White Paper revisions to 10-0508 SSVF Application

VA Form 10-0508 Changes

General Summary: After briefing Secretary Shinseki on the SSVF grant award process, he indicated that the length of the current application likely discouraged potential applicants and asked that we worked to reduce this burden for the upcoming NOFA, expected to be announced October 2012. The Secretary’s comments are consistent with feedback the program office received in the last grant cycle when community organizations complained about the length and format of the application. The Administration’s commitment to the program and its role in ending Veteran homelessness is reflected by its rapid growth (it is increasing from $100 million in FY 12 to $300 million in FY 13. Given this emphasis, the Secretary felt it was critical for the VA to encourage the broadest possible participation. In response, after careful review the Homeless Program office has eliminated fields that limited responses. Now instead of limiting individual responses, the overall narrative is limited to 8 pages. Sections are shortened to provide focus on areas more central to program goals and designs. Summary questions/data that had been located throughout the previous application have all been combined in the Executive Summary.

Cover Page 1. Edits:

Instructions: Paragraph removed
Technical Assistance: Paragraph removed

Page 2. Edits:

Section A: Background, Qualifications, Experience, & Past Performance of Applicant and Any Identified Subcontractors

• number 2 and 4 deleted There were 4 topic areas and 7 questions, now reduced to 2 questions
  

Section B: Program Concept & Supportive Services Plan (page 7 in updated form)

• number 3,6 and 7 deleted (topic areas with 7 questions, reduced to 3 questions)

Section C: Quality Assurance & Evaluation Plan (page 8 in updated form)

• number 3 and 4 deleted (3 topic areas with 4 questions, reduced to 2 questions)

Section D: Financial Capability & Plan (page 8 in updated form)

• number 1 and 4 deleted (3 topic areas with 6 questions, reduced to 2 questions)

Section E: Area or Community Linkages and Relations (page 8 in updated form)

• 2 and 4 deleted (3 questions reduced to 2 questions)
  
  

Section F: Certifications (revised) (page 8 in updated form)

Exhibits

Exhibit I: Eligible Entity Legal Authority (revised) Exhibit II: Eligibility/Screening Tool

Exhibit II: Applicant Organizational Chart(deleted)

Exhibit III: Evidence of Relationship between Applicant and Identified Subcontractors(deleted)

Exhibit IV (revised) Exhibit V: Articles of Incorporation, Corporate Resolutions, Certified Partnership, Joint Venture, or LLC Agreement

Exhibit V: (revised) Exhibit I: Key Personnel Resumes and Hiring Criteria for Proposed Staff

Exhibit VI: (revised) Exhibit III: Program Budget (Complete Attached Microsoft Excel Applicant Budget Template)

Exhibit VII: (Optional) Identified Subcontractor Information(deleted)

Exhibit VIII: (Optional) Explanation of Any Legal Actions, Judgments, etc. (deleted)

Exhibit IX: (Optional) Auditor’s Opinion Letter(deleted)

Exhibit X: (revised) Exhibit IV: (Optional) Relevant MOUs and MOAs Demonstrating Area or Community Linkages

Exhibit XI: (Optional) Exceptions to the Certification of Compliance with Civil Rights Provisions(deleted)

(Page 3) Executive Summary

Summary questions/data that had been located throughout the previous application have all been combined in the Executive Summary.

Please complete Sections A-F of the application prior to completing the below Executive Summary. Total narrative for this section should not exceed 4 pages, excluding any exhibits. (revised)

(Page 4) Executive Summary

F. Compliance with Threshold Requirements (38 CFR 62.21).

a. Application Completeness (deleted)
b. Eligible Entity: becomes (a.) and c. Eligible Activities move ups up to become (b). D thru F all move up one spot. F. Default is followed by chart.

(Page 5) 2 charts moved up from page 7 (F. Default and G. Summary Grant Info)

G. Summary Grant Information

a. (was previously (b.)): Identify in the table below which of the following other public benefits the applicant will either provide directly and/or assist participants in obtaining through referrals to other organizations:

Table _ formerly Section B. Now under G. Summary…(footnote) last line of text:
If an applicant is NOT providing one of the above- noted benefits/services (either directly or through referral), please describe the reason for this decision. (deleted)

b. (was previously (c.)): Identify below which of the following other supportive services (if any) will be offered to participants (see 38 CFR 62.33 and 38 CFR 62.34 for descriptions of these supportive services):

• Emergency Supplies Assistance (deleted)

• General Housing Stability Assistance (inclusion)

• Emergency Housing Assistance (inclusion)

(Page 8 is now page 7) SECTION A: Background, Qualifications, Experience…

• Paragraph a. and b. are revised.

• Sub-Para’s i, ii, iii, c, d (deleted)

• 2. Staff Qualifications: a. and b. paras (deleted)

• 3. Organizational Qualifications and Past Performance(deleted)

• 4. Experience Working with Veterans: paragraph a. and b. (deleted)

(Page 7) SECTION B: Program Concept & Supportive Services Plan

(deleted in highlight) The information requested below should be typed into the boxes following each question in the application form. Limit your responses to the space provided. In scoring the application, VA will award up to 25 points based on the applicant’s responses to questions contained in this section. Applicants should reference the requirements set forth in the NOFA in preparing these responses. In scoring the application, VA will award up to 35 points based on the applicant’s responses to questions contained in this section.

• Need for Program. (deleted)

• a) Estimate the following: (revised)

• sections i, ii, iii (deleted)

• b) paragraph (revised)

• 2. Outreach Screening Plan (deleted)

• 3. Program concept

• d, e, f, g (deleted)

• 4. Program Implementation Timeline(deleted)

1. Revised under “C”

• 5. Collaboration and Communication with VA(deleted)

• 6. Capacity to Undertake Program(deleted)

(Page 8) SECTION C: Quality Assurance & Evaluation Plan

(deleted in highlight)The information requested below should be typed into the boxes following each question in the application form. Limit your responses to the space provided. In scoring the application, VA will award up to 15 points based on the applicant’s responses to questions contained in this section.

• 1. Program Evaluation (deleted) (revised as paragraph “a”)

• 2. Monitoring: paragraph (a.) (revised as paragraph “b”)

• (b) (deleted)

• 3. Management, reporting and Remediation (deleted)

(Page 8) SECTION D: Financial Capability & Plan

(deleted in highlight) The following items concern the applicant’s financial plan. The information requested below should be typed into the boxes following each question in the application form. Limit your responses to the space provided. Exhibit VI below must also be provided in the Microsoft Excel template. In scoring the application, VA will award up to 15 points based on the applicant’s responses to questions contained in this section. (revised)

.

• 1. Program Evaluation (deleted) (revised as paragraph “a”)

• Organizational Finances (deleted)

• a) paragraph (revised)

• b) paragraph (revised)

• 2. Estimated Monthly Program Costs…(deleted)

• a., b., and c., d (deleted)

• 3. Summary of Sources of Program Funds(deleted)

(Page 8) SECTION E: Area or Community Linkages and Relations

(deleted in highlight)The information requested below should be typed into the boxes following each question in the application form. Limit your responses to the space provided. In scoring the application, VA will award up to 10 points based on the applicant’s responses to questions contained in this section

• 1., 2., and 3., revised as a. and b. paragraphs

(Page 11) Exhibit III: Applicant Budget Template (formerly Exhibit VI on page 26)