SSVF Program Updates July 29, 2016


Hi Team,

This is the most recent program update. Have a great weekend!

Adrienne

From: SSVF
Sent: Friday, July 29, 2016 10:47 AM
Subject: SSVF Program Updates July 29, 2016
Importance: High

Topics:

1.     SSVF Regional Meetings
2.     Reminder:  SSVF Participation Survey
3.     SSVF Homelessness Prevention Screening Toolkit
4.     Grantee Action Needed Regarding Outstanding FFR Financial Status Reports
5.     HUD Exchange Upcoming Webinar Series on Evidence Based

SSVF Regional Meetings

Regional Meetings will take place from August through October.   Day 1 of these meetings will focus on community coordination and program planning efforts of grantees and stakeholders within the CoC (the community where the meeting is located), which is targeted for grantee program managers and directors.  Day 2 will offer a more traditional regional meeting format and will provide introductory training (SSVF 101) and basic practices related to rapid rehousing, Housing First, and homelessness prevention.  It is targeted for new or existing staff providing direct service, such as case managers, intake specialist or housing navigators. Registration information will be provided to grantees (using the GIFTS primary and secondary points of contact).  The email invitation will include registration information for your agency's assigned regional meeting date and location. Please be aware that grantees may be assigned to a location that is not located within their SSVF region. After registering for the meeting, grantees will receive a separate confirmation email that will have a link to book hotel/lodging. PLEASE ONLY USE THIS LINK to ensure your reservation is included in the reserved block of hotel rooms specifically for SSVF grantees at that location. Please send any questions to Bobby Thompson (Robert.thompson2@va.gov). 


Reminder:  SSVF Participation Survey

Per the SSVF Final Rule and NOFA, grantees are mandated to provide each exiting participant household with an opportunity to complete the SSVF Participant Satisfaction Survey. In order to satisfy this requirement, grantees should electronically distribute the survey to participants within 30 days of the participant's exit from the program, using a customized weblink provided by VA survey vendor, M. Davis and Company (MDAC).

Please note that grantees will not get credit for paper surveys nor will they get credit for the weblink registrations that are missing the Veteran's email or phone number.

If your grantee Point of Contact has not received the survey weblink or you have questions regarding the process, please contact M. Davis and Company (MDAC) at 215-790-8900 ext. 132 or vassvf@mdavisco.com.  To review the National Webinar PowerPoint presentation from the March 17th on our website please visit:  http://www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf/?page=/home/.

Newly Released SSVF Homelessness Prevention Screening Tool (Version 2)

SSVF, together with our Technical Assistance providers, has developed a standardized tool to better support our assessment of risk factors and their connection to homelessness.   The new prevention screening toolkit has been posted to the SSVF website and grantees will be required to adopt the new screening form beginning on October 1, 2016.  However, grantees have the option of implementing the new toolkit now. Grantees who would like to begin using the new prevention screening form prior to October 1, 2016 should contact their SSVF Regional Coordinator.  The toolkit materials can be downloaded and are also available on the SSVF Forms webpage. 


Grantee Action Needed Regarding Outstanding FFR Financial Status Reports (FSR)

This is a reminder to grantees that they must close any outstanding (FY 14 and FY 15) FFR Financial Status Reports in the HHS Payment Management System.  It is a Federal requirement that all SSVF grantees submit the Financial Status Report portion of the Federal Financial Report (SF-425). Grantees must complete this report for all subaccounts within the HHS Payment Management System no later than 45 days after the end of the grant term, or at the end of an approved grant extension.

IMPORTANT:  Effective August 31, 2016, any failure to complete this process will cause a suspension of your HHS SSVF accountYour HHS account will remain frozen until this delinquency is resolved.  Please note that all SSVF grant accounts associated with that grantee's banking will be frozen.

Instructions can be found within the HHS website.


Please note that only the FFR Financial Status Report (FSR) is required and the FFR Cash Transaction Report is NOT required

HUD Exchange Upcoming:  Spotlight Webinar Series on Evidence Based Practices

The Substance-Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) Homeless and Housing Resource Network (HHRN) presents the Evidence based Practices (EBP) Spotlight Series. SAMHSA's EBP Spotlight Series will focus on innovative homelessness solutions to use when working with the individuals SAMHSA grantees serve. The series will comprise three 90-minute virtual sessions over a 2 week period. The first session will begin on a Tuesday and provide an overview of Critical Time Intervention (CTI) presented by an expert and a grantee that have successfully implemented the practice. The second and third webinars will take place the next week on Monday and Wednesday, and will cover permanent supportive housing (PSH) and Motivation Interviewing (MI), respectively, using the same format.

Objectives of the EBP webinar series include the following:
·         Provide opportunities for grantees to learn more about the impact of interventions and how to address the complex issues faced by clients who are experiencing homelessness
·         Identify the core skills used in EBPs being implemented by SAMHSA strategically to treat mental and substance use disorders.
·         Collaborate with subject matter experts (SMEs) to strengthen and implement evidence-based interventions for mental, emotional, and behavioral health promotion; and
·         Describe the key processes and practices to help bolster clients' motivation to take steps to improve their lives.
Register here:
Please send questions related to registration and assistance to:


Schedule of Events
·         Critical Time Intervention webinar: August 2, 2016 (Tuesday)
·         Permanent Supportive Housing webinar: August 8, 2016 (Monday)
·         Motivational Interview webinar: August 10, 2016 (Wednesday)
o   Each webinar will take place from 2:00 – 3:00 PM EDT


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.