1. NVTAC Community of Practice
Cori Di Biase
Manhattan Strategy Group
Nicole LaCorte-Klein
Atlas Research
Cindy Borden
NCHV
NVTAC Community of Practice
February 7th, 2019
Option Year Funding

2. Meet the NVTAC TA Team Nicole LaCorte-Klein, MA, CRC Cori Di Biase
Training Consultant at Atlas Research, Nicole brings years of experience providing job placement, vocational case management and direct service to individuals who are homeless. Nicole has provided technical assistance to HVRP, SSVF and other Veterans Administration staff for years, offering her experience as both direct service provider and trainer.
Cori Di Biase
NVTAC Project Director at the Manhattan Strategy Group, Cori has provided services and consultation to support veterans and civilians in employment for more then twenty years. Cori prides himself on serving the staff and leaders who have dedicated themselves to serving our country.
Cindy Borden
As the Director of Technical Assistance and Training for the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV), Cindy conducts training, develops resources, and provides intensive coaching in program design and implementation to veteran service organizations. Cindy brings more than 20 years of experience in both direct service and technical assistance to help organizations increase capacity and improve services.

3. Department of labor Veterans’ employment and training service
Kenneth Fenner Grants Management Specialist (202)
Amanda Denogean Grants Management Specialist (202)

4. Agenda Criteria for OY Funding Application Materials
Approval Process and Timelines
Q & A

5. Criteria for OY Eligibility
Per VPL and VPL Att.1*
Based on performance at the end of the second quarter (Q2)
Must be an initial award or first option year;
Grantees currently in their second or third option year must apply for a new award under the 2019 FOA
Grant must not designated as high risk at end of the second quarter of the program year or by December 31;
* HVRP Grants – Option Year Request Procedures for Program Year 2018 and Subsequent Years and Competitive Grants Technical Assistance Guide

6. Criteria for OY Eligibility - continued
Grant met or exceeded minimum expectations on 50% or more of the critical performance indicators at the time of the second quarter review of cumulative performance
Based on the Competitive Grant Planned Goals Chart and the Q2 Technical Performance Report (TPR)
Minimum expectations defined as 85% of the performance goal
Must be meeting expectations on two or more of the critical indicators:
Number of enrollments
Overall placement rate
Overall hourly wage at placement, and
Placement rate for the chronically homeless

7. Criteria for OY Eligibility - continued
Grant recipients who received their current option year funding based on satisfactory performance through Q2 that failed to meet performance in the aggregate at the end of Q4 are not eligible for additional option year funding.
Grantees performing poorly due to unanticipated circumstances beyond management control, may request a modification per VPL
VETS does not guarantee option year funding to any grantee. Funding is dependent on annual appropriations and other legal and policy considerations

8. Application Materials
Application Packet submitted to Grant Officer’s Technical Representative (GOTR) including:
Letter or Memorandum from Authorized Representative
Requesting a continuation of the current program
If requesting changes, request a continuation of the current program as modified (additional documentation may be required)
Must submit a modification request to the GOTR as part of the package or as a separate request
If the modification includes a request for lower enrollment goals it must also request a reduction in funding consistent with the reduction in goals
Minor changes that do not require a modification should be explained and justified

9. Application Materials - continued
Attachments
A planned goals chart VETS-700 summarizing planned activities for the option year
must include figures for follow-up employment and earnings outcomes
Application for Federal Assistance SF-424
Budget Information – Non-Construction Programs SF-424A
Budget Narrative, including Direct Cost Description, Instructions
System for Award Management (SAM) verification
Approved Indirect Cost Rate, if applicable, and
Project Narrative, if applicable

10. Submission Process
The Option Year Application Process includes the following steps:
GOTR notifies all eligible competitive grant recipients of the OY funding process
Eligible grantees submit a complete application packet to the GOTR by COB March 4, 2019
GOTR forwards option year funding request package with a cover memo indicating a recommendation for approval/disapproval and seeking concurrence to the RAVET by March 15, 2019

11. Submission Process - continued
RAVET reviews option year grant funding packages and indicates concurrence/non-concurrence in a transmittal memo to the Grant Officer through the Deputy Director for Grants and Transition by March 22, 2019
Office of National Programs reviews the packages for completeness and makes recommendations to the Grant Office
Grant Officer does final review and approves awards
Notice of Award sent to grantee

12. Questions
Type your questions in the questions box or “raise your hand” to have your phone line unmuted.

13. HVRP Program guide
NVTAC is developing a Program Guide for HVRP grantees.
Soliciting feedback from grantees, DOL national and regional staff
Living document that will evolve over time
Prioritize most important elements
Multiple opportunities to provide feedback
Additional comments can be sent to

14. HVRP Program guide
What information should be included in the guide? ( i.e. what do grantees need to be successful?)
Best Practices/Lessons Learned
Frequently Asked Questions
Grants Management (e.g. reporting requirements, guidance)
Overview of Program and Core Elements
Sample Forms/Templates
Other (Please Type in Question Box or Raise Your Hand to Speak)

15. Contact Information
Cori Di Biase
Manhattan Strategy Group
Cindy Borden
NCHV
Nicole LaCorte-Klein
Atlas Research