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Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program (HVRP)

Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program (HVRP). Currently authorized under 38 United States Code, Section 2021, as added by Section 5 of Public Law 107-95, the Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Assistance Act of 2001.

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Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program (HVRP)

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  1. Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program (HVRP) • Currently authorized under 38 United States Code, Section 2021, as added by Section 5 of Public Law 107-95, the Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Assistance Act of 2001. • Section 2021 requires the Secretary of Labor to conduct, directly or through grant or contract, such programs as the Secretary determines appropriate to expedite the reintegration of homeless veterans into the labor force. • Administered by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Veterans’ Employment and Training (OASVET).

  2. HVRP Objectives • (1) To provide services to assist in reintegrating homeless veterans into meaningful employment within the labor force and; • (2) To stimulate the development of effective service delivery systems that will address the complex problems facing homeless veterans. 

  3. HVRP Eligible applicants • State or Local Workforce Investment Boards • Public Agencies •       For-profit/Commercial Entities • Non-Profit Organizations including faith based and community based organizations. • All HVRP grants are competitively awarded on an annual basis with optional year funding (1 or 2 years); based on availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

  4. HVRP • All HVRP Grants are “Employment Focused” • Outreach component •        Services provided will be directed toward increasing the employability of homeless veterans through training or arranging for the provision of services which will enable them to work. •        Matching homeless veterans with potential employers. •       Creating, expanding, and utilizing linkages for appropriate services and training opportunities.

  5. HVRP Grant Categories • Urban – 75 Most Populated U.S. Cities • Non-Urban – Sites Not Listed as 75 Most Populated U.S. Cities • New Grantee – Grantees that have not previously had a USDOL-VETS HVRP Grant • New Categories for FY 2004 • Incarcerated Veterans’ Transition Program (IVTP) • Intermediaries • Each Category is Separately Competed. • Currently 78 HVRP Competitive Grants.

  6. “Intermediaries” Grant Category • New Grant Category For FY 2004 – 1st grants awarded on July 1st, 2004. • Intermediaries are expected to sub-award a substantial portion of its grant award to eligible local grass roots organizations. • Applicants and their sub-awardees coordinate efforts in order to “collectively” ensure that homeless veteran participants receive employment and supportive services thru case management process.

  7. Incarcerated Veterans Transition Program Grant Category • New grant category for FY 2004 • “Pilot” Program authorized under 38 United States Code, Section 2022, as added by Section 5 of Public Law 107-95, the Homeless Comprehensive Assistance Act of 2001. • Funded under HVRP - no separate funding authorization.

  8. Incarcerated Veterans Pilots • Partnership between the Department of Labor and Department of Veterans Affairs in the development, support, and operation of at least six (6) demonstration projects designed to support incarcerated veterans at risk of homelessness.

  9. Incarcerated Veterans Transition Program Objective • Pilot Grantees provide direct services through a case management approach while networking with federal, state, and local resources and veteran support programs to reintegrate previously incarcerated veterans into the workforce. • Assistance provided within 18 Months of separation from incarceration.

  10. Incarcerated Veterans Transition Program Pilot Sites – FY 2004 • Volunteers of America, Los Angles, CA • Vietnam Veterans of San Diego, CA • Joint Efforts, San Pedro, CA • Volunteers of America, Louisville, KY • Quad Area Community Action Agency, Hammond, LA • Veterans Benefits Clearing House, Roxbury, MA • The Salvation Army, Rochester, NY • Colorado Dept of Labor and Employment, Denver, CO

  11. Grant Application • There are three (3) parts to a HVRP Grant Application: • 1. Executive Summary – 1 to 2 pages • 2. Technical Proposal – NTE 15 pages • 3. Cost Proposal – no stated limit

  12. Executive Summary • Reflects the grantees overall strategy. • Proposed area to be served. • Years of service to the community. • Projects and activities that will expedite the reintegration of homeless veterans into the workforce. • Summary of timeline, outcomes, benefits, and value added by the project.

  13. Required Content Technical Proposal • Programs must be “employment focused” • Outreach component • Pre-enrollment Assessment • Employment Development Plans • Case Management • Job Placement • Job Retention Follow-Up (90 & 180 days) • Coordination with DVOP/LVER Staff • Community Linkages to programs and services

  14. Suggested Format for Technical Proposal • Need for the Program • Approach or Strategy to Increase Employment and Job Retention • Linkages (local, state, and federal) • Proposed Supportive Service Strategy • Organizational Capability • Proposed Housing Strategy

  15. HVRP Application Evaluation Criteria for FY 2004 - Need for grant program – 10 points - Overall Strategy to increase employment and retention in employment – 35 points - Quality and extent of linkages with other providers of services to the homeless and veterans – 20 points - Demonstrated capability in providing required program services, including programming reporting and participant tracking – 25 points - Quality of overall housing strategy – 10 points

  16. Cost Proposal Content • Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) • Budget Information Sheet (SF-424A) • Budget Narrative • Assurances and Certification Page • Financial Audits (within past 18 months) • List of all Employment and Training Grants and Contracts for the past three (3) years. • Indirect Cost Rate Approval, if applicable. • Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants

  17. SF 424 • Current SF 424 dated Sept 2003 • Forms located at website address: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/grants_forms.html • Employer Identification Number • DUNS Number: call 1-866-705-5711 or at website address: www.dunandbradstreet.com • Areas Affected by Project (block 12) • No matching funds required • Point of Contact Information

  18. SF-424A • Object Class Categories: • Personnel • Fringe Benefits (NTE 35% of salaries & wages) • Travel (HVRP T/A Conference and local mileage) • Equipment (NTE $5,000 per unit) • Supplies (general office supplies) • Contractual (training, services, etc.) • Other (participant supportive services, Stand Down Support, etc.)

  19. SF-424A • Administrative Costs shall consist of all direct and indirect costs associated with the supervision and management of the program. These costs shall include administrative costs, both direct and indirect, of sub-recipients and contractors. • Administrative Costs will not exceed 20% of total grant award (See Special Provision X).

  20. Indirect Costs • If Indirect Costs are indicated on SF-424A, submit a copy of the signed negotiated agreement. • All indirect costs are considered a part of administrative costs for HVRP purposes, therefore, will not exceed 20% of total grant award. • If you do not have an Indirect Cost Rate, you may propose a rate with justification. Successful applicants will be required to negotiate a rate within 90 days of grant award. • Contact DOL Office of Cost Determination at (202) 693-4100.

  21. New Requirement for FY 2004 • All HVRP Grantees are to perform a preliminary assessment of each participant’s eligibility for Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) service-connected disability, compensation, and/or pension benefits. • Grantees are to work with Veteran Service Organizations or refer participants to DVA in order to file a claim for compensation. • Grantees are to track progress of claims and report outcomes in case management records.

  22. Participant Training • At least 80% of the enrolled participants must participate in training activities – not new. • Training Activities Include: basic skills, remedial education, life skills and money management, on-the-job training, classroom training, vocational training, specialized and/or licensing training, and other formal training programs as deemed appropriate to benefit the participant.

  23. HVRP $ Distribution • FY 2004 HVRP Allocation $18.8 M • 42 2nd Year Funding Grants @ $10.3 M • 16 Urban Grants @ $4.2 M • 9 Non-Urban Grants @ $1.6M • 4 Intermediaries Grants @ $900,000 • 7 Incarcerated Pilot Grants @ $1.5 M • Stand Downs @ $125,000

  24. FY 2005 HVRP Grants FY 2005 HVRP Anticipated HVRP Allocation = $19 Million • $1.5 M 7 Incarcerated Pilots 2nd Year • $6.7 M 29 HVRP Grants 2nd Year • $10.3 M 42 HVRP Grants 3rd Year • $150,000 Stand Down Support • $18.7 M Total Funds Obligated

  25. Performance Goals • All information on the Performance Goals Chart is to be cumulative, including the financial info. • For example, 25 placements for each quarter = 25 1st Qtr 50 2nd Qtr 75 3rd Qtr 100 4th Qtr

  26. Performance Goals • Make Performance Goals Realistic. Planned goals will become part of the grant award agreement. • Direct Placements + Assisted Placements = Combined Placements. • Too many enrollments will dilute your placement rate, if they do not get a job. • For example: 300 enrollments and 100 placements into employment = a 33% placement rate vs. 150 enrollments and 100 placements into employment = a 67% placement rate.

  27. Helpful Hints • Read and Follow Instructions in the Solicitation for Grant Applications - changes can occur yearly. • Take note of the funding maximums. • You can apply for more than one grant category, if you meet the eligibility requirements. • Submit Formal MOUs and other Agreements • Don’t forget to indicate start-up timeframe. • Don’t forget to mention emergency, transitional, and permanent housing strategy & formal MOUs. • How are participants surviving while in training?

  28. Helpful Hints –Con’t • Don’t forget your DVOP and LVER linkages to the One Stop System (DOL VETS Funded). • Don’t forget to submit financial audits. • Don’t forget to submit final performance reports – grant reviewers do not have access to previously submitted reports – just the application itself. • Can provide small tokens to participants in order to reward them and get your follow-up information (bus tokens, laundry tokens, gift certificates for food or dinner, etc.) but not cash.

  29. Stand Down Events • A Stand Down is a local community event held usually for three (3) days, where an variety of services and referrals for services are provided to homeless veterans – mostly all volunteer effort. Provides a “safe haven” for homeless veterans. • Services include shelter, meals, clothing, employment services, health screenings, legal services, etc. • These events are often the “catalyst” that enables homeless veterans to get back into mainstream society.

  30. Stand Down Events – Con’t • HVRP Grantees are expected to attend and participate at all local Stand Down events. • VETS allows HVRP Grantees up to $5,000 per year of their existing grant budget to support Stand Down efforts (put in budget under “Other”). • VETS also awards up to $5,000 upon request to non-profit community based organizations in support of Stand Down efforts, if funding is available.

  31. Stand Down Application • Grantee Cover Letter Requesting Funds • SF 424 • Budget Narrative - detail planned expenditures. • Letters of Support (especially DVOP/LVER, DVA, HUD, and Veterans Service Organizations) • Where to get application form: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/grants_forms.html • Applications are due by August 10th in order to obligate funds prior to end of Fiscal Year.

  32. Stand Down Info • Limit of $5,000 per event. • Funding must be used to enhance employment and training opportunities -or- to promote self-sustainment for homeless veterans. • Examples: food items, prepared meals, bottled water, clothing (including shoes, boots, underwear, socks, coats) sleeping bags, hygiene care kits, facility and tent rentals, transportation to and from Stand Down event, event posters, communications, outreach and public relations, and etc.

  33. Letters of Support and MOUs • All Letters of Support are to be attached to the application – also good to mention in narrative. • If you send a Letter of Support directly to the ASVET – please include a copy in the grant application package so grant reviewers can see it in a timely fashion to score application. • Include MOUs as attachments. • Just remember – if it’s not in the grant application, grant reviewers will not know you have it!

  34. Follow-Up Activities 1. Grantees are required to track and provide follow-up services for each participant that has entered employment at 90 and 180 days after placement. 2. Grantees are required to submit a final report showing results and performance as of the 90th day after the grant expiration – Any more placements? and final financial reports. 3. Grantees are required to submit a follow-up report showing results and performance as of the 180th day after the grant expires – Where are they now?

  35. Follow-Up Activities • Grantees must plan for follow-up activities in their budget proposal. • Grantees should mention their participant and financial tracking mechanisms in their technical narrative proposal.

  36. PY 2003 HVRP PERFORMANCE Performance Period 7/1/03 thru 6/30/04: • 13,094 Enrollments • 8,027 Entered Employments • 61% Entered Employment Rate • $2,200 Average Cost Per Placement • $9.28 Average Hourly Rate at Placement • HVRP is the “Shining Star” of DOL Homeless Programs – HVRP Grantees are the Best!

  37. FY 2005 Projects • Develop standard operating procedures manuals for both HVRP grantees and VETS staff – including detailed info on best practices and incorporating updated SGA info. • Request an extension on behalf of HVRP grantees to draw down funds from HHS/PMS to allow for required follow-up activities. • Create an internal Competitive Grants Expert Cluster – a dozen VETS staff employees to provide detailed technical assistance in order to ensure nationwide consistency with adhering to existing policies and procedures and make beneficial suggestions for improvement.

  38. More Information • For more information go to our website at: www.dol.gov/vets Click on: - Grants and Contracts -or- • Homeless Veterans • See HVRP Solicitations for Grant Applications and VETS’ Guide to Competitive and Discretionary Grants.

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