Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration

CMHS Consumer Affairs E-News
September 30, 2003, Vol. 03-88

AVAILABILITY OF FUNDING FOR SSI HOMELESS OUTREACH PROJECTS ANNOUNCED

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced that it is now accepting applications for funding through its Homeless Outreach Projects and Evaluation (HOPE) program. The program has $8 million in appropriated funds for fiscal year 2003 and is aimed to support projects that would provide targeted outreach, supportive services, and benefit application assistance to individuals who are chronically homeless.

According to SSA's guidelines, these individuals may include "people with severe and persistent mental illness, HIV infection, limited English proficiency, multiple and co-occurring disorders, or cognitive impairments, as well as homeless veterans with disabilities." Among the accepted activities are establishing presumptive disability screening procedures or pre-release procedures for institutionalized individuals with disabilities. SSA plans to fund about 30 projects, with awards of up to $200,000 in the first year, with funding for up to 3 additional years pending availability.

The deadline for applications is November 25, 2003, and a letter of intent is requested in advance by October 16, 2003. Complete details are available in the Federal Register at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2003/03-24306.htm

Further information will also be provided in the homelessness section of SSA's website at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/homelessness

For a best practice profile of the successful Maryland SSI Outreach Project in Baltimore, MD, see http://www.endhomelessness.org/best/mdssioutrch.htm

Additional Information

Instructions for Obtaining and Submitting an Application

The Internet is the primary means recommended for obtaining an application kit under this program announcement. An application kit containing all of the prescribed forms and instructions needed to apply for a cooperative agreement under this announcement may be obtained at the following Internet address: http://www.socialsecurity.gov/oag/.

However, in the rare instances when an organization may not have access to the Internet, an application kit may be obtained by writing to: Grants Management Team, Office of Operations Contracts and Grants, OAG, Social Security Administration, 1-E-4 Gwynn Oak Building, 1710 Gwynn Oak Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21207-5279.

Requests submitted by mail should include two return address labels. Also, please provide the name, title and telephone number of the individual to contact; and the organization's name, street address, city, state and ZIP code.

To ensure receipt of the proper kit, please include program announcement number OPDR-03-02) and the date of this announcement in the request.

Applications must be mailed or hand-delivered to: Grants Management Team, DCFAM, Office of Operations Contracts and Grants, OAG, Social Security Administration, Attention: OPDR-03-02, 1-E-4 Gwynn Oak Building, 1710 Gwynn Oak Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21207-5279.

Hand-delivered applications are accepted between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. An application will be considered as meeting the deadline if it is either: 1. Received on or before the deadline date at the bove address; or 2. Mailed through the U.S. Postal Service or sent by commercial carrier on or before the deadline date and received in time to be considered during the competitive review and evaluation process.

Packages must be postmarked by November 25, 2003. Applicants are cautioned to request a legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark or to obtain a legibly dated receipt from a commercial carrier as evidence of timely mailing. Private-metered postmarks are not acceptable as proof of timely mailing.

Applications that do not meet the above criteria are considered late applications. SSA will not waive or extend the deadline for any application unless the deadline is waived or extended for all applications. SSA will notify each late applicant that its application will not be considered.

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The Center for Mental Health Services is a component of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, United States Department of Health and Human Services.