§ 61.43 - Rating criteria for special needs grant applications.

(a) Applicants that meet the threshold requirements in §61.42 of this part, will then be rated using the selection criteria listed in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section. To be eligible for a special needs grant, an applicant must receive at least 300 points (out of a possible 500) and must score points in all areas (paragraphs (b)(1) through (c)(3)).

(b) VA will award up to 200 points based on the extent to which the applicant demonstrates why the service, operation, or personnel for which the special needs grant:

(1) Is needed for the project;

(2) Is integral to the project;

(3) Is appropriate to the population and overall project design; and

(4) Meets the special needs population provided per diem in the previous year.

(c) VA will award up to 300 points based on the extent the applicant's goals, objectives, and measures for the population to be served are:

(1) Appropriate;

(2) Reasonable; and

(3) Measurable.

(d) The information provided under paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section for women, including women who have care of minor dependents, should demonstrate how the program design will:

(1) Ensure transportation for women and their children, especially for health care and educational needs;

(2) Provide directly or offer referrals for adequate and safe child care;

(3) Ensure children's health care needs are met especially age appropriate wellness visits and immunizations; and

(4) Address safety and security issues including segregation procedures from other program participants if deemed appropriate.

(e) The information provided under paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section for the frail elderly should demonstrate how the program design will:

(1) Ensure the safety of the residents in the facility to include preventing harm and exploitation;

(2) Ensure opportunities to keep residents mentally and physically agile to the fullest extent through the incorporation of structured activities, physical activity, and plans for social engagement within the program and in the community;

(3) Provide opportunities for participants to address life transitional issues and separation and/or loss issues;

(4) Provide access to assistance devices such as walkers, grippers, or other devices necessary for optimal functioning;

(5) Ensure adequate supervision, including supervision of medication and monitoring of medication compliance; and

(6) Provide opportunities for participants either directly or through referral for other services particularly relevant for the frail elderly, including services or programs addressing emotional, social, spiritual, and generative needs.

(f) The information provided under paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section for the terminally ill should demonstrate how the program design will:

(1) Help participants address life-transition and life-end issues;

(2) Ensure that participants are afforded timely access to hospice services;

(3) Provide opportunities for participants to engage in “tasks of dying,” or activities of “getting things in order” or other therapeutic actions that help resolve end of life issues and enable transition and closure;

(4) Ensure adequate supervision including supervision of medication and monitoring of medication compliance; and

(5) Provide opportunities for participants either directly or through referral for other services particularly relevant for terminally ill such as legal counsel and pain management.

(g) The information provided under paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section for the chronically mentally ill should demonstrate how the program design will:

(1) Help participants join in and engage with the community;

(2) Facilitate reintegration with the community and provide services that may optimize reintegration such as life-skills education, recreational activities, and follow up case management;

(3) Ensure that participants have opportunities and services for re-establishing relationships with family;

(4) Ensure adequate supervision, including supervision of medication and monitoring of medication compliance; and

(5) Provide opportunities for participants, either directly or through referral, to obtain other services particularly relevant for a chronically mentally ill population, such as vocational development, benefits management, fiduciary or money management services, medication compliance, and medication education.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2002, 2011, 2012, 2061, 2064, 7721 note )