From: SSVF

Sent: Friday, December 8, 2023 9:02 AM

Subject: SSVF Program Update Friday December 8, 2023

This weekly update is targeted towards the SSVF Grantees and shared with valuable partners for awareness.

December 8, 2023

REGISTER: SSVF National Webinar: SSVF Equity Dashboard – Leading Change with Data December 14, 2023, at 2:00 pm EST

NEW: SSVF FY 25 Notice of Funding Availability - NOFA

NEW: Voicemail and Email Out of Office Messages

REMINDER: Good Customer Service: Grievances

RESOURCE: Shallow Subsidy Promo Toolkit for Grantees

REGISTER: SSVF National Webinar: SSVF Equity Dashboard – Leading Change with Data December 14, 2023, at 2:00 pm EST

The SSVF Program Office in collaboration with technical assistance partners, will present on practical usage of the newly developed SSVF Equity Dashboards. This is a follow up training to the official launch in May 2023. Grantees will be provided with information about how to understand and utilize the data captured in the dashboard to identify areas for improvements to drive equitable service delivery.

Grantees should ensure the appropriate staff are notified of this webinar for attendance.

https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_jvqePgd0RkSey-AwLc0IXg

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

NEW: SSVF FY25 Notice of Funding Availability – NOFA

On December 5, 2023, the SSVF Notice of Funding Availability was published in the Federal Register for existing SSVF Grantees to apply for renewal funding for services in FY2025. All existing grantees wishing to provide services in FY2025 should access the application via the UDPaaS Grant Management system and choose the appropriate application.

Grantees currently operating under Priority 1, whose project period does not end on September 30, 2024 will complete the SSVF Intent to Operate application.

Grantees wishing to apply as Priority 1 or Priority 2 whose current project period ends on September 30, 2024 will complete the SSVF Renewal Application.

All resources pertaining to this application can be located within the UDPaaS Grant Management System. Please go to the SSVF website for additional information.

All applications are due no later than February 23, 2024 at 4pm EST. NO late applications can be accepted.

Please direct all questions to ssvf@va.gov

New applications for SSVF grant awards will not be funded through this NOFA.

NEW: Voicemail and Email Out of Office Messages

The SSVF Program Office would like to strongly encourage direct service staff and their supervisors to include voicemail and out of office messages with crisis resource information for Veterans. We would like this to be standard practice, and it is especially important during the holidays.

As the holiday season approaches, it is understandable that staff may be on vacation or out of the office. Wellness and time off are fully supported. It is also understood that the holidays may be hard for some of the individuals and families who we serve, and we want to be proactive in ensuring information and resources are accessible. Please make sure that all staff working directly with Veterans (case managers, navigators, team leads, supervisors, etc.) have messages on their voicemail and email that connect Veterans to crisis resources.

Sample Message

Thank you for contacting me. I am currently out of the office or I am not able to respond to messages quickly, at this time. If you need immediate assistance for a medical emergency, please dial 911. If you are a Veteran in crisis or are concerned about someone, please dial 988 then press 1 or text 838255. Support is free, confidential, and available 24/7. If you or a Veteran you know are homeless or at risk of homelessness, you can contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 1-877-424-3838. The call is free, confidential and available 24/7. You are important, and I hope that you have a wonderful holiday season.

REMINDER: Good Customer Service: Grievances

SSVF strives to provide excellent customer service to all Veterans. It is vital for grantees to have an internal grievance process that Veterans can easily access. It is required for all grantees to provide Veterans with clear information on your grievance process at the time of intake. However, grantees should consider it best practice to also remind Veterans frequently of that grievance process throughout their period of care. Soliciting feedback and addressing concerns in a timely fashion is vital to providing good services.

If an SSVF agency is unable to resolve an issue using their internal process, the Veteran is able to submit their grievance in writing to the SSVF Program Office by emailing ssvf@va.gov.

RESOURCE: Shallow Subsidy Promo Toolkit for Grantees

The Shallow Subsidy Promotional Toolkit for grantees is now live and publicly assessable here: https://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/Shallow_Subsidy_Toolkit.asp