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 a CIC.
(p) “VHA” means the USDVA Veterans Health Administration.
(q) “VSPN” means the Veteran Sponsor Partnership Network.
(6) Veterans employment and transition support grant program. (a) Purpose. The veterans employment and transition support grant program will partner with the VHA regional offices to form partnerships with community organizations to help transitioning service members 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 Health Care System. 6.
It is listed as an active community partner by the National Center for Healthcare Advancement and Partnerships, and is a member of 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.
An application on a form approved by the department.2.
Proof of the organization’s nonprofit status.3.
A grant request cover letter that includes a synopsis of the grant proposal and amount of grant requested.4.
The most recent annual report or other literature summarizing the organization’s programs.5.
A list of board members and executive officers including titles and affiliations.6.
An income statement and balance sheet for the most recent fiscal year, as well as a budget and income projection for the grant period.7.
A signed current letter of support from the VHA regional office. 8.
A copy of certificate showing completion of CIC training from a department-approved organization that provides CIC training. 9.
A 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 possesses a peer-to-peer network focused on establishing sponsor relationships between VA-trained volunteers and transitioning service members. b.
Connected transitioning service members with relevant employment opportunities proportionate to the transitioning service member’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 service members. d.
Conducted outreach to underserved geographic areas of the state and underserved transitioning service member populations. 11.
Disclosure of any other grant funds received from any other state agency for the same or a 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 subsection 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 terms of the application are no longer being met.
(f) Amount of grants. 1. Subject to subd. 2., the amount of each grant shall be determined by the department based on the amount requested, but may not exceed the amount requested.
2. a. 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) (qm), Stats. b. Except in the initial fiscal year, a grant award to an applicant may not exceed $30,000 during any fiscal year.
c. In the initial fiscal year, an applicant may apply for a one-time grant up to $50,000 to assist in launching a program that achieves the required goals as specified in subd. (c) 10.
(g) Program requirements. 1. ‘Grant recipients.’ a. A CIC receiving a grant award shall be approved by the department in coordination with the VHA regional office.
b. The department may not award grants to more than 5 CICs during a grant period unless a greater need is determined by the department.
2. ‘Prohibited use of funds.’ a. A grantee shall only use grant funds for the payment or reimbursement of reasonable and appropriate expenses. Reasonable and appropriate expenses are solely expenses that are consistent with the approved purposes of the grant as determined by the department. Any other use of grant funds is prohibited.
b. A grantee may not use more than a percentage, as determined by the department, of the grant funds for employee wages, compensation, and travel expenses incurred while performing work to achieve the goals as specified in subd. (c) 10.
c. A grantee may not use grant funds to purchase capital equipment unless specified in the grant award.
d. A grantee may not use grant funds to pay any person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, any member of the Wisconsin legislature, or an employee of a member of the legislature in connection with the awarding of any state contract, the making of any state grant, the making of any state loan, the entering into of any cooperative agreement, or the extension, continuation, renewal, amendment, or modification of any state contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement.
