[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 123 (Thursday, June 26, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36383-36386]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-14970]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS


FY 2013 VA Grant and Per Diem Special Need Grant Recipients

AGENCY: Veterans Health Administration, VA Homeless Providers Grant and 
Per Diem Program, Veterans Health Administration, Department of 
Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA).

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SUMMARY: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is announcing the 
availability of one-year renewal funding in fiscal year (FY) 2014 for 
the 25 currently operational FY 2013 VA Grant and Per Diem (GPD) 
Special Need Grant Recipients and their collaborative VA Special Need 
partners (as applicable) to make re-applications for assistance under 
the Special Need Grant Component of VA's Homeless Providers GPD 
Program. The focus of this Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) is to 
encourage applicants to continue to deliver services to the homeless 
Special Need Veteran population as outlined in their FY 2009 Special 
Need application. This NOFA contains information concerning the 
program, application process, and amount of funding available.

DATES: An original signed and dated request for re-application letter, 
on agency letterhead for assistance under the VA's Homeless Providers 
GPD Program and associated documents, must be received in the GPD 
Program Office by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, July 16, 2014 
(see application requirements below).
    Applications may not be sent by facsimile. In the interest of 
fairness to all competing applicants, this deadline is firm as to date 
and time, and VA will treat any application that is received after the 
deadline as ineligible for consideration. Applicants should make early 
submission of their material to avoid any risk of loss of eligibility 
as a result of unanticipated delays or other delivery-related problems.

ADDRESSES: An original signed, dated, completed, and collated grant re-
application letter and all required associated documents must be 
submitted to the following address: VA Homeless Providers GPD Program 
Office, 10770 N. 46th Street, Suite C-200, Tampa, FL 33617. 
Applications must be received by the application deadline. Applications 
must arrive as a complete package. Materials arriving separately will 
not be included in the application package for consideration and may 
result in the application being rejected or not funded.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Jeffery L. Quarles, Director, VA 
Homeless Providers GPD Program, Department of Veterans Affairs, 10770 
N. 46th Street, Suite C-200, Tampa, FL 33617; (toll-free) 1-(877) 332-
0334.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Funding Opportunity Description

    This NOFA announces the availability of FY 2014 funds to renew 
assistance provided under VA's Homeless Providers GPD Program for the 
25 FY 2013 operational GPD Special Need recipients and their 
collaborative VA partners (as applicable). Eligible applicants may 
obtain grant assistance to cover additional operational costs that 
would not otherwise be incurred but for the fact that the recipient is 
providing supportive housing beds and services for the following 
special needs homeless Veteran populations:
    (1) Women;
    (2) Frail elderly;
    (3) Terminally ill;
    (4) Chronically mentally ill; or
    (5) Individuals who have care of minor dependents.
    Definitions of these populations are contained in 38 CFR 61.1 
Definitions. Eligible applicants should review these definitions to 
ensure their proposed populations meet the specific requirements.
    VA is pleased to issue this NOFA for the Homeless Providers GPD 
Program as a part of the effort to end homelessness among our Nation's 
Veterans. Funding

[[Page 36384]]

applied for under this NOFA may be used for the provision of service 
and operational costs to facilitate the following for each targeted 
group:

Women

    (1) Ensure transportation for women, especially for health care and 
educational needs; and
    (2) Address safety and security issues including segregation from 
other program participants if deemed appropriate.

Frail Elderly

    (1) Ensure the safety of the residents in the facility to include 
preventing harm and exploitation;
    (2) Ensure opportunities to keep residents mentally and physically 
agile to the fullest extent through the incorporation of structured 
activities, physical activity, and plans for social engagement within 
the program and in the community;
    (3) Provide opportunities for participants to address life 
transitional issues and separation and/or loss issues;
    (4) Provide access to assistance devices such as walkers, grippers, 
or other devices necessary for optimal functioning;
    (5) Ensure adequate supervision, including supervision of 
medication and monitoring of medication compliance; and
    (6) Provide opportunities for participants either directly or 
through referral for other services particularly relevant for the frail 
elderly, including services or programs addressing emotional, social, 
spiritual, and generative needs.

Terminally Ill

    (1) Help participants address life-transition and life-end issues;
    (2) Ensure that participants are afforded timely access to hospice 
services;
    (3) Provide opportunities for participants to engage in ``tasks of 
dying,'' or activities of ``getting things in order'' or other 
therapeutic actions that help resolve end of life issues and enable 
transition and closure;
    (4) Ensure adequate supervision, including supervision of 
medication and monitoring of medication compliance; and
    (5) Provide opportunities for participants, either directly or 
through referral, for other services that are particularly relevant for 
the terminally ill, such as legal counsel and pain management.

Chronically Mentally Ill

    (1) Help participants join in and engage with the community;
    (2) Facilitate reintegration with the community and provide 
services that may optimize reintegration such as life-skills education, 
recreational activities, and follow up case management;
    (3) Ensure that participants have opportunities and services for 
re-establishing relationships with family;
    (4) Ensure adequate supervision, including supervision of 
medication and monitoring of medication compliance; and
    (5) Provide opportunities for participants, either directly or 
through referral, to obtain other services particularly relevant for a 
chronically mentally ill population, such as vocational development, 
benefits management, fiduciary or money management services, medication 
compliance, and medication education.

Individuals Who Have Care of Minor Dependents

    (1) Ensure transportation for individuals who have care of minor 
dependents, and their children, especially for health care and 
educational needs;
    (2) Provide directly or offer referrals for adequate and safe child 
care;
    (3) Ensure children's health care needs are met, especially age-
appropriate wellness visits and immunizations; and
    (4) Address safety and security issues, including segregation from 
other program participants if deemed appropriate.

Award Information

    Overview: This NOFA announces the availability of one year renewal 
funding in FY 2014 for the 25 currently operational FY 2013 VA GPD 
Special Need Grant Recipients in conjunction with their collaborative 
VA Special Need partners (as applicable) to make re-applications for 
assistance under the Special Need Grant Component of VA's Homeless 
Providers GPD Program.
    Funding Priorities: None.
    Allocation of Funds: Approximately $5 million is available for the 
current Special Need grant component of VA's Homeless Providers GPD 
Program. Funding will be for a period beginning on October 1, 2014, and 
ending on September 30, 2015. Special need payment will be the lesser 
of:
    1. 100 percent of the daily cost of care estimated by the special 
need recipient for furnishing services to homeless Veterans with 
special need that the special need recipient certifies to be correct, 
minus any other sources of income; or
    2. Two times the current VA State Home Program per diem rate for 
domiciliary care.
    Special need awards are subject to: funds availability; the 
recipient meeting the performance goals as stated in the grant 
application; statutory and regulatory requirements; and annual 
inspections.
    Applicants should ensure their funding requests and operational 
costs are based on the 12-month period above and should be 
approximately in line with prior year expenditures. Requests cannot 
exceed the amount obligated under the FY 2013 award.
    Based on GPD funding availability, approximately, $3.5 million is 
expected to be made available over the specified time (internally) for 
the current VA collaborative partners
    The goal is, to the maximum extent possible, to ensure a 
continuation of Special Need services to homeless Veterans.
    Funding Actions: Conditionally selected applicants may be asked to 
submit additional information under 38 CFR 61.15. Following receipt and 
confirmation that this information is accurate and in acceptable form, 
the applicant will execute an agreement with VA in accordance with 38 
CFR 61.61. Upon signature by the Secretary or designated 
representative, final selection will be completed and the grant funds 
will be obligated.
    Grant Award Period: Applicants that are selected will have a 
maximum award of year beginning on October 1, 2014, and ending on 
September 30, 2015, to utilize the special need funding. Funds 
unexpended after the September 30, 2015, deadline will be de-obligated.
    Eligibility Information: In order to be eligible, an applicant must 
be a current operational FY 2013 VA GPD Special Need Grant Recipient in 
conjunction with their collaborative VA Special Need partner, or a 
currently operational VA GPD Special Need Grant Recipient that does not 
involve a collaborative effort to make re-application for assistance 
under the Special Need Grant Component of VA's Homeless Providers GPD 
Program.

    Note:  If the applicant currently has a collaborative project 
and your VA partner no longer wishes to continue, your agency will 
be ineligible for an award under this NOFA.

    Cost Sharing or Matching: None.

Application and Submission Information

    Address To Request Renewal Agreement for Grant Application: Grant 
Renewal Agreements may be obtained

[[Page 36385]]

by contacting the National GPD Office at 1-(877) 332-0334. The 
additional documents that must also be included with the application 
are listed below in the Content and Form of Application section of this 
NOFA. Questions should be referred to the GPD Program Office at (toll-
free) 1-(877) 332-0334.
    Content and Form of Application: An application package is not 
needed for this NOFA. Applicants submitting a letter requesting re-
application on their agency's letterhead agree to VA using their 
previously awarded FY 2009 Special Need application for scoring 
purposes. Applicants must contact the National GPD Program Office for a 
copy of the Grant Renewal Agreement, which must be signed, initialed, 
and dated by and agency official who is authorized to sign grant 
agreements on behalf of your organization. The signed Grant Renewal 
Agreement and the letter of intent must be submitted for reapplication 
of your Special Needs Grant.
    Applicants should ensure that they include all required documents 
in their application and carefully follow the format described below. 
Submission of an incorrect, incomplete, or incorrectly formatted 
application package will result in the application being rejected at 
the beginning of the process.

Application Documentation Required

    1. Letter from Applicant: Letter from the renewal applicant on 
agency-signed letterhead, stating the applicant agrees, as a condition 
of funding under this NOFA, that the FY 2009 application will be used, 
that they will provide the services as outlined in that application 
along with any VA-approved changes in scope, and that the applicant's 
FY 2009 required forms and certifications still apply for the period of 
this award.
    2. Grant Renewal Agreement: Document must be requested from the 
National GPD Program Office, prior to application, so it can be signed, 
initialed and dated by the applicant agency official who is authorized 
to sign grant agreements for the applicant agency.
    3. Performance Goals: Documentation of the recipient meeting the 
performance goals as stated in the FY 2009 original grant application 
as evidenced by their last VA project inspection.
    4. Letter from VA Collaborative Partner (if applicable): If the FY 
2009 Special Need grant was a collaborative grant, the renewal request 
must include an updated letter of commitment or an updated Memorandum 
of Agreement (MOA) from the VA collaborative partner, stating that VA 
will continue to meet its objectives or provide its duties as outlined 
in the original MOA in FY 2009. Note: If the applicant currently has a 
collaborative project and your VA partner no longer wishes to continue 
then your agency will be ineligible for application under this NOFA.
    Applicants with questions regarding the funding from previous 
Special Need awards should contact the GPD Program Office prior to 
application for renewal funding. Selections will be made based on 
criteria described in the FY 2009 application and additional 
information as specified in this NOFA.
    Applicants who are selected will be notified of any further 
additional information needed to confirm or clarify information 
provided in the application. Applicants will then be notified of the 
deadline to submit such information. If an applicant is unable to meet 
any conditions for grant award within the specified time frame, VA 
reserves the right to not award funds and to use the funds available 
for other Special Need applicants.
    Submission Dates and Times: An original signed and dated request 
for re-application letter on agency letterhead and associated required 
documents for assistance under the VA's Homeless Providers GPD Program 
must be received in the GPD Program Office, by 4:00 p.m. Eastern 
Standard Time on Wednesday, July 16, 2014; this includes applications 
submitted through Grants.gov.
    In the interest of fairness to all competing applicants, this 
deadline is firm as to date and hour, and VA will treat any application 
that is received after the deadline as ineligible for consideration. 
Applicants should take this firm deadline into account and make early 
submission of their material to avoid any risk of loss of eligibility 
as a result of unanticipated delays or other delivery-related problems.
    For applications physically delivered,(.e.g., in person, or via 
United States Postal Service, FedEx, United Parcel Service, or any 
other type of courier), the VA GPD Program Office staff will accept the 
application and date stamp it immediately at the time of arrival. This 
is the date and time that will determine if the deadline is met for 
those types of delivery. DO NOT fax or email the application as it will 
be treated as ineligible for consideration.
    Funding Restrictions: No part of a Special Need grant may be used 
for any purpose that would significantly change the scope of the 
specific GPD project for which a capital GPD was awarded. As a part of 
the review process, VA will review the original project and subsequent 
approved program changes of the previous FY 2009 Special Need 
applications to ensure significant scope changes have not occurred, 
displacing other homeless Veteran populations. VA will not allow any 
changes under this renewal NOFA.
    Special Need funding may not be used for capital improvements or to 
purchase vans or real property. However, the leasing of vans or real 
property may be acceptable. Questions regarding acceptability should be 
directed to VA's National GPD Program Office at the number listed in 
Contact Information. Applicants may not receive Special Need funding to 
replace funds provided by any Federal, state or local government agency 
or program to assist homeless persons.
    A full copy of the regulations governing the GPD Program is 
available at the GPD Web site at http://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/GPD.asp.
    Award Notice: Although subject to change, the GPD Program Office 
expects to announce grant awards during the late fourth quarter of FY 
2014 (September). The initial announcement will be made via news 
release which will be posted on the VA's National GPD Program Web site 
at www.va.gov/homeless/gpd.asp. Following the initial announcement, the 
GPD Office will mail notification letters to the grant recipients. 
Applicants who are not selected will be mailed a declination letter 
within 2 weeks of the initial announcement.
    Administrative and National Policy: It is important to be aware 
that VA places great emphasis on responsibility and accountability. VA 
has procedures in place to monitor services provided to homeless 
Veterans and outcomes associated with the services provided in grant 
and per diem-funded programs. Applicants should be aware of the 
following:
    Awardees will be required to support their request for payments 
with adequate fiscal documentation as to project expenses and, in the 
case of per diem payments, income and expenses.
    All awardees that are selected in response to this NOFA must meet 
the requirements of the current edition of the Life Safety Code of the 
National Fire Protection Association as it relates to their specific 
facility. Applicants should note that all facilities are to be 
protected throughout by an approved automatic sprinkler system unless a 
facility is specifically exempted under the Life Safety Code. 
Applicants should consider this when submitting their grant 
applications, as no additional funds will be made available for capital 
improvements under this NOFA.
    Each program receiving special need funding will have a liaison 
appointed from a nearby VA medical facility to

[[Page 36386]]

provide oversight and monitor services provided to homeless Veterans in 
the program.
    Monitoring will include at a minimum, a quarterly review of each 
per diem program's progress toward meeting performance goals, including 
the applicant's internal goals and objectives in helping Veterans 
attain housing stability, adequate income support, and self-sufficiency 
as identified in each per diem program's original application. 
Monitoring will also include a review of the agency's income and 
expenses as they relate to this project to ensure payment is accurate.
    Each funded program will participate in VA's national program 
monitoring and evaluation as these monitoring procedures will be used 
to determine successful accomplishment of these housing outcomes for 
each per diem-funded program.

    Authority: Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Assistance Act of 
2001, 'Public Law 107-95, section 5, codified as amended by Public 
Law 112-154, at 38 U.S.C. 2011, 2012, 2013, 2061, and in regulation 
at 38 CFR part 61.

    Dated: June 23, 2014.

    By Direction of the Secretary.
William F. Russo,
Deputy Director, Regulation Policy and Management, Office of the 
General Counsel, Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2014-14970 Filed 6-25-14; 8:45 am]
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