SSVF Program Update February 14, 2017
Hi Team,
I just wanted to make sure that you saw this. My apologies. I did not forward it, last week.
Adrienne Nash Melendez, MLD
Regional Coordinator
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
267-683-2386
Please note new email address: adrienne.nashmelendez@va.gov
-----Original Message-----
From: SSVF Program Office [mailto:mail@grantapplication.
Sent: Tuesday, February 14, 2017 4:09 PM
To: ssmithson@cssalaska.org
Subject: [EXTERNAL] SSVF Program Update February 14, 2017
From: SSVF Program Office [mailto:mail@grantapplication.
Sent: Tuesday, February 14, 2017 4:09 PM
To: ssmithson@cssalaska.org
Subject: [EXTERNAL] SSVF Program Update February 14, 2017
Topics:
1. UPDATE: Mandatory Return of SSVF Grant Funds
2. HUD VASH Eligibility when Rapidly Rehoused with SSVF
3. REMINDER Regional Meeting Travel Expense Guidance
4. REMINDER: SSVF Participant Telephone Survey Update
5. RESOURCE: AmeriCorps VISTA Projects
6. RESOURCE: USICH, HUD, and VA Release Updates to Criteria and Benchmarks for Ending Veteran Homelessness
UPDATE: Mandatory Return of SSVF Grant Funds
During the current grant year, FY 2017, the SSVF Program Office is implementing the mandatory return of unspent grant funds. Per the grant agreement between VA and SSVF grantees, the SSVF Program Office will recoup funds from grantees who are not meeting the minimum expenditure rates. This is the first year mandatory returns will be implemented. However, the SSVF Program Office has elected to waive this process for first quarter of FY17. The grant agreement (MOA) describes that, after each quarter, grantees are required to have a minimum percentage of funds drawn from the HHS Payment Management System; 1st quarter – 15% or more; 2nd quarter – 40% or more; 3rd quarter – 65% or more. The SSVF Program Office is currently developing the procedures for how this will be completed and will inform grantees as soon as possible. In the meantime, please review your grant expenditures and your projected spending for the remainder of the grant year. The first mandatory return of funds will take place immediately following the end of the 2nd quarter (April). If you have questions about this new process for FY2017, please contact your Regional Coordinator.
HUD VASH Eligibility when Rapidly Rehoused with SSVF
Veterans who have been rapidly rehoused with SSVF and, through progressive engagement, has been determined to need long-term case management to maintain housing are eligible for HUD-VASH. Veterans enrolled in SSVF retain their pre-SSVF placement eligibility for homeless services until exited. The Veteran should be assessed for SSVF eligibility, like any other applicant, and their homeless status at the time of SSVF admission should be considered for admission to HUD-VASH.
HUD issued a memo in 2013 titled, "Guidance for Determining Eligibility for Permanent Supportive Housing for Persons Participating in Certain Department of Veteran Affairs Programs" and it is attached to this email. It provides a crosswalk, on the third page, that is helpful to understand homeless status during a program stay. Please note that this memo indicates that DCHV is emergency shelter but that designation has been changed and are no longer classified as emergency shelter.
The 2013 HUD memo is also available of the SSVF Website at
REMINDER: SSVF Regional Meeting Travel Expense Guidance
SSVF grantees should not be using grant funds to pay for VA staff travel. In order to attend any SSVF supported training, VA staff must go through the appropriate VA approval process. SSVF grantees can continue to support the travel of key stakeholders, such as CoC leads, when the SSVF program office has indicated that their attendance at a SSVF sponsored event in permitted. If you have any questions, please contact your Regional Coordinator or email SSVF@VA.gov.
REMINDER: SSVF Participant Telephone Survey Update
As of 1/3/17, if Veterans are unable to take the SSVF Participant Survey via internet or smart phone, they have the opportunity to take the survey over the telephone with a live interviewer. All Veterans still need to be registered within 30 days of exit using your organization's link. When you register a Veteran, you will receive a unique registration number for each Veteran. This number should be given to the Veteran if he/she plans to take the survey by phone. When the Veteran calls, he/she will be asked for this unique registration number that will allow the survey response to be linked to your organization. The Veteran ID # on the slide in the webinar was only an example. DO NOT GIVE THIS NUMBER TO VETERANS. Again, each Veteran will have a unique registration number created at the time of registration into the survey system.
Question regarding the SSVF Participant Surveys should be sent to vassvf@mdavisco.com (staff will respond within 24 hours) or call 215-790-8900 ext. 132. If you need to leave a message, someone will return your call by the next business day.
RESOURCE: AmeriCorps VISTA Projects
At the SSVF Launch event in Denver, the subject arose regarding the ability for communities to utilize AmeriCorps VISTA members, who spend one year in full-time service, to address the needs Veterans. Projects should focus on building permanent infrastructure in organizations to help the AmeriCorps VISTA members more effectively bring individuals and communities out of poverty. One consistent goal for every AmeriCorps VISTA project should be the sustainability of the project by the SSVF Grantee after AmeriCorps VISTA project sponsorship ends.
Public, private, or faith-based nonprofit organizations, as well as, local, state, or federal agencies can become an AmeriCorps VISTA sponsor. Applications for VISTA projects are handled through the National Corporation State Offices. Project sponsors are not required to provide a financial match but must be able to direct the project, supervise the members, and provide necessary administrative support to complete the goals and objectives of the project. However, by using SSVF funding to help support this initiative, grantees will have a better chance of a VISTA Sponsorship being approved. The goals and objectives must be clearly defined and directed toward alleviating problems of low-income communities, and meet the regulations of the AmeriCorps VISTA program. Grantees interested in using a VISTA service member may review the link provided:
RESOURCE: USICH, HUD, and VA Release Updates to Criteria and Benchmarks for Ending Veteran Homelessness
After a year of engaging with communities and reviewing their accomplishments, USICH, HUD and VA made some updates to the criteria and benchmarks for ending Veteran homelessness in order to be clearer about expectations and intentions. For information please follow link below:
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.