[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 107 (Friday, June 3, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33880-33881]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-11899]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS


Funding Opportunity: Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide 
Prevention Grant Program

AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Notice of funding opportunity; correction.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a document 
in the Federal Register on April 15, 2022, concerning a Notice of 
Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for suicide prevention services grants under 
the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program 
(SSG Fox SPGP). This Notice amends two provisions in section I to 
clarify requirements regarding the provision or coordination of a 
baseline mental health screening to participants.

DATES: Applications for suicide prevention services grants under the 
SSG Fox SPGP Program must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on 
June 10, 2022. In the interest of fairness to all competing applicants, 
this deadline is firm as to date and hour, and

[[Page 33881]]

VA will treat as ineligible for consideration any application that is 
received after the deadline. Applicants should take this practice into 
account and make early submission of their materials to avoid any risk 
of loss of eligibility brought about by unanticipated delays, computer 
service outages or other submission-related problems.

ADDRESSES: For a Copy of the Application Package: Copies of the 
application can be downloaded from the SSG Fox SPGP website at https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/ssgfox-grants/ grants/. Questions should be referred 
to the SSG Fox SPGP at [email protected]. For detailed SSG Fox SPGP 
information and requirements, see part 78 of title 38 CFR part 78.
    Application Submission: Applicants must submit applications 
electronically following instructions found at: 
www.mentalhealth.va.gov/ssgfox-grants/ grants/. Applications may not be mailed 
or sent by facsimile (fax). Applications must be received by the SSG 
Fox SPGP Office no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the 
application deadline date. Applications must arrive as a complete 
package. Materials arriving separately will not be included in the 
application package and may result in the application being rejected.
    Technical Assistance: Information on obtaining technical assistance 
preparing a suicide prevention services grant application is available 
on the SSG Fox SPGP website at https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/ssgfox-grants/ grants/.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Sandra Foley, Director, SSG Fox 
SPGP, Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, 11MHSP, 202-502-
0002 (this is not a toll-free telephone number), or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: As VA prepares to implement the SSG Fox SPGP 
and coordinate with grantees, we identify the requirement in 38 CFR 
78.50(a) that ``Grantees must provide or coordinate the provision of a 
baseline mental health screening to all participants,'' including 
children, could present significant logistical and legal difficulties. 
VA is unaware of any validated tool that can be used by non-clinicians 
as a baseline mental health screening to assess suicide risk and mental 
and behavioral health conditions for persons under the age of 18. 
Further, persons under the age of 18 generally need parental consent to 
access screening services like this, and such a requirement could 
delay, or at least complicate, compliance with this requirement. It is 
also unclear how often children under the age of 18 would be active 
participants in programs administered by grantees, physically present 
with the grantee or otherwise in contact and coordination with the 
grantee. Given these factors, we do not believe it is appropriate, at 
this time, to require applicants to plan to screen participants under 
the age of 18 in their programs. Consequently, VA will not require 
applicants under this Notice, or grantees awarded funds pursuant to 
this Notice, to provide or coordinate a baseline mental health 
screening to participants under the age of 18. VA will consider 
possible changes to this requirement, as it prepares a final rule to 
implement its interim final regulations from March 10, 2022.
    We emphasize one point for clarity. VA expects applicants to be 
aware that children may be members of a household of an eligible 
individual and consequently could be participants in their programs. VA 
expects that any applicant awarded a grant who is presented with a 
person under the age of 18 who is in a mental health crisis or 
emergency will take all appropriate actions necessary to serve and 
protect that person.

    CORRECTION:
    In the Federal Register (FR) NOFO of April 15, 2022, in FR Doc 
2022-08040, correct:

    (1) Section I (Funding Opportunity Description), Paragraph D 
(Approach), first paragraph, second sentence to read: ``Applicants must 
include in their application how they will provide or coordinate the 
provision of the baseline mental health screening to all participants 
age 18 and over.''
    (2) Section I (Funding Opportunity Description), Paragraph D 
(Approach), third paragraph, first sentence to read: ``Baseline mental 
health screening: Grantees must provide or coordinate the provision of 
baseline mental health screenings to all participants age 18 and over 
they serve at the time those services begin.''
    (3) Section I (Funding Opportunity Description), Paragraph F 
(Guidance for the Use of Suicide Prevention Services Funds), fifth 
paragraph, third and fourth sentences to read: ``Grantees must 
determine and document the degree of risk of suicide for each 
participant age 18 and over using tools identified in the suicide 
prevention services grant agreement. Prior to services ending, grantees 
must provide or coordinate the provision of a mental health screening 
to all participants age 18 and over they serve, when possible.''

Signing Authority

    Denis McDonough, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, approved this 
document on May 23, 2022, and authorized the undersigned to sign and 
submit the document to the Office of the Federal Register for 
publication electronically as an official document of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs.

Jeffrey M. Martin,
Assistant Director, Office of Regulation Policy & Management, Office of 
General Counsel, Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2022-11899 Filed 6-2-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P