Notes from the teleconference on the VA Grant and Per Diem Capital Grant Program, with a focus on Faith-based organizations -- May 13, 2005.

Speaker: Darin Selnick, Director of Faith-based and Community Initiatives for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Washington, D.C.

Darin is new to the office having started last summer. President George W. Bush established the Center by executive order on June 1, 2004, to help faith-based and community groups compete for funding on a level playing field with other organizations. The Department of Veterans Affairs if one of 10 federal agencies that have complied with this order.

The Role of the Center is that of facilitator. They do not give grants and are not owners of the grant programs. Their job is to make sure that organizations have equal opportunity to participate. The Center does what it cans to eliminate obstacles in the participation of these grant programs. There are four areas that the Center focuses on:

• Reduce barriers to participation
• Make sure that existing programs know about the faith based programs and allow them to participate
• Create pilot programs that can be used as a model for others in the future
• Provide outreach so organizations are aware of what services are available to them.

The Center encourages you to apply for funding as they strive to provide an equal opportunity for all eligible organizations.  For more information visit www.va.gov/opa/fbci

Dr. Guy Liedke, Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

This NOFA announcement is for the acquisition, renovation, or construction of new projects.

Eligibility

Organizations much be a 501(c)(3), a state or local government or a tribal government.

Only one grant will be given to each tax ID number.

The max award will be $400,000.

The VA is looking to spread the funding to as many organizations as possible.

Grassroots organizations tend to do better when the projects are smaller in scope.

Priorities

VA believes that there are applicants that they have not reached. These priorities give these organizations a chance to receive funding.

• Native Americans ($1.8 million available)
• States: Alaska, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Oklahoma, Virginia, Vermont, Puerto Rico ($6 Million available)
• Metropolitan Areas listed in NOFA ($3.2 Million available)
• All other organizations ($4 Million available)

Application Restrictions

There is a set limit of $400,000, you can only apply for funds up to this amount, and you must come up with a 35% match for each portion. Also, only one grant can be given per tax ID#. The van portion of the grant is limited to new applications that are applying for the capital portion or those with existing GPD funds. The application is due June 8^th, you must have all your paperwork in by this day to be eligible.

Scoring

When the application is received it goes through a threshold analysis to make sure that it is eligible for funding. If any of the materials are not included with your application it will not be read, only those items that do not affect the scoring will be sent back for completion.

In order to be funded you must score in quality, targeting, ability, needs and coordination.

Quality -- up to 300 points. This is how program participants will reach their goals and is a description of how the services will help the clients achieve self determination. Individual goals must be explained in this section.  Programs will address permanent supportive housing and how services and needs will be addressed through out treatment. An explanation of how clients will re-enter the community should also be included. This is the largest part of the application and is where you describe your program in detail.

Targeting -- 150 points. This section will illustrate to what extent your program will serve homeless vets. A plan for outreach and the target population should be defined. This is also the section where you would include data on the veterans in your area. Make sure you use VA data in your report.

Ability -- 200 points. How will your organization operate and develop the project. You need to demonstrate that your organization has the ability to engage the veterans in supportive services, accessing services and administering transitional housing as well as experience monitoring and evaluating the program.

Need -- 150 points. You need to demonstrate that you can meet the unmet need in your community. Describe what population you will serve in your program, and what services you will be giving them.

Coordination -- 200 points. How will your program work with federal, state and private organizations that serve homeless veterans. There are 50 points given by the VA on the amount of coordination that the applying organization has with their local VA at the time of the submission.

Innovation -- 50 points. It is hard to be innovative. The program must be useful to other projects and replication is key. Other must be able to follow the example you set.

If you have matching funds at the time of your application you can get leveraging points.

Cost Effective -- 50 pts. How does the services offered relate to services given. You will need to document your costs and associate those with the amount of services given.

Review Process

25-35 reviewers that come from the field are divided into panels, your application will not be reviewed by anyone in your VISN to avoid conflict of interest. The application is read three times and scored independently. The total of all scores is compiled for one master total. The rankings will be based on the mater total.

Pay attention to definitions, first thing in rules and regulations. You just want to make yourself aware of all of the requirements.

If you are conditionally selected you will be notified and you must provide documentation of your match and any other specs that may be lacking. You will receive a letter describing what is needed. Once you have been approved you will sign a MOA and the award will be granted.

To download the current NOFA go to www.va.gov/homeless/page.cfm?pg=3

Everyone is encouraged to apply.

If you have additional questions feel free to call the GPD Office at 1-877-332-0334.

Kathy Spearman, Volunteers of America, Tampa, Florida

Key Learnings:

• Beds vs. Apartments -- you can double up to get more beds in your programs.
• In Transitional housing you must know that they will eventually have to move out
• 25% of non vets, you get no VA funding, but this can lead to other funding sources
• 65% match is good, any grant gives you leverage when applying for funding.
• You must be a 501c(3).
• Relationships are key, work on them and spell out what is expected from all involved. Know your VISN and CHALENG coordinators. Any connection you can have to the VA is good.
• Evaluations -- look at the questions in the application so you know what you need to look for and what you need to monitor.
• Have site control-this is part of the threshold test.
• Your tax ID number relates to your  501(c)(3) status.
• It is hard, but you can build a program with just the per diem amount.
• When building, make sure you take life safety codes into consideration. These can cost more if you do not build them into your application
• Know relocation issues-find property that you can use.
• Per Diem rate is $27.44. This is the total of 100% of the care minus any other income, such as rent from clients, etc.
• Whatever services you include in your application the VA will monitor the services in their evaluation process.
• The service center model payment is based on an 8-hour day, paid on an hourly basis.

For more information or further question you can contact Katy Spearman at kespearman@voa-fla.org.