- Q: Can you please advise the date of the optional technical assistance session? The program page online states the date as 2/8/2024, however, the alternate page online states the date as 02/09/2024.
A: The Technical Assistance Session for Program 575 Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH) is 2/9/24 from 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Central Time.
- Q: Can you please provide clarity regarding the following passage from the program page online "Applicants must be able to serve and provide: Statewide (Chicago area, (North, South, and West Sides of the City)" . Does this mean that eligible applicants must provide services statewide, or must applicants only provide services in the North, South, and West sides of Chicago?
A: Eligible applicants must provide services in their geographical area where they are located. If in Chicago, and all areas are not covered, there may be an ask to cover one particular area
- Q: What is the definition of Serious mental illness?
A: Serious mental illness (SMI) refers to individuals 18 or older, who currently or at any time during the past year have had a diagnosable mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder of sufficient duration to meet diagnostic criteria specified in the diagnostic manual of the American Psychiatric Association and that has resulted in functional impairment, that substantially interferes with or limits one or more major life activities. Major life activities include basic daily living skills (e.g. eating, bathing, dressing); instrumental living skills (e.g., maintaining a household, managing money, getting around the community, taking prescribed medication); and functioning in social, family, and vocational/educational contexts.
- Q: Could you please confirm if a proposed subcontractor for the PATH grant must be prequalified under GATA by 3/1 application deadline to be considered?
A: Per the NOFO, Section B Funding Information, 8. Procurement Contract Allowability, "Subcontractors are subject to all provisions of this Agreement. The successful applicant Agency shall retain sole responsibility for the performance and monitoring of the subcontractor." So, yes, the subcontractor must meet all the prequalification and pre-award requirements.
- Q: Regarding match, am I reading it correctly that we must have a 3:1 match for this opportunity? Provide $3 to every $1 awarded through this opportunity?
A: No, the match requirement is provide $1 to every $3 awarded.
- Q: What should we build into a budget for anticipated training costs?
A: Training cost should include any registration fees, travel, speaker fees that would cover the cost of:
Professional development, the training of individuals who work in shelters, mental health clinics, substance use programs, and other organizations serving eligible individuals; Support for the training and certification of provider staff in the SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) model, designed to increase access to disability income benefits for eligible individuals who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
- Q: I wasn't sure if there was a cost associated with a training built out by IDHS itself.
A: No, your agency should request the amount that you believe will be necessary to provide the training expenses outlined in the NOFO.
- Q: Can match be in in kind dollars?
A: Yes, match can be cash or in kind.
- Q: Do we have to first be accepted as a provider at the state level before we would do a federal grant?
A: For our current grantees, you will have to provide information to us to and we will then add that information to the federal application given that our federal application is due prior to our state application being awarded. This does NOT guarantee that you will be awarded a state contract.
- Q: Do current grantees need to get the federal information to you as soon as possible, and then we would do the state application?
A: Yes, remember that the submission date for the federal application is March 5th, and this is only for current grantees. The state application for PATH NOFO is due on March 1st at 12pm CST, and this is for current and potential grantees.
- Q: In order to participate in this grant, do new grantees need to apply for the SAMHSA grant also or just the state application?
A: Applicants don't actually apply for the federal grant. Applicants that are awarded the funding on the state level through the state application process will have to provide DMH with some information. DMH will then add that information to the federal grant application to SAMHSA.
It was noted that current PATH providers are not guaranteed funding for FY25 through the state competitive process. Because the federal application is due prior to the awarding of the state awards, we have to submit our application with our current grantees.
- Q: There was a previous mention that FY25 PATH services were to be provided 24/7. Is this still true?
A: Your agency hours are the hours that you will provide services. We don't require you to provide PATH services 24/7.
- Q: Would this be the time to expand service?
A: Because this is a competitive year, what you indicate in your grant application is scored. You can definitely expand services if you have the capacity.
- Q: So there is a difference between SMI and a MH diagnosis. Is there a list of diagnoses that would designate eligibility?
A: Serious mental illness (SMI) refers to:
- Individuals 18 or older, who currently or at any time during the past year have had a diagnosable mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder of sufficient duration to meet diagnostic criteria specified in the diagnostic manual of the American Psychiatric Association and that has resulted in functional impairment, that substantially interferes with or limits one or more major life activities.
- Major life activities include basic daily living skills (e.g. eating, bathing, dressing);
- Instrumental living skills (e.g., maintaining a household, managing money, getting around the community, taking prescribed medication); and functioning in social, family, and vocational/educational contexts.
- Q: Can you show us the list of current path providers? It is available on the DHS website?
A: This is public information and you can find the link on our website:
- Q: With the staff SOAR certification requirement, does the staff need to be on the PATH team or can we utilize a SOAR certified staff within the agency?
A: With SOAR this year, SAMHSA is asking that there be at least one individual on your path team that is SOAR-trained and certified. We do currently have a SOAR coordinator who provides training for our PATH team individually. We do have cohorts on an as needed basis for your team. Even if your SOAR-trained individual works part time or you're using their salary as match, it is acceptable per SAMHSA, but we do need to have at least one SOAR-trained individual as part of your PATH team.
- Q: Can SMI diagnosis be self reported?
A: Yes, they can be self reported, but we will need documentation at some point per SAMHSA.
- Q: Are flexible funds related to housing assistance considered an allowable expense? For example: a short-term infusions of cash for a car repair to enable a ptp to get to work.
A: No that is not an allowable cost.
- Q: Regarding Indirect Costs, instead of taking Indirect Costs as part of grant budget costs, can we use Indirect Costs as In Kind?
A: In Kind match can be used in place of indirect Costs
- If this is an acceptable way to partially meet the match, can we use the De Minimis rate when reporting it as In Kind vs. using actual costs?
- The De Minimis Indirect Cost Rate can be used as In Kind match when reporting your match.
- Q: Can the deadline of this NOFO be extended by a week so we could gather the necessary documents and complete the application?
A: This is a competitive opportunity, and the deadline cannot be extended. See the NOFO Section 4. Application Submission Dates and Times, Application Due Date and Time. "Applications and Program Narratives received after the due date and time listed in the NOFO Summary above will NOT be considered for review or funding. There will be no exceptions."
- Q: I tried to find the FAQ video or TA recording. Do you have that?
A: The link to the TA Recording is found on the TA page of the NOFO. All questions from that TA Session can be found on this page.
- Q: Can grant funds be used to provide rental assistance (i.e. paying for all/a portion of a client's rent) for transitional and/or long-term housing? And can the assistance be provided for longer than a month?
A: Funds cannot be used for rental assistance. This is a service only program and not a housing program. Funds can be used for eviction prevention and/or a security deposit to obtain housing but not to sustain it.
- Q: Does the grant allow for placement in short-term housing (i.e. sober living)?
A: The grant does not allow for placement in short-term housing.
- Q: In terms of makeup of the PATH team, is there a fidelity to the team structure?
A: The make-up of the PATH team is determined by your agency but there should be some clinical supervision.
- Q: Can match be the Fee-for-Service (FFS) revenue generated by the PATH team for PATH services provided to those individuals who have Medicaid?
A: No, but this should not deter a provider from applying for this grant.
