Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2010/11/10/2010-28407/supportive-services-for-veteran-families-program
Timestamp: 2018-07-17 14:14:23
Document Index: 723948809

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A Rule by the Veterans Affairs Department on 11/10/2010
This final rule is effective December 10, 2010.
68975-68989 (15 pages)
2010-28407
Selecting Applicants To Receive Supportive Services Grants
Scoring Criteria for Grantees Applying for Renewal of Supportive Services Grants
Supportive Service: Direct Provision of Case Management and Other Services
Supportive Service: Assistance in Obtaining and Coordinating Other Public Benefits
Financial Management and Administrative Costs
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2010-28407 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2010-28407
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is amending its regulations to establish the Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program (SSVF Program). These amendments implement the provisions of section 604 of the Veterans' Mental Health and Other Care Improvements Act of 2008 (Act). The purpose of the SSVF Program is to provide supportive services grants to private non-profit organizations and consumer cooperatives who will coordinate or provide supportive services to very low-income veteran families who are residing in permanent housing, are homeless and scheduled to become residents of permanent housing within a specified time period, or after exiting permanent housing, are seeking other housing that is responsive to such very low-income veteran family's needs and preferences. The new SSVF Program is within the continuum of VA's homeless services programs.
John Kuhn, National Center for Homelessness Among Veterans, Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program Office, 4100 Chester Avenue, Suite 200, Philadelphia, PA 19104, (877) 737-0111 (this is a toll-free number).
In a document published in the Federal Register (75 FR 24514) on May 5, 2010, VA proposed to establish a new 38 CFR part 62 consisting of regulations captioned “SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR VETERAN FAMILIES PROGRAM” (referred to below as the proposed rule). This document adopts as a final rule, with changes discussed below, the proposed rule. This final rule establishes regulations concerning the SSVF Program and is necessary to implement section 604 of the Act, which is codified at 38 U.S.C. 2044.
VA provided a 30-day comment period that ended on June 4, 2010. VA received four submissions during this comment period on the proposed rule. One submission consisted of an inquiry about the timing for the award of supportive services grants, but did not contain any substantive comments on the proposed rule. The subject matter of the other submissions can be grouped into several categories, and we have organized our discussion of the comments accordingly.
Two commenters provided recommendations regarding the scoring criteria used to rate applicants fulfilling the threshold requirements. Proposed § 62.22 described the scoring criteria VA would use to score applicants fulfilling the threshold requirements.
One commenter recommended that proposed § 62.22(b)(2), the scoring criterion regarding the applicant's outreach and screening plan, include an examination of the thoroughness of coverage by using available data to estimate the total number of veterans who could be eligible for participation over the course of a year, and then to determine the percentage of veterans in the applicant's area or community that will be contacted through outreach and screening.
We agree that the estimated number of participants and percentage of very low-income veterans served in an area or community should be considered when scoring the supportive services grant application; however, we think this can be better addressed through the scoring criterion relating to the need for program (§ 62.22(b)(1)) rather than the scoring criterion relating to the outreach and screening plan (§ 62.22(b)(2)). Section 62.20(a)(3) of the proposed rule stated that a complete supportive services grant application would include “an estimate with supporting documentation of the number of very Start Printed Page 68976low-income veteran families occupying permanent housing who will be provided supportive services by the applicant and a description of the area or community where such very low-income veteran families are located.” We added in § 62.20(a)(3) that the description of the area or community must include “an estimate of the total number of very low-income veteran families occupying permanent housing in such area or community.” In accordance with § 62.22(b)(1)(i), points will be awarded to an applicant who has shown “a need amongst very low-income veteran families occupying permanent housing in the area or community where the program will be based.” To determine need, the applicant's response to the information requested in § 62.20(a)(3) will be evaluated.
One commenter stated that the proposed rule did not include a scoring criterion that would award points to proposals that work with harder to serve populations of chronically homeless veterans. The commenter recommended awarding additional points to applicants serving chronically homeless veterans.
We agree that applicants should be rewarded for targeting those very low-income veteran families most in need of supportive services. Therefore, we have amended the scoring criterion in § 62.22(b)(2)(i) to include a reference to the identification and assistance of those “most in need of supportive services.” We decline to make further changes based on this comment because § 62.22(b)(6) allows points to be awarded to applicants that meet VA's requirements, goals and objectives of the SSVF Program as identified in the regulations and the Notice of Fund Availability. In the event that VA wishes to target certain populations, such as chronically homeless veterans, VA can highlight this in the Notice of Fund Availability and award points to applicants meeting the stated goal. In accordance with § 62.40(d) of the rule, VA may also include priorities for funding to meet the statutory mandates of the Act and VA goals for the SSVF Program in the Notice of Fund Availability.
One commenter recommended that specific goals should be included in the scoring criterion regarding an applicant's “clear, realistic, and measurable goals” set forth in proposed § 62.22(c)(1). To more clearly specify the types of goals the applicant will receive points for describing, we have changed the criterion in § 62.22(c)(1) to describe “clear, realistic, and measurable goals that reflect the Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program's aim of reducing and preventing homelessness among very low-income veteran families.”
Consistent with the Act (38 U.S.C. 2044(a)(4)), proposed § 62.23(d)(1) provided that VA would prefer applicants that provide, or coordinate the provision of, supportive services for very low-income veteran families transitioning from homelessness to permanent housing. One commenter stated that this preference is “extremely important” in order to “promote the efficiency of this program at reducing homelessness.” Because this preference is already included in § 62.23(d)(1) of the rule, no change is necessary based upon this comment.
Proposed § 62.24 described the scoring criteria VA would use to score grantees applying for renewal of a supportive services grant. Proposed § 62.24(a) provided that up to 55 points would be awarded “based on the success of the grantee's program” and listed certain criteria that would be used to determine the success of the grantee's program. One commenter recommended that “[s]coring criteria should include success at reaching and serving veterans who are at greatest risk of homelessness or already homeless; and at reducing the number of homeless veterans in the service area.” We agree with the comment, and add as § 62.24(a)(iv) and § 62.24(a)(v) of the rule the following scoring criteria: “The grantee prevented homelessness among very low-income veteran families occupying permanent housing that were most at risk of homelessness;” and, “The grantee's program reduced homelessness among very low-income veteran families occupying permanent housing in the area or community served by the grantee.”
Pursuant to proposed § 62.26, grantees would be required to match a minimum of 10 percent of the amount of VA-provided supportive services grant funds with cash resources or third party in-kind contributions from non-VA sources. Under proposed § 62.22(d)(3), an applicant would be awarded points if the applicant exceeded the minimum cost sharing requirement up to a certain percentage as set forth in the Notice of Fund Availability. The cost sharing requirement was included in the proposed rule to demonstrate the applicant's commitment to the SSVF Program and ensure continuity of program operations and assistance to participants.
One commenter recommended removing the higher point threshold for the match in proposed § 62.22(d)(3) and including a waiver process that could allow communities suffering budgetary hardship to avoid the match requirement. Another commenter supported the matching requirement, however, this commenter indicated that it was an entity that received no government funding for its existing veteran homelessness programs.
We agree that some eligible entities may find the match requirement to be so burdensome that the eligible entity will decide not to apply for the supportive services grant or will incur a large administrative burden to justify in-kind consideration valuing 10 percent of the supportive services grant request. Because VA's goals for the cost sharing requirement can be met through other means during the supportive services grant application scoring process, imposing a formal percentage requirement is unnecessary. For example, it is likely that applicants that would have provided a match would also score well in the categories of financial capability and plan (see § 62.22(d)) and community linkages (see § 62.22(e)). Therefore, we have eliminated all references to the cost sharing requirement.
Proposed § 62.31 described a listing of baseline tasks that would fall within the supportive service of “case management.” One commenter recommended that case management should be defined to include the services listed under “housing counseling” in proposed § 62.33(i). The commenter was under the impression that under the proposed rule, grantees could only provide referrals for housing counseling, but could not directly provide housing counseling services to participants.
We agree that housing counseling will be a critical part of a grantee's supportive services program and recognize that a grantee may wish to provide this service directly to participants, rather than through a referral. We have changed the introduction to § 62.33 to clarify that grantees may elect to directly provide to participants the public benefits listed in § 62.33(c) through § 62.33(i), which include housing counseling. Alternatively, grantees may elect to provide a referral for participants to Start Printed Page 68977obtain these public benefits through another entity. Section 62.33 of the rule gives the grantee the flexibility to determine which of certain listed public benefits, including housing counseling, the grantee will provide and which will be accomplished through referrals. Housing counseling remains in § 62.33 to be consistent with our interpretation of the supportive services structure outlined in the Act (38 U.S.C. 2044(b)(1)(D)).
As discussed above, we have changed the introduction to § 62.33 to clarify that grantees may elect to directly provide to participants the public benefits listed in § 62.33(c) through § 62.33(i). As stated in the proposed rule, although grantees may be able to directly provide many necessary supportive services, in some situations it would be more efficient for grantees to provide a referral for participants to obtain services provided by another Federal, State, or local agency or an eligible entity in the area or community served by the grantee. The proposed rule specified that health care services and daily living services could be accomplished through referrals; therefore, the final rule clarifies that these supportive services listed in § 62.33(a) and § 62.33(b) cannot be provided directly to participants.
One commenter provided recommendations relating to the transportation and child care provisions in proposed § 62.33. Proposed § 62.33 described the supportive service of assistance in obtaining and coordinating other public benefits.
Proposed § 62.33(d) authorized the grantee to provide temporary transportation services to participants if the grantee determined that such assistance was necessary. Specifically, § 62.33(d) described the provision of tokens, vouchers, or other appropriate instruments for use on public transportation as the preferred method of providing transportation services, but also would allow the cost of vehicle leases to be included in a supportive services grant application if an applicant determines that public transportation options are not sufficient within the area or community to be served. The commenter stated that “in more rural settings[,] excluding car repair could be prohibitive for program participants.”
We agree with the comment. We have added § 62.33(d)(3), which authorizes grantees to provide assistance to a participant needing car repairs or maintenance in an amount not to exceed $1,000 during a 3-year period. Any payments for car repairs or maintenance must be required to operate the vehicle, be reasonable, be paid directly to the third party repairing the car, and directly allow the participant to remain in permanent housing or obtain permanent housing. The $1,000 cap per participant is included so that payments for car repairs and maintenance do not consume a disproportionate amount of supportive services grant funds.
One commenter recommended removing the requirement in § 62.33(h) that a facility providing child care services pursuant to payments from the grantee be State-licensed because “home run daycare and other alternatives might be just as sufficient in many communities.”
For safety reasons, we do not think that all licensing standards regarding child care providers should be removed; however, we agree that it would be beneficial to broaden the entities that would qualify as eligible child care providers. Accordingly, a definition of eligible child care provider is included in § 62.2 of the rule that is consistent with the broader definition used by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for their Child Care and Development Block grant (42 U.S.C. 9859(2)). Recipients of supportive services grant funds for child care may also be recipients of funds under HHS grant programs, so it will be helpful to use a definition consistent with that used by HHS. The broader HHS definition includes child care providers that are “licensed, regulated, registered, or otherwise legally operating, under state and local law,” which, in some jurisdictions, may include home run daycares.
The commenter also requested that VA consider removing the 2-month per calendar year limit on child care services payments by grantees under § 62.33(h) to allow grantees to determine and prioritize need within their jurisdiction. Although we agree that it is important to allow grantees to use some discretion in determining how supportive services grant funds should be expended, we also believe it is necessary to limit the duration of child care service expenditures in order to prevent child care services from consuming a disproportionate amount of supportive services grant funds. However, in response to the comment, we agree that 2 months may not be long enough to identify and obtain other assistance; hence, we have extended the time limitation in § 62.33(h)(2)(i) from 2 months during a calendar year to 4 months in any 12-month period beginning on the date that the grantee first pays for child care assistance. “Calendar year” is changed to “12-month period” to more accurately reflect VA's intention for the limitation, which is that the assistance be both short-term and temporary, not that it only be provided for a short time during a particular calendar year.
Two commenters recommended that a longer time period be authorized for rental assistance. Proposed § 62.34(a) authorized the payment of rental assistance on behalf of a participant for a maximum of 4 months during a 3-year period, with no more than 2 months of assistance in any calendar year. One commenter explained that some grantees may provide more shallow subsidies to participants for a longer period of time if need be. Another commenter recommended flexibility in the area of rental subsidies and reliance on outcome measures to provide incentives to grantees to avoid overspending on rental assistance.
We agree with the suggestion to authorize a longer period of rental assistance, with the expectation that grantees will exercise discretion and only provide the amount of rental assistance that is necessary for a participant to obtain or remain in permanent housing. Hence, we have extended the amount of time a participant can receive rental assistance to 8 months during a 3-year period, with no more than 5 months of assistance during any 12-month period. “Calendar year” is changed to “12-month period” to more accurately reflect VA's intention for the limitation, which is that the assistance be both short-term and temporary, not that it only be provided for a short time during a particular calendar year. We have similarly changed the “calendar year” limitation in § 62.34(b)(1) on temporary financial assistance for utility-fee payment assistance to a “12-month period.”
One commenter suggested that the duration limitation on the provision of rental assistance could be mitigated by increasing the funding flexibility of other VA programs. We do not respond to these comments in this notice as they are beyond the scope of this rulemaking.
Section 62.34(e) authorizes a grantee to purchase emergency supplies for a participant on a temporary basis. Section 62.2 defines “emergency supplies” as “items necessary for a participant's life or safety that are provided in order to address the participant's emergency situation.” One commenter recommended providing a more detailed definition of emergency supplies, and specifying their allowed Start Printed Page 68978use. The commenter explained, “Leaving it as broad as it is currently stated leaves room for potential abuse and waste of limited program dollars.”
We have not further defined emergency supplies or prescribed their allowed use based on the comment. Instead of providing an itemized list of acceptable items in the rule, we expect this to be determined by grantees on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the parameters provided in § 62.2, which are that the items be “necessary for a participant's life or safety” and provided “on a temporary basis in order to address [an] emergency situation.” However, we share the commenter's concern about potential abuse of limited program dollars; therefore, to ensure that a disproportionate amount of funds are not spent on emergency supplies, we added a cap of $500 per participant during a 3-year period in § 62.34(e)(1).
This same commenter recommended imposing a budgetary cap for all services paid for by a grantee under § 62.33. We decline to make any changes based on this comment aside from the $500 cap per participant for emergency services as discussed above. Through the programmatic oversight provisions and reporting requirements, and the enforcement provisions in § 62.80, VA expects to be able to identify and address any inappropriate activities of the grantee.
This commenter also recommended that, “There should be language instituted in the Final Rule to prevent any grantee paying monies back to themselves for activities that could not be viewed as direct services to the client.” We interpret this comment as recommending that grantees be prohibited from providing rental assistance on behalf of a participant if the grantee is also the participant's landlord.
We made no changes based on this comment. Including such a change would unnecessarily penalize grantees who also serve as owners or managers of units occupied by very low-income veteran families. If the payment of supportive services grant funds to a grantee on behalf of a participant for rental assistance would be appropriate, reasonable, and meets the requirements set forth in the rule, a grantee should be able to make such a payment on behalf of a participant. Through the programmatic oversight provisions and reporting requirements, and the enforcement provisions in § 62.80, VA expects to be able to identify and address any inappropriate activities of the grantee.
The proposed rule included a condition that grantees providing temporary financial assistance would be required to help the participant develop a reasonable plan to address the participant's ability to pay for the item for which assistance is being provided (i.e. child care, rent, utilities, utilities or security deposits, and moving costs) and assist the participant to implement such plan. One commenter explained that “[t]he experience of effective prevention/re-housing programs indicates that this provision is important but needs to go further,” stating that “[t]he rule should allow and encourage grantees to continue to work to provide social services to the veterans, to not only make a plan but also to implement it, through coordination with employment services, benefits and other help that is offered by the VA and other providers.”
We agree. In §§ 62.33(h)(2)(iv) and 62.34, where a plan is required, we have added the following additional requirement: “Grantees must assist the participant to implement such plan by providing any necessary assistance or helping the participant to obtain any necessary public or private benefits or services.”
Another commenter supported the idea of plans to address participants' housing stability, but stated that “the grantee cannot be held accountable for ensuring that 100% of the veterans served by their SSVF project will carry out their case management plans * * *” VA will consider the factors included in § 62.25 when determining whether to renew supportive services grants. None of these factors contains a requirement for a “100%” success rate for implementation of plans prepared to address participants' housing stability. Therefore, we make no changes based on this comment.
One commenter stated that the proposed rule did not require grantees to execute an agreement with a participant or provide a summary of the grantee's supportive services grant program to a participant. The commenter recommended that, “A simple one-two page participant agreement providing an overview of the program and the benefits of program participation should be included for all program participants to ensure they are aware of the rules and restrictions of the program as well as the eligible uses of funds.”
We agree. Providing potential participants with information on the grantee's supportive services grant program and any requirements necessary to receive supportive services would be beneficial to the participant. Therefore, a requirement for grantees to notify participants of basic information about the grantee's supportive services program and any conditions for the receipt of supportive services is added to § 62.36(c)(1).
One commenter recommended that the rule also require grantees to notify VA of changes to key personnel during the grant term. We agree. Proposed § 62.60 identified certain program changes about which the grantee would be required to notify VA. Section 62.60 is intended to help VA maintain oversight over the quality of the supportive services provided by grantees and prevent misuse of grant funds. Changes in key personnel may directly impact a grantee's supportive services grant program. Accordingly, we have added § 62.60(c), which requires grantees to inform VA in writing of key personnel changes within 30 days of the change. For similar reasons, § 62.60(c) also requires grantees to notify VA if the grantee changes its address.
Proposed § 62.70 required grantees to comply with certain Office of Management and Budget (OMB) requirements and certain VA standards for financial management for grants and agreements. One commenter recommended simplifying this section. We agree, and therefore a streamlined version of this section is included in the rule. In addition, to be more specific, rather than referring to the “applicable requirements of the appropriate OMB Circulars for Cost Principles,” § 62.70(b) of the rule specifies that grantees must comply with the requirements set forth in OMB Circular A-110, Subpart C, Section 21, codified at 2 CFR 215.21; 38 CFR 49.21.
In the proposed rule, we stated that proposed §§ 62.20, 62.36(c), 62.60, and 62.71 contain collection of information provisions under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3521), and that we had requested public comment on those provisions in the notice published in the Federal Register on May 5, 2010 (75 FR 24523-24524).Start Printed Page 68979
We did not receive any comments on the proposed collection of information which is pending at OMB for approval.
The economic, interagency, budgetary, legal, and policy implications of this rule have been examined and it has been determined to be a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866 because it may result in a rule that raises novel legal or policy issues arising out of legal mandates, the President's priorities, or the principles set forth in the Executive Order.
The Secretary hereby certifies that this final rule would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities as they are defined in the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq. This final rule would only impact those entities that choose to participate in the SSVF Program. Small entity applicants will not be affected to a greater extent than large entity applicants. Small entities must elect to participate, and it is considered a benefit to those who choose to apply. To the extent this final rule would have any impact on small entities, it would not have an impact on a substantial number of small entities. Therefore, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 605(b), this final rule is exempt from the initial and final regulatory flexibility analysis requirement of sections 603 and 604.
The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act requires, at 2 U.S.C. 1532, that agencies prepare an assessment of anticipated costs and benefits before issuing any rule that may result in an expenditure by State, local, or tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector of $100 million or more (adjusted annually for inflation) in any one year. This final rule would have no such effect on State, local, or tribal governments, or on the private sector.
Director, Regulations Management, Office of General Counsel, Department of Veterans Affairs.
For the reasons stated in the preamble, VA amends 38 CFR chapter I by adding part 62 to read as follows:
Supportive services grants—general.
Participants—occupying permanent housing.
Threshold requirements prior to scoring supportive services grant applicants.
Scoring criteria for grantees applying for renewal of supportive services grants.
Supportive services grant agreements.
Supportive services grant closeout procedures.
End Part (Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2044, and as noted in specific sections)
For purposes of this part and any Notice of Fund Availability issued under this part: Start Printed Page 68980
(3) The effective date of a supportive services grant termination under § 62.80(c).
Eligible child care provider means a provider of child care services for compensation, including a provider of care for a school-age child during non-school hours, that—
(1) Is licensed, regulated, registered, or otherwise legally operating, under state and local law; and
(2) Satisfies the state and local requirements, applicable to the child care services the provider provides.
Notice of Fund Availability means a Notice of Fund Availability published in the Federal Register in accordance with § 62.40.
Occupying permanent housing means meeting any of the conditions set forth in § 62.11(a).
(1) Outreach services as specified under § 62.30.
(2) Case management services as specified under § 62.31.
(3) Assisting participants in obtaining VA benefits as specified under § 62.32.
(4) Assisting participants in obtaining and coordinating other public benefits as specified under § 62.33.
(5) Other services as specified under § 62.34.
Supportive services grant agreement means the agreement executed between VA and a grantee as specified under § 62.50.
(b) Grantees must use at least 90 percent of supportive services grant Start Printed Page 68981funds to provide and coordinate the provision of supportive services to very low-income veteran families who are occupying permanent housing.
(c) Grantees may use up to 10 percent of supportive services grant funds for administrative costs identified in § 62.70.
For limitations on and continuations of the provision of supportive services to participants classified under paragraphs (a)(2) and (a)(3) of this section, see § 62.35.
(3) An estimate with supporting documentation of the number of very low-income veteran families occupying permanent housing who will be provided supportive services by the applicant and a description of the area or community where such very low-income veteran families are located, including an estimate of the total number of very low-income veteran families occupying permanent housing in such area or community;
(a) The application is filed within the time period established in the Notice of Fund Availability, and any additional information or documentation requested by VA under § 62.20(c) is provided within the time frame established by VA;
(1) Background and organizational history. (i) Applicant's, and any identified subcontractors', background and organizational history are relevant to the program.
(2) Staff qualifications. (i) Applicant's staff, and any identified subcontractors' staff, have experience working with very low-income families.
(3) Organizational qualifications and past performance. (i) Applicant, and any identified subcontractors, have organizational experience providing supportive services to very low-income families.
(ii) Applicant, and any identified subcontractors, have organizational experience coordinating services for very low-income families among multiple organizations, Federal, State, local and tribal governmental entities.Start Printed Page 68982
(4) Experience working with veterans. (i) Applicant's staff, and any identified subcontractors' staff, have experience working with veterans.
(1) Need for program. (i) Applicant has shown a need amongst very low-income veteran families occupying permanent housing in the area or community where the program will be based.
(2) Outreach and screening plan. (i) Applicant has a feasible outreach and referral plan to identify and assist very low-income veteran families occupying permanent housing that may be eligible for supportive services and are most in need of supportive services.
(3) Program concept. (i) Applicant's program concept, size, scope, and staffing plan are feasible.
(4) Program implementation timeline. (i) Applicant's program will be implemented in a timely manner and supportive services will be delivered to participants as quickly as possible and within a specified timeline.
(1) Program evaluation. (i) Applicant has created clear, realistic, and measurable goals that reflect the Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program's aim of reducing and preventing homelessness among very low-income veteran families against which the applicant's program performance can be evaluated.
(2) Monitoring. (i) Applicant has adequate controls in place to regularly monitor the program, including any subcontractors, for compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and guidelines.
(2) Financial feasibility of program. (i) Applicant has a realistic plan for obtaining all funding required to operate the program for the time period of the supportive services grant.
(3) Local presence and knowledge. (i) Applicant has a presence in the area or community to be served by the applicant.
(2) To the extent practicable, VA will ensure that supportive services grants are equitably distributed across geographic regions, including rural communities and tribal lands.Start Printed Page 68983
(1) Participants made progress in achieving housing stability.
(2) Participants were satisfied with the supportive services provided by the grantee.
(3) The grantee implemented the program and delivered supportive services to participants in a timely manner.
(4) The grantee prevented homelessness among very low-income veteran families occupying permanent housing that were most at risk of homelessness.
(5) The grantee's program reduced homelessness among very low-income veteran families occupying permanent housing in the area or community served by the grantee.
(1) The cost per participant household was reasonable.
(2) The grantee's program was effectively implemented on-budget.
(1) The grantee's program was administered in accordance with VA's goals for the Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program.
(2) The grantee's program was administered in accordance with all applicable laws, regulations, and guidelines.
(3) The grantee's program was administered in accordance with the grantee's supportive services grant agreement.
(a) So long as the grantee continues to meet the threshold requirements set forth in § 62.21, VA will score the grantee using the scoring criteria set forth in § 62.24.
§ 62.30
(b) Establishing linkages with appropriate agencies and service providers in the area or community to help participants obtain needed supportive services;
(c) Providing referrals to participants and related activities (such as scheduling appointments for participants) to help participants obtain needed supportive services, such as medical, social, and educational assistance or other supportive services to address participants' identified needs and goals;
§ 62.32
(i) Hospital care, nursing home care, out-patient care, mental health care, preventive care, habilitative and rehabilitative care, case management, respite care, and home care;Start Printed Page 68984
(1) The grantee may provide temporary transportation services directly to participants if the grantee determines such assistance is necessary; however, the preferred method of direct provision of transportation services is the provision of tokens, vouchers, or other appropriate instruments so that participants may use available public transportation options.
(3) The grantee may make payments on behalf of a participant needing car repairs or maintenance required to operate the vehicle if the payment will allow the participant to remain in permanent housing or obtain permanent housing, subject to the following:
(i) Payments for car repairs or maintenance on behalf of the participant may not exceed $1,000 during a 3-year period, such period beginning on the date the grantee first pays for any car repairs or maintenance on behalf of the participant.
(ii) Payments for car repairs or maintenance must be reasonable and must be paid by the grantee directly to the third party that repairs or maintains the car.
(iii) Grantees may require participants to share in the cost of car repairs or maintenance as a condition of receiving assistance with car repairs or maintenance.
(1) Referral of a participant, as appropriate, to an eligible child care provider that provides child care with sufficient hours of operation and serves appropriate ages, as needed by the participant; and
(2) Payment by a grantee on behalf of a participant for child care by an eligible child care provider.
(i) Payments for child care services must be paid by the grantee directly to an eligible child care provider and cannot exceed a maximum of 4 months in a 12-month period beginning on the date that the grantee first pays for child care services on behalf of a participant.
(iv) As a condition of providing payments for child care services, the grantee must help the participant develop a reasonable plan to address the participant's future ability to pay for child care services. Grantees must assist the participant to implement such plan by providing any necessary assistance or helping the participant to obtain any necessary public or private benefits or services.
(1) A participant may receive rental assistance for a maximum of 8 months during a 3-year period, such period beginning on the date that the grantee first pays rent on behalf of the participant; however, a participant cannot receive rental assistance for more than 5 months in any 12-month period beginning on the date that the grantee first pays rent on behalf of the participant. The rental assistance may be for rental payments that are currently due or are in arrears, and for the payment of penalties or fees incurred by a participant and required to be paid by the participant under an existing lease or court order. In all instances, rental assistance may only be provided if the payment of such rental assistance will directly allow the participant to remain in permanent housing or obtain permanent housing.
(3) As a condition of providing rental assistance, the grantee must help the participant develop a reasonable plan to address the participant's future ability Start Printed Page 68985to pay rent. Grantees must assist the participant to implement such plan by providing any necessary assistance or helping the participant to obtain any necessary public or private benefits or services.
(4) The rental assistance paid by a grantee must be in compliance with the following “rent reasonableness” standard. “Rent reasonableness” means the total rent charged for a unit must be reasonable in relation to the rents being charged during the same time period for comparable units in the private unassisted market and must not be in excess of rents being charged by the property owner during the same time period for comparable non-luxury unassisted units. To make this determination, the grantee should consider:
(i) The location, quality, size, type, and age of the unit; and
(ii) Any amenities, housing services, maintenance, and utilities to be provided by the property owner. Comparable rents can be checked by using a market study, by reviewing comparable units advertised for rent, or using a note from the property owner verifying the comparability of charged rents to other units owned by the property owner. Prior to providing rental assistance in the form of payment of penalties or fees incurred by a participant, the grantee must determine that such penalties or fees are reasonable.
(1) A participant may receive payments for utilities for a maximum of 4 months during a 3-year period, such period beginning on the date that the grantee first pays utility fees on behalf of the participant; provided, however, that a participant cannot receive payments for utilities for more than 2 months in any 12-month period beginning on the date that the grantee first pays a utility payment on behalf of the participant. The payment for utilities may be for utility payments that are currently due or are in arrears, provided that the payment of such utilities will allow the participant to remain in permanent housing or obtain permanent housing.
(3) As a condition of providing payments for utilities, the grantee must help the participant develop a reasonable plan to address the participant's future ability to pay utility payments. Grantees must assist the participant to implement such plan by providing any necessary assistance or helping the participant to obtain any necessary public or private benefits or services.
(4) As a condition of providing a security deposit payment or a utility deposit payment, the grantee must help the participant develop a reasonable plan to address the participant's future housing stability. Grantees must assist the participant to implement such plan by providing any necessary assistance or helping the participant to obtain any necessary public or private benefits or services.
(3) As a condition of providing moving costs assistance, the grantee must help the participant develop a reasonable plan to address the participant's future housing stability. Grantees must assist the participant to implement such plan by providing any necessary assistance or helping the participant to obtain any necessary public or private benefits or services.
(4) Moving costs assistance payments cannot be provided on behalf of participants for the same period of time and for the same cost types that are being provided through another Federal, State, or local program.
(5) Grantees may require participants to share in the cost of moving as a condition of receiving assistance with moving costs.
(e) Purchase of emergency supplies for a participant. (1) A grantee may purchase emergency supplies for a participant on a temporary basis. The costs for such emergency supplies shall not exceed $500 per participant during Start Printed Page 68986a 3-year period, such period beginning on the date that the grantee first pays for an emergency supply on behalf of the participant.
(f) Other. Other services as set forth in the Notice of Fund Availability or as approved by VA that are consistent with the Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program. Applicants may propose additional services in their supportive services grant application, and grantees may propose additional services by submitting a written request to modify the supportive services grant in accordance with § 62.60.
(a) Continuation of the provision of supportive services to a participant classified under § 62.11(a)(2). If a participant classified under § 62.11(a)(2) does not become a resident of permanent housing within the originally scheduled 90-day period, the grantee may continue to provide supportive services to a participant classified under § 62.11(a)(2) for such time that the participant continues to meet the requirements of § 62.11(a)(2).
(b) Limitations on the provision of supportive services to participants classified under § 62.11(a)(3). (1) A grantee may provide supportive services to a participant classified under § 62.11(a)(3) until the earlier of the following dates:
(2) Supportive services provided to participants classified under § 62.11(a)(3) must be designed to support the participants in their choice to transition into housing that is responsive to their individual needs and preferences.
(a) Eligibility documentation. Grantees must verify and document each participant's eligibility for supportive services and classify the participant under one of the categories set forth in § 62.11(a). Grantees must certify the eligibility and classification of each participant at least once every 3 months.
(c) Notifications to participants. (1) Prior to initially providing supportive services to a participant, the grantee must notify each participant of the following:
§ 62.37
§ 62.40
(a) After an applicant is selected for a supportive services grant in accordance with § 62.23, VA will draft a supportive services grant agreement to be executed by VA and the applicant. Upon execution of the supportive services grant agreement, VA will obligate supportive services grant funds to cover the amount of the approved supportive services grant, subject to the availability of funding. The supportive services grant agreement will provide that the grantee agrees, and will ensure that each subcontractor agrees, to:
(2) Comply with such other terms and conditions, including recordkeeping and reports for program monitoring and Start Printed Page 68987evaluation purposes, as VA may establish for purposes of carrying out the Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program, in an effective and efficient manner; and
(b) After a grantee is selected for renewal of a supportive services grant in accordance with § 62.25, VA will draft a supportive services grant agreement to be executed by VA and the grantee. Upon execution of the supportive services grant agreement, VA will obligate supportive services grant funds to cover the amount of the approved supportive services grant, subject to the availability of funding. The supportive services grant agreement will contain the same provisions described in paragraph (a) of this section.
§ 62.51
(b) VA may require that the grantee initiate, develop and submit to VA for approval a Corrective Action Plan (CAP) if, on a quarterly basis, actual supportive services grant expenditures vary from the amount disbursed to a grantee for that same quarter or actual supportive services grant activities vary from the grantee's program description provided in the supportive services grant agreement.
(c) Grantees must inform VA in writing of any key personnel changes (e.g., new executive director, supportive services grant program director, or chief financial officer) and grantee address changes within 30 days of the change.
(f) If a State or local government voluntarily contributes its own funds to supplement federally funded activities, the State or local government has the Start Printed Page 68988option to segregate the Federal funds or commingle them. However, if the funds are commingled, this provision applies to all of the commingled funds.
(g) To the extent otherwise permitted by Federal law, the restrictions on inherently religious activities set forth in this section do not apply where VA funds are provided to religious organizations through indirect assistance as a result of a genuine and independent private choice of a beneficiary, provided the religious organizations otherwise satisfy the requirements of this part. A religious organization may receive such funds as the result of a beneficiary's genuine and independent choice if, for example, a beneficiary redeems a voucher, coupon, or certificate, allowing the beneficiary to direct where funds are to be paid, or a similar funding mechanism provided to that beneficiary and designed to give that beneficiary a choice among providers.
(a) Grantees must comply with applicable requirements of the Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996 (31 U.S.C. 7501-7507) and revised OMB Circular A-133, “Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations,” codified by VA at 38 CFR Part 41.
(b) Grantees must use a financial management system that provides adequate fiscal control and accounting records and meets the requirements set forth in OMB Circular A-110, Subpart C, Section 21 (codified at 2 CFR 215.21) and 38 CFR 49.21.
(c) Payment up to the amount specified in the supportive services grant must be made only for allowable, allocable, and reasonable costs in conducting the work under the supportive services grant. The determination of allowable costs must be made in accordance with the applicable Federal Cost Principles set forth in OMB Circular A-122, Cost Principles for Non-Profit Organizations, codified at 2 CFR Part 235.
(d) Grantees are subject to the Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals and other Non-Profit Organizations, codified at 38 CFR Part 49.
For information on corrective action plans, which may be required in this circumstance, see § 62.60.
(b) VA actions when grantee fails to comply. When a grantee fails to comply with the terms, conditions, or standards of the supportive services grant, VA Start Printed Page 68989may, on 7-days notice to the grantee, withhold further payment, suspend the supportive services grant, or prohibit the grantee from incurring additional obligations of supportive services grant funds, pending corrective action by the grantee or a decision to terminate in accordance with paragraph (c) of this section. VA will allow all necessary and proper costs that the grantee could not reasonably avoid during a period of suspension if such costs meet the provisions of the applicable Federal Cost Principles.
(c) Termination. Supportive services grants may be terminated in whole or in part only if paragraphs (c)(1), (2), or (3) of this section apply.
(3) By the grantee upon sending to VA written notification setting forth the reasons for such termination, the effective date, and, in the case of partial termination, the portion to be terminated. However, if VA determines in the case of partial termination that the reduced or modified portion of the supportive services grant will not accomplish the purposes for which the supportive services grant was made, VA may terminate the supportive services grant in its entirety under either paragraphs (c)(1) or (2) of this section.
§ 62.81
[FR Doc. 2010-28407 Filed 11-9-10; 8:45 am]