SAIS_GPRA_FAQMaster 1 v5.6 

GOVERNMENT PERFORMANCE AND RESULTS ACT 

(GPRA) CLIENT OUTCOME MEASURES 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 

(FAQs) FOR 

Discretionary Services Programs 

 April 2014 

v5.6 
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GOVERNMENT PERFORMANCE AND RESULTS ACT (GPRA)

CENTER FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT (CSAT)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs) 

GPRA 

1. What is the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) of 1993? 

GPRA is a public law that was passed by Congress in 1993. GPRA was enacted to improve 

stewardship in the Federal government and to link resources and management decisions 

with program performance. GPRA requires that all Federal departments do the following: 

• Develop a strategic plan specifying what they will accomplish over a 3- to 

5-year period. 

• Set performance targets related to their strategic plan on an annual basis. 

• Report annually the degree to which the targets set in the previous year 

were met. 

• Conduct regular evaluations of their programs, and use the results to explain 

their successes and failures on the basis of the performance monitoring data. 

2. Do we have to comply with GPRA? 

All Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) discretionary programs—both Best 

Practices and Discretionary Services—must comply with GPRA. In their grant 

applications, prospective grantees should state the procedures they will put in place to 

ensure both compliance with GPRA and the collection of CSAT’s GPRA Core Client 

Outcome Measures data elements at baseline, discharge, and 6-month follow-up 

interviews. CSAT-designated adolescent programs and other designated programs must 

also conduct 3-month follow-up interviews. The 12-month follow-up interview is no 

longer required.

For a more detailed description of grantees’ GPRA requirements, see CSAT’s GPRA 

strategy under General Information on the CSAT-GPRA Web site (https://www.samhsagpra.samhsa.gov/).
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CSAT-GPRA Client Outcome Measures for Discretionary 

Programs

3. What are the Core Client Outcome Measures in the CSAT-GPRA data collection 

tool? 

The CSAT-GPRA Core Client Outcome Measures in the CSAT-GPRA data collection tool 

(the GPRA tool) are client-level data items that have been selected from widely used data 

collection instruments (e.g., the Addiction Severity Index and the McKinney Homeless 

Program reporting system). Outcome measures include substance use, criminal activity, 

mental and physical health, family and living conditions, education/ employment status

and social connectedness. 

4. How will these data be used?

These data will help CSAT do the following: 

• Demonstrate tangible CSAT contributions to meeting GPRA objectives.

• Report to Congress via the GPRA Plan/Report, aggregated by program, along 

with a narrative developed by your Government Project Officer (GPO) on the 

status of grant activities, services provided, and client outcomes. 

• Report to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 

(SAMHSA) on the National Outcome Measures (NOMs). For more information 

on SAMHSA’s NOMs, go to: http://www.nationaloutcomemeasures.samhsa.gov/. 

• Make the case to Congress that the money awarded to grantees is being spent 

effectively.

5. Do we need IRB approval to collect GPRA data?

This is specific to each program. SAMHSA does not require IRB approval for the 

collection of GPRA data. However, we encourage you to check with your local IRB should 

you have questions. For those who require IRB approval, please note that only the GPRA 

contractor has access to raw, client-level data. Once data are entered into the system, they 

are only presented in aggregate form. 

6. Can projects change the GPRA?

No, the GPRA tool cannot be changed. 

CSAT encourages projects to use other data collection instruments to enhance their data 

collection efforts. However, data from additional questions should not be forwarded to 

CSAT as part of GPRA reporting. 

Grantees can submit supplemental data that are specific to target populations, such as 

Native Americans and clients who have or are at risk for HIV.
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7. Do we have to ask and report the questions as written in the GPRA tool?

Yes, questions must be asked as written. However, grantees may use their existing 

instruments (in lieu of the GPRA tool) to collect data for GPRA reporting as long as their 

questions have the exact same wording as those in the CSAT-GPRA tool and the response 

categories are exactly the same or can be rolled up to the exact categories in the tool.

8. Are grantees responsible for submitting data for the first few months of their 

grant? 

Yes. When grantees do not expect to have clients for a particular time period, they must 

discuss this situation with their CSAT GPO. 

9. Do we have to collect information on every person our program serves?

The designation of an individual as a client is left up to the program, not the individual 

grantee. Program staff must collect data on all clients as defined by the CSAT grant. 

CSAT-GPRA Core Client Outcome Measures data items must be collected at baseline, 

discharge, and 6 months post-baseline, and discharge. Some CSAT-designated programs 

are also required to conduct a 3-month follow-up interview. Twelve-month follow-up 

interviews are not required. Sites should collect follow-up data on all clients, regardless of 

whether a client drops out of the program. When a site cannot follow-up on a client, the 

site must use the GPRA tool to report that information to CSAT (see Question 16 below) 

and explain why. 

10. Should we use the CSAT-GPRA Core Client Outcome Measures elements to 

collect data on adolescents and juveniles, even though the core elements are 

designed for use with adults? Will there be a separate set of GPRA core elements 

for use with adolescents? Should we just not collect data on adolescents?

CSAT recognizes the difficult issues involving collecting data on adolescents and 

juveniles. At this time, Discretionary Services grantees are to use the GPRA tool to collect 

GPRA data on all juveniles and adolescents in their programs. 

Data Collection Points

11. What are the required data collection points for the GPRA information?

GPRA data are to be collected face-to-face for each individual client at three specific 

points: 

• Intake/baseline

• Six months after the initial collection of CSAT-GPRA Core Client Outcome 

Measures data
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• Three months after the initial collection of CSAT-GPRA Core Client 

Outcome Measures data (only required of certain CSAT-designated 

programs) 

• Discharge

It is imperative that grantees begin to collect GPRA data on each client as soon as possible 

after the client’s intake assessment.

To comply with the requirement to collect GPRA data at intake/admission, residential 

programs must collect GPRA data on each client as soon as possible after assessment but 

no later than 3 days after the client officially enters the substance abuse treatment program. 

All types of outpatient programs other than RCSP must collect GPRA data on each client 

as soon as possible after assessment or intake but no later than 4 days after the client 

officially enters the substance abuse treatment program. For grants under the guidance for 

applicants (GFA) Recovery Community Services Program (RCSP), GPRA intake/baseline 

interviews must be completed within two to five contacts after the client enters the 

program. Program entry dates should be the date which the client began receiving CSAT 

funded services. 

GPRA Intake/Baseline

12. Who develops the client identification system?

Each individual grant develops its own client identification (ID). Each client should have 

his/her own unique client ID that is used at all three data collection points (i.e., GPRA 

intake/baseline, 6 months GPRA post-intake/baseline, 3 months GPRA post baseline for 

CSAT-designated programs, GPRA discharge, 12 months post-baseline, if collected. Note

that the 12 month post-GPRA baseline is no longer required.) The same unique ID is used 

each time, even if the client has more than one episode of care. For confidentiality reasons, 

do not use any portion of the client’s date of birth or Social Security Number in the Client 

ID.

13. How should we handle clients who are readmitted for treatment services?

Grantees have two options for readmitting clients. Grantees are only required to administer 

the GPRA baseline one time per client. However, grantees may choose to administer a 

second (or third, fourth, etc.) baseline GPRA. In this case, the subsequent 6-month followup will be required from the latest baseline only. Each client will only count once toward 

reaching the target number of clients to be seen, regardless of the number of GPRA 

intakes. The same client ID number should be used, regardless of the number of times the 

client presents for services.

There is an exception to this for SBIRT grantees, given the purpose of their grant. A client 

may be discharged and counted again only if the client is coded in a different category 

(screening and positive feedback [SF], brief intervention [BI], brief therapy [BT], or 

referral to treatment [RT]), but one client will only count once in each category (SF, BI, 

BT, or RT).
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14. If a client is discharged and returns for services, does the client count toward my 

GPRA targets as another client?

No. Only one GPRA intake for each client counts toward your target numbers. 

There is an exception to this for the SBIRT grantees, given the purpose of their grant. A 

client may be discharged and counted again only if the client is coded in a different 

category (SF, BI, BT, or RT), but one client will only count once in each category (SF, BI, 

BT, or RT).

GPRA Follow-up 

15. Do we have to follow-up on each client? What is the targeted follow-up rate?

Yes, each site should attempt to conduct a GPRA follow-up on every client, regardless of 

discharge status (i.e. complete, dropout). 

The minimum targeted follow-up rate is 80 percent. 

For Access to Recovery (ATR) Grants only: GPRA Follow-up and discharge interviews 

are not required for negative-screen clients and will not be accepted in CSAT’s GPRA 

system. 

For SBIRT Grants: GPRA follow-ups are only required for those clients falling into one 

of the SBIRT sampling frames.

16. What if the objective of our program is such that 6-month GPRA follow-ups are 

not anticipated or feasible?

The CSAT-GPRA Core Client Outcome Measures data items must be collected from all 

programs funded in the Discretionary Services line item in the budget at each required data 

collection point. Programs will have to modify their protocols accordingly, as was clearly 

stated in the Guidance for Application (GFA).

17. What if we locate clients before or after their scheduled 6-month GPRA follow-up 

interview date?

The GPRA follow-up interview window is one month before and two months after the 

scheduled 6-month GPRA follow-up interview. For example, if you locate a client 5 to 8 

months after the initial GPRA intake/baseline data collection, you may conduct a 6-month 

GPRA follow-up, and the client will be included in CSAT’s report to Congress. If you 

locate a client for the 6-month GPRA follow-up 9 or 10 months after the initial GPRA data 

collection, you may conduct a GPRA follow-up interview, but the data from the GPRA 

follow-up interview may not be included in any analyses reported to Congress. 

(Note: For those collecting the 3-month GPRA follow-up [CSAT-designated programs], 

the same window applies to the 3-month GPRA follow-up [one month before and two 

months after the initial GPRA intake/baseline interview]. Those programs designated by 
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CSAT as homeless are allowed two months before and up to two months after the GPRA

intake /baseline date.)

18. Do we collect follow-up data on dropouts?

Yes.

19. What if the follow-up period for the last client served is past the funding period of 

the project?

All grantees are expected to conduct 6-month follow-up GPRA data collection for all 

clients who receive grant-funded services. The sole exception to this rule is for follow-ups 

due after the grant ends. 

Grantees who receive no-cost extensions may be required to continue 6-month data 

collection past the normal ending date of the grant. 

GPRA Discharge

20. Does CSAT require a GPRA discharge on every client?

Yes. Starting July 1, 2005, CSAT requires you to submit a GPRA discharge record for 

every client. The only exception to this rule is when the client is still in the program after 

the grant ends. You will not be responsible for submitting GPRA discharge interviews for 

clients who are still in treatment when the grant ends. At the time of a client’s discharge (as 

defined by the grantee), you should complete a face-to-face GPRA discharge interview

(see Questions 20 and 21 below for more information on discharge). 

For ATR Grants only: GPRA follow-up and GPRA discharge interviews are not required 

for negative-screen clients and will not be accepted in CSAT’s GPRA system.

21. How does CSAT define discharge?

CSAT defines discharge in the following ways: 

If your program has an existing discharge definition or policy, you should follow it and 

conduct the discharge interview on the day of discharge. 

If you do not have a discharge definition or policy, you must complete a discharge 

interview for all clients for whom 30 days have elapsed from the time of last service. In 

other words, if the client does not present between May 16 and June 15, a GPRA discharge 

interview would have to be conducted. 

For an administrative discharge when the interview is not conducted, interviewers must 

complete the first four items in Section A (Client ID, Client Type, Contract/Grant ID, 

Interview Type), marking that the GPRA discharge interview was not completed; Section J 

(Discharge); and Section K (Services Received). Follow the skip pattern instructions on the 

tool. 
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If a client is discharged from your program within 7 calendar days of his/her GPRA intake 

interview, a face-to-face interview is not required. You will be required to complete the 

first four GPRA items in Section A (Client ID, Client Type, Contract/Grant ID, Interview 

Type), marking that the interview was not completed; Section J (Discharge); and Section K 

(Services Received). Follow the skip pattern instructions on the tool. 

For ATR Grants only: ATR clients are not discharged until the grantee’s program has 

ceased or completed providing ATR funding for treatment and/or services to the client 

and/or the client ATR voucher is deactivated.

22. Is there a window period for conducting and submitting a GPRA discharge 

interview record?

For programs with a discharge policy or definition: 

If the client is present on the day of discharge, the GPRA discharge interview should be 

conducted on the day of discharge. 

If a client has not finished treatment, drops out, and is not present the day of discharge, the 

project will have to find the client to conduct the in-person GPRA discharge interview. The 

grant will have 14 days after discharge to contact the client and conduct the in-person 

GPRA discharge interview. If the GPRA interview has not been conducted by day 15, 

conduct an administrative discharge (see Question 20 above). 

For programs without a discharge policy or definition: 

If you are using the CSAT policy of discharging a client for whom 30 days has elapsed 

from the time of last service, the grant will have 14 days after discharge to contact the 

client and conduct the in-person GPRA discharge interview. If the interview has not been 

conducted by day 15, conduct an administrative discharge (see Question 20 above). 

23. The typical episode of care for my clients is very short, so many clients may end 

up with GPRA intake and discharge interview dates very close to one another. Do 

we still have to collect both records?

Yes. Grantees should collect all GPRA data for each data collection point, regardless of 

how close they are to one another. But for those clients who are discharged less than or 

equal to 7 calendar days from the GPRA intake/baseline interview, a face-to-face GPRA 

discharge interview is not required. In this case, you will be required to complete an 

administrative discharge, which means that you must complete the first four items in 

Section A (Client ID, Client Type, Contract/Grant ID, Interview Type), marking that the 

interview was not completed; Section J (Discharge); and Section K (Services Received). 

Follow the skip pattern instructions on the tool. If the client receives services 8 or more 

days from the GPRA intake interview, then a full face-to-face GPRA discharge interview 

is required. 

24. Is there a target discharge rate?

At this time, CSAT has not specified a discharge target rate.
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GPRA Follow-up and Discharge Timing Issues

25. What if the discharge GPRA interview is due during the 6-month GPRA followup interview window? Do we still have to collect both records?

Yes. There may be cases when the client’s GPRA discharge is due during the window of 

time that the 6-month GPRA follow-up interview is due. In other words, if a discharge is 

done anywhere between 5 and 8 months after GPRA intake/baseline (or 4 to 8 months after 

GPRA intake/baseline for those programs in the Co-Occurring and Homeless Activities 

Branch at CSAT), this interview could double as a GPRA follow-up interview. In these 

cases, you must still enter data for both the GPRA discharge and the 6-month GPRA 

follow-up interviews. Conduct the interviews using these guidelines: conduct an interview 

by completing the appropriate items in Section A, indicating that an interview was 

conducted; otherwise, you will not be able to enter the responses into the system for each 

section. You may conduct the face-to-face GPRA interviews simultaneously, completing 

all sections, including Sections I, J, and K. You will then enter the data into the system as 

two records: one for discharge with Sections J and K, so that the service provided is 

documented in the GPRA system; and the other for follow-up with Section I, so that the 

follow-up status is documented in the GPRA system.

If the client’s GPRA discharge interview from the program occurs during the 6-month 

follow-up window, and you have already conducted the GPRA follow-up interview, you 

will need to do a separate GPRA discharge interview.

(Note: For CSAT-designated programs, the same rule applies when the GPRA discharge 

interview is due close to when the 3-month GPRA follow-up interview is due.) 

Beginning on August 27, 2012, CSAT Discretionary Services Grantees who do not upload 

their GPRA data will have the option of having the SAIS system complete GPRA Sections 

A through G for the Discharge submission when both the Follow-Up interview and the 

Discharge interview occur on the same day and the Follow-Up interview occurs first. 

(Note: If the Discharge interview occurs first, Sections A through G will be completed for 

the Follow-Up interview.) To use this data pre-populate option, the following requirements 

must be met:

• Both the Follow-Up and the Discharge must be completed on the same day; 

• The date must be on or after the follow-up window opens; and 

• Neither the follow-up nor discharge GPRA has been conducted previously. 

Follow these steps to use the data pre-populate option: 

1.) Enter your client’s GPRA follow-up or GPRA discharge into SAIS and when 

finished, click “Submit.” 

2.) Begin the respective follow-up or discharge GPRA. When you enter the same date, 

a message will appear asking if you would like to have SAIS copy the 

corresponding data from the first submission into SAIS. If you select “yes,” the 

system will copy the data you have already entered to the appropriate sections for 
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the follow-up or discharge GPRA and then will take you to the final unique 

sections of the GPRA which you must complete. Specifically: For a discharge 

GPRA, you must complete Section J and Section K. For a follow-up GPRA, you 

must complete Section I.

3.) When you are finished with these sections, click “Submit” and you will have 

completed the submission of both the discharge and follow-up GPRA. 

(Note: After you submit, if you identify items that must be corrected, you must make the 

corrections to both documents since SAIS will not auto-correct either.) 

26. Do we collect 6-month follow-up information if the GPRA discharge interview is 

before or after the 6-month GPRA follow-up interview?

Yes, grantees must locate clients and complete the 6-month GPRA follow-up record, 

regardless of when the client is discharged.

(Note: For adolescent programs and other CSAT designated programs, the same rule 

applies for the 3-month GPRA follow-up.) 

27. Do we need to conduct an in-person 6-month GPRA follow-up interview if the 

client could not be contacted to conduct the discharge interview?

If the client cannot be reached for the discharge GPRA interview and receives an 

administrative discharge, a separate 6-month GPRA follow-up interview must be 

conducted, completed, and entered into the system for the follow-up to count toward the 

program’s target rate.

(Note: For CSAT-designated programs, the same rule applies for the 3-month GPRA 

follow-up.) 
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Data Collection Issues

28. Do all programs use “the past 30 days” as the basis for client reported data? 

All programs, with the exception of the Offender Re-entry Program (ORP,) for questions 

B1 thru B4, will use “the past 30 days” for questions that capture the number days.

ORP grants should ask about drug use in “the past 90 days prior to incarceration” for 

questions B1 thru B4 at intake/baseline and “the past 90 days” at follow-up and discharge. 

29. Do we count a client’s reported use of illegal drugs in Question B1c as having 

committed a crime for Question E4 (“In the past 30 days, how many times have 

you committed a crime?”)? 

Yes. If a client reports the use of illegal drugs in response to Question B1c but his/her 

answer to Question E4 is not consistent with Question B1c, the interviewer should probe 

the client for clarification. The interviewer must be certain that the number in Question E4 

is equal to or greater than the number in Question B1c. 

30. Does CSAT allow its discretionary services grantees to offer incentives for

 completed GPRA 6-month follow-up interviews?

CSAT funding can be used to provide incentives to improve GPRA 6-month follow-up

rates. The value of the incentive is limited by the SAMHSA Guidance for Applications

(GFA) for your particular grant. Please check with your GPO if you have questions.

The incentives can include items such as food vouchers, gift cards, transportation

vouchers, or phone cards. Incentives are permitted only for completion of a GPRA

6-month follow-up interview and may not be used for routine discharge interviews.

Because GPRA 12-month follow-up interviews are no longer required, CSAT incentive

funding is not permitted for these interviews. 

Web Site Use/Technical Issues

31. Is it mandatory to use the online GPRA data entry tool? 

Yes, staff members at each grantee site will be issued their own username and password 

for use in accessing the Web site.

For submitting client GPRA data, SBIRT, ATR and select Services grantees have the 

option of using either the online GPRA data entry tool or submitting data via data upload. 

ATR Voucher Information and Transaction Data can only be uploaded. Data that are 

uploaded are automatically submitted to CSAT as well. 

32. How do we report the GPRA data to CSAT and our Government Project Officer?

The GPRA data you enter via the Web site or data upload are automatically submitted to 

CSAT. These data will be included in GPRA reports and available for downloading 24-48 

hours after it is entered into SAIS. 
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33. How often should we enter our GPRA data?

Grantees are required to have all of their GPRA data entered in as close to real time as 

possible. Thus, grantees should aim to enter their data within 1 business day—but no later 

than 7 business days—after the GPRA interview is conducted.

34. Can I save partial records? 

No, the system will not save partial records. You must enter all sections of a record before 

can be saved in the system. 

Caution: The system will automatically timeout after 20 minutes of inactivity and an 

incomplete record will be lost.

35. What happens to the GPRA data once they are submitted via the Web site?

The data are stored in a central repository known as SAIS. Grantees can edit submitted 

records. Grantees can also download data in Excel and HTML formats. 

Grantees, GPOs, and contractors associated with grantees can access reports that are 

generated from submitted GPRA data.

36. How do I contact the CSAT-GPRA Help Desk?

You can call the Help Desk at 1-888-507-9351. It is available Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–7 

p.m. (EST). The Help Desk e-mail address is GPRAHelp@SAIS.RTI.org. 

37. How can I get a CSAT-GPRA web account?

To obtain a SAIS account, have your Project Director or Authorized Representative submit 

the following information to the CSAT-GPRA Help Desk at GPRAHELP@SAIS.RTI.org:

• First and last name 

• Email address 

• Office phone number 

• Grant # 

• Indicate whether access is for training and/or data entry

Once we receive this information we will set up an account and you and/or your staff will 

receive login credentials via email.

Users who have access to more than one grant will be able to use the same login ID and 

password to access all their grants.
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38. The system shows that my password has been disabled. What do I do now?

As a security feature, accounts become disabled when there were too many unsuccessful 

password attempts. You can either call or send an e-mail to the Help Desk requesting to 

have your password reset. Once the Help Desk resets your password, an e-mail will be sent 

to you with a new, temporary password. When you log in successfully with the temporary 

password, you will be asked to change your password. Once you change it and confirm it, 

click on the “Save” button on the top right to save your new password. The temporary 

password (sent to you via e-mail) will no longer be valid.

Here are some steps you can take to prevent your account from being disabled: 

• Passwords are case sensitive. Make sure you type it in exactly, and that you do not 

have your Caps Lock enabled. 

• Try copying the password sent in the e-mail, and then paste it directly into the 

password field at the login page. 

39. Do I have to update my password? 

Yes, all users are required to update their password every 6 months. 

40. I do not have access to my grant anymore. How do I get it back? 

It is possible that your grant has expired in the system. If you believe you have a no-cost 

extension, please contact your government project officer (GPO) or Sarah Ndiangui 

(CSAT) to authorize us to extend the grant in the system. Sarah’s e-mail address is 

sarah.ndiangui@samhsa.hhs.gov. 

41. Where can I get a copy of the GPRA Tool, QxQ Guide, or codebooks? 

These documents, along with some others, are available under the “Data Collection Tools” 

section in the left-hand-side menu. Make sure you click on your respective submenu 

(“Services” or “Best Practices”) to get to the correct page. (Discretionary Services grants 

only.) I entered erroneous data under Section A (i.e., wrong Client ID, Interview Date, etc.) 

in the “Data Entry” section, but it will not let me edit it. How can I change the data?

Neither you nor the Help Desk can edit any data under Section A “Record Management’. If 

you need data changed in this section, please contact the Help Desk at 1-888-507-9351 or 

GPRAHelp@SAIS.RTI.org with the request to remove the erroneous record so that you 

can reenter the record with the correct data. We will need your Grant ID, Client ID, reason 

for removal, and which interview you want removed (i.e., all of the client’s record, a 

particular follow-up record, or just the discharge record). (Note: To remove a GPRA

Intake, the SAIS system will need to remove all corresponding follow-ups to that GPRA 

Intake as well.) 

After your e-mail is received, it will be forwarded to CSAT for approval. Once approved, 

the SAIS system will remove the record and send you a confirmation e-mail. The 

turnaround for this is generally 1–2 business days, but it may take longer. Please do not 
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resend the same request. If you want to verify that we received your request, call the 

GPRA Help Desk. To avoid having to re-enter a record, the Help Desk strongly 

recommends that you make sure everything under Section A is correct before you save 

your record.

42. (Discretionary Services grants only.) I mistakenly entered a client’s Follow-up as 

a GPRA Intake. Now I have two GPRA Intakes in the system, one active and one 

inactive. How do I rectify this?

Send the Help Desk an e-mail indicating which client record you would like removed. 

Since the Client IDs will be identical, the best way to specify which record you want 

removed is to provide the GPRA Intake Date. Please state in your e-mail the Grant ID, 

Client ID, GPRA Intake Date of the one you want removed, and the reason for deletion, so 

that we can forward this along to CSAT. 

43. In the “Data Download” section, I clicked on “Yes” when it asked me if I wanted 

to proceed to download the records, but nothing happened. Where did my data 

go? 

You probably have a pop-up blocker that is preventing you from downloading your data. 

Use the following procedure to momentarily disable your pop-up blocker: go back to the 

screen where it asks you if you are sure you want to proceed. Hold down the Ctrl key, and 

then click on the “Yes” button. It is important that you keep the Ctrl key down until a 

new window or dialog box appears. Once the new window appears, you can let go of the 

Ctrl key.

44. In the Reports section, when I click on the “Print” or “Export” icon, nothing 

happens.

You probably have a pop-up blocker that is preventing you from printing or exporting your 

report. Use the following procedure to momentarily disable your pop-up blocker: before 

you click on the printer/envelope icon, hold down the Ctrl key, and then click on the icon. 

It is important that you keep the Ctrl key down until a new window or dialog box 

appears. Once the new window appears, you can let go of the Ctrl key. 

45. At the start of the Web site, I click on the “CSAT-GPRA” button, and then I click 

on the “Go” button to get to the CSAT-GPRA home page, but nothing happens.

You probably have a pop-up blocker that is preventing you from going any further. Use the 

following procedure to momentarily disable your pop-up blocker: before you click on the 

“Go” button, hold down the Ctrl key, and then click on the button. It is important that 

you keep the Ctrl key down until the new window appears. Once the new window 

appears, you can let go of the Ctrl key.

46. When I went to enter a discharge interview into the data entry system, I found 

that there was already a discharge record in the system. What should I do? 

You may find that a discharge record exists for a client who has not been discharged yet, 

but who had a follow-up completed before July 5, 2005. The reason the SAIS system 
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generated a discharge record for these clients was to capture the services data that were 

collected during the follow-up interview when there was no discharge data collection 

point. 

When you go in to the SAIS-generated discharge interview, note that you cannot edit the 

discharge date field. You will need to contact the Help Desk; the staff there will delete the 

existing discharge interview so that you may enter the actual discharge interview. This is 

the cleanest and safest way to correct the data. If you have any questions on this, please 

contact the Help Desk at 1-888-507-9351 or at GPRAHelp@SAIS.RTI.org. 

Additional Support

47. Where can I find the upcoming schedule for GPRA trainings, and how do I sign 

up?

The SAIS Online Learning Center offers access to a variety of trainings, including ondemand courses, live webinars, recorded webinars, and face-to-face training.

After logging in to the CSAT-GPRA website, click on the “GPRA Training” link in the 

left menu bar.

Once on the Online Learning Center home page, click on the course category link to view 

course titles, descriptions, and registration information for each type of course. Additional 

details on the Online Learning Center are covered in the “How to Use the SAIS Online 

Learning Center” located in the “On-Demand Courses” section of the site. 

48. We have additional questions that need to be addressed. How do we get them 

answered?

For all questions related to the CSAT-GPRA Web site, please contact the Help Desk at 1-

888-507-9351 or GPRAHelp@SAIS.RTI.org. Alternatively, you may use the “Web Master 

E-mail” link that appears on the Web site.

For questions related to obtaining additional training or technical assistance related to 

GPRA, please submit an online request at: https://www.samhsa-gpra.samhsa.gov/. Click 

on “Technical Assistance” from the menu on the left-hand side.

For questions about how to implement GPRA in your project, please contact your GPO or 

the contractor working with your program, or you may complete an online Technical 

Assistance (TA) request at: https://www.samhsa-gpra.samhsa.gov/. Click on “Technical 

Assistance” from the menu on the left-hand side.
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__________________________________________________________ 

Voucher FAQs: For Access to Recovery Grants Only

____________________________________________________________ 

Voucher Information

1. Do all clients need to receive a voucher?

Yes. CSAT requires that all positive-screen clients receive a voucher to be part of your 

program. (Note: Negative-screen clients do not receive a voucher.) 

2. Should each voucher have a unique Voucher ID? 

Yes.

3. Can voucher information data be entered directly into CSAT-GPRA system?

No. All voucher information data must be uploaded into CSAT’s GPRA system. 

4. Are we required to upload a voucher information record prior to a voucher 

transaction record?

Yes. There must be a voucher information record in CSAT’s GPRA system before a 

corresponding voucher transaction record can be uploaded. 

5. Do we have to let CSAT know when vouchers are closed?

Yes. When vouchers are closed, grantees are required to upload a voucher cancellation 

record for each closed voucher. This is done via the Voucher Information Tool. 

6. When vouchers are closed, do we need to update the dollar amount of the 

voucher?

When a voucher has expired or is closed by your site, whether all of the money has been 

used or not, grantees must update the voucher information record by indicating that the 

voucher record is closed. In addition, the grantee must update (if necessary) the voucher 

amount to reflect how much money was actually used on that voucher. For example, if a 

voucher is issued for $100, it has expired, and only $50 was used, grantees must upload an 

update record (Voucher Information form) to the GPRA system to change the voucher 

amount to $50 and include the voucher cancel date. 

7. Can we increase the dollar amount of a voucher? 

Yes. If grantees decide to add more money to a voucher, the voucher amount must be 

updated to reflect the additional amount using the Voucher Information form. 
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8. Are we allowed to indicate that multiple services are associated with a voucher?

Yes. When a voucher is issued, it is possible that multiple services may be associated with 

each voucher.

9. How often should voucher information data be uploaded?

Voucher information data should be uploaded daily. 

10. What is the suggested file size to upload voucher information data? 

The suggested file size for uploading voucher information record data is 600K. Files 

should not exceed this size, and if you are sending multiple files, try to adhere to this file 

size as much as possible. Multiple small files and files that exceed the aforementioned size 

limit may impede the upload process.

Voucher Transactions

11. Do all providers need a unique Provider ID?

Yes.

12. How do we identify faith-based providers?

If the provider who is redeeming funds is a faith-based provider, indicate “yes” when 

asked if the provider is faith-based. This question is not on the voucher transaction tool, 

but it is part of the voucher transaction upload. 

13. Can a voucher transaction record be uploaded prior to the corresponding voucher 

information record?

No. There must be a voucher information record in CSAT’s GPRA system before a 

voucher transaction can be uploaded for a specific voucher. 

14. Can multiple services be selected with a voucher transaction?

No. Only one service can be selected for each voucher transaction. However, multiple 

units of the service may be recorded on the voucher transaction. 

15. Can voucher transaction data be entered directly into the CSAT-GPRA system?

No. All voucher transaction data must be uploaded into CSAT’s GPRA system. 

16. How often should voucher transaction data be uploaded?

Voucher transaction data should be uploaded daily. 

17. What is the suggested file size to upload voucher transaction data? 

The suggested file size for uploading voucher record data is 600K. Files should not exceed 

this size, and if you are sending multiple files, try to adhere to this file size as much as 
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possible. Multiple “small” files and files that exceed the aforementioned size limit may 

impede the upload process. 

__________________________________________________________ 

Military FAQs

____________________________________________________________ 

Military Information

1. Should we collect data on a client’s veteran status? 

Effective March 5, 2012, CSAT no longer simply collects data on the number of clients 

who are veterans of the military. You should now collect data on a client’s military service 

status, which includes active duty, separation, and retirement from the military. In addition, 

this section also collects information on persons close to the client who are or were

deployed to a combat zone. 

2. What branches of the military are included in the U.S. Armed Forces?

The U.S. Armed Forces consists of the Army, the Navy, the Marine Corps, the Air Force, 

and the Coast Guard. 

3. How does CSAT differentiate between separation and retirement from the U.S. 

Armed Forces, Reserves, or the National Guard?

When a client becomes separated from the U.S. Armed Forces, Reserves, or National 

Guard, he or she has left active duty but might still have an obligation to serve. Separation 

from the military typically occurs when the client reaches his or her Expiration of Term of 

Service (ETS) and is released from active duty but still must complete military reserve 

obligations. When a client completes his or her full military obligation, he or she is then 

discharged. 

When a client retires from the U.S. Armed Forces, Reserves, or National Guard, he or she 

has left active service and is entitled to a pension, a percentage of his or her base pay, or 

100 percent of his or her base pay from the previously mentioned organizations. 

4. Are the military questions only confined to U.S. military service?

Yes, these questions only pertain to U.S. military service. Clients who have served in the 

military in another country are not counted. 

5. If a client states that he or she was discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces, the 

Reserves, or the National Guard, should we ascertain the client’s discharge 

status?

No. A client’s discharge status is not considered in the GPRA tool and therefore will not be 

asked by grantees. CSAT is not asking for data regarding a client’s discharge status.
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6. Must I ask the military questions of SBIRT clients who have screened negative?

If you are an SBIRT grantee and your client has screened negative, you must ask 

Questions A5, A5a, and A5b, but you should skip questions A6 and A6a-d. 

7. Regarding question A6a, if a client states that a service member had not been 

deployed in support of combat operations, should we continue to ask the client 

questions A6b through A6d?

Yes. At this time, there is not a skip pattern for question A6a; therefore you must read 

these questions to your client. 

8. Are the Military questions asked when conducting a Follow-up and/or Discharge?

No, the Military questions are asked at the Intake/Baseline only.