5310 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 18 / Friday, January 26, 2024 / Notices 

request may be denied due to lack of 

specificity or lack of compliance with 

applicable regulations. 

EXEMPTIONS PROMULGATED FOR THE SYSTEM: 

None. 

HISTORY: 

Notice of this system of records was 

last published in full in the Federal 

Register on March 9, 2021, as the 

Department of the Treasury, 

Departmental Offices .214—DC 

Pensions Retirement Records. 

[FR Doc. 2024–01567 Filed 1–25–24; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4810–AK–P 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 

AFFAIRS 

[OMB Control No. 2900–0013] 

Agency Information Collection 

Activity: Application for United States 

Flag for Burial Purposes 

AGENCY: Veterans Benefits 

Administration, Department of Veterans 

Affairs. 

ACTION: Notice. 

SUMMARY: Veterans Benefits 

Administration, Department of Veterans 

Affairs (VA), is announcing an 

opportunity for public comment on the 

proposed collection of certain 

information by the agency. Under the 

Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 

1995, Federal agencies are required to 

publish notice in the Federal Register 

concerning each proposed collection of 

information, including each proposed 

extension of a previously approved 

collection, and allow 60 days for public 

comment in response to the notice. 

DATES: Written comments and 

recommendations on the proposed 

collection of information should be 

received on or before March 26, 2024. 

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments 

on the collection of information through 

Federal Docket Management System 

(FDMS) at www.Regulations.gov or to 

Nancy J. Kessinger, Veterans Benefits 

Administration (20M33), Department of 

Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue 

NW, Washington, DC 20420 or email to 

mailto:nancy.kessinger@va.gov. Please 

refer to ‘‘OMB Control No. 2900–0013’’ 

in any correspondence. During the 

comment period, comments may be 

viewed online through FDMS. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Maribel Aponte, Office of Enterprise 

and Integration, Data Governance 

Analytics (008), 810 Vermont Ave. NW, 

Washington, DC 20006, (202) 266–4688 

or email maribel.aponte@va.gov. Please 

refer to ‘‘OMB Control No. 2900–0013’’ 

in any correspondence. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the 

PRA of 1995, Federal agencies must 

obtain approval from the Office of 

Management and Budget (OMB) for each 

collection of information they conduct 

or sponsor. This request for comment is 

being made pursuant to section 

3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA. 

With respect to the following 

collection of information, VBA invites 

comments on: (1) whether the proposed 

collection of information is necessary 

for the proper performance of VBA’s 

functions, including whether the 

information will have practical utility; 

(2) the accuracy of VBA’s estimate of the

burden of the proposed collection of

information; (3) ways to enhance the

quality, utility, and clarity of the

information to be collected; and (4)

ways to minimize the burden of the

collection of information on

respondents, including through the use

of automated collection techniques or

the use of other forms of information

technology.

Authority: 

38 U.S.C. 2301(f)(1)). 

Title: Application for United States 

Flag for Burial Purposes, (VA Form 27– 

2008). 

OMB Control Number: 2900–0013. 

Type of Review: Extension of a 

previously approved collection. 

Abstract: VA Form 27–2008 is 

primarily used for VA compensation 

and pension programs that require 

claimants to file an application for 

benefits subsequent to the death of the 

Veteran to determine eligibility for the 

benefit. Collection of this information is 

conducted at the time the next-of-kin or 

friend of a deceased Veteran requests a 

burial flag. Without the information 

collected by VA Form 27–2008, 

entitlement to the benefit could not be 

determined. 

Affected Public: Individuals and 

households. 

Estimated Annual Burden: 535,026 

hours. 

Estimated Average Burden per 

Respondent: 15 minutes. 

Frequency of Response: One time. 

Estimated Number of Respondents: 

753,000. 

By direction of the Secretary. 

Maribel Aponte, 

VA PRA Clearance Officer, Office of 

Enterprise and Integration/Data Governance 

Analytics, Department of Veterans Affairs. 

[FR Doc. 2024–01543 Filed 1–25–24; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 8320–01–P 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 

AFFAIRS 

Staff Sergeant Fox Suicide Prevention 

Grant Program Funding Opportunity 

AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs 

(VA). 

ACTION: Notice of funding opportunity. 

SUMMARY: VA is announcing the 

availability of funds for suicide 

prevention grants under the Staff 

Sergeant Fox Suicide Prevention Grant 

Program (SSG Fox SPGP). This Notice of 

Funding Opportunity (NOFO) contains 

information concerning SSG Fox SPGP; 

the grant application processes; and the 

amount of funding available. Awards 

made for suicide prevention grants will 

fund operations beginning on 

September 30, 2024. This is a 1-year 

award with the option to renew for an 

additional year, pending availability of 

funds and grantee performance. 

DATES: Applications for suicide 

prevention services grants under SSG 

Fox SPGP must be received by 11:59 

p.m. eastern time on April 26, 2024. In

the interest of fairness to all competing

applicants, this deadline is firm as to

date and hour, and 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/ssgfoxgrants/. Questions should be referred to

SSG Fox SPGP by email at

VASSGFoxGrants@va.gov. For detailed

program information and requirements,

see 38 CFR part 78.

Submission of Application Package: 

Applicants must submit applications 

electronically following instructions 

found at https://www.mentalhealth.

va.gov/ssgfox-grants/. Applications may 

not be mailed, hand carried, or sent by 

facsimile. Applications must be 

received by SSG Fox SPGP by 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 for

consideration and may result in the

application being rejected.

Technical Assistance: Information 

regarding how to obtain technical 

assistance with the preparation of a new 


lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 18 / Friday, January 26, 2024 / Notices 5311 

or renewal suicide prevention grant 

application is available on the SPGP 

Program website at https://www.mental

health.va.gov/ssgfox- grants/. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. 

Sandra Foley, SSG Fox SPGP Director, 

Office of Mental Health and Suicide 

Prevention, by email at 

VASSGFoxGrants@va.gov or 202–502– 

0002. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Funding 

Opportunity Title: Staff Sergeant Fox 

Suicide Prevention Grant Program. 

Announcement Type: Initial. 

Funding Opportunity Number: VA– 

FOX–SP–FY2024. 

Assistance Listing Number: 64.055. 

I. Funding Opportunity Description 

A. Assistance Listing Number: 64.005 

Staff Sergeant Fox Suicide Prevention 

Grant Program. 

B. Purpose: The purpose of SSG Fox 

SPGP is to reduce Veteran suicide by 

expanding suicide prevention programs 

for Veterans through the award of 

suicide prevention services grants to 

eligible entities to provide or coordinate 

the provision of suicide prevention 

services to eligible individuals and their 

families. SSG Fox SPGP builds upon 

VA’s public health approach, which 

combines clinical and community-based 

interventions to prevent Veteran suicide 

for those inside and outside of VA 

health care. This grant program assists 

in further implementing a public health 

approach through these community 

efforts. The goal of these grants is to 

reduce Veteran suicide risk; improve 

baseline mental health status, wellbeing, and social support; and improve 

financial stability for eligible 

individuals and their families. 

C. Funding Priorities: The principal 

goal of this NOFO is to seek entities that 

have demonstrated the ability to provide 

or coordinate suicide prevention 

services. Under Priority 1, VA will 

provide funding to eligible entities with 

existing SPGP awards. Grant funds will 

be awarded pursuant to 38 CFR 78.40. 

Under Priority 2, applications will be 

accepted from new eligible entities. VA 

may prioritize the distribution of 

suicide prevention services grants under 

this Priority to (i) Rural communities; 

(ii) Tribal lands; (iii) Territories of the 

United States; (iv) medically 

underserved areas; (v) areas with a high 

number or percentage of minority 

Veterans or women Veterans; and (vi) 

areas with a high number or percentage 

of calls to the Veterans Crisis Line. 

D. Definitions: The regulations for 

SSG Fox SPGP, published in the Federal 

Register on March 10, 2022, and 

codified in 38 CFR part 78, contain all 

detailed definitions and requirements 

pertaining to this program. 

E. Eligible individuals. To be an 

eligible individual under this part, a 

person must be at risk of suicide and 

further meet the definition of eligible 

individual in section 201(q) of Public 

Law 116–171. Risk of suicide means 

exposure to, or the existence of, any of 

the following factors, to any degree, that 

increase the risk for suicidal ideation 

and/or behaviors: 

(1) Health risk factors, including 

mental health challenges, substance use 

disorder, serious or chronic health 

conditions or pain, and traumatic brain 

injury. 

(2) Environmental risk factors, 

including prolonged stress, stressful life 

events, unemployment, homelessness, 

recent loss, and legal or financial 

challenges. 

(3) Historical risk factors, including 

previous suicide attempts, family 

history of suicide, and history of abuse, 

neglect, or trauma, including military 

sexual trauma. 

F. Authority: Funding applied for 

under this NOFO is authorized by 

section 201 of the Commander John 

Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health 

Improvement Act (Pub. L. 116–171). VA 

established and implemented this 

statutory authority for SSG Fox SPGP in 

38 CFR part 78. Funds made available 

under this NOFO may be subject to the 

requirements of section 201 of the Act, 

38 CFR part 78 and other applicable 

laws and regulations. 

G. Approach: Suicide prevention 

services address the needs of eligible 

individuals and their families and are 

necessary for improving the mental 

health status and well-being and 

reducing the suicide risk of eligible 

individuals and their families. 

Applicants must include in their 

application that they will provide or 

coordinate the provision of the baseline 

mental health screening to all 

participants aged 18 and over. In 

addition, the application must include 

the proposed suicide prevention 

services to be provided or coordinated 

and the identified need for those 

services. Suicide prevention services 

include: 

Outreach to identify and engage 

eligible individuals (and their families) 

at highest risk of suicide: Grantees 

providing or coordinating the provision 

of outreach must use their best efforts to 

ensure that eligible individuals, 

including those who are at highest risk 

of suicide or who are not receiving 

health care or other services furnished 

by VA, and their families are identified, 

engaged, and provided suicide 

prevention services. Based on the 

suicide risk and eligibility screening 

conducted by grantees, eligible 

individuals who should be considered 

at highest risk of suicide are those with 

a recent suicide attempt, an active plan 

or preparatory behavior for suicide or a 

recent hospitalization for suicidality. 

VA will provide access to the Columbia 

Suicide Severity Rating Scale to 

determine level of suicide risk. 

Outreach must include active liaison 

with local VA facilities; State, local or 

Tribal government (if any); and private 

agencies and organizations providing 

suicide prevention services to eligible 

individuals and their families in the 

area to be served by the grantee. This 

outreach can include, for example, local 

mental health and emergency or urgent 

care departments in local hospitals or 

clinics. Grantees are required to have a 

presence in the area to meet with 

individuals and organizations to create 

referral processes to the grantee and 

other community resources. VA requires 

that grantees coordinate with VA with 

respect to the provision of health care 

and other services to eligible 

individuals. VA expects that grantees 

will work with local VA facilities on a 

regular basis to coordinate care when 

needed for eligible individuals. 

Baseline mental health screening: 

Grantees must provide or coordinate the 

provision of baseline mental health 

screenings to all participants aged 18 

and over that the grantee serves at the 

time those services begin. This baseline 

mental health screening ensures that the 

participant’s mental health needs can be 

properly determined and that suicide 

prevention services can be further 

tailored to meet the individual’s needs. 

The baseline mental health screening 

must be provided using validated 

screening tools that assess suicide risk 

and mental and behavioral health 

conditions. VA will provide access to 

the Patient Health Questionnaire, 

Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale, 

Interpersonal Support Evaluation List, 

Socio Economic Status, and the 

Warwick Edinburgh Mental Well-Being 

Scale to grantees providing or 

coordinating the provision of baseline 

mental health screenings. 

If an eligible individual is at risk of 

suicide or other mental or behavioral 

health condition pursuant to the 

baseline mental health screening, the 

grantee must refer such individual to 

VA for care. If the eligible individual 

refuses the grantee’s referral to VA, any 

ongoing clinical services provided to the 

eligible individual by the grantee is at 

the expense of the grantee. It is 

important to note that this is only 

required for eligible individuals and not 

the family of eligible individuals. 


lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1
5312 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 18 / Friday, January 26, 2024 / Notices 

If a participant other than an eligible 

individual is at risk of suicide or other 

mental or behavioral health condition 

pursuant to the baseline mental health 

screening, the grantee must refer such 

participant to appropriate health care 

services in the area. To the extent that 

the grantee can furnish such appropriate 

health care services on an ongoing basis 

and has available funding separate from 

funds provided under this grant 

program to do so, they would be able to 

furnish such services using those nonVA funds without being required to 

refer such participants to other services. 

As noted above, any ongoing clinical 

services provided to the participant by 

the grantee is at the expense of the 

grantee. 

When such referrals are made by 

grantees to VA, to the extent practicable, 

those referrals are required to be a 

‘‘warm hand-off’’ to ensure that the 

eligible individual receives necessary 

care. This ‘‘warm hand-off’’ may include 

providing any necessary transportation 

to the nearest VA facility, assisting the 

eligible individual with scheduling an 

appointment with VA and any other 

similar activities that may be necessary 

to ensure the eligible individual 

receives necessary care in a timely 

manner. 

Education: Suicide prevention 

education programs may be provided 

and coordinated to be provided to 

educate communities, Veterans, and 

families on how to identify those at risk 

of suicide, how and when to make 

referrals for care, and the types of 

suicide prevention resources available 

within the area. Education can include 

gatekeeper training, lethal means safety 

training, or specific education programs 

that assist with identification, 

assessment, or prevention of suicide. 

Gatekeeper training generally refers to 

programs that seek to develop 

individuals’ knowledge, attitudes, and 

skills to prevent suicide. Gatekeeper 

training is an educational course 

designed to teach clinical and nonclinical professionals or gatekeepers the 

warning signs of a suicide crisis and 

how to respond and refer individuals for 

care. Education is important because 

learning the signs of suicide risk, how 

to reduce access to lethal means, and to 

connect those at risk of suicide to care 

can improve understanding of suicide 

and has the potential to reduce suicide. 

Clinical services for emergency 

treatment: Clinical services may be 

provided or coordinated to be provided 

for emergency treatment of a 

participant. Emergency treatment means 

medical services, professional services, 

ambulance services, ancillary care and 

medication (including a short course of 

medication related to and necessary for 

the treatment of the emergency 

condition that is provided directly to or 

prescribed for the patient for use after 

the emergency condition is stabilized 

and the patient is discharged) was 

rendered in a medical emergency of 

such nature that a prudent layperson 

would have reasonably expected that 

delay in seeking immediate medical 

attention would have been hazardous to 

life or health. This standard is met by 

an emergency medical condition 

manifesting itself by acute symptoms of 

sufficient severity (including severe 

pain) that a prudent layperson who 

possesses an average knowledge of 

health and medicine could reasonably 

expect the absence of the immediate 

medical assistance to result in placing 

the health of the individual in serious 

jeopardy, serious impairment to bodily 

functions, or serious dysfunction of any 

bodily organ or part. It is important to 

note that emergency medical conditions 

include emergency mental health 

conditions. 

If an eligible individual is furnished 

clinical services for emergency 

treatment and the grantee determines 

that the eligible individual requires 

ongoing services, the grantee must refer 

the eligible individual to VA for 

additional care. If the eligible individual 

refuses the grantee’s referral to VA, any 

ongoing clinical services provided to the 

eligible individual by the grantee is at 

the expense of the grantee. 

If a participant other than an eligible 

individual is furnished clinical services 

for emergency treatment and the grantee 

determines that the participant requires 

ongoing services, the grantee must refer 

the participant to appropriate health 

care services in the area for additional 

care. Except in instances in which a 

participant other than an eligible 

individual is furnished clinical services 

for emergency treatment, funds 

provided under this grant program may 

not be used to provide ongoing clinical 

services to such participants, and any 

ongoing clinical services provided to the 

participant by the grantee is at the 

expense of the grantee. 

Case management services: Case 

management services are focused on 

suicide prevention to effectively assist 

participants at risk of suicide. Grantees 

providing or coordinating the provision 

of case management services must 

provide or coordinate the provision of 

such services that include, at a 

minimum: (a) performing a careful 

assessment of participants and 

developing and monitoring case plans 

in coordination with a formal 

assessment of suicide prevention 

services needed, including necessary 

follow-up activities, to ensure that the 

participant’s needs are adequately 

addressed; (b) establishing linkages with 

appropriate agencies and service 

providers in the area to help 

participants obtain needed suicide 

prevention services; (c) providing 

referrals to participants and related 

activities (such as scheduling 

appointments for participants) to help 

participants obtain needed suicide 

prevention services, such as medical, 

social, and educational assistance or 

other suicide prevention services to 

address participants’ identified needs 

and goals; (d) deciding how resources 

and services are allocated to 

participants on the basis of need; (e) 

educating participants on issues, 

including, but not limited to, suicide 

prevention services’ availability and 

participant rights; and, (f) other 

activities, as approved by VA, to serve 

the comprehensive needs of participants 

for the purpose of reducing suicide risk. 

Peer support services: The provision 

or coordination of the provision of peer 

support services by the grantee must be 

to help participants understand what 

resources and supports are available in 

their area for suicide prevention. Peer 

support services must be provided by 

Veterans trained in peer support with 

similar lived experiences related to 

suicide or mental health. Peer support 

specialists serve as role models and a 

resource to assist participants with their 

mental health recovery. Peer support 

specialists function as interdisciplinary 

team members, assisting physicians and 

other professional and non-professional 

personnel in a rehabilitation treatment 

program. Each grantee providing or 

coordinating the provision of peer 

support services must ensure that 

Veterans providing such services to 

participants meet the requirements of 38 

U.S.C. 7402(b)(13) and meet 

qualification standards for appointment; 

or have completed peer support 

training, are pursuing credentials to 

meet the minimum qualification 

standards for appointment and are 

under the supervision of an individual 

who meets the necessary requirements 

of 38 U.S.C. 7402(b)(13). 

Qualification standards include that 

the individual is (1) a Veteran who has 

recovered or is recovering from a mental 

health condition, and (2) certified by (i) 

a not-for-profit entity engaged in peer 

support specialist training as having met 

such criteria as the Secretary shall 

establish for a peer support specialist 

position, or (ii) a State as having 

satisfied relevant State requirements for 

a peer support specialist position. VA 

has further set forth qualifications for its 

peer support specialists in VA 


lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 18 / Friday, January 26, 2024 / Notices 5313 

Handbook 5005, Staffing (last updated 

November 8, 2023). See VA Handbook/ 

Directive 5005. Grant funds may be used 

to provide education and training for 

employees of the grantee or the 

community partner who provide peer 

support services based on the terms set 

forth in the grant agreement. 

Assistance in obtaining VA benefits: 

The provision of this assistance will 

provide grantees with additional means 

by which VA can notify participants of 

available VA benefits. Grantees assisting 

participants in obtaining VA benefits are 

required to aid participants in obtaining 

any benefits from VA for which the 

participants are eligible. Such benefits 

include but are not limited to: (1) 

vocational and rehabilitation 

counseling; (2) supportive services for 

homeless Veterans; (3) employment and 

training services; (4) educational 

assistance; and (5) health care services. 

Grantees are not permitted to represent 

participants before VA with respect to a 

claim for VA benefits unless they are 

recognized for that purpose pursuant to 

38 U.S.C. 5902. Employees and 

members of grantees are not permitted 

to provide such representation unless 

the individual providing representation 

is accredited pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 

chapter 59. 

Assistance in obtaining and 

coordinating other public benefits and 

assistance with emergent needs: 

Grantees assisting participants in 

obtaining and coordinating other public 

benefits or assisting with emergency 

needs are required to assist participants 

in obtaining and coordinating the 

provision of benefits that are being 

provided by Federal, State, local, or 

Tribal agencies, or any other grantee in 

the area served by the grantee by 

referring the participant to and 

coordinating with such entity. If a 

public benefit is not being provided by 

Federal, State, local, or Tribal agencies, 

or any other grantee in the area, the 

grantee is not required to obtain, 

coordinate, or provide such public 

benefit. Public benefits and assistance 

that a participant may be referred to 

include: health care services, which 

include (1) health insurance and (2) 

referrals to a governmental entity or 

grantee that provides (i) hospital care, 

nursing home care, outpatient care, 

mental health care, preventive care, 

habilitative and rehabilitative care, case 

management, respite care, home care, 

(ii) the training of any eligible 

individual’s family in the care of any 

eligible individual, and (iii) the 

provision of pharmaceuticals, supplies, 

equipment, devices, appliances, and 

assistive technology. Grantees may also 

refer participants, as appropriate, to an 

entity that provides daily living services 

relating to the functions or tasks for selfcare usually performed in the normal 

course of a day. Grantees may refer or 

provide directly personal financial 

planning services; transportation 

services; temporary income support 

services (including, among other 

services, food assistance and housing 

assistance); fiduciary and representative 

payee services; legal services to assist 

eligible individuals with issues that may 

contribute to the risk of suicide; and 

childcare. For additional details on 

these elements, applicants should 

consult 38 CFR 78.80. 

Nontraditional and innovative 

approaches and treatment practices: 

Grantees may provide or coordinate the 

provision of nontraditional and 

innovative approaches and treatment, 

including but not limited to 

complementary or alternative 

interventions with some evidence for 

effectiveness of improving mental 

health or mitigating a risk factor for 

suicidal thoughts and behavior. 

Applicants may propose nontraditional 

and innovative approaches and 

treatment practices in their suicide 

prevention services grant applications. 

VA is exercising its authority by 

reserving the right to approve or 

disapprove nontraditional and 

innovative approaches and treatment 

practices to be provided or coordinated 

to be provided using funds authorized 

under SSG Fox SPGP. 

Other services: Grantees may provide 

general suicide prevention assistance, 

which may include payment directly to 

a third party (and not to a participant), 

in an amount not to exceed $750 per 

participant during any 1-year period, 

beginning on the date that the grantee 

first submits a payment to a third party. 

Expenses that may be paid include 

expenses associated with gaining or 

keeping employment, such as uniforms, 

tools, certificates, and licenses, as well 

as expenses associated with lethal 

means safety and secure storage, such as 

gun locks and locked medication 

storage. 

Applicants may propose additional 

suicide prevention services to be 

provided or coordinated to be provided. 

Examples of other services may include 

but are not limited to adaptive sports; 

equine assisted therapy; in-place or 

outdoor recreational therapy; substance 

use reduction programming; individual, 

group, or family counseling; and 

relationship coaching. VA reserves the 

right to approve or disapprove other 

suicide prevention services to be 

provided or coordinated to be provided 

using funds authorized under SSG Fox 

SPGP. 

H. Guidance for the Use of VA Suicide 

Prevention Grant Funds: Consistent 

with section 201(o) of the Act, only 

grantees that are a State or local 

government or an Indian Tribe can use 

grant funds to enter into an agreement 

with a community partner under which 

the grantee may provide funds to the 

community partner for the provision of 

services to eligible individuals and their 

families. However, grantees may choose 

to enter into contracts for goods or 

services because in some situations, 

resources may be more readily available 

at a lower cost, or they may only be 

available from another party in the 

community. 

Grantees may make payments directly 

to a third party on behalf of a 

participant for childcare, transportation, 

food, housing, and general suicide 

prevention assistance. Funds can be 

used to conduct outreach, educate, and 

connect with eligible individuals who 

are not engaged with VA services. Any 

outreach and education that is funded 

by SSG Fox SPGP should link directly 

back to a referral to the grantee’s 

program for an opportunity to enroll the 

eligible individual in the program. 

Funds must be used to screen for 

eligibility and suicide risk and enroll 

individuals in the program accordingly. 

Note that some individuals who come 

through the referral process may not 

engage in services. Grantees are 

expected to determine what referrals are 

appropriate for these individuals for 

follow-up services. Funds must be used 

to coordinate and provide suicide 

prevention services, by the grantee, 

based on screening and assessment, 

including clinical services for 

emergency treatment. 

Funds must also be used to evaluate 

outcomes and effectiveness related to 

suicide prevention services. Prior to 

providing suicide prevention services, 

grantees must verify, document, and 

classify each participant’s eligibility for 

suicide prevention services. Grantees 

must determine and document each 

participant’s degree of risk of suicide 

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 aged 18 or over they serve, 

when possible. This screening must be 

conducted with the same tools used to 

conduct the initial baseline mental 

health screening. Having this screening 

occur at the beginning and prior to 

services ending is important in 

evaluating the effectiveness of the 

services provided. 

Grantees must document the suicide 

prevention services provided or 


lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1
5314 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 18 / Friday, January 26, 2024 / Notices 

coordinated, how such services are 

provided or coordinated, the duration of 

the services provided or coordinated, 

and any goals for the provision or 

coordination of such services. If the 

eligible individual wishes to enroll in 

VA health care, the grantee must inform 

the eligible individual of a VA point of 

contact for assistance with enrollment. 

For each participant aged 18 and over, 

grantees must develop and document an 

individualized plan with respect to the 

provision of suicide prevention services 

provided. This plan must be developed 

in consultation with the participant. 

As outlined in 38 CFR 78.105, 

activities for which grantees will not be 

authorized to use suicide prevention 

services grant funds include direct cash 

assistance to participants and their 

families, those legal services prohibited 

pursuant to § 78.80(g), medical or dental 

care and medicines, except for clinical 

services for emergency treatment 

authorized pursuant to § 78.60, any 

activities considered illegal under 

Federal law, and any costs identified as 

unallowable per 2 CFR part 200, subpart 

E. 

II. Award Information 

A. Overview: This NOFO announces 

the availability of funds for suicide 

prevention grants under the SSG Fox 

SPGP. 

B. Funding Priorities: The funding 

priorities for this NOFO are as follows: 

Under Priority 1, current grantees may 

apply for a new grant award to continue 

to provide services within the scope of 

their current grant award; for purposes 

of 38 CFR part 78, these awards are 

considered renewals. Priority 1 

applicants must apply using the renewal 

application. To be eligible for renewal of 

a suicide prevention grant, the Priority 

1 applicants’ program must be 

substantially the same as the program of 

the grantees’ current grant award. 

Renewal applications can request 

funding that is equal to or less than their 

current annualized award. 

Under Priority 2, VA will accept 

applications from eligible entities that 

are not current grantees for funding 

consideration. Priority 2 applicants 

must apply using the application 

materials designated for new applicants. 

C. Allocation of funds: Approximately 

$52,500,000 is available for grant 

awards under this NOFO. The 

maximum allowable grant size is 

$750,000 per year per eligibility entity. 

(1) In response to this NOFO, only 

existing grantees can apply as Priority 1 

applicants. New applicants apply under 

Priority 2. Priority 1 renewal grant 

requests cannot exceed the current 

award. 

(2) If a Priority 1 applicant is not 

renewed, the existing grant will end on 

September 30, 2024. 

(3) Priority 1 applicants may request 

an amount less than their current award; 

this will not be considered a substantial 

change to the program. 

D. Grant Award Period: Grants 

awarded will be for a minimum of a 1- 

year period starting September 30, 2024. 

Awards may be extended for up to 1 

additional year pending availability of 

funding and grantee performance. 

III. Eligibility Information 

A. Eligible Applicants: Eligible entity 

means an entity that meets the 

definition of an eligible entity in section 

201(q) of the Act. Under section 

201(q)(3) of the Act, an eligible entity 

must be one of the following: 

(1) An incorporated private institution 

or foundation that (i) has no part of the 

net earnings of which incurs to the 

benefit of any member, founder, 

contributor or individual and (ii) has a 

governing board that would be 

responsible for the operation of the 

suicide prevention services provided 

under this section. 

(2) A corporation wholly owned and 

controlled by an organization meeting 

the requirements of clauses (i) and (ii) 

in section III.A.(1) of this NOFO. 

(3) An Indian Tribe. 

(4) A community-based organization 

that can effectively network with local 

civic organizations, regional health 

systems, and other settings where 

eligible individuals and their families 

are likely to have contact. 

(5) A State or local government. This 

may include, but not be limited to, 

nonprofit and private organizations 

such as those that are part of VASubstance Abuse and Mental Health 

Services Administration’s Governors’ 

and Mayors’ Challenge to prevent 

suicide among Service members, 

Veterans, and their families; 

universities; and city, county, State, and 

Tribal governments. 

Demonstration of eligibility as 

detailed in the application includes 

submission of documents as outlined in 

Section IV of this NOFO. 

Applicants applying for funding 

consideration under Priority 1 are 

existing grantees with grant awards 

scheduled to end by September 30, 

2024. For Priority 1 and 2, eligible 

entities may apply for funding up to 

$750,000 per entity. 

Applicants must be registered in the 

System for Award Management (SAM) 

located at https://sam.gov, provide a 

unique entity identifier, and continue to 

maintain an active SAM registration 

with current information as per 2 CFR 

part 200. 

B. Cost Sharing and Matching: 

Applicants are not required to submit 

proposals that contain matching funds. 

IV. Application Submission 

Information 

A. Obtaining an Application Package: 

Initial and renewal applications are 

located at https://www.mentalhealth.

va.gov/ssgfox-grants/. Any questions 

regarding this process should be 

referred to SSG Fox SPGP by email at 

VASSGFoxGrants@va.gov. For detailed 

program information and requirements, 

see 38 CFR part 78. Applicants must 

submit applications electronically 

following instructions found at https:// 

www.mentalhealth.va.gov/ssgfoxgrants/. 

B. Submission Date and Time: 

Applications for suicide prevention 

grant under SSG Fox SPGP must be 

received by SSG Fox SPGP by 11:59 

p.m. eastern time on April 26, 2024. 

Awards made for suicide prevention 

grants will fund operations beginning 

September 30, 2024. 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. Additionally, 

in the interest of fairness to all 

competing applicants, this deadline is 

firm as to date and hour, and 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 

delivery-related problems. 

C. Other Submission Requirements: 

(1) Existing grantees applying for 

Priority 1 grants may apply only as 

renewal applicants using the 

application designed for renewal grants. 

(2) New applicants applying for 

Priority 2 grants may apply only as new 

applicants using the application 

designed for new grants. 

(3) Submission of an incorrect, 

incomplete, inconsistent, unclear, or 

incorrectly formatted application 

package will result in the application 

being rejected during threshold review. 

The application packages must contain 

all required forms and certifications. 

Selections will be made based on 

criteria described in 38 CFR part 78 and 

this NOFO. Applicants and grantees 

will be notified of any additional 

information needed to confirm or clarify 

information provided in the application 

and the deadline by which to submit 


lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 18 / Friday, January 26, 2024 / Notices 5315 

such information. Applicants must 

submit applications electronically. 

Applications may not be mailed, hand 

carried, or sent by facsimile. 

(4) In accordance with 2 CFR part 200, 

applicants may elect to charge a de 

minimis rate of 10% of modified total 

direct costs, which may be used 

indefinitely. No documentation is 

required to justify the 10% de minimis 

indirect cost rate. As described in 2 CFR 

200.403, costs must be consistently 

charged as either indirect or direct costs 

but may not be double charged or 

inconsistently charged as both. If 

chosen, this methodology once elected 

must be used consistently for all Federal 

awards until such time as a non-Federal 

entity chooses to negotiate for a rate, 

which the non-Federal entity may apply 

to do at any time. 

(5) New applicants applying for 

Priority 2 grants may apply only as new 

applicants using the application 

designed for new grants. 

D. Funding Restrictions: Funding will 

be awarded under this NOFO to existing 

grantees and new applicants (pending 

the availability of funds), beginning 

September 30, 2024. In addition to 

limitations set forth in law and 

regulation, the following restrictions 

apply: 

(1) Funding cannot be used for 

construction. 

(2) Funding cannot be used for 

vehicle purchases. 

(3) Funding cannot be used for food 

for staff unless part of per diem travel. 

(4) Funding cannot be used for preaward costs. 

V. Application Form and Content 

A. Priority 1 (Renewals): VA’s 

regulations at 38 CFR 78.35 describe the 

criteria that VA will use to score those 

grantees who are applying for renewal 

of a grant. Such criteria will assist with 

VA’s review and evaluation of grantees 

to ensure that those grantees have 

successful existing programs using the 

previously awarded grant funds and that 

they have complied with the 

requirements of 38 CFR part 78 and 

section 201 of the Act. The criteria in 38 

CFR 78.35 ensures that renewals of 

grants are awarded based on the grantee 

program’s success, cost-effectiveness, 

and compliance with VA goals and 

requirements for this grant program. 

The renewal application is organized 

into the following sections: Program 

Outcomes (maximum 55 points), Cost 

Effectiveness (maximum 20 points), 

Compliance with Program Goals and 

Requirements (25 maximum points), 

and Exhibits (no point values). 

VA will use the following criteria to 

score grantees applying for renewal of a 

suicide prevention services grant: 

(1) The success of the grantee’s 

program. 

(2) The cost-effectiveness of the 

grantee’s program. 

(3) The extent to which the grantee’s 

program complies with SSG Fox SPGP 

goals and requirements. 

The Exhibit section includes an 

applicant budget template, to be 

submitted in a Microsoft Excel File. The 

budget submission must include 1) 

Annual budget, attached as Exhibit I, 

containing a proposed quarterly budget 

for the renewal period, and 2) a Budget 

Narrative, which provides a description 

of each of the line items contained in 

the renewal application. 

B. Priority 2 (New Applicants): VA’s 

regulations at 38 CFR part 78.25 

describe the criteria that VA will use to 

score new applications. Applicants 

must include all required documents in 

their application submission. 

Submission of an incorrect, incomplete, 

inconsistent, unclear, or incorrectly 

formatted application package will 

result in the application being rejected. 

VA will use the following criteria to 

score new applicants who are applying 

for a suicide prevention services grant: 

(1) The background, qualifications, 

experience, and past performance of the 

applicant and any community partners 

identified by the applicant in the 

suicide prevention services grant 

application. 

(2) The applicant’s program concept 

and suicide prevention services plan. 

(3) The applicant’s quality assurance 

and evaluation plan. 

(4) The applicant’s financial 

capability and plan. 

(5) The applicant’s area linkages and 

relations. 

The Exhibit section includes an 

applicant budget template, to be 

submitted in a Microsoft Excel File. The 

budget submission must include: 1) 

annual budget, attached as Exhibit I, 

containing a proposed quarterly budget 

for the period, and 2) a budget narrative, 

which provides a description of each of 

the line items contained in the 

application. 

VI. Review and Selection Process 

A. Review Process: Based on the 

application criteria described above, 

grant applications will be divided into 

two groups: renewal applications and 

new applications. Suicide prevention 

services grant applications will be 

scored by a VA grant review committee. 

The grant review committee will be 

trained in understanding the program’s 

goals, the requirements of the NOFO, 

VA’s regulations for this program (38 

CFR part 78) and the prescribed scoring 

rubric. Consistent with 38 CFR 78.40, if 

all available grant funds are awarded to 

renewal grants for existing grantees, no 

new applications will be awarded. 

B. Application Selection: VA will 

only score applicants who meet the 

following threshold requirements: 

(1) Application must be filed within 

the time period established in the 

NOFO, and any additional information 

or documentation requested by VA must 

be provided within the time frame 

established by VA. 

(2) Application must be completed in 

all parts. 

(3) Activities for which the suicide 

prevention services grant is requested 

must be eligible for funding. 

(4) Applicant’s proposed participants 

must be eligible to receive suicide 

prevention services. 

(5) Applicant must agree to comply 

with the requirements of 38 CFR part 

78. 

(6) Applicant must not have an 

outstanding obligation to the Federal 

Government that is in arrears and does 

not have an overdue or unsatisfactory 

response to an audit. 

(7) Applicant must not be in default 

by failing to meet the requirements for 

any previous Federal assistance. 

If these threshold requirements are 

not met, VA will deem applicants to be 

ineligible for further consideration. 

Renewal applications must receive at 

least 60 points and at least 1 point 

under each of the criteria noted above 

in Section V of this NOFO. After 

selection of renewal applicants, if there 

is funding available, VA will score and 

rank all new applicants who score at 

least 60 cumulative points and receive 

at least one point under each of the 

criteria noted above in section V of this 

NOFO. 

VA will utilize the ranked scores of 

new applicants as the primary basis for 

selection. The applicants will be ranked 

in order from highest to lowest. 

However, VA will give preference to 

applicants that have demonstrated the 

ability to provide or coordinate suicide 

prevention services. VA may prioritize 

the distribution of suicide prevention 

services grants to: (i) rural communities; 

(ii) Tribal lands; (iii) Territories of the 

United States; (iv) medically 

underserved areas; (v) areas with a high 

number or percentage of minority 

Veterans or women Veterans; and (vi) 

areas with a high number or percentage 

of calls to the Veterans Crisis Line. 

To the extent practicable, VA will 

ensure that suicide prevention services 

grants are distributed to: (i) provide 

services in areas of the United States 


lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1
5316 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 18 / Friday, January 26, 2024 / Notices 

that have experienced high rates of 

suicide by eligible individuals; (ii) 

applicants that can assist eligible 

individuals at risk of suicide who are 

not currently receiving health care 

furnished by VA; and (iii) ensure that 

suicide prevention services are provided 

in as many areas as possible. 

VI. Award Administration Information 

A. Award Notices: Although subject to 

change, VA expects to announce grant 

awards in the fourth quarter of fiscal 

year 2024. VA reserves the right in any 

year to make adjustments (e.g., to 

funding levels) as needed within the 

intent of the NOFO based on a variety 

of factors, including the availability of 

funding. The initial announcement of 

awards will be made via a news release 

posted on VA’s SSG Fox SPGP website 

at https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/ 

ssgfox-grants. The SSG Fox SPGP will 

concurrently notify both successful and 

unsuccessful applicants. Only a grant 

agreement with a VA signature is 

evidence of an award and is an 

authorizing document allowing costs to 

be incurred against a grant award. Other 

notices, letters or announcements are 

not authorizing documents. The grant 

agreement includes the terms and 

conditions of the award and must be 

signed by the entity and VA to be legally 

binding. 

B. Administrative and National Policy 

Requirements: VA places great emphasis 

on responsibility and accountability. VA 

has procedures in place to monitor 

grants provided under SSG Fox SPGP. 

All applicants selected in response to 

this NOFO must agree to meet 

applicable inspection standards 

outlined in the grant agreement. 

As SSG Fox SPGP grants cannot be 

used to fund treatment for mental health 

or substance use disorders, with the 

exception of clinical services for 

emergency treatment, applicants must 

provide evidence that they can provide 

access to such services to all program 

participants through formal and 

informal agreements with community 

providers. 

C. Reporting: Applicants should be 

aware of the following: 

(1) Upon execution of a suicide 

prevention services grant agreement 

with VA, grantees will have a liaison 

appointed by the SSG Fox SPGP Office 

who will provide oversight and monitor 

the use of funds to provide or 

coordinate suicide prevention services 

provided to participants. 

(2) VA will require that grantees use 

validated tools and assessments to 

determine the effectiveness of the 

suicide prevention services furnished by 

VA. These include any measures and 

metrics developed and provided by VA 

for the purposes of measuring the 

effectiveness of the programming to be 

provided in improving mental health 

status and well-being and reducing 

suicide risk and suicide deaths of 

eligible individuals. Grantees will be 

required to use the VA Data Collection 

Tool for this purpose. 

(3) Grantees must provide each 

participant with a satisfaction survey, 

which the participant can submit 

directly to VA, within 30 days of such 

participant’s pending exit from the 

grantee’s program. This is required to 

assist VA in evaluating grantees’ 

performance and participants’ 

satisfaction with the suicide prevention 

services they receive. 

(4) Monitoring will also include the 

submittal of periodic and annual 

financial and performance reports by 

the grantee in accordance with 2 CFR 

part 200. Performance reports submitted 

quarterly or semi quarterly are due no 

later than 30 calendar days after the 

reporting period per 2 CFR 

200.329(c)(1). Performance reports 

submitted annually are due no later 

than 90 calendar days after the reporting 

period pursuant to 2 CFR 200.329(c)(1). 

The grantee must submit their Final 

Report no later than 120 calendar days 

after the conclusion of the period of 

performance per 2 CFR 200.344(b). The 

grantee will be expected to demonstrate 

adherence to the grantee’s proposed 

program concept, as described in the 

grantee’s application. 

(5) VA has the right, at all reasonable 

times, to make onsite visits to all grantee 

locations and have virtual meetings 

where a grantee is using suicide 

prevention services grant funds to 

review grantee accomplishments and 

management control systems and to 

provide such technical assistance as 

may be required. 

D. Payment to Grantees: Grantees will 

receive payments electronically through 

the U.S. Department of Health and 

Human Services Payment Management 

System. Grantees will have the ability to 

request payments as frequently as they 

choose. Grantees must have internal 

controls in place to ensure funding is 

available for the full duration of the 

grant period of performance, to the 

extent possible. 

VII. Program Evaluation 

The purpose of program evaluation is 

to evaluate the impact that participation 

in SSG Fox SPGP has on eligible 

individuals’ financial stability, mental 

health status, well-being, suicide risk, 

and social support, as required by the 

Act. 

As part of the national program 

evaluation, grantees must input data 

regularly in VA’s web-based system. VA 

will ensure grantees have access to the 

data they need to gather and summarize 

program impacts and lessons learned on 

the implementation of the program 

evaluation criteria; performance 

indicators used for grantee selection and 

communication; and the criteria 

associated with the best outcomes for 

Veterans. 

Training and technical assistance for 

program evaluation will be provided by 

VA, which will coordinate with subject 

matter experts to provide various 

trainings including the use of measures 

and metrics required for this program. 

Signing Authority 

Denis McDonough, Secretary of 

Veterans Affairs, approved and signed 

this document on January 11, 2024, 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. 2024–01531 Filed 1–25–24; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 8320–01–P 


lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1