic: SSVF FY 2017 Program Updates
The SSVF National Grantee Webinar will review the Participant Survey Telephone Process Rollout and provide overview of the Gap Analysis submissions. A registration link will be provided.
Attention FY16 Grants with an Approved Extension:
For Grantees that have an approved extension for FY16, it is imperative that you notify your Regional Coordinator when you have drawn down all of your FY16 funds. Your FY17 funds will not be activated in the HHS Payment Management System until the program office (via your Regional Coordinator) is notified that your final draw has been completed. Once notification is received, the program office will review your FY16 award and disbursements to ensure all funds have been drawn down and, once verified, your FY17 funds will be activated. If you have any questions, please direct them to your Regional Coordinator.
Final FY16 HHS Subaccount Transfers
Please be reminded that HHS Subaccount Transfers for FY16 grants will be processed on the 1st and 15th of December 2016. Grantees that require a final transfer of funds among the HHS subaccounts in order to complete the grant close must use the HHS Subaccount Template to prepare the transfer request. Submit this form to your Regional Coordinator for review and processing. Please do not submit to the SSVF general inbox. To avoid denials of the subaccount transfer requests, please access your HHS grant account within the Payment Management System and carefully review the authorized subaccount balances, as any Program Changes granted throughout the year may have resulted in changes to these authorized balances. If you have questions about how to complete the template or verify your authorized subaccount balances (prior to submitting your request) please contact your Regional Coordinator. The template is available at http://www.va.gov/homeless/
Program Guidance: Clarification on Verifying Veteran Status
The SSVF Program requires Veteran eligibility verification. On occasion, a Veteran's DD214 may indicate that the Veteran has not completed active duty training, however is receiving VA benefits. Please note that if a Veteran has already established VA eligibility for VA medical services or is enrolled VA health care, then this Veteran meets Veteran eligibility criteria for SSVF. For example, a Veteran may be receiving VA health care services due to Service-Connected Disability.
Thank you,
SSVF Program Office
NOTE: If you are receiving this email in error, please disregard. We request your patience as the SSVF Program Office continues to address system issues with the grants management database.