Grants for the Rural Veterans Coordination Pilot

In September 2014, five grantees were awarded $2 million each, for a two-year pilot program to aid Veterans and their families with the transition to civilian life in one or more of the following areas: increase coordination of health care and benefits; increase availability of high-quality medical and mental health services; family assistance; and outreach. The objective of the pilot is to assess the feasibility of using community-based organizations and local, State, and Tribal government entities to determine best practices in successfully coordinating multi-sector benefits for Veterans and their families who reside in rural or underserved communities.

The eligible entities that applied for the grant were (1) Private non-profit organizations with tax exempt status (501 (C) 3) and (2) local, state and tribal government entities.

Eligible Veterans for the program are limited to Veterans and their accompanying families who are transitioning from military service to civilian life in rural areas. According to Federal Register (78 FR 12617) on February 25, 2013, which is codified at 38 CFR part 64, an eligible Veteran means a person who served in active military, naval, or air service, who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable. A Veteran who is transitioning from military service to civilian life means a veteran who is separating from active military, naval, or air service in the Armed Forces to return to life as a civilian, and such veteran's date of discharge or release from active military, naval, or air service was not more than 2 years prior to the date on which the RVCP grant was awarded. A Veteran's family means those individuals who reside with the veteran in the veteran's primary residence. These individuals include a parent, a spouse, a child, a step-family member, an extended family member, and individuals who reside in the home with the veteran but are not a member of the family of the veteran.

The pilot required the program be carried out in five locations for a two year period in accordance with 38 CFR 64.6.

RVCP grants are limited to two years. Grantee programs are operational. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: lump sum.

The VA published a Notice of Fund Availability soliciting applications for the grant program and information on applications for requesting eligibility to receive grant funds on February 25, 2013 in the Federal Register. RVCP grants were publicized through a Notice of Funding Availability published in the Federal Register.

Applications were scored utilizing the criteria outlined in the Notice of Funding Availability released in the Federal Register, February 25, 2013.

Applicants were notified on September 2, 2014 of the funding decisions by letter.

RVCP grants are limited to a two year period and are not renewable.

Appeals for non-selection may be made in writing to the RVCP Program Office within 30 days of notice of non-selection. If an applicant would have been selected but for a procedural error committed by VA, VA may select that applicant for funding when sufficient funds become available if there is no material change in the information that would have resulted in the applicant's selection. A new application will not be required for this purpose.