TEXT OF RULE
section 1.
VA 2.08 (3) (c), (km), (mm), (p), (q), and (r), and (6) are created to read: VA 2.08 (3) (c) “CIC” means Community Integration Coordinator. A “CIC” is a Wisconsin nonprofit organization that supports the coordination of peer sponsors that are paired with transitioning service members and veterans to facilitate community integration throughout Wisconsin.
(km) “HAP” means the VHA National Center of Healthcare Advancement and Partnerships.
(mm) “Transitioning servicemember” means a veteran who has separated from active military, naval, or air service in the U.S. armed forces to return to life as a civilian, and meets any of the following criteria:
1. The veteran's date of discharge or release from active military, naval, or air service is not more than 2 years prior to the date on which the grant was awarded to the nonprofit organization.
2. The veteran is actively enrolled in an accredited continuing education program.
3. The veteran has been approved by the department to receive services from the program.
(p) “VHA” means the USDVA Veterans Healthcare Administration.
(q) “VISN” means the Veterans Integrated Service Network.
(r) “VSPN” means the Veteran Sponsor Partnership Network.
(6) Veterans transition program grant. (a) Purpose. The veterans transition program will partner with the VHA regional offices to form partnerships with community organizations to help transitioning servicemembers and their families access federal and state veterans services and state community resources to improve employment outcomes.
(b) Eligibility criteria. A CIC is eligible to receive a grant under this subsection if the organization meets all of the following conditions:
1.
It is a Wisconsin nonprofit organization. 2.
It is current on all federal and state tax obligations.3.
It is a financially viable nonprofit organization.4.
It is registered and in good standing with the Wisconsin department of financial institutions.5.
It has a signed agreement between the VHA and the VA great lakes healthcare system. 6.
It is listed on the HAP and in the VSPN, or the VSPN’s successor organization.7.
It has been in existence for a minimum of 5 consecutive years preceding the application and currently serves veterans or their families, or both. (c) Grant application requirements. A representative of the applicant having authority to act for the applicant shall sign the application, ensure that it is complete, and submit it by the deadline. Applications shall include all of the following:
1.
Application on a form approved by the department.2.
Proof of the organization’s nonprofit status.3.
Grant request cover letter that includes a synopsis of the grant proposal and amount of grant requested.4.
Most recent annual report or other literature summarizing the organization’s programs.5.
List of board members and executive officers including titles and affiliations.6.
Income statement and balance sheet for the most recent fiscal year, as well as a budget and income projection for the grant period, as disclosed in the notice described in par. (d).7.
Signed current letter of support from the VHA regional office. 8.
Copy of certificate showing completion of CIC training from a department-approved organization that provides CIC training. 9.
Capability statement outlining how the nonprofit organization will support the program. 10.
Information that demonstrates that the applicant has achieved all of the following required program goals during the previous year:a.
Developed or possess a peer-to-peer network focused on establishing sponsor relationships between VA-trained volunteers and transitioning servicemembers. b.
Connected transitioning servicemembers with relevant employment opportunities proportionate to the transitioning servicemember’s level of skill, training, education, and experience attained through military service and personal development. c.
Collaborated with other agencies to strengthen the delivery of programs, resources, and services to transitioning servicemembers. d.
Conducted outreach to underserved geographic areas of the state and underserved transitioning servicemember populations. 11.
Disclosure of any other grant funds received from any other state agency for the same or similar purpose.12.
A signed verification of matching funds form, if required by the department.(d) Grant awards. 1. The department shall award grants as funds are available.
2. A grant awarded under this section shall be made on forms approved by the department.
3. The award shall be signed by the authorized representative of the department and shall list any conditions to which the award is subject.
4. Each grant award shall be for a 3-year period. A grant recipient may reapply for grant funds following the 3-year grant period.
(e) Grant acceptance. The authorized representative of the recipient nonprofit organization shall accept the grant award by signing the award document and returning it to the department. The department may terminate a grant award if the award is not accepted within 10 calendar days of the date of issuance by the department or if the any of the terms of the application are no longer being met.
(f) Amount of grants. 1. Subject to subd. 2., the amount of each grant will be based on the amount requested and the amount approved by the department. The grant award may not exceed the amount requested.
2. The amount of funding for the program will be determined annually by the department and is subject to the availability of funds under s. 20.485 (2) (tf), Stats. a.
Except in the initial fiscal year, a grant award to a nonprofit organization may not exceed $30,000 during any fiscal year.
