From:                                         SSVF

Sent:                                           Friday, November 8, 2024 8:25 AM

Subject:                                     SSVF Program Update Friday November 8, 2024

 

 

 

 

 

This weekly update is targeted towards the SSVF Grantees and shared with

valuable partners for awareness.  

November 8, 2024

   

                                              

Happy Veterans Day!

The SSVF Program Office would like to wish you a very happy Veterans Day. We are so thankful for the service of the many Veterans who lead and support SSVF programs across the nation. We are also grateful for the Veterans and Veteran families who we have the opportunity to serve every day.

 

 

NEWS: VA Housed nearly 40,000 Veterans experiencing homelessness in fiscal year 2024

RESOURCE: SAMHSA Webinar: Identifying and Addressing Behavioral Health Needs in Encampments November 13, 2024 at 2:00 pm ET

REMINDER: SSVF Program Office Learning Management Change: Housing Skills Practice Center

REMINDER: FY23 and Shallow Subsidy Financial End of Year Closeout Due November 15, 2024 

REMINDER: SSVF Monthly National Webinar - November: National Goals and Enhancing Services for Native Veterans - November 14, 2024 02:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

 

 

 

NEWS: VA Housed nearly 40,000 Veterans experiencing homelessness in fiscal year 2024

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced it housed 47,925 Veterans experiencing homelessness in FY 2024, surpassing its goal to house 41,000 Veterans by 16.9% and marking the largest number of Veterans housed in a single year since FY 2019. VA also ensured that 96% of the Veterans housed during this time did not return to homelessness. This follows last month’s announcement that VA had surpassed its FY 2024 housing goal a month early.

 

We want to thank all SSVF grantees for the tremendous work you all put into helping towards this goal. Your dedication to this mission has been an essential part of the movement and we appreciate all you and your staff do each day.  Please share with your teams and celebrate your hard work!

 

RESOURCE: SAMHSA Webinar: Identifying and Addressing Behavioral Health Needs in Encampments November 13, 2024 at 2:00 pm ET

SAMHSA is hosting a webinar November 13, 2024, as part of their Homeless and Housing Resource Center about identifying and addressing behavioral health needs in encampments.  People experiencing homelessness experience higher rates of behavioral health conditions, and many symptoms can be caused or exacerbated by their living situations. As communities across the country change how they respond to and interact with encampments, outreach workers, community health workers, and peers continue to be essential team members who foster relationships and trust with encampment residents. These front-line professionals are often first to notice the onset or changes in behavioral health symptoms and serve as trusted individuals who can help support a person across a spectrum of behavioral health needs. This webinar will discuss core principles and engagement techniques for providers to serve as a bridge to care for mental health, substance use, and medical needs.

 

Link to register: Webinar Registration - Zoom

 

 

 

REMINDER: SSVF Program Office Learning Management Change: Housing Skills Practice Center

The SSVF Program will no longer be utilizing the platform that houses the Housing Skills Practice Center, effective September 1, 2024. After careful consideration and review, we have decided to transition to an alternative Online Learning Center that we believe will better align with your current needs and goals.

 

We want to ensure a smooth transition, so please take note of the following key dates and actions:

1. **Data Migration**: All necessary data from the Housing Skills Practice Center will be migrated to our new system over the coming months. Please click on the link below for an index of interim resources that can be used to support staff training and onboarding.

 

https://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/ssvf/docs/SSVF_Grantee_Gap_Education_Materials_October_24.docx

 

This document provides links to materials that closely align with the learning pathways on the HSPC. It is recommended that SSVF grantees utilize this resource document until learning pathways are uploaded to The Online Learning Center.

 

2. **Support**: Our team is ready to assist with any questions or concerns you may have during this transition. Please feel free to reach out to your regional coordinator and/or TA Team member for assistance.

 

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we make this transition. If you have any questions or need further information, specifically about the Housing Skills Practice Center, please do not hesitate to contact us at ssvf@tacinc.org.

 

 

 

REMINDER: FY23 and Shallow Subsidy Financial End of Year Closeout Due November 15, 2024 

The FY23 and Shallow Subsidy Financial End of Year Closeouts are due by 11/15/24. Please review the End of Year Closeout Webinar with detailed instructions for completion using a new format intended to reduce administrative burden for grantees. 

·         Final Drawdown: Incur expenses by 9/30/24 and complete final drawdown 

·         SF-425 Federal Financial Reports (FFR): Complete, submit, and certify two Final FFRs in the HHS Payment Management System (PMS); one for FY23 account (zzzz-zz-zzz-23) and one for Shallow Subsidy account (zzzz-zz-zzzSS).

·         There is a technical issue with PMS impacting FFRs. At this time, many grantees do not have a published Final FFR for Shallow Subsidy accounts and we are awaiting confirmation from PMS administrators that these reports are available for grantees to complete.

·         In addition, many FFRs have been published in error (i.e. quarterly, accounts that have not ended yet like FY24 and Supplemental NOFA, etc.). These FFRs published in error may be disregarded while we await further guidance from PMS.

Survey Monkey Link: SSVF Program Office emailed adjusted award amount and a survey monkey link for each award. The required submissions include certification questions, grantee report of actual expenditures by category, and variance explanation. 

 

 

REMINDER: SSVF Monthly National Webinar - November: National Goals and Enhancing Services for Native Veterans - November 14, 2024 02:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

The SSVF Program Office in collaboration with a panel of experts will provide information about working with Native Veterans and Tribal communities across the United States. We will be offering insight and guidance on promising practices, approaches, and increasing access for Native Veterans experiencing homelessness and housing instability.  Additionally, you will hear from the SSVF National Director, Adrienne Nash Melendez, about FY25 priorities from the VA Homeless Programs Office and a celebration of successes from FY24.  We hope you and your staff will join us for the webinar.  This webinar will last approximately 90 minutes and will be recorded.  

 

SSVF grantees should ensure that they have representation on this call. Other relevant stakeholders (e.g., sub-contractors and Continuum of Care partners) are strongly encouraged to attend.

 

Register in advance for this webinar:

https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_E8m5r9aSSCG4t9AHoXc9xQ

 

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.