Fund Availability Under the VA Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program, 8935-8938 [E8-2933]
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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 32 / Friday, February 15, 2008 / Notices
collection of information should be
received on or before April 15, 2008.
ADDRESSES: Submit written comments
on the collection of information through
www.Regulations.gov; or to Nancy J.
Kessinger, Veterans Benefits
Administration (20M35), Department of
Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue,
NW., Washington, DC 20420 or e-mail:
nancy.kessinger@va.gov. Please refer to
‘‘OMB Control No. 2900–0458’’ in any
correspondence. During the comment
period, comments may be viewed online
through the Federal Docket Management
System (FDMS) at www.Regulations.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Nancy J. Kessinger at (202) 461–9769 or
Fax (202) 275–5947.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the
PRA of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–13; 44 U.S.C.
3501—3521), Federal agencies must
obtain approval from the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) for each
collection of information they conduct
or sponsor. This request for comment is
being made pursuant to Section
3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA.
With respect to the following
collection of information, VBA invites
comments on: (1) Whether the proposed
collection of information is necessary
for the proper performance of VBA’s
functions, including whether the
information will have practical utility;
(2) the accuracy of VBA’s estimate of the
burden of the proposed collection of
information; (3) ways to enhance the
quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and (4)
ways to minimize the burden of the
collection of information on
respondents, including through the use
of automated collection techniques or
the use of other forms of information
technology.
Title: Certification of School
Attendance or Termination, VA Forms
21–8960 and 21–8960–1.
OMB Control Number: 2900–0458.
Type of Review: Extension of a
currently approved collection.
Abstract: Claimants complete VA
Form 21–8960 and VA Form 21–8960–
1 to certify that a child between the ages
of 18 and 23 years old is attending
school. VA uses the information
collected to determine the child’s
continued entitlement to benefits.
Benefits are discontinued if the child
marries, or no longer attending school.
Affected Public: Individuals or
households.
Estimated Annual Burden: 11,667
hours.
Estimated Average Burden Per
Respondent: 10 minutes.
Frequency of Response: Annually.
Estimated Number of Respondents:
70,000.
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Dated: February 8, 2008.
By direction of the Secretary:
Denise McLamb,
Program Analyst, Records Management
Service.
[FR Doc. E8–2956 Filed 2–14–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS
AFFAIRS
[OMB Control No. 2900–0621]
Proposed Information Collection
(National Practitioner Data Bank
Regulations) Activity; Comment
Request
Veterans Health
Administration, Department of Veterans
Affairs.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The Veterans Health
Administration (VHA) is announcing an
opportunity for public comment on the
proposed collection of certain
information by the agency. Under the
Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of
1995, Federal agencies are required to
publish notice in the Federal Register
concerning each proposed collection of
information, including each proposed
revision of a currently approved
collection, and allow 60 days for public
comment in response to the notice. This
notice solicits comments on information
needed to determine whether
malpractice payments are related to
substandard care, professional
incompetence or misconduct.
DATES: Written comments and
recommendations on the proposed
collection of information should be
received on or before April 15, 2008.
ADDRESSES: Submit written comments
on the collection of information through
www.Regulations.gov; or to Mary Stout,
Veterans Health Administration
(193E1), Department of Veterans Affairs,
810 Vermont Avenue, NW.,
Washington, DC 20420; or e-mail:
mary.stout@va.gov. Please refer to
‘‘OMB Control No. 2900–0621’’ in any
correspondence. During the comment
period, comments may be viewed online
through the Federal Docket Management
System (FDMS) at www.Regulations.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mary Stout (202) 461–5867 or FAX (202)
273–9381.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the
PRA of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–13; 44 U.S.C.
3501–3521), Federal agencies must
obtain approval from the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) for each
collection of information they conduct
or sponsor. This request for comment is
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8935
being made pursuant to Section
3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA.
With respect to the following
collection of information, VHA invites
comments on: (1) Whether the proposed
collection of information is necessary
for the proper performance of VHA’s
functions, including whether the
information will have practical utility;
(2) the accuracy of VHA’s estimate of
the burden of the proposed collection of
information; (3) ways to enhance the
quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and (4)
ways to minimize the burden of the
collection of information on
respondents, including through the use
of automated collection techniques or
the use of other forms of information
technology.
Title: National Practitioner Data Bank
Regulations (NPDB).
OMB Control Number: 2900–0621.
Type of Review: Revision of a
currently approved collection.
Abstract: The National Practitioner
Data Bank, authorized by the Health
Care Quality Improvement Act of 1986
and administered by the Department of
Health and Human Service, was
established for the purpose of collecting
and releasing certain information
concerning physicians, dentists, and
other licensed health care practitioners.
The Act requires VA to obtain
information from the Data Bank on
health care providers who provide or
seek to provide health care services at
VA facilities and report information
regarding malpractice payments and
adverse clinical privileges action to the
Data Bank.
Affected Public: Individuals or
Households.
Estimated Average Burden per
Respondent: 5 hours.
Frequency of Response: On occasion.
Estimated Number of Respondents:
1,750.
Dated: February 8, 2008.
By direction of the Secretary:
Denise McLamb,
Program Analyst, Records Management
Service.
[FR Doc. E8–2957 Filed 2–14–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS
AFFAIRS
Fund Availability Under the VA
Homeless Providers Grant and Per
Diem Program
Department of Veterans Affairs.
Notice.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
SUMMARY: The Department of Veterans
Affairs is announcing the availability of
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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 32 / Friday, February 15, 2008 / Notices
funds for applications for assistance
under the ‘‘Per Diem Only’’ component
of VA’s Homeless Providers Grant and
Per Diem Program. This Notice contains
information concerning the program,
funding priorities, application process,
and amount of funding available.
DATES: An original completed and
collated grant application (plus three
completed collated copies) for
assistance under the VA’s Homeless
Providers Grant and Per Diem Program
must be received in the Grant and Per
Diem Field Office, by 4:00 PM Eastern
Time on Wednesday, April 9, 2008.
Applications may not be sent by
facsimile (FAX). 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
material to avoid the risk of loss of
eligibility due to unanticipated delays
or other delivery-related problems.
For a Copy of the Application
Package: Download directly from VA’s
Grant and Per Diem Program Web page
at: https://www.va.gov/homeless/
page.cfm?pg=3 or call the Grant and Per
Diem Program Office at (toll-free) 1–
877–332–0334. In this package is
information on Grants.gov submissions.
For a document relating to the VA
Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem
Program, see the Final Rule published
in the Federal Register on September
26, 2003.
Submission of Application: An
original completed and collated grant
application (plus three copies) must be
submitted to the following address: VA
Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem
Field Office, 10770 N. 46th Street, Suite
C–200, Tampa, Florida 33617.
Applications must be received in the
Grant and Per Diem Field office by the
application deadline. This includes
applications submitted through
Grants.gov. Applications must arrive as
a complete package. Materials arriving
separately will not be included in the
application package for consideration
and may result in the application being
rejected or not funded.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.
Chelsea Watson, VA Homeless
Providers Grant and Per Diem Program,
Department of Veterans Affairs, 10770
North 46th Street, Suite C–200, Tampa,
Florida 33617; or you may call (toll-free)
1–877–332–0334 for further
information.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This
Notice announces the availability of
funds for assistance under VA’s
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Jkt 214001
Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem
Program for eligible programs that have
not previously applied for or received
per diem in connection with a grant (see
38 CFR 61.1 through 61.82). Funding
applied for under this Notice is
authorized by Public Law 109–461,
§ 703, known as the Veterans Benefit,
Health Care and Information
Technology Act of 2006, and by 38
U.S.C. 2011, 2012, 2061, 2064, and may
be used for aid for supportive housing.
Service Centers will not be funded in
this NOFA. Funding will be in the form
of per diem payments issued to eligible
entities from the date of award and will
continue subject to availability of funds
and the recipients’ compliance with 38
CFR 61.1 through 61.82. For eligibility
criteria please refer to Final Rule
published in the Federal Register on
September 26, 2003, 38 CFR 61.30,
61.31, and 61.32.
VA expects that it will take no longer
than 90 days from the date of award for
projects to be inspected and become
operational. Failure to meet the 90 day
milestone may result in the per diem
award being terminated.
Capital grant recipients who received
capital grant funding under VA’s
Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem
Program in years 1994 through 2007 for
acquisition, renovation or new
construction should not respond to this
NOFA. Per diem payments for those
portions of their programs that were
created with capital grant funds is
requested in the capital grant
application and paid at the time of
capital grant project completion and
inspection.
Previous ‘‘Per Diem Only’’ recipients
that renewed their PDO grants in 2005
or 2007 need not reapply to continue
these projects.
VA is pleased to issue this Notice of
Fund Availability (NOFA) for the
Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem
Program as a part of the effort to end
chronic homelessness among our
Nation’s veterans. The Department
expects to create approximately 1000
beds under this NOFA.
Funding available under this NOFA is
being offered to help offset the operating
expenses of existing state and local
governments, Indian Tribal
Governments, faith-based, and
community-based organizations that are
capable of providing supported housing
and supportive services for homeless
veterans. The District of Columbia, the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, any
territory or possession of the United
States, may be considered eligible
entities under the definition of ‘‘State’’
in the 38 CFR 61.1 Definitions. It should
be noted that VA payment is limited to
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the applicant’s cost of care per eligible
veteran minus other sources of
payments to the applicant for furnishing
services to homeless veterans up to the
per day rate VA pays for State Home
Domiciliary care. Awardees will be
required to support their request for per
diem payment with adequate fiscal
documentation as to program income
and expenses.
Interested organizations should know
that the vast majority of homeless
veterans in this country suffer from
mental illness or substance abuse
disorders or are dually diagnosed with
both mental illness and substance abuse
disorders. In addition, many homeless
veterans have serious medical problems.
The recent events associated with the
Global War on Terrorism (GWOT)
coupled with the Nation’s returning
OIF/OEF veterans further emphasizes
the need for collaboration with VA
medical centers, VA community-based
outpatient clinics or other health care
providers as well as with VA and other
benefit providers as an important aspect
of ensuring that homeless veterans have
access to appropriate health care
services. VA considers this program an
important part of our effort to end
chronic homelessness among all
veterans.
It is important to be aware that VA
places great emphasis on responsibility
and accountability. VA has procedures
in place to monitor services provided to
homeless veterans and outcomes
associated with the services provided in
grant and per diem-funded programs.
VA is also implementing new
procedures to further this effort.
Applicants should be aware of the
following:
All awardees that are conditionally
selected in response to this NOFA must
meet the Life Safety Code of the
National Fire and Protection
Association as it relates to their specific
facility. Applicants should note that all
facilities are to be sprinkled unless they
are specifically exempted under the Life
Safety Code and make consideration of
this when submitting their grant
applications as no additional funds will
be made available for capital
improvements under this per diem only
NOFA. VA will conduct an inspection
prior to awardees being able to submit
request for payment to ensure this
requirement is met.
Each per diem-funded program will
have a liaison appointed from a nearby
VA medical facility to provide oversight
and monitor services provided to
homeless veterans in the per diemfunded program.
Monitoring will include at least an
annual review of each per diem
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program’s progress toward meeting
internal goals and objectives in helping
veterans attain housing stability,
adequate income support, and self
sufficiency as identified in each per
diem program’s original application.
Monitoring will also include a review of
the agency’s income and expenses as
they relate to this project to ensure per
diem payment is accurate.
Each per diem-funded program will
participate in VA’s national program
monitoring and evaluation system
administered by VA’s Northeast
Program Evaluation Center (NEPEC). It
is the intention of VA to develop
specific performance targets with
respect to housing for homeless
veterans. NEPEC’s monitoring
procedures will be used to determine
successful accomplishment of these
housing outcomes for each per diemfunded program.
VA encourages all eligible and
interested entities to review this NOFA
and consider applying for funds to
provide service for homeless veterans.
Authority: VA’s Homeless Providers
Grant and Per Diem Program is
authorized by Public Law 109–461,
§ 703, known as the Veterans Benefit,
Health Care and Information
Technology Act of 2006, and by 38
U.S.C. 2011, 2012, 2061, 2064. The
program is implemented by the final
rule codified at 38 CFR part 61.0. The
final rule was published in the Federal
Register on September 26, 2003, the
regulations can be found in their
entirety in 38 CFR, Sec. 61.0 through
61.82. Funds made available under this
Notice are subject to the requirements of
those regulations.
Allocation: Approximately $12
million annually is available for the per
diem only award component of this
program. This funding subject to the
availability of funds and will be
available so long as recipients meet the
requirements of 38 CFR 61.1 through
61.82.
Funding Priorities: VA is offering to
eligible applicants funding priorities for
transitional housing and services to; (1)
Serve women, women with care of
dependent children, (2) serve all
veterans in the States of Vermont,
Nebraska, and Alaska and, (3) Indian
Tribal Governments. Additionally, VA
is encouraging interested state and local
governments, Indian Tribal
Governments, and faith-based and
community-based organizations to
apply for funding under this NOFA. In
this round of capital grant funding, VA
expects to award funding to create
approximately 1000 community-based
supported housing beds.
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Funding priority 1. VA is offering the
opportunity for providers who are
willing to create new projects
specifically for women and women with
care of dependent children only, which
are 30 beds or less. Of those eligible
entities in the first funding priority, that
are legally fundable, the highest scoring
applicants will be funded first until
approximately 150 beds are awarded.
Applicants not funded in this priority
will be considered in the fourth funding
priority. Should not enough eligible
projects be funded under the first
funding priority, beds not awarded in
this priority will fall to the fourth
funding priority.
Funding priority 2. VA is offering the
opportunity for providers who are
willing to create new or expand existing
projects for homeless veterans in the
States of Vermont, Nebraska, and
Alaska. Applicants whose projects are
physically located in these states will be
considered in the second funding
priority. Of those eligible entities in the
second funding priority, that are legally
fundable, the highest scoring applicants
will be funded first until approximately
100 beds are awarded. Applicants not
funded in this priority will be placed in
the fourth funding priority. Should not
enough eligible projects be funded
under the second funding priority, beds
in this priority will fall to the fourth
funding priority.
Funding priority 3. VA is offering the
opportunity to Indian Tribal
Governments or non-profit agencies that
will provide transitional housing and
services on Indian Tribal Property to
apply for funding under this NOFA to
create transitional housing and services
for homeless veterans. Eligible entities
that are Indian Tribal Governments or
non-profit agencies willing to provide
transitional housing and services on
Indian Tribal Property will be
considered in the third funding priority
as applicable. Of those eligible entities
in the third funding priority, that are
legally fundable, the highest scoring
applicants will be funded first until
approximately 100 beds are awarded.
Applicants not funded in this priority
will be placed in the fourth funding
priority. Should not enough eligible
projects be funded under the third
funding priority, beds in this priority
will fall to the fourth funding priority.
Note: Non-profit agencies who apply
under this priority will be required to
provide a letter of assurance from the
Indian Tribal Government that if funded
the provision of service will occur on
Indian Tribal Property.
Funding priority 4. VA is encouraging
interested, state and local governments,
Indian Tribal Governments, faith-based
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8937
and community-based organizations, as
well as eligible entities located in The
District of Columbia, the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any
territory or possession of the United
States, to apply for funding under this
NOFA to create transitional housing and
services for all homeless veterans.
Eligible entities that are state and local
governments, Indian Tribal
Governments, faith-based, and
community-based organizations, or any
territory or possession of the United
States, will be considered in the fourth
funding priority as applicable. Of those
eligible entities that are legally
fundable, the highest-ranked
applications for which funding is
available, will be conditionally selected
for eligibility to receive a per diem only
award in accordance with their ranked
order until funding is expended
(approximately 650 beds).
Methodology: VA will review all noncapital grant recipients in response to
this notice of funding availability. VA
will then group the applicants into the
funding priorities categories. Applicants
will then be ranked within their
respective funding category based on
score and any ranking criteria set forth
in that funding category only if the
applicant scores at least 500 cumulative
points from paragraphs (b) (c) (d) (e) and
(i) of 38 CFR 61.13.
The highest-ranked application for
which funding is available, within the
highest funding category, will be
conditionally selected for eligibility to
receive per diem payment in accordance
with their ranked order until VA
reaches the projected bed totals for each
category. If funds are still available after
selection of those applications in the
highest priority group VA will continue
to conditionally select applicants in
lower priority categories in accordance
with the selection method set forth in
the final rule Section 61.32.
Application Requirements:
Applicants must include a cover letter
clearly stating under which funding
priority they wish to be considered.
Non-profit agencies who apply under
funding priority three are required to
provide a letter of assurance from the
Indian Tribal Government that if
funded, the provision of service will
occur on Indian Tribal property. The
specific grant application requirements
will be specified in the application
package. The package includes all
required forms and certifications.
Selections will be made based on
criteria described in the application,
Final Rule, and NOFA. Applicants who
are selected will be notified of any
additional information needed to
confirm or clarify information provided
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in the application. Applicants will then
be notified of the deadline to submit
such information. If an applicant is
unable to meet any conditions for grant
award within the specified time frame,
VA reserves the right to not award funds
and to use the funds available for other
grant and per diem applicants.
Dated: February 1, 2008.
Gordon H. Mansfield,
Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. E8–2933 Filed 2–14–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS
AFFAIRS
Fund Availability Under the VA
Homeless Providers Grant and Per
Diem Program
Department of Veterans Affairs.
Notice.
AGENCY:
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES
ACTION:
SUMMARY: The Department of Veterans
Affairs (VA) is announcing the
availability of funds for applications for
assistance under the Capital Grant
component of VA’s Homeless Providers
Grant and Per Diem Program. This
Notice contains information concerning
the program, funding priorities,
application process, and amount of
funding available.
DATES: An original completed and
collated capital grant application (plus
three completed collated copies) for
assistance under the VA’s Homeless
Providers Grant and Per Diem Program
must be received in the Grant and Per
Diem Field Office, by 4:00 PM Eastern
Time on Wednesday, April 9, 2008.
Applications may not be sent by
facsimile (FAX). 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
material to avoid any risk of loss of
eligibility due to unanticipated delays
or other delivery-related problems.
For a Copy of the Application
Package: Download directly from VA’s
Grant and Per Diem Program Web page
at: https://www.va.gov/homeless/
page.cfm?pg=3 or https://
www.grants.gov/. Questions should be
referred to the Grant and Per Diem
Program at (toll-free) 1–877–332–0334.
For information relating to VA’s
Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem
Program, see the Final Rule published
in the Federal Register on September
26, 2003.
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Jkt 214001
Submission of Application: An
original completed and collated grant
application (plus three copies) and a
cover letter clearly stating under which
funding priority applicants (see funding
priorities) wish to be considered must
be submitted to the following address:
VA Homeless Providers Grant and Per
Diem Field Office, 10770 North 46th
Street, Suite C–200, Tampa, Florida
33617. Applications must be received in
the Grant and Per Diem Field office by
the application deadline. Applications
must arrive as a complete package.
Materials arriving separately will not be
included in the application package for
consideration and may result in the
application being rejected or not
funded.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.
Chelsea Watson, VA Homeless
Providers Grant and Per Diem Program,
Department of Veterans Affairs, 10770
North 46th Street, Suite C–200, Tampa,
Florida 33617; or you may call (toll-free)
at 1–877–332–0334 for further
information.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This
Notice announces the availability of
capital funds for assistance under VA’s
Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem
Program for eligible entities to: (1)
Expand existing transitional housing
projects; or (2) develop new transitional
housing programs. Supportive service
centers will not be considered in this
Notice of Fund Availability (NOFA).
Funding applied for under the capital
grant component may be used for: (1)
Remodeling or alteration of existing
buildings; (2) acquisition of buildings,
acquisition and rehabilitation of
buildings; (3) new construction; and (4)
acquisition of vans (in connection with
a new or existing Grant and Per Diem
Grant project) for outreach to and
transportation for homeless veterans.
Funding applied for under this Notice is
authorized by Public Law 109–461,
§ 703, the Veterans Benefit, Health Care
and Information Technology Act of
2006, and by 38 U.S.C. 2011, 2012,
2061, 2064, and may be used as aid for
supportive housing. Eligibility criteria
may be found in the Final Rule
published in the Federal Register on
September 26, 2003.
Capital grant applicants may not
receive assistance to replace funds
provided by any State or local
government to assist homeless persons.
Note: Applicants considering the use of
Low Income Housing Tax Credits
(LIHTC) in conjunction with the capital
grants in this NOFA should take into
account that these tax credits are
generally for permanent housing
projects. Permanent housing is not an
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eligible activity under VA’s Homeless
Providers Grant and Per Diem Program.
Other issues such as a reduction in the
base of the tax credits, site control,
leases for residents, and using the tax
credits as a loan may be problematic to
applicants even if transitional housing
is provided and upon review and
discovery may result in the application
being denied.
A proposal for an existing project that
seeks to shift its focus by changing the
population being served or the precise
mix of services being offered is not
eligible for consideration. No more than
25 percent of housing and services
available in projects funded through this
grant program may be provided to
clients who are not receiving those
services as veterans.
VA is pleased to issue this NOFA for
the Homeless Providers Grant and Per
Diem Program. The Department expects
to award approximately $25 million
under the capital grant component.
Funding available under this NOFA is
being offered to help offset the capital
expenses of existing state and local
governments, Indian Tribal
Governments, faith-based, and
community-based organizations that are
capable of creating and providing
supported transitional housing for
homeless veterans. The District of
Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico, any territory or possession of the
United States, are considered eligible
entities under the definition of ‘‘State’’
in the Final Rule, Sec. 61.1 Definitions.
Per diem for these programs is
requested in the grant application and
may be paid at the time of grant project
completion. It should be noted that VA
per diem payment is limited to the
applicant’s cost of care per eligible
veteran minus other sources of
payments to the applicant for furnishing
services to homeless veterans up to the
per day rate VA pays for State Home
Domiciliary care. Awardees will be
required to support their request for per
diem payment with adequate fiscal
documentation as to program income
and expenses.
Interested organizations should know
that the vast majority of homeless
veterans in this country suffer from
mental illness or substance abuse
disorders or are dually diagnosed with
both mental illness and substance abuse
disorders. In addition, many homeless
veterans have serious medical problems.
The recent events associated with the
Global War on Terrorism (GWOT)
coupled with the Nation’s returning
OEF/OIF veterans further emphasizes
the need for collaboration with VA
medical centers, VA community-based
outpatient clinics or other health care
E:\FR\FM\15FEN1.SGM
15FEN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 32 (Friday, February 15, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8935-8938]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-2933]
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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Fund Availability Under the VA Homeless Providers Grant and Per
Diem Program
AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Veterans Affairs is announcing the
availability of
[[Page 8936]]
funds for applications for assistance under the ``Per Diem Only''
component of VA's Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program. This
Notice contains information concerning the program, funding priorities,
application process, and amount of funding available.
DATES: An original completed and collated grant application (plus three
completed collated copies) for assistance under the VA's Homeless
Providers Grant and Per Diem Program must be received in the Grant and
Per Diem Field Office, by 4:00 PM Eastern Time on Wednesday, April 9,
2008. Applications may not be sent by facsimile (FAX). 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 material
to avoid the risk of loss of eligibility due to unanticipated delays or
other delivery-related problems.
For a Copy of the Application Package: Download directly from VA's
Grant and Per Diem Program Web page at: https://www.va.gov/homeless/
page.cfm?pg=3 or call the Grant and Per Diem Program Office at (toll-
free) 1-877-332-0334. In this package is information on Grants.gov
submissions. For a document relating to the VA Homeless Providers Grant
and Per Diem Program, see the Final Rule published in the Federal
Register on September 26, 2003.
Submission of Application: An original completed and collated grant
application (plus three copies) must be submitted to the following
address: VA Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Field Office, 10770
N. 46th Street, Suite C-200, Tampa, Florida 33617. Applications must be
received in the Grant and Per Diem Field office by the application
deadline. This includes applications submitted through Grants.gov.
Applications must arrive as a complete package. Materials arriving
separately will not be included in the application package for
consideration and may result in the application being rejected or not
funded.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Chelsea Watson, VA Homeless
Providers Grant and Per Diem Program, Department of Veterans Affairs,
10770 North 46th Street, Suite C-200, Tampa, Florida 33617; or you may
call (toll-free) 1-877-332-0334 for further information.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This Notice announces the availability of
funds for assistance under VA's Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem
Program for eligible programs that have not previously applied for or
received per diem in connection with a grant (see 38 CFR 61.1 through
61.82). Funding applied for under this Notice is authorized by Public
Law 109-461, Sec. 703, known as the Veterans Benefit, Health Care and
Information Technology Act of 2006, and by 38 U.S.C. 2011, 2012, 2061,
2064, and may be used for aid for supportive housing. Service Centers
will not be funded in this NOFA. Funding will be in the form of per
diem payments issued to eligible entities from the date of award and
will continue subject to availability of funds and the recipients'
compliance with 38 CFR 61.1 through 61.82. For eligibility criteria
please refer to Final Rule published in the Federal Register on
September 26, 2003, 38 CFR 61.30, 61.31, and 61.32.
VA expects that it will take no longer than 90 days from the date
of award for projects to be inspected and become operational. Failure
to meet the 90 day milestone may result in the per diem award being
terminated.
Capital grant recipients who received capital grant funding under
VA's Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program in years 1994
through 2007 for acquisition, renovation or new construction should not
respond to this NOFA. Per diem payments for those portions of their
programs that were created with capital grant funds is requested in the
capital grant application and paid at the time of capital grant project
completion and inspection.
Previous ``Per Diem Only'' recipients that renewed their PDO grants
in 2005 or 2007 need not reapply to continue these projects.
VA is pleased to issue this Notice of Fund Availability (NOFA) for
the Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program as a part of the
effort to end chronic homelessness among our Nation's veterans. The
Department expects to create approximately 1000 beds under this NOFA.
Funding available under this NOFA is being offered to help offset
the operating expenses of existing state and local governments, Indian
Tribal Governments, faith-based, and community-based organizations that
are capable of providing supported housing and supportive services for
homeless veterans. The District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico, any territory or possession of the United States, may be
considered eligible entities under the definition of ``State'' in the
38 CFR 61.1 Definitions. It should be noted that VA payment is limited
to the applicant's cost of care per eligible veteran minus other
sources of payments to the applicant for furnishing services to
homeless veterans up to the per day rate VA pays for State Home
Domiciliary care. Awardees will be required to support their request
for per diem payment with adequate fiscal documentation as to program
income and expenses.
Interested organizations should know that the vast majority of
homeless veterans in this country suffer from mental illness or
substance abuse disorders or are dually diagnosed with both mental
illness and substance abuse disorders. In addition, many homeless
veterans have serious medical problems. The recent events associated
with the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) coupled with the Nation's
returning OIF/OEF veterans further emphasizes the need for
collaboration with VA medical centers, VA community-based outpatient
clinics or other health care providers as well as with VA and other
benefit providers as an important aspect of ensuring that homeless
veterans have access to appropriate health care services. VA considers
this program an important part of our effort to end chronic
homelessness among all veterans.
It is important to be aware that VA places great emphasis on
responsibility and accountability. VA has procedures in place to
monitor services provided to homeless veterans and outcomes associated
with the services provided in grant and per diem-funded programs. VA is
also implementing new procedures to further this effort. Applicants
should be aware of the following:
All awardees that are conditionally selected in response to this
NOFA must meet the Life Safety Code of the National Fire and Protection
Association as it relates to their specific facility. Applicants should
note that all facilities are to be sprinkled unless they are
specifically exempted under the Life Safety Code and make consideration
of this when submitting their grant applications as no additional funds
will be made available for capital improvements under this per diem
only NOFA. VA will conduct an inspection prior to awardees being able
to submit request for payment to ensure this requirement is met.
Each per diem-funded program will have a liaison appointed from a
nearby VA medical facility to provide oversight and monitor services
provided to homeless veterans in the per diem-funded program.
Monitoring will include at least an annual review of each per diem
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program's progress toward meeting internal goals and objectives in
helping veterans attain housing stability, adequate income support, and
self sufficiency as identified in each per diem program's original
application. Monitoring will also include a review of the agency's
income and expenses as they relate to this project to ensure per diem
payment is accurate.
Each per diem-funded program will participate in VA's national
program monitoring and evaluation system administered by VA's Northeast
Program Evaluation Center (NEPEC). It is the intention of VA to develop
specific performance targets with respect to housing for homeless
veterans. NEPEC's monitoring procedures will be used to determine
successful accomplishment of these housing outcomes for each per diem-
funded program.
VA encourages all eligible and interested entities to review this
NOFA and consider applying for funds to provide service for homeless
veterans.
Authority: VA's Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program is
authorized by Public Law 109-461, Sec. 703, known as the Veterans
Benefit, Health Care and Information Technology Act of 2006, and by 38
U.S.C. 2011, 2012, 2061, 2064. The program is implemented by the final
rule codified at 38 CFR part 61.0. The final rule was published in the
Federal Register on September 26, 2003, the regulations can be found in
their entirety in 38 CFR, Sec. 61.0 through 61.82. Funds made available
under this Notice are subject to the requirements of those regulations.
Allocation: Approximately $12 million annually is available for the
per diem only award component of this program. This funding subject to
the availability of funds and will be available so long as recipients
meet the requirements of 38 CFR 61.1 through 61.82.
Funding Priorities: VA is offering to eligible applicants funding
priorities for transitional housing and services to; (1) Serve women,
women with care of dependent children, (2) serve all veterans in the
States of Vermont, Nebraska, and Alaska and, (3) Indian Tribal
Governments. Additionally, VA is encouraging interested state and local
governments, Indian Tribal Governments, and faith-based and community-
based organizations to apply for funding under this NOFA. In this round
of capital grant funding, VA expects to award funding to create
approximately 1000 community-based supported housing beds.
Funding priority 1. VA is offering the opportunity for providers
who are willing to create new projects specifically for women and women
with care of dependent children only, which are 30 beds or less. Of
those eligible entities in the first funding priority, that are legally
fundable, the highest scoring applicants will be funded first until
approximately 150 beds are awarded. Applicants not funded in this
priority will be considered in the fourth funding priority. Should not
enough eligible projects be funded under the first funding priority,
beds not awarded in this priority will fall to the fourth funding
priority.
Funding priority 2. VA is offering the opportunity for providers
who are willing to create new or expand existing projects for homeless
veterans in the States of Vermont, Nebraska, and Alaska. Applicants
whose projects are physically located in these states will be
considered in the second funding priority. Of those eligible entities
in the second funding priority, that are legally fundable, the highest
scoring applicants will be funded first until approximately 100 beds
are awarded. Applicants not funded in this priority will be placed in
the fourth funding priority. Should not enough eligible projects be
funded under the second funding priority, beds in this priority will
fall to the fourth funding priority.
Funding priority 3. VA is offering the opportunity to Indian Tribal
Governments or non-profit agencies that will provide transitional
housing and services on Indian Tribal Property to apply for funding
under this NOFA to create transitional housing and services for
homeless veterans. Eligible entities that are Indian Tribal Governments
or non-profit agencies willing to provide transitional housing and
services on Indian Tribal Property will be considered in the third
funding priority as applicable. Of those eligible entities in the third
funding priority, that are legally fundable, the highest scoring
applicants will be funded first until approximately 100 beds are
awarded. Applicants not funded in this priority will be placed in the
fourth funding priority. Should not enough eligible projects be funded
under the third funding priority, beds in this priority will fall to
the fourth funding priority. Note: Non-profit agencies who apply under
this priority will be required to provide a letter of assurance from
the Indian Tribal Government that if funded the provision of service
will occur on Indian Tribal Property.
Funding priority 4. VA is encouraging interested, state and local
governments, Indian Tribal Governments, faith-based and community-based
organizations, as well as eligible entities located in The District of
Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any territory or
possession of the United States, to apply for funding under this NOFA
to create transitional housing and services for all homeless veterans.
Eligible entities that are state and local governments, Indian Tribal
Governments, faith-based, and community-based organizations, or any
territory or possession of the United States, will be considered in the
fourth funding priority as applicable. Of those eligible entities that
are legally fundable, the highest-ranked applications for which funding
is available, will be conditionally selected for eligibility to receive
a per diem only award in accordance with their ranked order until
funding is expended (approximately 650 beds).
Methodology: VA will review all non-capital grant recipients in
response to this notice of funding availability. VA will then group the
applicants into the funding priorities categories. Applicants will then
be ranked within their respective funding category based on score and
any ranking criteria set forth in that funding category only if the
applicant scores at least 500 cumulative points from paragraphs (b) (c)
(d) (e) and (i) of 38 CFR 61.13.
The highest-ranked application for which funding is available,
within the highest funding category, will be conditionally selected for
eligibility to receive per diem payment in accordance with their ranked
order until VA reaches the projected bed totals for each category. If
funds are still available after selection of those applications in the
highest priority group VA will continue to conditionally select
applicants in lower priority categories in accordance with the
selection method set forth in the final rule Section 61.32.
Application Requirements: Applicants must include a cover letter
clearly stating under which funding priority they wish to be
considered. Non-profit agencies who apply under funding priority three
are required to provide a letter of assurance from the Indian Tribal
Government that if funded, the provision of service will occur on
Indian Tribal property. The specific grant application requirements
will be specified in the application package. The package includes all
required forms and certifications. Selections will be made based on
criteria described in the application, Final Rule, and NOFA. Applicants
who are selected will be notified of any additional information needed
to confirm or clarify information provided
[[Page 8938]]
in the application. Applicants will then be notified of the deadline to
submit such information. If an applicant is unable to meet any
conditions for grant award within the specified time frame, VA reserves
the right to not award funds and to use the funds available for other
grant and per diem applicants.
Dated: February 1, 2008.
Gordon H. Mansfield,
Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. E8-2933 Filed 2-14-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P
