Notice2022-08040
Funding Opportunity: Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
April 15, 2022
Issuing agencies
Veterans Affairs Department
Abstract
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is announcing the opportunity of funds for suicide prevention services grants under the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program (SSG Fox SPGP). The SSG Fox SPGP enables the Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention (OMHSP) within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) to provide financial assistance through a 3-year community-based grant program to eligible entities to provide, or coordinate the provision of, suicide prevention services to eligible Veterans and their families. Funding offered under this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) responds to the mounting need to reach Veterans at risk for suicide in their communities. This Notice contains information concerning the SSG Fox SPGP, the application process and the amount of funding available. Awards made for suicide prevention services grants will fund operations beginning on or around September 1, 2022.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 73 (Friday, April 15, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 73 (Friday, April 15, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22630-22638]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-08040]
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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Funding Opportunity: Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide
Prevention Grant Program
AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs.
ACTION: Notice of funding opportunity.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is announcing the
opportunity of funds for suicide prevention services grants under the
Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program (SSG
Fox SPGP). The SSG Fox SPGP enables the Office of Mental Health and
Suicide Prevention (OMHSP) within the Veterans Health Administration
(VHA) to provide financial assistance through a 3-year community-based
grant program to eligible entities to provide, or coordinate the
provision of, suicide prevention services to eligible Veterans and
their families. Funding offered under this Notice of Funding
Opportunity (NOFO) responds to the mounting need to reach Veterans at
risk for suicide in their communities. This Notice contains information
concerning the SSG Fox SPGP, the application process and the amount of
funding available. Awards made for suicide prevention services grants
will fund operations beginning on or around September 1, 2022.
DATES: Applications for suicide prevention services grants under the
SSG Fox SPGP Program must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on
June 10, 2022. 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 <a href="https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/ssgfox-grants/">https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/ssgfox-grants/</a>. Questions should be referred to
the SSG Fox SPGP at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3c6a7d6f6f7b7a53447b4e5d52484f7c4a5d125b534a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="247265777763624b5c6356454a50576452450a434b52">[email protected]</span></a>. For detailed SSG Fox SPGP
information and requirements, see part 78 of title 38 CFR part 78).
Application Submission: Applicants must submit applications
electronically following instructions found at <a href="https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/ssgfox-grants/">https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/ssgfox-grants/</a>. Applications may not be mailed
or sent by facsimile (fax). Applications must be received by the SSG
Fox SPGP Office no later than 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 and may result in the application being rejected.
Technical Assistance: Information on obtaining technical assistance
preparing a suicide prevention services grant application is available
on the SSG Fox SPGP website at <a href="https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/ssgfox-grants">https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/ssgfox-grants</a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Sandra Foley, Director SSG Fox
SPGP, Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, 11MHSP, 202-502-
0002 (this is not a toll-free telephone number), or
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3a6c7b69697d7c55427d485b544e497a4c5b145d554c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="633522303024250c1b2411020d17102315024d040c15">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Funding Opportunity Title: SSG Fox Suicide Prevention Grant
Program.
Announcement Type: Initial.
Funding Opportunity Number: VA-FOX-SP-FY2022.
Assistance Instrument: Grant.
Assistance Listing: 64.055, VA Suicide Prevention Program.
[[Page 22631]]
I. Funding Opportunity Description
A. Purpose
Section 201 of the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental
Health Care Improvement Act of 2019 (the Act), Public Law 116-171 (38
U.S.C. 1720F, note), enacted on October 17, 2020, created SSG Fox SPGP,
a new community-based suicide prevention services grant program with
the purpose of reducing Veteran suicide. The SSG Fox SPGP aims to build
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.
The SSG Fox SPGP is intended to provide grants to certain entities
that will provide or coordinate the provision of suicide prevention
services to eligible individuals and their families for the purpose of
reducing Veteran suicide. This grant program will assist 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.
B. Background
VA's top clinical priority is preventing suicide among all
Veterans--including those who do not, and may never, seek care within
the VA health care system. Guided by VA's National Strategy for
Preventing Veteran Suicide (2018), OMHSP is implementing Suicide
Prevention (SP) 2.0. SP 2.0 outlines a comprehensive public health
approach to suicide prevention that blends community-based prevention
and clinically based interventions. SP 2.0 expands VA's clinical
suicide prevention efforts and establishes VA's Community-Based
Interventions for Suicide Prevention initiative (CBI-SP).
SP 2.0 clinical efforts build upon VA's foundational approach,
which includes over 500 suicide prevention coordinators to provide
enhanced care to Veterans at highest risk, local follow up to Veterans
Crisis Line referrals, training, staff consultation and outreach in
communities. VA has implemented universal suicide risk screening at
every level of care, expanded safety planning efforts and increased
access to evidence-based psychotherapies for suicide prevention.
On the community side, CBI-SP includes expansion of the Governor's
Challenge to Prevent Suicide Among Service members, Veterans and their
families; VA's Community Engagement and Partnership Coordinator
program; and the Together With Veterans model. Across all three
approaches to CBI-SP, there are three overarching focused priority
areas: (1) Identifying Service members, Veterans and their families and
screening them for suicide risk; (2) promoting connectedness and
improving care transitions; and (3) increasing lethal means safety and
safety planning. The SSG Fox SPGP builds upon these initiatives to
enhance connections to direct services for eligible individuals and
their families.
C. Definitions
The regulations for the SSG Fox SPGP, published in the Federal
Register (see 87 FR 13806, as amended by 87 FR 16101) as an Interim
Final Rule on March 10, 2022, and amended on March 22, 2022, and
codified in 38 CFR part 78, contain all detailed definitions and
requirements pertaining to this program. Definitions of key terms are
also provided below for ease of reference. However, 38 CFR part 78
should be consulted for all definitions.
Eligible Entity: 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) above; (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; or
(5) a state or local government. This 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 notice.
Eligible Individual: Eligible individual means an individual that
meets the requirements of 38 CFR 78.10(a). This means that to be
eligible to receive suicide prevention services under the SSG Fox SPGP,
an individual must be at risk of suicide and meet the definition of
eligible individual in section 201(q) of the Act. That is, the
individual must be one of the following: (1) A Veteran as defined in 38
U.S.C. 101, (2) an individual described in 38 U.S.C. 1720I(b), or (3)
an individual described in 38 U.S.C. 1712A(a)(1)(C)(i) through (iv).
This is consistent with the definition of eligible individual in
section 201(q)(4) of the Act. For purposes of eligible individuals, and
consistent with section 201(q)(8) of the Act, risk of suicide means
exposure to, or the existence of, any of the following factors, to any
degree, that increase the risk of suicidal ideation and/or behaviors:
(1) Health risk factors, including mental health challenges, substance
use disorder, serious or chronic health conditions or pain and
traumatic brain injury; (2) environmental risk factors, including
prolonged stress, stressful life events, unemployment, homelessness,
recent loss and legal or financial challenges; and (3) historical risk
factors, including previous suicide attempts, family history of suicide
and history of abuse, neglect, or trauma, including military sexual
trauma.
Family: Family means, with respect to an eligible individual, any
of the following: A parent, spouse, child, sibling, step-family member,
extended family member and any other individual who lives with the
eligible individual.
Grantee: Grantee means an eligible entity that is awarded a suicide
prevention services grant under 38 CFR part 78 (that is, a grant under
the SSG Fox SPGP).
Indian Tribe: Indian tribe means an Indian tribe as defined in 25
U.S.C. 4103. Section 4103(13)(A) of title 25, U.S.C., defines Indian
tribe in general to mean a tribe that is a federally or a state
recognized tribe. Section 4103(13)(B) of title 25, U.S.C., further
defines federally recognized tribe to mean any Indian tribe, band,
Nation, or other organized group or community of Indians, including any
Alaska Native village or regional or village corporation as defined in
or established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43
U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), that is recognized as eligible for the special
programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because
of their status as Indians pursuant to the Indian Self-Determination
and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450 et seq.). Section
4103(13)(C) of title 25, U.S.C., also defines state recognized tribe to
mean any tribe, band, Nation, pueblo, village, or community--(1) that
has been
[[Page 22632]]
recognized as an Indian tribe by any state; and (2) for which an Indian
Housing Authority has, before the effective date under section 705 of
Public Law 104-330 (110 Stat. 4018, 4052), entered into a contract with
the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development pursuant to the United
States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437 et seq.) for housing for
Indian families and has received funding pursuant to such contract
within the 5-year period ending upon such effective date. This
definition also includes certain conditions set forth in 25 U.S.C.
4103(13)(C)(ii). This definition of Indian tribe is consistent with
section 201(q)(7) of the Act.
Participant: Participant means an eligible individual or their
family who is receiving suicide prevention services for which they are
eligible from a grantee.
Suicide Prevention Services: Suicide prevention services include
any of the following services provided to address the needs of a
participant: (1) Outreach; (2) baseline mental health screening; (3)
education; (4) clinical services for emergency treatment; (5) case
management services; (6) peer support services; (7) assistance in
obtaining VA benefits; (8) assistance in obtaining and coordinating
other public benefits and assistance with emergent needs; (9)
nontraditional and innovative approaches and treatment practices; and
(10) other services. These services are further described in 38 CFR
78.45 through 78.90 and in section I.D of this notice, below.
Veteran: Veteran means a Veteran under 38 U.S.C. 101(2), which
defines Veteran as a person who served in the active military, naval,
air, or space service, and who was discharged or released therefrom
under conditions other than dishonorable.
D. 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 how they will provide or coordinate
the provision of the baseline mental health screening to all
participants. 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 that
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 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 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 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,
Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale, Interpersonal Support Evaluation List,
Socio Economic Status and the Warwick Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale
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 above, 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 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
[[Page 22633]]
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 provision or coordination of the
provision 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 July 17, 2012). See VA Handbook/Directive 5005. 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 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,
[[Page 22634]]
nursing home care, outpatient care, mental health care, preventive
care, habilitative and rehabilitative care, case management, respite
care and 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 may also 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 should 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), 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.
E. Authority
Funding applied for under this Notice is authorized by section 201
of the Act. VA established and implemented this statutory authority for
the SSG Fox SPGP in 38 CFR part 78. Funds made available under this
Notice are subject to the requirements of Sec. 201 of the Act, 38 CFR
part 78, and other applicable laws and regulations.
F. Guidance for the Use of Suicide Prevention Services Funds
Consistent with Sec. 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
suicide prevention 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 must also 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 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 in
enrollment.
For each participant, 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, 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. 78.60, any activities considered illegal
under Federal law and any costs identified as unallowable per 2 CFR
part 200, subpart E.
II. Award Information
A. Allocation of Funds
Approximately $51,750,000 is available for suicide prevention
grants to be funded under this Notice. The maximum allowable grant size
is $750,000 per year per grantee.
B. Award Period
Grants awarded will be for a minimum of a 1-year period, not to
exceed 13 months. In accordance with 38 CFR 78.15(b), subject to the
availability of VA funds, VA may issue a future NOFO which would permit
[[Page 22635]]
grantees to apply for the renewal of a suicide prevention services
grant in accordance with the terms and conditions of such NOFO.
III. Eligibility Information
A. Eligible Applicants
See Section I. Funding Opportunity Description, Section C.
Definitions of this NOFO for a detailed description of eligible
applicants.
B. Cost Sharing/Matching
There is no cost sharing/matching for this grant program.
C. Unique Entity Identifier
Applicants must be registered in the System for Award Management
(<a href="http://sam.gov">sam.gov</a>) and provide a unique entity identifier and continue to
maintain an active SAM registration with current information as per 2
CFR part 200 (Appendix 1).
IV. Application and Scoring Information
A. Content and Form of Application
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. The application is organized into the
following sections:
Section A: Background, Qualifications, Experience & Past Performance of
Applicant and Any Identified Community Partners (30 Maximum Points)
VA will award points based on the background, qualifications,
experience and past performance of the applicant and any community
partners identified by the applicant in the suicide prevention services
grant application. VA will consider whether the applicant's, and any
identified community partners', background and organizational history
are relevant to the program; whether the applicant, and any identified
community partners, maintain organizational structures with clear lines
of reporting and defined responsibilities; and whether the applicant,
and any identified community partners, have a history of complying with
agreements and not defaulting on financial obligations.
Staff qualifications includes determining whether the applicant's
staff, and any identified community partners' staff, have experience
providing services to, or coordinating services for, eligible
individuals and their families as well as experience administering
programs similar to SSG Fox SPGP.
Organizational qualifications and past performance, including
experience with Veteran services, will be considered. VA will score
this criterion based on whether the applicant, and any identified
community partners, have organizational experience: (i) Providing
suicide prevention services to, or coordinating suicide prevention
services for, eligible individuals and their families; (ii)
coordinating such services for eligible individuals and their families
among multiple organizations and Federal, state, local, and tribal
governmental entities; (iii) administering a program similar in type
and scale to SSG Fox SPGP to eligible individuals and their families;
and (iv) working with Veterans and their families.
Section B: Program Concept & Suicide Prevention Services Plan (30
Maximum Points)
VA will award points based on the applicant's program, concept and
suicide prevention services plan, as demonstrated by the need for the
program; outreach and screening plan; program concept; program
implementation timeline; coordination with VA; ability to meet VA's
requirements, goals and objectives for SSG Fox SPGP; and capacity to
undertake the program.
The need for the program will be scored based on whether the
applicant has shown a need amongst eligible individuals and their
families in the area where the program will be based and whether the
applicant demonstrates an understanding of the unique needs for suicide
prevention services of eligible individuals and their families.
The outreach and screening plan will be scored based on whether the
applicant has a feasible plan for outreach and referral to identify and
assist individuals and their families that may be eligible for suicide
prevention services and are most in need of suicide prevention
services, a feasible plan to process and receive participant referrals
and a feasible plan to assess and accommodate the needs of incoming
participants.
Program concept will be scored based on whether the applicant's
program concept, size, scope and staffing plan are feasible, as well as
whether the applicant's program is designed to meet the needs of
eligible individuals and their families.
As part of the program concept, VA will score applications based on
how clearly the applicant identifies the suicide prevention services
the applicant intends to provide or coordinate to provide and
demonstrates how the services will be implemented. Suicide prevention
services include: Outreach; baseline mental health screening;
education; clinical services for emergency treatment; case management;
peer support; assistance in obtaining VA benefits; assistance in
obtaining and coordinating other public benefits and assistance with
emergent needs; nontraditional and innovative approaches; and other
services. These are further defined in VA's regulations at 38 CFR 78.45
through 78.90.
As part of program concept, for those applicants proposing
nontraditional and innovative approaches, VA will consider whether the
applicants effectively demonstrated: (1) A clear description of the
program and services the participant is intended to receive; (2) the
goal of the intended services; and (3) an effective methodology to
measure the proposed outcomes and evaluate the effectiveness of the
services provided. VA will consider any submitted proposed evaluation
methodology if the grantee is already providing the services. If the
grantee is already providing such services, any existing data included
in the application that demonstrates the effectiveness of services as
they relate to the overall SSG Fox SPGP program objectives to reduce
Veteran suicide risk, improve baseline mental health status, well-being
and social support, and financial stability for eligible individuals
and their families will be considered. Existing data may include
outcomes, participant exit interviews, participant self-reports and
participant satisfaction surveys.
For those applicants proposing other suicide prevention services,
VA will consider whether those have demonstrated evidence-informed
interventions for improving the mental health status and well-being and
reducing the suicide risk of eligible individuals and their families,
and whether they have effectively demonstrated a clear description of
the program and services the participant is intended to receive and the
goal of the intended services. VA will consider whether any provided
data shows the effectiveness of the services, as it relates to the
overall SSG Fox SPGP objectives to reduce Veteran suicide risk, improve
baseline mental health status, well-being and social support, and
financial stability for eligible individuals and their families. VA
will also review and determine approval in relation to evidence
provided for significant improvements in pilot data utilizing validated
instruments that demonstrate a reduction in indicators of suicide risk.
[[Page 22636]]
This aligns with recommendations from National Institutes of Health.
Further examples of other services with listed evidence may be found in
the VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guidelines for Suicide Prevention. It is
also important for VA to note that any approaches and treatment
practices approved will need to be consistent with applicable Federal
law. For example, the use of grant funds to provide or coordinate the
provision of marijuana to eligible individuals and their families will
be prohibited, as marijuana is currently illegal under Federal law.
VA will score the program implementation timeline based on whether
the applicant's program will be implemented in a timely manner and
suicide prevention services will be delivered to participants as
quickly as possible and within a specified timeline. VA will also score
this based on whether there is a feasible staffing plan in place to
meet the applicant's program timeline or that the applicant has
existing staff to meet such timeline.
VA will score applications based on whether the applicant has a
feasible plan to coordinate outreach and services with local VA
facilities and VA Suicide Prevention Coordinators.
VA will score the applicant's demonstrated ability and commitment
to meet VA's requirements, goals and objectives for SSG Fox SPGP, which
will be based on whether the applicant demonstrates commitment to
ensuring that its program meets VA's requirements, goals, and
objectives for SSG Fox SPGP, which are to reduce Veteran suicide
through community-based grants to provide or coordinate the provision
of suicide prevention services to eligible individuals and their
families, to improve mental health status, well-being and reduce the
risk of eligible individuals and their families.
VA will score the applicant's capacity, including staff resources,
to undertake its program.
Section C: Quality Assurance & Evaluation Plan (15 Maximum Points)
VA will award points based on the applicant's quality assurance and
evaluation plan, as demonstrated by program evaluation, monitoring,
remediation and management and reporting.
The scoring criterion, program evaluation, will be based on whether
the applicant has created clear, realistic and measurable goals that
reflect SSG Fox SPGP's aim of reducing and preventing suicide among
Veterans against which the applicant's program performance can be
evaluated, as well as whether the applicant has a clear plan to
continually assess the program.
In scoring the monitoring criterion, VA will evaluate if the
applicant has adequate controls in place to regularly monitor the
program, including any community partners, for compliance with all
applicable laws, regulations and guidelines; whether the applicant has
adequate financial and operational controls in place to ensure the
proper use of suicide prevention services grant funds; and whether the
applicant has a feasible plan for ensuring that the applicant's staff
and any community partners are appropriately trained and stay informed
of SSG Fox SPGP policy, evidence-informed suicide prevention practices,
and the requirements of 38 CFR part 78.
In scoring the remediation criterion, VA will assess whether the
applicant has an appropriate plan to establish a system to remediate
non-compliant aspects of the program if and when they are identified.
VA will score the applicant's management and reporting based on
whether the applicant's program management team has the capability and
a system in place to provide to VA timely and accurate reports at the
frequency set by VA.
Section D: Financial Capability & Plan (15 Maximum Points)
VA will score applications on the applicant's financial capability
and plan based on organizational finances and the financial feasibility
of program.
VA will award points on the applicant's organizational finances
based on whether the applicant, and any identified community partners,
are financially stable. The financial feasibility of the program will
be assessed based on whether the applicant has a realistic plan for
obtaining all funding required to operate the program for the time
period of the suicide prevention services grant, as well as whether the
applicant's program is cost-effective and can be effectively
implemented on-budget.
Section E: Area Linkages and Relations (10 Maximum Points)
VA will award points based on the applicant's area linkages and
relations, as demonstrated by area linkages, past working
relationships, local presence and knowledge and integration of linkages
and program concept.
VA will evaluate an applicant's area linkages based on whether the
applicant has a feasible plan for developing or relying on existing
linkages with the Federal (including VA), state, local and tribal
governmental agencies, and private entities for the purposes of
providing additional services to eligible individuals within a given
geographic area.
VA will assess whether the applicant (or staff) and any identified
community partner (or staff) have fostered similar and successful
working relationships and linkages with public and private
organizations providing services to Veterans or their families in need
of services.
VA will evaluate an applicant's local presence and knowledge based
on whether the applicant has a presence in the area to be served by the
applicant and understands the dynamics of the area to be served by the
applicant. This presence and knowledge does not necessarily mean the
applicant has an address or physical office in the area, but rather
that they are operating in the area such that they have sufficient
knowledge of the area and that their staff has a presence in the area.
Evaluation of whether an applicant understands the dynamics of the area
to be served by the applicant will be based on information including
but not limited to the applicant's description of the area, including
mental health centers, and relationships with local mental health
centers. This may be met through letters of support and documented
coordination of care.
Finally, VA will assess the applicant's integration of linkages and
program concept based on whether the applicant's linkages to the area
to be served by the applicant enhance the effectiveness of the
applicant's program.
V. Review and Selection Process
Based on the scoring criteria described above, VA will award grants
to those highest-scoring applicants that meet the definition of
eligible entity that will provide or coordinate the provision of
suicide prevention services to eligible individuals at risk of suicide
and their families who may be eligible for services under the SSG Fox
SPGP. Applicants should clearly describe the suicide prevention
services intended to be offered. Suicide prevention services grant
applications will be scored by a VA grant review committee. The grant
review committee will be trained on a scoring rubric and follow uniform
guidance on application grant review (pursuant to 2 CFR part 200). The
SSG Fox SPGP scoring criteria mirrors the well-established criteria of
the VA Supportive Services for Veteran Families program (See <a href="https://www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf/index.asp">https://www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf/index.asp</a> for details).
[[Page 22637]]
A. Application Selection
VA will only score applicants who meet the following threshold
requirements: The 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; the application must be completed in all parts; the
activities for which the suicide prevention services grant is requested
must be eligible for funding; the applicant's proposed participants
must be eligible to receive suicide prevention services; the applicant
must agree to comply with the requirements of 38 CFR part 78; the
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; and the 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.
VA will rank those applicants who score at least 60 cumulative
points and receive at least one point under each of the categories: (a)
Background, Qualifications, Experience and Past Performance of
Applicant and Any Identified Community Partners; (b) Program Concept
and Suicide Prevention Services Plan; (c) Quality Assurance and
Evaluation Plan; (d) Financial Capability and Plan; and (e) Area
Linkages and Relations.
VA will utilize the ranked scores of 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, including
suicide attempts;
(ii) Applicants that 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.
VI. Award Administration Information
A. Award Notices
Although subject to change, VA expects to announce grant awards in
the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2022. 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 <a href="https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/ssgfox-grants">https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/ssgfox-grants</a>. 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.
C. Payments of Grant Funds
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:
D. Reporting and Monitoring
Applicants should be aware of the following:
(i) 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.
(ii) 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.
(iii) 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.
(iv) Monitoring will also 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.
(v) 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.
E. 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 to the 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.
[[Page 22638]]
Signing Authority
Denis McDonough, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, approved this
document on April 11, 2022, 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.
Jeffrey M. Martin,
Assistant Director, Office of Regulation Policy & Management, Office of
General Counsel, Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2022-08040 Filed 4-14-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on April 15, 2022.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.