Staff Sergeant Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program Funding Opportunity, 13229-13235 [2023-04335]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 41 (Thursday, March 2, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13229-13235]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-04335]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS


Staff Sergeant Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program Funding 
Opportunity

AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Notice of funding opportunity.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is announcing the 
availability of funds for suicide prevention grants under the Staff 
Sergeant Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program (SSG Fox SPGP). This 
Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) contains information concerning 
the SSG Fox SPGP; the renewal and new applicant suicide prevention 
grant application processes; and the amount of funding available. 
Awards made for suicide prevention grants will fund operations 
beginning on October 1, 2023. This is a 1-year award with the option to 
renew for an additional year, pending availability of funds and grantee 
performance.

DATES: Applications for suicide prevention services grants under SSG 
Fox SPGP must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on May 19, 2023. 
In the interest of fairness to all competing applicants, this deadline 
is firm as to date and hour, and VA will treat as ineligible for 
consideration any application that is received after the deadline. 
Applicants should take this practice into account and make early 
submission of their materials to avoid any risk of loss of eligibility 
brought about by unanticipated delays, computer service outages or 
other submission-related problems.

ADDRESSES: For a Copy of the Application Package: Copies of the 
application can be downloaded from the SSG Fox SPGP website at https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/ssgfox- grants/. Questions should be referred 
to the SSG Fox SPGP via email at [email protected]. For detailed 
program information and requirements, see part 78 of title 38, Code of 
Federal Regulations (38 CFR part 78).
    Submission of Application Package: Applicants must submit 
applications electronically following instructions found at https://www.mentalhealth. va.gov/ssgfox-grants/. Applications may not be 
mailed, hand carried, or sent by facsimile (FAX). Applications must be 
received by SSG Fox SPGP by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the application 
deadline date. Applications must arrive as a complete package. 
Materials arriving separately will not be included in the application 
package for consideration and may result in the application being 
rejected.
    Technical Assistance: Information regarding how to obtain technical 
assistance with the preparation of a new or renewal suicide prevention 
grant application is available on the SPGP Program website at https://www.mentalhealth mentalhealth.va.gov/ssgfox-grants/.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Ms. Sandra Foley, SSG Fox SPGP 
Director, Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention either via 
email at [email protected] or via Telephone: (202) 502-0002 (This 
is not a toll-free number).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Funding Opportunity Title: Staff Sergeant Fox Suicide Prevention 
Grant Program.
    Announcement Type: Initial.
    Funding Opportunity Number: VA-FOX-SP-FY2023.
    Assistance Listing Number: 64.055.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    A. Assistance Listing Number: 64.055. Staff Sergeant Fox Suicide 
Prevention Grant Program.
    B. Purpose: The purpose of the SSG Fox SPGP is to reduce Veteran 
suicide

[[Page 13230]]

by expanding suicide prevention programs for Veterans through the award 
of suicide prevention services grants to eligible entities to provide 
or coordination the provision of suicide prevention services to 
eligible individuals and their families. SSG Fox SPGP builds upon VA's 
public health approach, which combines clinical and community-based 
interventions to prevent Veteran suicide for those inside and outside 
of VA health care. This grant program assists in further implementing a 
public health approach through these community efforts. The goal of 
these grants is to reduce Veteran suicide risk; improve baseline mental 
health status, well-being, and social support; and improve financial 
stability for eligible individuals and their families.
    C. Funding Priorities: The principal goal of this NOFO is to seek 
entities that have demonstrated the ability to provide or coordinate 
suicide prevention services.
    Under Priority 1, VA will provide funding to those entities with 
existing SPGP awards. Grant funds will be awarded pursuant to 38 CFR 
78.40. Following the ranking and selection of renewal applicants, if 
remaining funds are available, they will be awarded pursuant to the 
following Priority 2.
    Under Priority 2 applications will be accepted from new eligible 
entities.VA may prioritize the distribution of suicide prevention 
services grants under this Priority to (i) rural communities, (ii) 
Tribal lands, (iii) territories of the United States, (iv) medically 
underserved areas, (v) areas with a high number or percentage of 
minority Veterans or women Veterans and (vi) areas with a high number 
or percentage of calls to the Veterans Crisis Line.
    D. Definitions: The regulations for the SSG Fox SPGP, published in 
the Federal Register on March 10, 2022, and codified in 38 CFR part 78, 
contain all detailed definitions and requirements pertaining to this 
program. A subsequent technical correction to the regulation was 
published in the Federal Register on March 22, 2022.
    E. Authority: Funding applied for under this NOFO is authorized by 
section 201 of the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health 
Improvement Act (Public Law 116-171, ``the Act''). VA established and 
implemented this statutory authority for the SSG Fox SPGP in 38 CFR 
part 78. Funds made available under this NOFO may be subject to the 
requirements of section 201 of the Act, 38 CFR part 78 and other 
applicable laws and regulations.
    F. Approach: Suicide prevention services are those services that 
address the needs of eligible individuals and their families and are 
necessary for improving the mental health status and well-being and 
reducing the suicide risk of eligible individuals and their families. 
Applicants must include in their application that they will provide or 
coordinate the provision of the baseline mental health screening to all 
participants aged 18 and over. In addition, the application must 
include the proposed suicide prevention services to be provided or 
coordinated to be provided and the identified need for those services. 
Suicide prevention services include:
    Outreach to identify and engage eligible individuals (and their 
families) at highest risk of suicide: Grantees providing or 
coordinating the provision of outreach must use their best efforts to 
ensure that eligible individuals, including those who are at highest 
risk of suicide or who are not receiving health care or other services 
furnished by VA, and their families are identified, engaged and 
provided suicide prevention services. Based on the suicide risk and 
eligibility screening conducted by grantees, eligible individuals who 
should be considered at highest risk of suicide are those with a recent 
suicide attempt, an active plan or preparatory behavior for suicide or 
a recent hospitalization for suicidality. VA will provide access to the 
Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (CSSR-S) to determine level of 
suicide risk. Outreach must include active liaison with local VA 
facilities; State, local, or tribal government (if any); and private 
agencies and organizations providing suicide prevention services to 
eligible individuals and their families in the area to be served by the 
grantee. This outreach can include, for example, local mental health 
and emergency or urgent care departments in local hospitals or clinics. 
Grantees are required to have a presence in the area to meet with 
individuals and organizations to create referral processes to the 
grantee and other community resources. VA requires that grantees 
coordinate with VA with respect to the provision of health care and 
other services to eligible individuals. VA expects that grantees will 
work with local VA facilities on a regular basis to coordinate care 
when needed for eligible individuals.
    Baseline mental health screening: Grantees must provide or 
coordinate the provision of baseline mental health screenings to all 
participants aged 18 and over they serve at the time those services 
begin. This baseline mental health screening ensures that the 
participant's mental health needs can be properly determined and that 
suicide prevention services can be further tailored to meet the 
individual's needs. The baseline mental health screening must be 
provided using validated screening tools that assess suicide risk and 
mental and behavioral health conditions. VA will provide access to the 
Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ9), Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale 
(GSE), Interpersonal Support Evaluation List (ISEL-12), Socio Economic 
Status (SES) and the Warwick Edinburgh Mental Well Being Scale (WEMWBS) 
to grantees providing or coordinating the provision of baseline mental 
health screenings.
    If an eligible individual is at risk of suicide or other mental or 
behavioral health condition pursuant to the baseline mental health 
screening, the grantee must refer such individual to VA for care. If 
the eligible individual refuses the grantee's referral to VA, any 
ongoing clinical services provided to the eligible individual by the 
grantee is at the expense of the grantee. It is important to note that 
this is only required for eligible individuals and not the family of 
eligible individuals.
    If a participant other than an eligible individual is at risk of 
suicide or other mental or behavioral health condition pursuant to the 
baseline mental health screening, the grantee must refer such 
participant to appropriate health care services in the area. To the 
extent that the grantee is able to furnish such appropriate health care 
services on an ongoing basis and has available funding separate from 
funds provided under this grant program to do so, they would be able to 
furnish such services using those non-VA funds without being required 
to refer such participants to other services. As noted previously 
herein, any ongoing clinical services provided to the participant by 
the grantee is at the expense of the grantee.
    When such referrals are made by grantees to VA, to the extent 
practicable, those referrals are required to be a ``warm hand-off'' to 
ensure that the eligible individual receives necessary care. This 
``warm hand-off'' may include providing any necessary transportation to 
the nearest VA facility, assisting the eligible individual with 
scheduling an appointment with VA and any other similar activities that 
may be necessary to ensure the eligible individual receives necessary 
care in a timely manner.
    Education: Suicide prevention education programs may be provided 
and coordinated to be provided to educate communities, Veterans and 
families on how to identify those at risk

[[Page 13231]]

of suicide, how and when to make referrals for care and the types of 
suicide prevention resources available within the area. Education can 
include gatekeeper training, lethal means safety training or specific 
education programs that assist with identification, assessment or 
prevention of suicide. Gatekeeper training generally refers to programs 
that seek to develop individuals' knowledge, attitudes and skills to 
prevent suicide. Gatekeeper training is an educational course designed 
to teach clinical and non-clinical professionals or gatekeepers the 
warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to respond and refer 
individuals for care. Education is important because learning the signs 
of suicide risk, how to reduce access to lethal means and to connect 
those at risk of suicide to care can improve understanding of suicide 
and has the potential to reduce suicide.
    Clinical services for emergency treatment: Clinical services may be 
provided or coordinated to be provided for emergency treatment of a 
participant. Emergency treatment means medical services, professional 
services, ambulance services, ancillary care and medication (including 
a short course of medication related to and necessary for the treatment 
of the emergency condition that is provided directly to or prescribed 
for the patient for use after the emergency condition is stabilized and 
the patient is discharged) was rendered in a medical emergency of such 
nature that a prudent layperson would have reasonably expected that 
delay in seeking immediate medical attention would have been hazardous 
to life or health. This standard is met by an emergency medical 
condition manifesting itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity 
(including severe pain) that a prudent layperson who possesses an 
average knowledge of health and medicine could reasonably expect the 
absence of the immediate medical assistance to result in placing the 
health of the individual in serious jeopardy, serious impairment to 
bodily functions or serious dysfunction of any bodily organ or part. It 
is important to note that emergency medical conditions include 
emergency mental health conditions.
    If an eligible individual is furnished clinical services for 
emergency treatment and the grantee determines that the eligible 
individual requires ongoing services, the grantee must refer the 
eligible individual to VA for additional care. If the eligible 
individual refuses the grantee's referral to VA, any ongoing clinical 
services provided to the eligible individual by the grantee is at the 
expense of the grantee.
    If a participant other than an eligible individual is furnished 
clinical services for emergency treatment and the grantee determines 
that the participant requires ongoing services, the grantee must refer 
the participant to appropriate health care services in the area for 
additional care. Except in instances in which a participant other than 
an eligible individual is furnished clinical services for emergency 
treatment, funds provided under this grant program may not be used to 
provide ongoing clinical services to such participants, and any ongoing 
clinical services provided to the participant by the grantee is at the 
expense of the grantee.
    Case management services: Case management services are focused on 
suicide prevention to effectively assist participants at risk of 
suicide. Grantees providing or coordinating the provision of case 
management services must provide or coordinate the provision of such 
services that include, at a minimum, (a) performing a careful 
assessment of participants, and developing and monitoring case plans in 
coordination with a formal assessment of suicide prevention services 
needed, including necessary follow-up activities, to ensure that the 
participant's needs are adequately addressed, (b) establishing linkages 
with appropriate agencies and service providers in the area to help 
participants obtain needed suicide prevention services, (c) providing 
referrals to participants and related activities (such as scheduling 
appointments for participants) to help participants obtain needed 
suicide prevention services, such as medical, social and educational 
assistance or other suicide prevention services to address 
participants' identified needs and goals, (d) deciding how resources 
and services are allocated to participants on the basis of need, (e) 
educating participants on issues, including, but not limited to, 
suicide prevention services' availability and participant rights and 
(f) other activities, as approved by VA, to serve the comprehensive 
needs of participants for the purpose of reducing suicide risk.
    Peer support services: The coordination of peer support services by 
the grantee must be to help participants understand what resources and 
supports are available in their area for suicide prevention. Peer 
support services must be provided by Veterans trained in peer support 
with similar lived experiences related to suicide or mental health. 
Peer support specialists serve as role models and a resource to assist 
participants with their mental health recovery. Peer support 
specialists function as interdisciplinary team members, assisting 
physicians and other professional and non-professional personnel in a 
rehabilitation treatment program. Each grantee providing or 
coordinating the provision of peer support services must ensure that 
Veterans providing such services to participants meet the requirements 
of 38 U.S.C. 7402(b)(13) and meet qualification standards for 
appointment or have completed peer support training, are pursuing 
credentials to meet the minimum qualification standards for appointment 
and are under the supervision of an individual who meets the necessary 
requirements of 38 U.S.C. 7402(b)(13).
    Qualification standards include that the individual is (1) a 
Veteran who has recovered or is recovering from a mental health 
condition and (2) certified by (i) a not-for-profit entity engaged in 
peer support specialist training as having met such criteria as the 
Secretary shall establish for a peer support specialist position or 
(ii) a State as having satisfied relevant State requirements for a peer 
support specialist position. VA has further set forth qualifications 
for its peer support specialists in VA Handbook 5005, Staffing (last 
updated September 30, 2021). Grant funds may be used to provide 
education and training for employees of the grantee or the community 
partner who provide peer support services based on the terms set forth 
in the grant agreement.
    Assistance in obtaining VA benefits: The provision of this 
assistance will provide grantees with additional means by which VA can 
notify participants of available VA benefits. Grantees assisting 
participants in obtaining VA benefits are required to aid participants 
in obtaining any benefits from VA for which the participants are 
eligible. Such benefits include but are not limited to (1) vocational 
and rehabilitation counseling, (2) supportive services for homeless 
Veterans, (3) employment and training services, (4) educational 
assistance and (5) health care services. Grantees are not permitted to 
represent participants before VA with respect to a claim for VA 
benefits unless they are recognized for that purpose pursuant to 38 
U.S.C. 5902. Employees and members of grantees are not permitted to 
provide such representation unless the individual providing 
representation is accredited pursuant to 38 U.S.C. chapter 59.
    Assistance in obtaining and coordinating other public benefits and 
assistance with emergent needs: Grantees assisting participants in 
obtaining and coordinating other public benefits or assisting with 
emergency

[[Page 13232]]

needs are required to assist participants in obtaining and coordinating 
the provision of benefits that are being provided by Federal, State, 
local or Tribal agencies, or any other grantee in the area served by 
the grantee by referring the participant to and coordinating with such 
entity. If a public benefit is not being provided by Federal, State, 
local, or Tribal agencies, or any other grantee in the area, the 
grantee is not required to obtain, coordinate or provide such public 
benefit. Public benefits and assistance that a participant may be 
referred to include health care services, which include (1) health 
insurance and (2) referrals to a governmental entity or grantee that 
provides (i) hospital care, nursing home care, outpatient care, mental 
health care, preventive care, habilitative and rehabilitative care, 
case management, respite care, home care, (ii) the training of any 
eligible individual's family in the care of any eligible individual and 
(iii) the provision of pharmaceuticals, supplies, equipment, devices, 
appliances and assistive technology. Grantees also may refer 
participants, as appropriate, to an entity that provides daily living 
services relating to the functions or tasks for self-care usually 
performed in the normal course of a day. Grantees may refer or provide 
directly personal financial planning services; transportation services; 
temporary income support services (including, among other services, 
food assistance and housing assistance); fiduciary and representative 
payee services; legal services to assist eligible individuals with 
issues that may contribute to the risk of suicide; and the provision of 
childcare. For additional details on these elements, applicants may 
consult 38 CFR 78.80.
    Nontraditional and innovative approaches and treatment practices: 
Grantees may provide or coordinate the provision of nontraditional and 
innovative approaches and treatment, including but not limited to 
complementary or alternative interventions with some evidence for 
effectiveness of improving mental health or mitigating a risk factor 
for suicidal thoughts and behavior. Applicants may propose 
nontraditional and innovative approaches and treatment practices in 
their suicide prevention services grant applications. VA is exercising 
its authority by reserving the right to approve or disapprove 
nontraditional and innovative approaches and treatment practices to be 
provided or coordinated to be provided using funds authorized under SSG 
Fox SPGP.
    Other services: Grantees may provide general suicide prevention 
assistance, which may include payment directly to a third party (and 
not to a participant or their family), in an amount not to exceed $750 
per participant during any 1-year period, beginning on the date that 
the grantee first submits a payment to a third party. Expenses that may 
be paid include expenses associated with gaining or keeping employment, 
such as uniforms, tools, certificates and licenses, as well as expenses 
associated with lethal means safety and secure storage, such as gun 
locks and locked medication storage.
    Applicants may propose additional suicide prevention services to be 
provided or coordinated to be provided. Examples of other services may 
include but are not limited to adaptive sports; equine assisted 
therapy; in-place or outdoor recreational therapy; substance use 
reduction programming; individual, group, or family counseling; and 
relationship coaching. VA reserves the right to approve or disapprove 
other suicide prevention services to be provided or coordinated to be 
provided using funds authorized under SSG Fox SPGP.
    G. Guidance For The Use of VA Suicide Prevention Grant Funds: 
Consistent with section 201(o) of the Act, only grantees that are a 
State or local government or an Indian Tribe can use grant funds to 
enter into an agreement with a community partner under which the 
grantee may provide funds to the community partner for the provision of 
services to eligible individuals and their families. However, grantees 
may choose to enter into contracts for goods or services because in 
some situations, resources may be more readily available at a lower 
cost, or they may only be available from another party in the 
community.
    Grantees may make payments directly to a third party on behalf of a 
participant for childcare, transportation, and general suicide 
prevention assistance. Funds can be used to conduct outreach, educate 
and connect with eligible individuals who are not engaged with VA 
services. Any outreach and education that is funded by SSG Fox SPGP 
should link directly back to a referral to the grantee's program for an 
opportunity to enroll the eligible individual in the program.
    Funds must be used to screen for eligibility and suicide risk and 
enroll individuals in the program accordingly. Note that some 
individuals who come through the referral process may not engage in 
services. Grantees are expected to determine what referrals are 
appropriate for these individuals for follow up services. Funds must be 
used to coordinate and provide suicide prevention services, by the 
grantee, based on screening and assessment, including clinical services 
for emergency treatment.
    Funds also must be used to evaluate outcomes and effectiveness 
related to suicide prevention services. Prior to providing suicide 
prevention services, grantees must verify, document and classify each 
participant's eligibility for suicide prevention services. Grantees 
must determine and document each participant's degree of risk of 
suicide using tools identified in the suicide prevention services grant 
agreement. Prior to services ending, grantees must provide or 
coordinate the provision of a mental health screening to all 
participants aged 18 or over they serve, when possible. This screening 
must be conducted with the same tools used to conduct the initial 
baseline mental health screening. Having this screening occur at the 
beginning and prior to services ending is important in evaluating the 
effectiveness of the services provided.
    Grantees must document the suicide prevention services provided or 
coordinated, how such services are provided or coordinated, the 
duration of the services provided or coordinated and any goals for the 
provision or coordination of such services. If the eligible individual 
wishes to enroll in VA health care, the grantee must inform the 
eligible individual of a VA point of contact for assistance with 
enrollment.
    For each participant aged 18 and over, grantees must develop and 
document an individualized plan with respect to the provision of 
suicide prevention services provided. This plan must be developed in 
consultation with the participant.
    As outlined in 38 CFR 78.105, activities for which grantees will 
not be authorized to use suicide prevention services grant funds 
include direct cash assistance to participants and their families; 
those legal services prohibited pursuant to Sec.  78.80(g); medical or 
dental care and medicines except for clinical services for emergency 
treatment authorized pursuant to Sec.  78.6; and any activities 
considered illegal under Federal law, and any costs identified as 
unallowable per 2 CFR part 200, subpart E.

II. Award Information

    A. Overview: This NOFO announces the availability of funds for 
suicide prevention grants under the SSG Fox SPGP.
    B. Funding Priorities: The funding priorities for this NOFO are as 
follows: Under Priority 1, current grantees may

[[Page 13233]]

apply for a new grant award to continue to provide services within the 
scope of their current grant award; for purposes of 38 CFR part 78, 
these awards are considered renewals. Priority 1 applicants must apply 
using the renewal application. To be eligible for renewal of a suicide 
prevention grant, the Priority 1 applicants' program must be 
substantially the same as the program of the grantees' current grant 
award. Renewal applications can request funding that is equal to or 
less than their current annualized award.
    Under Priority 2, VA will accept applications from eligible 
entities that are not current grantees for funding consideration. 
Priority 2 applicants must apply using the application materials 
designated for new applicants.
    C. Allocation of Funds: Approximately $52,500,000 is available for 
grant awards under this NOFO. The maximum allowable grant size is 
$750,000 per year per eligibility entity.
    (1) In response to this NOFO, only existing grantees can apply as 
Priority 1 applicants. New applicants apply under Priority 2. Priority 
1 renewal grant requests cannot exceed the current award.
    (2) If a Priority 1 applicant is not renewed, the existing grant 
will end on September 30, 2023.
    (3) Priority 1 applicants may request an amount less than their 
current award; this will not be considered a substantial change to the 
program.
    D. Grant Award Period: Grants awarded will be for a minimum of a 1-
year period starting October 1, 2023. Awards may be extended for up to 
one additional year pending availability of funding and grantee 
performance.

III. Eligibility Information

    A. Eligible Applicants: Eligible entity means an entity that meets 
the definition of an eligible entity in section 201(q) of the Act. 
Under section 201(q)(3) of the Act, an eligible entity must be one of 
the following:
    (1) An incorporated private institution or foundation that (i) has 
no part of the net earnings of which incurs to the benefit of any 
member, founder, contributor, or individual and (ii) has a governing 
board that would be responsible for the operation of the suicide 
prevention services provided under this section.
    (2) A corporation wholly owned and controlled by an organization 
meeting the requirements of clauses (i) and (ii) in III.A.(1).
    (3) An Indian Tribe.
    (4) A community-based organization that can effectively network 
with local civic organizations, regional health systems and other 
settings where eligible individuals and their families are likely to 
have contact.
    (5) A State or local government, which may include, but not be 
limited to, nonprofit and private organizations such as those that are 
part of VA-Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's 
Governors' and Mayors' Challenge to prevent suicide among Service 
members, Veterans, and their families; universities; and city, county, 
State, and Tribal governments.
    Demonstration of eligibility as detailed in the application 
includes submission of documents as outlined in section IV of this 
NOFO.
    Applicants applying for funding consideration under Priority 1 are 
existing grantees with grant awards scheduled to end by September 30, 
2023. For Priority 1 and 2, eligible entities may apply for up $750,000 
per entity.
    Applicants must be registered in the System for Award Management 
(SAM; sam.gov) and provide a unique entity identifier and continue to 
maintain an active SAM registration with current information as per 2 
CFR part 200.
    B. Cost Sharing and Matching: Applicants are not required to submit 
proposals that contain matching funds.

IV. Application Submission Information

    A. Obtaining an Application Package: Initial and renewal 
applications are located at https://www.mentalhealth. va.gov/ssgfox-grants/. Any questions regarding this process may be referred to SSG 
Fox SPGP via email at [email protected]. For detailed program 
information and requirements, see 38 CFR part 78.
    B. Content and Form of Application: Applicants must submit 
applications electronically following instructions found at https://www.mentalhealth. va.gov/ssgfox-grants/.
    C. Submission Date and Time: Applications for suicide prevention 
grant under SSG Fox SPGP must be received by SSG Fox SPGP by 11:59 p.m. 
Eastern Time on May 19, 2023. Awards made for suicide prevention grants 
will fund operations beginning October 1, 2023. 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. In addition, in the interest of 
fairness to all competing applicants, this deadline is firm as to date 
and hour, and VA will treat as ineligible for consideration any 
application that is received after the deadline. Applicants should take 
this practice into account and make early submission of their materials 
to avoid any risk of loss of eligibility brought about by unanticipated 
delays, computer service outages or other delivery-related problems.
    D. Other Submission Requirements:
    (1) Existing grantees applying for Priority 1 grants may apply only 
as renewal applicants using the application designed for renewal 
grants.
    (2) New applicants applying for Priority 2 grants may apply only as 
new applicants using the application designed for new grants.
    (3) Submission of an incorrect, incomplete, inconsistent, unclear 
or incorrectly formatted application package will result in the 
application being rejected during threshold review. The application 
packages must contain all required forms and certifications. Selections 
will be made based on criteria described in 38 CFR part 78 and this 
NOFO. Applicants and grantees will be notified of any additional 
information needed to confirm or clarify information provided in the 
application and the deadline by which to submit such information. 
Applicants must submit applications electronically. Applications may 
not be mailed, hand carried or sent by facsimile.
    (4) In accordance with 2 CFR part 200, applicants may elect to 
charge a de minimis rate of 10 percent of modified total direct costs 
(MTDC) which may be used indefinitely. No documentation is required to 
justify the 10 percent de minimis indirect cost rate. As described in 2 
CFR 200.403, costs must be consistently charged as either indirect or 
direct costs but may not be double charged or inconsistently charged as 
both. If chosen, this methodology once elected must be used 
consistently for all Federal awards until such time as a non-Federal 
entity chooses to negotiate for a rate, which the non-Federal entity 
may apply to do at any time.
    E. Funding Restrictions: Funding will be awarded under this NOFO to 
existing grantees and new applicants (pending the availability of 
funds), beginning October 1, 2023. In addition to limitations set forth 
in law and regulation, the following restrictions apply.
    (1) Funding cannot be used for construction.
    (2) Funding cannot be used for vehicle purchases.
    (3) Funding cannot be used for food for staff unless part of per 
diem travel.
    (4) Funding cannot be used for pre-award costs.

[[Page 13234]]

V. Application Form and Content

    A. Priority 1 (Renewals): VA's regulations at 38 CFR 78.35 describe 
the criteria that VA will use to score those grantees who are applying 
for renewal of a grant. Such criteria will assist with VA's review and 
evaluation of grantees to ensure that those grantees have successful 
existing programs using the previously awarded grant funds and that 
they have complied with the requirements of 38 CFR part 78 and section 
201 of the Act. The criteria in Sec.  78.35 ensure that renewals of 
grants are awarded based on the grantee's program's success, cost-
effectiveness and compliance with VA goals and requirements for this 
grant program.
    The renewal application is organized into the following sections: 
Program Outcomes (maximum 55 points), Cost Effectiveness (maximum 20 
points), Compliance with Program Goals and Requirements (25 maximum 
points) and Exhibits (no point values).
    VA will use the following criteria to score grantees applying for 
renewal of a suicide prevention services grant:
    (1) Success of the grantee's program.
    (2) Cost-effectiveness of the grantee's program.
    (3) Extent to which the grantee's program complies with SSG Fox 
SPGP goals and requirements.
    The Exhibit section includes an applicant budget template, to be 
submitted in a Microsoft Excel File. The budget submission must include 
(1) annual budget, attached as Exhibit I, containing a proposed 
quarterly budget for the renewal period and (2) a budget narrative, 
which provides a description of each of the line items contained in the 
renewal application.
    B. Priority 2 (New Applicants): VA's regulations at 38 CFR part 
78.25 describe the criteria that VA will use to score new applications. 
Applicants must include all required documents in their application 
submission. Submission of an incorrect, incomplete, inconsistent, 
unclear or incorrectly formatted application package will result in the 
application being rejected.
    VA will use the following criteria to score applicants who are 
applying for a suicide prevention services grant:
    (1) Background, qualifications, experience and past performance of 
the applicant and any community partners identified by the applicant in 
the suicide prevention services grant application.
    (2) Program concept and suicide prevention services plan.
    (3) Quality assurance and evaluation plan.
    (4) Financial capability and plan.
    (5) Area linkages and relations.
    The Exhibit section includes an applicant budget template, to be 
submitted in a Microsoft Excel File. The budget submission must include 
(1) annual budget, attached as Exhibit I, containing a proposed 
quarterly budget for the period and (2) a budget narrative, which 
provides a description of each of the line items contained in the 
application.

VI. Review and Selection Process

    A. Review Process: Based on the application criteria described 
previously herein, grant applications will be divided into two groups: 
renewal applications and new applications. Suicide prevention services 
grant applications will be scored by a VA grant review committee. The 
grant review committee will be trained in understanding the program's 
goals, the requirements of the NOFO, VA's regulations for this Program 
(38 CFR part 78) and the prescribed scoring rubric (pursuant to 2 CFR 
part 200). Consistent with 38 CFR 78.40, if all available grant funds 
are awarded to renewal grants for existing grantees, no new 
applications will be awarded.
    B. Application Selection: VA will only score applicants who meet 
the following threshold requirements:
    (1) Application must be filed within the time period established in 
the NOFO, and any additional information or documentation requested by 
VA is provided within the time frame established by VA.
    (2) Application must be completed in all parts.
    (3) Activities for which the suicide prevention services grant is 
requested must be eligible for funding.
    (4) Applicant's proposed participants must be eligible to receive 
suicide prevention services.
    (5) Applicant must agree to comply with the requirements of 38 CFR 
part 78.
    (6) Applicant must not have an outstanding obligation to the 
Federal Government that is in arrears and does not have an overdue or 
unsatisfactory response to an audit.
    (7) Applicant must not be in default by failing to meet the 
requirements for any previous Federal assistance.
    If these threshold requirements are not met, VA will deem 
applicants to be ineligible for further consideration.
    Renewal applications must receive at least 60 points and at least 1 
point under each of the criteria noted in section V of this NOFO. After 
selection of renewal applicants, if there is funding available, VA will 
score and rank all new applicants who score at least 60 cumulative 
points and receive at least one point under each of the criteria noted 
above in section V of this NOFO.
    VA will use the ranked scores of new applicants as the primary 
basis for selection. The applicants will be ranked in order from 
highest to lowest. However, VA will give preference to applicants that 
have demonstrated the ability to provide or coordinate suicide 
prevention services. VA may prioritize the distribution of suicide 
prevention services grants to (i) rural communities, (ii) Tribal lands, 
(iii) territories of the United States, (iv) medically underserved 
areas, (v) areas with a high number or percentage of minority Veterans 
or women Veterans and (vi) areas with a high number or percentage of 
calls to the Veterans Crisis Line.
    To the extent practicable, VA will ensure that suicide prevention 
services grants are distributed to (i) provide services in areas of the 
United States that have experienced high rates of suicide by eligible 
individuals, (ii) applicants who can assist eligible individuals at 
risk of suicide who are not currently receiving health care furnished 
by VA and (iii) ensure that suicide prevention services are provided in 
as many areas as possible.

VII. Award Administration Information

    A. Award Notices: Although subject to change, VA expects to 
announce grant awards in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2023. VA 
reserves the right in any year to make adjustments (e.g., to funding 
levels) as needed within the intent of the NOFO based on a variety of 
factors, including the availability of funding. The initial 
announcement of awards will be made via a news release posted on VA's 
SSG Fox SPGP website at https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/ssgfox-grants. 
The SSG Fox SPGP will concurrently notify both successful and 
unsuccessful applicants. Only a grant agreement with a VA signature is 
evidence of an award and is an authorizing document allowing costs to 
be incurred against a grant award. Other notices, letters or 
announcements are not authorizing documents. The grant agreement 
includes the terms and conditions of the award and must be signed by 
the entity and VA to be legally binding.
    B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: VA places great 
emphasis on responsibility and accountability. VA has procedures in 
place to monitor grants provided under the SSG Fox SPGP. All applicants 
selected in response to this NOFO must agree to meet applicable 
inspection standards outlined in the grant agreement.

[[Page 13235]]

    As SSG FOX SPGP grants cannot be used to fund treatment for mental 
health or substance use disorders, with the exception of clinical 
services for emergency treatment, applicants must provide evidence that 
they can provide access to such services to all program participants 
through formal and informal agreements with community providers.
    C. Reporting: Applicants should be aware of the following:
    (1) Upon execution of a suicide prevention services grant agreement 
with VA, grantees will have a liaison appointed by the SSG Fox SPGP 
Office who will provide oversight and monitor the use of funds to 
provide or coordinate suicide prevention services provided to 
participants.
    (2) VA will require grantees use validated tools and assessments to 
determine the effectiveness of the suicide prevention services 
furnished by VA. These include any measures and metrics developed and 
provided by VA for the purposes of measuring the effectiveness of the 
programming to be provided in improving mental health status and well-
being and reducing suicide risk and suicide deaths of eligible 
individuals. Grantees will be required to use the VA Data Collection 
Tool for this purpose
    (3) Grantees must provide each participant with a satisfaction 
survey, which the participant can submit directly to VA, within 30 days 
of such participant's pending exit from the grantee's program. This is 
required to assist VA in evaluating grantees' performance and 
participants' satisfaction with the suicide prevention services they 
receive.
    (4) Monitoring also will include the submittal of periodic and 
annual financial and performance reports by the grantee in accordance 
with 2 CFR part 200. The grantee will be expected to demonstrate 
adherence to the grantee's proposed program concept, as described in 
the grantee's application.
    (5) VA has the right, at all reasonable times, to make onsite 
visits to all grantee locations and have virtual meetings where a 
grantee is using suicide prevention services grant funds to review 
grantee accomplishments and management control systems and to provide 
such technical assistance as may be required.
    D. Payments to Grantees: Grantees will receive payments 
electronically through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 
Payment Management System. Grantees will have the ability to request 
payments as frequently as they choose. Grantees must have internal 
controls in place to ensure funding is available for the full duration 
of the grant period of performance, to the extent possible.

VIII. Program Evaluation

    The purpose of program evaluation is to evaluate the impact 
participation in the SSG Fox SPGP has on eligible individuals' 
financial stability, mental health status, well-being, suicide risk and 
social support, as required by the Act.
    As part of the national program evaluation, grantees must input 
data regularly in VA's web-based system. VA will ensure grantees have 
access to the data they need to gather and summarize program impacts 
and lessons learned on the implementation of the program evaluation 
criteria; performance indicators used for grantee selection and 
communication; and the criteria associated with the best outcomes for 
Veterans.
    Training and technical assistance for program evaluation will be 
provided by VA, which will coordinate with subject matter experts to 
provide various trainings including the use of measures and metrics 
required for this program.

Signing Authority

    Denis McDonough, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, approved this 
document on February 27, 2023, and authorized the undersigned to sign 
and submit the document to the Office of the Federal Register for 
publication electronically as an official document of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs.

Luvenia Potts,
Regulation Development Coordinator, Office of Regulation Policy & 
Management, Office of General Counsel, Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2023-04335 Filed 3-1-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P