SSVF Program Update Friday March 31, 2017
Hi Team,
This is the regular SSVF Program update that was sent on Friday. Please review it in detail. I just wanted to note a few items.
· Grievance Process
o Additional instructions are provided below.
· SSVF Monitoring Toolkit-New Release!
o We discussed this on our regional call. It has now been posted. Please review it.
· SSVF National Webinar
o Please note that our SSVF national webinar has been changed from 4/20 to 4/27.
o The registration link is included below.
· Mandatory Return of Funds
o Additional information
· Recording of the Federal Criteria and Benchmarks Webinar on March 9th
o Link to recording is included
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thanks so much!
Adrienne
-----Original Message-----
From: SSVF Program Office [mailto:mail@grantapplication.
Sent: Friday, March 31, 2017 2:14 PM
To: ssmithson@cssalaska.org
Subject: [EXTERNAL] SSVF Program Update Friday March 31, 2017
From: SSVF Program Office [mailto:mail@grantapplication.
Sent: Friday, March 31, 2017 2:14 PM
To: ssmithson@cssalaska.org
Subject: [EXTERNAL] SSVF Program Update Friday March 31, 2017
Topics:
1. SSVF Grievance Process
2. SSVF Monitoring Toolkit
3. Register for the SSVF National Webinar on April 27, 2017 at 2PM EDT
4. Reminder and Clarification Regarding Mandatory Return of SSVF Grant Funds
5. UPDATED CALL FOR ARTICLES: Activity Accomplishments / Success Stories
6. Link to USICH Webinar: Federal Criteria Benchmarks (March 9th)
SSVF Grievance Process
The SSVF Program Office recognizes the positive and professional manner in which SSVF providers are responding to Veteran complaints or grievances. As a reminder, SSVF providers are required to communicate their internal grievance policy to all SSVF program participants. In rare instances, it might not be possible to resolve disagreements or grievances within your program or local community. In these rare cases, Veterans can submit complaints or grievances to the SSVF program office at SSVF@va.gov. Grievances received by the program office will be processed internally and require grantees to respond to a request for information within the online grants management system (GIFTS). Please note that SSVF Regional Coordinators do not provide direct assistance to Veterans as part of the grievance process.
SSVF Monitoring Toolkit
The new Monitoring Toolkit is available on the SSVF website! This comprehensive toolkit will assist SSVF providers in preparing for monitoring visits by guiding grantees through the process and conducting a monitoring self-assessment. The toolkit includes a UMP Crosswalk that can be used to help grantees understand questions on the Uniform Monitoring Package and where to find additional information about each question. The toolkit will be reviewed on the SSVF National Webinar on April 27th. The link to the toolkit can be found on the SSVF website at: https://www.va.gov/homeless/
Register for the SSVF National Webinar on April 27, 2017 at 2PM EDT (Note: Rescheduled from April 13, 2017)
The SSVF National Webinar, originally scheduled for April 13, will now be on April 27, 2017.
Topic 1: Increasing Access for Low-Income Vulnerable Homeless Families with Young Children Early childhood education is a critical component for healthy developing children. Yet, despite what we know about the importance of high quality early childhood opportunities, many children in the United States lack access to quality programs, especially children from low income families and vulnerable young children experiencing homelessness. This webinar profiles the impacts on young children and families experiencing homelessness, highlights relevant laws and federal programs, and identifies strategies that have been effective in supporting the unique needs of young children and families who find themselves homeless.
Topic 2: SSVF Monitoring Toolkit Overview
Reminder and Clarification Regarding Mandatory Return of SSVF Grant Funds
During 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. 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. Please review your grant expenditures and your projected spending for the remainder of the grant year.
On April 3rd (first business day after the end of the 2nd quarter) drawdown data will be reviewed by the SSVF Program Office to determine which grants are below the required 40% draw down level through the second quarter. The Program Office will identify the amount of funds to recoup from grantees by utilizing the following calculation. A grantee's draw down percentage on April 3rd will be subtracted from 40%. That percentage will be deducted from each subaccount balance, The goal is to better position a grantee to meet the 3rd quarter requirement of being 65% drawn down while, at the same time, avoiding a reduction in the amount of grant funds that would impact grantee operations.
Example: SSVF grantee received an award of $1,000,000. On April 3, 2017, the amount of funds drawn down in HHS are 25%. This is 15% below the 40% requirement and will result in a reduction of $150,000 (15% from each subaccount), changing the total funding amount to $850,000. The draw down percentage, after the recoup of unspent funds, is 29.4%, and grantee is better positioned to meet the 65% draw down requirement after third quarter.
*For comparison: If the mandatory return calculation resulted in the grantee draw down percentage being at 40%, the reduction calculation would be $250,000/.4 = $675,000, thus requiring a reduction of the initial award by $325,000.
UPDATED CALL FOR ARTICLES: Activity Accomplishments / Success Stories
The SSVF Program Office is accepting grantee submissions describing success stories related to the provision of SSVF services in the local community. These submissions provide grantees with the opportunity to chronicle successes and share them with the VA, partner Federal agencies, consumer providers, the general public and, of course, Veterans who may be seeking services. Please review the attached materials for submission instructions. Materials include an overview of process and two Releases of Information (ROIs). Please note that it is now required that both ROIs be completed and submitted along with the success story. Success stories can be viewed at:
Link to USICH Webinar: Federal Criteria Benchmarks (March 9th)
On March 9th, USICH reviewed the recently released clarifications to the criteria and benchmarks that define the vision for ending Veteran homelessness within communities. To download slides and view the webinar recording, please follow the 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.