[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 73 (Friday, April 15, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22630-22638]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-08040]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS


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

AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Notice of funding opportunity.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is announcing the 
opportunity of funds for suicide prevention services grants under the 
Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program (SSG 
Fox SPGP). The SSG Fox SPGP enables the Office of Mental Health and 
Suicide Prevention (OMHSP) within the Veterans Health Administration 
(VHA) to provide financial assistance through a 3-year community-based 
grant program to eligible entities to provide, or coordinate the 
provision of, suicide prevention services to eligible Veterans and 
their families. Funding offered under this Notice of Funding 
Opportunity (NOFO) responds to the mounting need to reach Veterans at 
risk for suicide in their communities. This Notice contains information 
concerning the SSG Fox SPGP, the application process and the amount of 
funding available. Awards made for suicide prevention services grants 
will fund operations beginning on or around September 1, 2022.

DATES: Applications for suicide prevention services grants under the 
SSG Fox SPGP Program must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on 
June 10, 2022. In the interest of fairness to all competing applicants, 
this deadline is firm as to date and hour, and VA will treat as 
ineligible for consideration any application that is received after the 
deadline. Applicants should take this practice into account and make 
early submission of their materials to avoid any risk of loss of 
eligibility brought about by unanticipated delays, computer service 
outages, or other submission-related problems.

ADDRESSES: For a Copy of the Application Package: Copies of the 
application can be downloaded from the SSG Fox SPGP website at https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/ssgfox-grants/. Questions should be referred to 
the SSG Fox SPGP at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#9fc9deccccd8d9f0e7d8edfef1ebecdfe9feb1f8f0e9"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="451304161602032a3d0237242b31360533246b222a33">[email protected]</span></a>. For detailed SSG Fox SPGP 
information and requirements, see part 78 of title 38 CFR part 78).
    Application Submission: Applicants must submit applications 
electronically following instructions found at https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/ssgfox-grants/. Applications may not be mailed 
or sent by facsimile (fax). Applications must be received by the SSG 
Fox SPGP Office no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the 
application deadline date. Applications must arrive as a complete 
package. Materials arriving separately will not be included in the 
application package and may result in the application being rejected.
    Technical Assistance: Information on obtaining technical assistance 
preparing a suicide prevention services grant application is available 
on the SSG Fox SPGP website at https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/ssgfox-grants.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Sandra Foley, Director SSG Fox 
SPGP, Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, 11MHSP, 202-502-
0002 (this is not a toll-free telephone number), or 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4f190e1c1c08092037083d2e213b3c0f392e61282039"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c2948391918584adba85b0a3acb6b182b4a3eca5adb4">[email protected]</span></a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Funding Opportunity Title: SSG Fox Suicide Prevention Grant 
Program.
    Announcement Type: Initial.
    Funding Opportunity Number: VA-FOX-SP-FY2022.
    Assistance Instrument: Grant.
    Assistance Listing: 64.055, VA Suicide Prevention Program.

[[Page 22631]]

I. Funding Opportunity Description

A. Purpose

    Section 201 of the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental 
Health Care Improvement Act of 2019 (the Act), Public Law 116-171 (38 
U.S.C. 1720F, note), enacted on October 17, 2020, created SSG Fox SPGP, 
a new community-based suicide prevention services grant program with 
the purpose of reducing Veteran suicide. The SSG Fox SPGP aims to build 
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.
    The SSG Fox SPGP is intended to provide grants to certain entities 
that will provide or coordinate the provision of suicide prevention 
services to eligible individuals and their families for the purpose of 
reducing Veteran suicide. This grant program will assist 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, well-being and social support; and 
improve financial stability for eligible individuals and their 
families.

B. Background

    VA's top clinical priority is preventing suicide among all 
Veterans--including those who do not, and may never, seek care within 
the VA health care system. Guided by VA's National Strategy for 
Preventing Veteran Suicide (2018), OMHSP is implementing Suicide 
Prevention (SP) 2.0. SP 2.0 outlines a comprehensive public health 
approach to suicide prevention that blends community-based prevention 
and clinically based interventions. SP 2.0 expands VA's clinical 
suicide prevention efforts and establishes VA's Community-Based 
Interventions for Suicide Prevention initiative (CBI-SP).
    SP 2.0 clinical efforts build upon VA's foundational approach, 
which includes over 500 suicide prevention coordinators to provide 
enhanced care to Veterans at highest risk, local follow up to Veterans 
Crisis Line referrals, training, staff consultation and outreach in 
communities. VA has implemented universal suicide risk screening at 
every level of care, expanded safety planning efforts and increased 
access to evidence-based psychotherapies for suicide prevention.
    On the community side, CBI-SP includes expansion of the Governor's 
Challenge to Prevent Suicide Among Service members, Veterans and their 
families; VA's Community Engagement and Partnership Coordinator 
program; and the Together With Veterans model. Across all three 
approaches to CBI-SP, there are three overarching focused priority 
areas: (1) Identifying Service members, Veterans and their families and 
screening them for suicide risk; (2) promoting connectedness and 
improving care transitions; and (3) increasing lethal means safety and 
safety planning. The SSG Fox SPGP builds upon these initiatives to 
enhance connections to direct services for eligible individuals and 
their families.

C. Definitions

    The regulations for the SSG Fox SPGP, published in the Federal 
Register (see 87 FR 13806, as amended by 87 FR 16101) as an Interim 
Final Rule on March 10, 2022, and amended on March 22, 2022, and 
codified in 38 CFR part 78, contain all detailed definitions and 
requirements pertaining to this program. Definitions of key terms are 
also provided below for ease of reference. However, 38 CFR part 78 
should be consulted for all definitions.
    Eligible Entity: 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) above; (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; or 
(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 
VA-Substance 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 notice.
    Eligible Individual: Eligible individual means an individual that 
meets the requirements of 38 CFR 78.10(a). This means that to be 
eligible to receive suicide prevention services under the SSG Fox SPGP, 
an individual must be at risk of suicide and meet the definition of 
eligible individual in section 201(q) of the Act. That is, the 
individual must be one of the following: (1) A Veteran as defined in 38 
U.S.C. 101, (2) an individual described in 38 U.S.C. 1720I(b), or (3) 
an individual described in 38 U.S.C. 1712A(a)(1)(C)(i) through (iv). 
This is consistent with the definition of eligible individual in 
section 201(q)(4) of the Act. For purposes of eligible individuals, and 
consistent with section 201(q)(8) of the Act, risk of suicide means 
exposure to, or the existence of, any of the following factors, to any 
degree, that increase the risk of 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; and (3) historical risk 
factors, including previous suicide attempts, family history of suicide 
and history of abuse, neglect, or trauma, including military sexual 
trauma.
    Family: Family means, with respect to an eligible individual, any 
of the following: A parent, spouse, child, sibling, step-family member, 
extended family member and any other individual who lives with the 
eligible individual.
    Grantee: Grantee means an eligible entity that is awarded a suicide 
prevention services grant under 38 CFR part 78 (that is, a grant under 
the SSG Fox SPGP).
    Indian Tribe: Indian tribe means an Indian tribe as defined in 25 
U.S.C. 4103. Section 4103(13)(A) of title 25, U.S.C., defines Indian 
tribe in general to mean a tribe that is a federally or a state 
recognized tribe. Section 4103(13)(B) of title 25, U.S.C., further 
defines federally recognized tribe to mean any Indian tribe, band, 
Nation, or other organized group or community of Indians, including any 
Alaska Native village or regional or village corporation as defined in 
or established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 
U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), that is recognized as eligible for the special 
programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because 
of their status as Indians pursuant to the Indian Self-Determination 
and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450 et seq.). Section 
4103(13)(C) of title 25, U.S.C., also defines state recognized tribe to 
mean any tribe, band, Nation, pueblo, village, or community--(1) that 
has been

[[Page 22632]]

recognized as an Indian tribe by any state; and (2) for which an Indian 
Housing Authority has, before the effective date under section 705 of 
Public Law 104-330 (110 Stat. 4018, 4052), entered into a contract with 
the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development pursuant to the United 
States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437 et seq.) for housing for 
Indian families and has received funding pursuant to such contract 
within the 5-year period ending upon such effective date. This 
definition also includes certain conditions set forth in 25 U.S.C. 
4103(13)(C)(ii). This definition of Indian tribe is consistent with 
section 201(q)(7) of the Act.
    Participant: Participant means an eligible individual or their 
family who is receiving suicide prevention services for which they are 
eligible from a grantee.
    Suicide Prevention Services: Suicide prevention services include 
any of the following services provided to address the needs of a 
participant: (1) Outreach; (2) baseline mental health screening; (3) 
education; (4) clinical services for emergency treatment; (5) case 
management services; (6) peer support services; (7) assistance in 
obtaining VA benefits; (8) assistance in obtaining and coordinating 
other public benefits and assistance with emergent needs; (9) 
nontraditional and innovative approaches and treatment practices; and 
(10) other services. These services are further described in 38 CFR 
78.45 through 78.90 and in section I.D of this notice, below.
    Veteran: Veteran means a Veteran under 38 U.S.C. 101(2), which 
defines Veteran as a person who served in the active military, naval, 
air, or space service, and who was discharged or released therefrom 
under conditions other than dishonorable.

D. Approach

    Suicide prevention services are those services that 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 how they will provide or coordinate 
the provision of the baseline mental health screening to all 
participants. In addition, the application must include the proposed 
suicide prevention services to be provided or coordinated to be 
provided 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 that 
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 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 they serve 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.
    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 is able to 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 non-VA 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 non-clinical 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

[[Page 22633]]

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 Handbook 5005, Staffing (last 
updated July 17, 2012). 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,

[[Page 22634]]

nursing home care, outpatient care, mental health care, preventive 
care, habilitative and rehabilitative care, case management, respite 
care and 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 self-care 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 the provision of 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.

E. Authority

    Funding applied for under this Notice is authorized by section 201 
of the Act. VA established and implemented this statutory authority for 
the SSG Fox SPGP in 38 CFR part 78. Funds made available under this 
Notice are subject to the requirements of Sec.  201 of the Act, 38 CFR 
part 78, and other applicable laws and regulations.

F. Guidance for the Use of Suicide Prevention Services Funds

    Consistent with Sec.  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 
suicide prevention 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 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 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 
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 in 
enrollment.
    For each participant, 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, those legal services 
prohibited pursuant to Sec.  78.80(g), medical or dental care and 
medicines except for clinical services for emergency treatment 
authorized pursuant to Sec.  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. Allocation of Funds

    Approximately $51,750,000 is available for suicide prevention 
grants to be funded under this Notice. The maximum allowable grant size 
is $750,000 per year per grantee.

B. Award Period

    Grants awarded will be for a minimum of a 1-year period, not to 
exceed 13 months. In accordance with 38 CFR 78.15(b), subject to the 
availability of VA funds, VA may issue a future NOFO which would permit

[[Page 22635]]

grantees to apply for the renewal of a suicide prevention services 
grant in accordance with the terms and conditions of such NOFO.

III. Eligibility Information

A. Eligible Applicants

    See Section I. Funding Opportunity Description, Section C. 
Definitions of this NOFO for a detailed description of eligible 
applicants.

B. Cost Sharing/Matching

    There is no cost sharing/matching for this grant program.

C. Unique Entity Identifier

    Applicants must be registered in the System for Award Management 
(sam.gov) and provide a unique entity identifier and continue to 
maintain an active SAM registration with current information as per 2 
CFR part 200 (Appendix 1).

IV. Application and Scoring Information

A. Content and Form of Application

    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. The application is organized into the 
following sections:
Section A: Background, Qualifications, Experience & Past Performance of 
Applicant and Any Identified Community Partners (30 Maximum Points)
    VA will award points based on 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. VA will consider whether the applicant's, and any 
identified community partners', background and organizational history 
are relevant to the program; whether the applicant, and any identified 
community partners, maintain organizational structures with clear lines 
of reporting and defined responsibilities; and whether the applicant, 
and any identified community partners, have a history of complying with 
agreements and not defaulting on financial obligations.
    Staff qualifications includes determining whether the applicant's 
staff, and any identified community partners' staff, have experience 
providing services to, or coordinating services for, eligible 
individuals and their families as well as experience administering 
programs similar to SSG Fox SPGP.
    Organizational qualifications and past performance, including 
experience with Veteran services, will be considered. VA will score 
this criterion based on whether the applicant, and any identified 
community partners, have organizational experience: (i) Providing 
suicide prevention services to, or coordinating suicide prevention 
services for, eligible individuals and their families; (ii) 
coordinating such services for eligible individuals and their families 
among multiple organizations and Federal, state, local, and tribal 
governmental entities; (iii) administering a program similar in type 
and scale to SSG Fox SPGP to eligible individuals and their families; 
and (iv) working with Veterans and their families.
Section B: Program Concept & Suicide Prevention Services Plan (30 
Maximum Points)
    VA will award points based on the applicant's program, concept and 
suicide prevention services plan, as demonstrated by the need for the 
program; outreach and screening plan; program concept; program 
implementation timeline; coordination with VA; ability to meet VA's 
requirements, goals and objectives for SSG Fox SPGP; and capacity to 
undertake the program.
    The need for the program will be scored based on whether the 
applicant has shown a need amongst eligible individuals and their 
families in the area where the program will be based and whether the 
applicant demonstrates an understanding of the unique needs for suicide 
prevention services of eligible individuals and their families.
    The outreach and screening plan will be scored based on whether the 
applicant has a feasible plan for outreach and referral to identify and 
assist individuals and their families that may be eligible for suicide 
prevention services and are most in need of suicide prevention 
services, a feasible plan to process and receive participant referrals 
and a feasible plan to assess and accommodate the needs of incoming 
participants.
    Program concept will be scored based on whether the applicant's 
program concept, size, scope and staffing plan are feasible, as well as 
whether the applicant's program is designed to meet the needs of 
eligible individuals and their families.
    As part of the program concept, VA will score applications based on 
how clearly the applicant identifies the suicide prevention services 
the applicant intends to provide or coordinate to provide and 
demonstrates how the services will be implemented. Suicide prevention 
services include: Outreach; baseline mental health screening; 
education; clinical services for emergency treatment; case management; 
peer support; assistance in obtaining VA benefits; assistance in 
obtaining and coordinating other public benefits and assistance with 
emergent needs; nontraditional and innovative approaches; and other 
services. These are further defined in VA's regulations at 38 CFR 78.45 
through 78.90.
    As part of program concept, for those applicants proposing 
nontraditional and innovative approaches, VA will consider whether the 
applicants effectively demonstrated: (1) A clear description of the 
program and services the participant is intended to receive; (2) the 
goal of the intended services; and (3) an effective methodology to 
measure the proposed outcomes and evaluate the effectiveness of the 
services provided. VA will consider any submitted proposed evaluation 
methodology if the grantee is already providing the services. If the 
grantee is already providing such services, any existing data included 
in the application that demonstrates the effectiveness of services as 
they relate to the overall SSG Fox SPGP program objectives to reduce 
Veteran suicide risk, improve baseline mental health status, well-being 
and social support, and financial stability for eligible individuals 
and their families will be considered. Existing data may include 
outcomes, participant exit interviews, participant self-reports and 
participant satisfaction surveys.
    For those applicants proposing other suicide prevention services, 
VA will consider whether those have demonstrated evidence-informed 
interventions for improving the mental health status and well-being and 
reducing the suicide risk of eligible individuals and their families, 
and whether they have effectively demonstrated a clear description of 
the program and services the participant is intended to receive and the 
goal of the intended services. VA will consider whether any provided 
data shows the effectiveness of the services, as it relates to the 
overall SSG Fox SPGP objectives to reduce Veteran suicide risk, improve 
baseline mental health status, well-being and social support, and 
financial stability for eligible individuals and their families. VA 
will also review and determine approval in relation to evidence 
provided for significant improvements in pilot data utilizing validated 
instruments that demonstrate a reduction in indicators of suicide risk.

[[Page 22636]]

This aligns with recommendations from National Institutes of Health. 
Further examples of other services with listed evidence may be found in 
the VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guidelines for Suicide Prevention. It is 
also important for VA to note that any approaches and treatment 
practices approved will need to be consistent with applicable Federal 
law. For example, the use of grant funds to provide or coordinate the 
provision of marijuana to eligible individuals and their families will 
be prohibited, as marijuana is currently illegal under Federal law.
    VA will score the program implementation timeline based on whether 
the applicant's program will be implemented in a timely manner and 
suicide prevention services will be delivered to participants as 
quickly as possible and within a specified timeline. VA will also score 
this based on whether there is a feasible staffing plan in place to 
meet the applicant's program timeline or that the applicant has 
existing staff to meet such timeline.
    VA will score applications based on whether the applicant has a 
feasible plan to coordinate outreach and services with local VA 
facilities and VA Suicide Prevention Coordinators.
    VA will score the applicant's demonstrated ability and commitment 
to meet VA's requirements, goals and objectives for SSG Fox SPGP, which 
will be based on whether the applicant demonstrates commitment to 
ensuring that its program meets VA's requirements, goals, and 
objectives for SSG Fox SPGP, which are to reduce Veteran suicide 
through community-based grants to provide or coordinate the provision 
of suicide prevention services to eligible individuals and their 
families, to improve mental health status, well-being and reduce the 
risk of eligible individuals and their families.
    VA will score the applicant's capacity, including staff resources, 
to undertake its program.
Section C: Quality Assurance & Evaluation Plan (15 Maximum Points)
    VA will award points based on the applicant's quality assurance and 
evaluation plan, as demonstrated by program evaluation, monitoring, 
remediation and management and reporting.
    The scoring criterion, program evaluation, will be based on whether 
the applicant has created clear, realistic and measurable goals that 
reflect SSG Fox SPGP's aim of reducing and preventing suicide among 
Veterans against which the applicant's program performance can be 
evaluated, as well as whether the applicant has a clear plan to 
continually assess the program.
    In scoring the monitoring criterion, VA will evaluate if the 
applicant has adequate controls in place to regularly monitor the 
program, including any community partners, for compliance with all 
applicable laws, regulations and guidelines; whether the applicant has 
adequate financial and operational controls in place to ensure the 
proper use of suicide prevention services grant funds; and whether the 
applicant has a feasible plan for ensuring that the applicant's staff 
and any community partners are appropriately trained and stay informed 
of SSG Fox SPGP policy, evidence-informed suicide prevention practices, 
and the requirements of 38 CFR part 78.
    In scoring the remediation criterion, VA will assess whether the 
applicant has an appropriate plan to establish a system to remediate 
non-compliant aspects of the program if and when they are identified.
    VA will score the applicant's management and reporting based on 
whether the applicant's program management team has the capability and 
a system in place to provide to VA timely and accurate reports at the 
frequency set by VA.
Section D: Financial Capability & Plan (15 Maximum Points)
    VA will score applications on the applicant's financial capability 
and plan based on organizational finances and the financial feasibility 
of program.
    VA will award points on the applicant's organizational finances 
based on whether the applicant, and any identified community partners, 
are financially stable. The financial feasibility of the program will 
be assessed based on whether the applicant has a realistic plan for 
obtaining all funding required to operate the program for the time 
period of the suicide prevention services grant, as well as whether the 
applicant's program is cost-effective and can be effectively 
implemented on-budget.
Section E: Area Linkages and Relations (10 Maximum Points)
    VA will award points based on the applicant's area linkages and 
relations, as demonstrated by area linkages, past working 
relationships, local presence and knowledge and integration of linkages 
and program concept.
    VA will evaluate an applicant's area linkages based on whether the 
applicant has a feasible plan for developing or relying on existing 
linkages with the Federal (including VA), state, local and tribal 
governmental agencies, and private entities for the purposes of 
providing additional services to eligible individuals within a given 
geographic area.
    VA will assess whether the applicant (or staff) and any identified 
community partner (or staff) have fostered similar and successful 
working relationships and linkages with public and private 
organizations providing services to Veterans or their families in need 
of services.
    VA will evaluate an applicant's local presence and knowledge based 
on whether the applicant has a presence in the area to be served by the 
applicant and understands the dynamics of the area to be served by the 
applicant. This presence and knowledge does not necessarily mean the 
applicant has an address or physical office in the area, but rather 
that they are operating in the area such that they have sufficient 
knowledge of the area and that their staff has a presence in the area. 
Evaluation of whether an applicant understands the dynamics of the area 
to be served by the applicant will be based on information including 
but not limited to the applicant's description of the area, including 
mental health centers, and relationships with local mental health 
centers. This may be met through letters of support and documented 
coordination of care.
    Finally, VA will assess the applicant's integration of linkages and 
program concept based on whether the applicant's linkages to the area 
to be served by the applicant enhance the effectiveness of the 
applicant's program.

V. Review and Selection Process

    Based on the scoring criteria described above, VA will award grants 
to those highest-scoring applicants that meet the definition of 
eligible entity that will provide or coordinate the provision of 
suicide prevention services to eligible individuals at risk of suicide 
and their families who may be eligible for services under the SSG Fox 
SPGP. Applicants should clearly describe the suicide prevention 
services intended to be offered. Suicide prevention services grant 
applications will be scored by a VA grant review committee. The grant 
review committee will be trained on a scoring rubric and follow uniform 
guidance on application grant review (pursuant to 2 CFR part 200). The 
SSG Fox SPGP scoring criteria mirrors the well-established criteria of 
the VA Supportive Services for Veteran Families program (See https://www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf/index.asp for details).

[[Page 22637]]

A. Application Selection

    VA will only score applicants who meet the following threshold 
requirements: The application must be filed within the time period 
established in the NOFO, and any additional information or 
documentation requested by VA is provided within the time frame 
established by VA; the application must be completed in all parts; the 
activities for which the suicide prevention services grant is requested 
must be eligible for funding; the applicant's proposed participants 
must be eligible to receive suicide prevention services; the applicant 
must agree to comply with the requirements of 38 CFR part 78; the 
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; and the 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.
    VA will rank those applicants who score at least 60 cumulative 
points and receive at least one point under each of the categories: (a) 
Background, Qualifications, Experience and Past Performance of 
Applicant and Any Identified Community Partners; (b) Program Concept 
and Suicide Prevention Services Plan; (c) Quality Assurance and 
Evaluation Plan; (d) Financial Capability and Plan; and (e) Area 
Linkages and Relations.
    VA will utilize the ranked scores of 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 that have 
experienced high rates of suicide by eligible individuals, including 
suicide attempts;
    (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 2022. 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 the SSG Fox 
SPGP. All applicants selected in response to this NOFO must agree to 
meet applicable inspection standards outlined in the grant agreement.

C. Payments of Grant Funds

    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:

D. Reporting and Monitoring

    Applicants should be aware of the following:
    (i) 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.
    (ii) VA will require 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.
    (iii) 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.
    (iv) Monitoring will also include the submittal of periodic and 
annual financial and performance reports by the grantee in accordance 
with 2 CFR part 200. The grantee will be expected to demonstrate 
adherence to the grantee's proposed program concept, as described in 
the grantee's application.
    (v) 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.

E. Program Evaluation

    The purpose of program evaluation is to evaluate the impact 
participation in the 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 to the 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.

[[Page 22638]]

Signing Authority

    Denis McDonough, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, approved this 
document on April 11, 2022, and authorized the undersigned to sign and 
submit the document to the Office of the Federal Register for 
publication electronically as an official document of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs.

Jeffrey M. Martin,
Assistant Director, Office of Regulation Policy & Management, Office of 
General Counsel, Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2022-08040 Filed 4-14-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P


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