Open Arms Inc

PURPOSE: THE OVERALL PURPOSE OF THE OLDER ADULT HOME MODIFICATION PROGRAM (OAHMP) IS TO ASSIST EXPERIENCED NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, AND PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITIES IN UNDERTAKING COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMS THAT MAKE SAFETY AND FUNCTIONAL HOME MODIFICATIONS REPAIRS AND RENOVATIONS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF LOW-INCOME ELDERLY HOMEOWNERS. THE GOAL OF THE HOME MODIFICATION PROGRAM IS TO ENABLE LOW-INCOME ELDERLY PERSONS TO REMAIN IN THEIR HOMES THROUGH LOW-COST, LOW BARRIER, HIGH IMPACT HOME MODIFICATIONS TO REDUCE OLDER ADULTS’ RISK OF FALLING, IMPROVE GENERAL SAFETY, INCREASE ACCESSIBILITY, AND TO IMPROVE THEIR FUNCTIONAL ABILITIES IN THEIR HOME. THIS WILL ENABLE OLDER ADULTS TO REMAIN IN THEIR HOMES, THAT IS, TO “AGE IN PLACE,” RATHER THAN MOVE TO NURSING HOMES OR OTHER ASSISTED CARE FACILITIES.; ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED: HUD’S OFFICE OF LEAD HAZARD CONTROL AND HEALTHY HOMES IS MAKING AVAILABLE GRANT FUNDS AND TRAINING RESOURCES TO NON-FEDERAL ENTITIES. UNDER THE OAHMP AWARD, EXPERIENCED NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, AND PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITIES WILL DELIVER HOME MODIFICATION SERVICES TO QUALIFIED BENEFICIARIES. THE OAHMP MODEL FOCUSES ON LOW-COST, HIGH-IMPACT HOME MODIFICATIONS. EXAMPLES OF THESE HOME MODIFICATIONS INCLUDE INSTALLATION OF GRAB BARS, RAILINGS, AND LEVER-HANDLED DOORKNOBS AND FAUCETS, AS WELL AS THE INSTALLATION OF ADAPTIVE EQUIPMENT, SUCH AS TEMPORARY RAMP, TUB/SHOWER TRANSFER BENCH, HANDHELD SHOWER HEAD, RAISED TOILET SEAT, RISERS FOR CHAIRS AND SOFAS, AND NON-SLIP STRIPS FOR TUB/SHOWER OR STAIRS. THE OAHMP MODEL PRIMARILY RELIES ON THE EXPERTISE OF A LICENSED OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST (OT) TO ENSURE THAT THE HOME MODIFICATION ADDRESSES THE CLIENT’S SPECIFIC GOALS AND NEEDS AND PROMOTES THEIR FULL PARTICIPATION IN DAILY LIFE ACTIVITIES. THE OT IS TRAINED TO EVALUATE CLIENTS’ FUNCTIONAL ABILITIES AND THE HOME ENVIRONMENT AND HAS KNOWLEDGE OF THE RANGE OF LOW-COST, HIGH-IMPACT ENVIRONMENTAL MODIFICATIONS AND ADAPTIVE EQUIPMENT USED TO OPTIMIZE THE HOME ENVIRONMENT AND INCREASE INDEPENDENCE. THE GRANTEES, WHICH ARE EXPERIENCED IN PROVIDING SERVICES TO SENIORS, WILL DELIVER HOME MODIFICATION SERVICES TO MORE THAN 1,900 SENIOR FAMILIES IN BOTH URBAN COMMUNITIES AND COMMUNITIES WITH SUBSTANTIAL RURAL POPULATIONS.; EXPECTED OUTCOMES: PROVIDED THROUGH HUD’S OLDER ADULTS HOME MODIFICATION PROGRAM (OAHMP), THESE GRANTS ENABLE LOW-INCOME ELDERLY PERSONS TO REMAIN IN THEIR HOMES THROUGH LOW-COST, LOW BARRIER, HIGH IMPACT HOME MODIFICATIONS TO REDUCE OLDER ADULTS’ RISK OF FALLING, IMPROVE GENERAL SAFETY, INCREASE ACCESSIBILITY, AND IMPROVE THEIR FUNCTIONAL ABILITIES IN THEIR HOME. THESE INVESTMENTS WILL DELIVER HOME MODIFICATION SERVICES TO MORE THAN 1,900 SENIOR FAMILIES TO ENABLE OLDER ADULTS TO REMAIN IN THEIR HOMES – TO “AGE IN PLACE” – RATHER THAN MOVE TO NURSING HOMES OR OTHER ASSISTED CARE FACILITIES.; INTENDED BENEFICIARIES: THE OAHMP PROVIDE FUNDING TO EXPERIENCED NON-PROFITS, STATES, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, AND PUBLIC HOUSING AGENCIES FOR SAFETY AND FUNCTIONAL HOME MODIFICATION REPAIRS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF LOW-INCOME ELDERLY HOMEOWNERS TO ENABLE THEM TO REMAIN IN THEIR RESIDENCES AT LEAST ONE HALF OF THE FUNDS SHALL BE AVAILABLE TO COMMUNITIES WITH SUBSTANTIAL RURAL POPULATIONS. INTENDED TO BENEFIT ELIGIBLE LOW-INCOME HOMEOWNERS WHO ARE AT LEAST 62 YEARS OLD FOR WORK IN THEIR PRIVATE PRIMARY RESIDENCE.; SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES: THE SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES ARE UNKNOWN AT THE TIME OF AWARD.

TRANSITIONAL LIVING AND MATERNITY GROUP HOME PROGRAM

MATERNITY GROUP HOME

TLP

TRANSITIONAL LIVING PROGRAM

MATERNITY GROUP HOME

TRANSITIONAL LIVING PROGRAM

BASIC CENTER PROGRAM

BASIC CENTER PROGRAM FOR RUNAWAY AND HOMELESS YOUTH

BCP

BASIC CENTER PROGRAM

OPEN ARMS, INC. TRANSITIONAL LIVING PROGRAM

BASIC CENTER PROGRAM FOR RHY IN SOUTHWEST GEORGIA

STREET OUTREACH PROGRAM

STREET OUTREACH PROGRAM FOR STREET, RUNAWAY, AND HOMELESS YOUTH

OPEN ARMS, INC. MATERNITY GROUP HOME - THE MATERNITY GROUP HOME (MGH) (YZ) PROGRAM PROVIDES SAFE, STABLE, AND APPROPRIATE SHELTER FOR PREGNANT AND/OR PARENTING YOUTH AGES 16 TO UNDER 22 AND THEIR DEPENDENT CHILD(REN) FOR 18 MONTHS AND, AND UP TO 21 MONTHS UNDER EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES. SERVICE PROVIDERS MUST ACCOMMODATE THE NEEDS AND SAFETY OF THE DEPENDENT CHILDREN TO INCLUDE FACILITY SAFETY STANDARDS FOR INFANTS AND CHILDREN ON THE PREMISES. MGH SERVICES INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, PARENTING SKILLS, CHILD DEVELOPMENT, FAMILY BUDGETING, AND HEALTH AND NUTRITION EDUCATION. MGH PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES (E.G., BASIC LIFE SKILLS, EDUCATIONAL AND JOB ATTAINMENT OPPORTUNITIES, COUNSELING) THAT SUPPORTS THE TRANSITION OF HOMELESS YOUTH TO SELF-SUFFICIENCY AND STABLE, INDEPENDENT LIVING.

BASIC CENTER PROGRAM

STREET OUTREACH PROGRAM

STREET OUTREACH PROGRAM

STREET OUTREACH PROGRAM

EDI SPECIAL PROJECTS

PATHWAY TO CITIZENSHIP PROGRAM: CITIZENSHIP INSTRUCTION AND NATURALIZATION APPLICATION SERVICES

OPEN ARMS, INC. BASIC CENTER PROGRAM - THE BASIC CENTER PROGRAM (BCP) (CY) PROVIDES TEMPORARY SHELTER AND COUNSELING SERVICES TO YOUTH WHO HAVE LEFT HOME WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THEIR PARENTS OR GUARDIANS, HAVE BEEN FORCED TO LEAVE HOME, OR OTHER HOMELESS YOUTH WHO MIGHT OTHERWISE END UP IN THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OR IN THE CHILD WELFARE, MENTAL HEALTH, OR JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEMS. BCPS WORK TO ESTABLISH OR STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS THAT MEET THE IMMEDIATE NEEDS OF RUNAWAY AND HOMELESS YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES. BCPS PROVIDE YOUTH UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE WITH EMERGENCY SHELTER, FOOD, CLOTHING, COUNSELING AND REFERRALS FOR HEALTH CARE. BCPS CAN PROVIDE UP TO 21 DAYS OF SHELTER FOR YOUTH AND SEEK TO REUNITE YOUNG PEOPLE WITH THEIR FAMILIES, WHENEVER POSSIBLE, OR TO LOCATE APPROPRIATE ALTERNATIVE PLACEMENTS.

INNOVATION IN CITIZENSHIP PREPARATION

PURPOSE: THE YOUTH HOMELESSNESS DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM (YHDP) AIMS TO SUPPORT SELECTED COMMUNITIES IN DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING A COORDINATED COMMUNITY APPROACH TO PREVENTING AND ENDING YOUTH HOMELESSNESS. THE POPULATION TO BE SERVED BY THIS DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM IS YOUTH EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, INCLUDING UNACCOMPANIED AND PREGNANT OR PARENTING YOUTH. THE DEMONSTRATION HAS SEVEN PRIMARY OBJECTIVES: • BUILD NATIONAL MOMENTUM. • PROMOTE EQUITY IN THE DELIVERY AND OUTCOMES OF HOMELESS ASSISTANCE. • HIGHLIGHT THE IMPORTANCE OF YOUTH LEADERSHIP. • EVALUATE THE COORDINATED COMMUNITY APPROACH. • EXPAND CAPACITY. • EVALUATE PERFORMANCE MEASURES. • ESTABLISH A FRAMEWORK FOR THE FEDERAL PROGRAM AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE COLLABORATION. BEGINNING IN 2016, NEW YHDP COMMUNITIES ARE SELECTED THROUGH A COMPETITIVE PROCESS DEPENDING ON THE ANNUAL FUNDING PROVIDED BY CONGRESS. A MAP OF CURRENTLY FUNDED YHDP SITES IS AVAILABLE AT THE LINK TITLED MAP OF YHDP-FUNDED COC AT HTTPS://WWW.HUDEXCHANGE.INFO/PROGRAMS/YHDP/FY-2022-APPLICATION-RESOURCES/. THE YOUTH HOMELESSNESS DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM (YHDP) AIMS TO SUPPORT SELECTED COMMUNITIES IN DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING A COORDINATED COMMUNITY APPROACH TO PREVENTING AND ENDING YOUTH HOMELESSNESS. THE POPULATION TO BE SERVED BY THIS DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM IS YOUTH EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, INCLUDING UNACCOMPANIED AND PREGNANT OR PARENTING YOUTH. THE DEMONSTRATION HAS SEVEN PRIMARY OBJECTIVES: • BUILD NATIONAL MOMENTUM. • PROMOTE EQUITY IN THE DELIVERY AND OUTCOMES OF HOMELESS ASSISTANCE. • HIGHLIGHT THE IMPORTANCE OF YOUTH LEADERSHIP. • EVALUATE THE COORDINATED COMMUNITY APPROACH. • EXPAND CAPACITY. • EVALUATE PERFORMANCE MEASURES. • ESTABLISH A FRAMEWORK FOR THE FEDERAL PROGRAM AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE COLLABORATION. BEGINNING IN 2016, NEW YHDP COMMUNITIES ARE SELECTED THROUGH A COMPETITIVE PROCESS DEPENDING ON THE ANNUAL FUNDING PROVIDED BY CONGRESS. A MAP OF CURRENTLY FUNDED YHDP SITES IS AVAILABLE AT THE LINK TITLED MAP OF YHDP-FUNDED COC (UNDER YHDP COMMUNITIES) AT HTTPS://WWW.HUDEXCHANGE.INFO/PROGRAMS/YHDP/.; ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED: ELEVEN TYPES OF ASSISTANCE MAY BE PROVIDED THROUGH THE YHDP: 1. ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY (INCLUDING STRUCTURES) FOR USE IN THE PROVISION OF HOUSING OR SUPPORTIVE SERVICES; 2. REHABILITATION OF STRUCTURES TO PROVIDE HOUSING OR SUPPORTIVE SERVICES; 3. NEW CONSTRUCTION, INCLUDING THE BUILDING OF A NEW STRUCTURE OR BUILDING AN ADDITION TO AN EXISTING STRUCTURE FOR USE AS SUPPORTIVE HOUSING; 4. LEASING OF A NEW STRUCTURE OR STRUCTURES, OR PORTIONS THEREOF, TO PROVIDE HOUSING OR SUPPORTIVE SERVICES; 5. RENTAL ASSISTANCE, WHICH MAY BE SHORT-TERM, MEDIUM-TERM, OR LONG-TERM, AS WELL AS TENANT-BASED, PROJECT-BASED, OR SPONSOR-BASED, FOR TRANSITIONAL OR PERMANENT HOUSING; 6. SUPPORTIVE SERVICES TO ASSIST PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN HOUSING; 7. OPERATING COSTS OF SUPPORTIVE HOUSING; 8. COSTS OF IMPLEMENTING AND OPERATING HOMELESS MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM (HMIS); 9. PROGRAM ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS; 10. RELOCATION COSTS; AND 11. INDIRECT COSTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH 2 CFR PART 200, AS APPLICABLE. NO ASSISTANCE PROVIDED UNDER THIS PROGRAM (OR ANY STATE OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT FUNDS USED TO SUPPLEMENT THIS ASSISTANCE) MAY BE USED TO REPLACE STATE OR LOCAL FUNDS PREVIOUSLY USED, OR DESIGNATED FOR USE, TO ASSIST HOMELESS PERSONS OR PERSONS AT-RISK OF HOMELESSNESS.; EXPECTED OUTCOMES: AS A RESULT OF DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING A COORDINATED COMMUNITY APPROACH TO PREVENTING AND ENDING YOUTH HOMELESSNESS, THERE WILL BE: • SIGNIFICANT DECREASE IN THE NUMBER OF YOUTHS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. • INCREASED INCOME, EDUCATION, HEALTH, AND SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING OF PARTICIPANTS. • COMMUNITY-LEVEL UNDERSTANDING OF THE NUMBER AND NEEDS OF YOUTH AT-RISK OF AND EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. • NEW OR IMPROVED PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN YOUTH-SERVING ORGANIZATIONS IN THE COMMUNITY.; INTENDED BENEFICIARIES: HOMELESS UNACCOMPANIED YOUTH (AGE 24 AND YOUNGER) AND HOMELESS YOUTH (AGE 24 AND YOUNGER) WITH CHILDREN.; SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES: THE SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES ARE UNKNOWN AT THE TIME OF AWARD

PURPOSE: THE CONTINUUM OF CARE (COC) PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO PROMOTE COMMUNITY-WIDE COMMITMENT TO THE GOAL OF ENDING HOMELESSNESS; PROVIDE FUNDING FOR EFFORTS BY NONPROFIT PROVIDERS, STATES, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO QUICKLY HOUSE HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WHILE MINIMIZING THE TRAUMA AND DISLOCATION CAUSED TO HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES BY HOMELESSNESS; PROMOTE ACCESS TO AND EFFECTIVE UTILIZATION OF MAINSTREAM PROGRAMS BY HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES; AND OPTIMIZE SELF-SUFFICIENCY AMONG INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. THE COC PROGRAM INCLUDES GRANTS THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO SPECIFIC SUBPOPULATIONS OF PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. THE GRANTS SPECIFICALLY SERVE YOUTH, DEFINED AS HOUSEHOLDS WHERE NO PERSON IS OVER THE AGE OF 24 UNDER THE YOUTH HOMELESS DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM (YHDP). THE GOAL OF THE YOUTH HOMELESSNESS DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM (YHDP) IS TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A COORDINATED COMMUNITY APPROACH TO PREVENTING AND ENDING YOUTH HOMELESSNESS AND SHARING THAT EXPERIENCE WITH AND MOBILIZING COMMUNITIES AROUND THE COUNTRY TOWARD THE SAME END. THE NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY (NOFO) FOR NEW YHDP GRANTS IS FOUND AT HTTPS://WWW.HUD.GOV/PROGRAM_OFFICES/COMM_PLANNING/YHDP (CHOOSE THE MOST RECENT YHDP NOFO LISTED). THE NOFO FOR YHDP RENEWALS AND REPLACEMENTS IS FOUND AT HTTPS://WWW.HUD.GOV/PROGRAM_OFFICES/COMM_PLANNING/COC/COMPETITION (CHOOSE THE MOST RECENT COC/YHDP RENEWAL OR REPLACEMENT NOFO LISTED).; ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED: THESE GRANTS MAY BE USED TO PAY FOR THE ELIGIBLE COSTS USED TO ESTABLISH AND OPERATE PROJECTS UNDER FIVE PROGRAM COMPONENTS: 1. PERMANENT HOUSING, WHICH INCLUDES PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, AND RAPID REHOUSING; 2. TRANSITIONAL HOUSING; 3. SUPPORTIVE SERVICES ONLY; 4. HOMELESS MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS (HMIS); AND 5. HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION (IN SOME CASES). ELIGIBLE COSTS WITHIN THESE PROJECTS INCLUDE: 1. LEASING OF A STRUCTURE OR STRUCTURES, OR PORTIONS THEREOF, TO PROVIDE HOUSING OR SUPPORTIVE SERVICES; 2. RENTAL ASSISTANCE, WHICH MAY BE SHORT-TERM, MEDIUM-TERM, OR LONG-TERM, AS WELL AS TENANT-BASED, PROJECT-BASED, OR SPONSOR-BASED, FOR TRANSITIONAL OR PERMANENT HOUSING; 3. SUPPORTIVE SERVICES TO ASSIST PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN HOUSING; 4. OPERATING COSTS OF SUPPORTIVE HOUSING; 5. COSTS OF IMPLEMENTING AND OPERATING HMIS; 6. PROJECT ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS; 7. RELOCATION COSTS; AND 8. INDIRECT COSTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH 2 CFR PARTS 200, AS APPLICABLE. IN ADDITION TO USING GRANT FUNDS FOR THE ELIGIBLE COSTS DESCRIBED ABOVE, RECIPIENTS AND SUBRECIPIENTS IN CONTINUUMS OF CARE DESIGNATED AS HIGH PERFORMING COMMUNITIES MAY ALSO USE GRANT FUNDS TO PROVIDE HOUSING RELOCATION AND STABILIZATION SERVICES AND SHORT- AND/OR MEDIUM-TERM RENTAL ASSISTANCE TO YOUTH AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS AS SET FORTH IN 24 CFR 576.103 AND 24 CFR 576.104, IF NECESSARY TO PREVENT YOUTH FROM BECOMING HOMELESS. NO ASSISTANCE PROVIDED UNDER PROGRAM (OR ANY STATE OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT FUNDS USED TO SUPPLEMENT THIS ASSISTANCE) MAY BE USED TO REPLACE STATE OR LOCAL FUNDS PREVIOUSLY USED, OR DESIGNATED FOR USE, TO ASSIST HOMELESS PERSONS OR PERSONS AT-RISK OF HOMELESSNESS.; EXPECTED OUTCOMES: DECREASE IN THE NUMBER OF YOUTH EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, MORE SPECIFICALLY USING PERFORMANCE INDICATORS SUCH AS THE LENGTH OF TIME HOMELESS, RETURNS TO HOMELESSNESS OVER TIME, AND EXITS TO PERMANENT HOUSING. COC PERFORMANCE PROFILE REPORTS CAN BE FOUND AT: HTTPS://WWW.HUDEXCHANGE.INFO/PROGRAMS/COC/COC-PERFORMANCE-PROFILE-REPORTS/; INTENDED BENEFICIARIES: YOUTH DEFINED AS HOUSEHOLDS WHERE NO PERSON IS OVER THE AGE OF 24; SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES: THE SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES ARE UNKNOWN AT THE TIME OF AWARD

COMMUNITY FACILITY GRANTS

PURPOSE: THE VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE (VITA) GRANT WAS ESTABLISHED AS A MATCHING GRANT PROGRAM TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATIONS WHO SUPPORT COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE. ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED: THE VITA GRANT PROGRAM PROVIDES FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO ORGANIZATIONS WHO 1) EXTEND SERVICES TO UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS IN HARDEST TO REACH AREAS BOTH URBAN AND NON-URBAN; 2) INCREASE THE CAPACITY TO FILE RETURNS ELECTRONICALLY; 3) HEIGHTEN QUALITY CONTROL; 4) ENHANCE TRAINING OF VOLUNTEERS; AND 5) SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVE THE ACCURACY RATE OF RETURNS PREPARED AT VITA SITES. END GOAL/EXPECTED OUTCOMES: VITA GRANT RECIPIENTS ARE EXPECTED TO 1) FOLLOW EXISTING GUIDANCE GOVERNING VITA SITE OPERATIONS; 2) ENSURE AT LEAST 90% OF RETURNS PREPARED ARE FOR INDIVIDUALS WHOSE INCOME IS EQUAL TO OR LESS THAN THE MAXIMUM EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT (EITC) THRESHOLDS; 2) FILE ALL ELIGIBLE RETURNS ELECTRONICALLY; 3) ACHIEVE 100% OF THEIR RETURN PRODUCTION GOALS; 4) BECOME MORE EFFICIENT WITH GRANT FUNDS; AND 5) SHOW INCREMENTAL INCREASES IN RETURN PREPARATION EACH YEAR. INTENDED BENEFICIARIES: TAXPAYERS WHO ARE LOW TO MODERATE INCOME INDIVIDUALS, PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, THOSE FOR WHOM ENGLISH IS A SECOND LANGUAGE, NATIVE AMERICANS, INDIVIDUALS LIVING IN RURAL AREAS, MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES AND THEIR FAMILIES, AND THE ELDERLY. SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES: SUBRECIPIENTS MAY BE UTILIZED BY GRANT RECIPIENTS TO HELP DELIVER KEY ELEMENTS OF THE PROGRAM AND MUST ADHERE TO GRANT PROGRAM GUIDELINES. BROADBAND: SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES RELATING TO BROADBAND USAGE ARE NOT KNOWN AT THE TIME OF AWARD.

PURPOSE: THE VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE (VITA) GRANT WAS ESTABLISHED AS A MATCHING GRANT PROGRAM TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATIONS WHO SUPPORT COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE. ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED: THE VITA GRANT PROGRAM PROVIDES FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO ORGANIZATIONS WHO 1) EXTEND SERVICES TO UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS IN HARDEST TO REACH AREAS BOTH URBAN AND NON-URBAN; 2) INCREASE THE CAPACITY TO FILE RETURNS ELECTRONICALLY; 3) HEIGHTEN QUALITY CONTROL; 4) ENHANCE TRAINING OF VOLUNTEERS; AND 5) SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVE THE ACCURACY RATE OF RETURNS PREPARED AT VITA SITES. END GOAL/EXPECTED OUTCOMES: VITA GRANT RECIPIENTS ARE EXPECTED TO 1) FOLLOW EXISTING GUIDANCE GOVERNING VITA SITE OPERATIONS; 2) ENSURE AT LEAST 90% OF RETURNS PREPARED ARE FOR INDIVIDUALS WHOSE INCOME IS EQUAL TO OR LESS THAN THE MAXIMUM EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT (EITC) THRESHOLDS; 2) FILE ALL ELIGIBLE RETURNS ELECTRONICALLY; 3) ACHIEVE 100% OF THEIR RETURN PRODUCTION GOALS; 4) BECOME MORE EFFICIENT WITH GRANT FUNDS; AND 5) SHOW INCREMENTAL INCREASES IN RETURN PREPARATION EACH YEAR. INTENDED BENEFICIARIES: TAXPAYERS WHO ARE LOW TO MODERATE INCOME INDIVIDUALS, PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, THOSE FOR WHOM ENGLISH IS A SECOND LANGUAGE, NATIVE AMERICANS, INDIVIDUALS LIVING IN RURAL AREAS, MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES AND THEIR FAMILIES, AND THE ELDERLY. SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES: SUBRECIPIENTS MAY BE UTILIZED BY GRANT RECIPIENTS TO HELP DELIVER KEY ELEMENTS OF THE PROGRAM AND MUST ADHERE TO GRANT PROGRAM GUIDELINES. BROADBAND: SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES RELATING TO BROADBAND USAGE ARE NOT KNOWN AT THE TIME OF AWARD.

PURPOSE: THE VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE (VITA) GRANT WAS ESTABLISHED AS A MATCHING GRANT PROGRAM TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATIONS WHO SUPPORT COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE. ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED: THE VITA GRANT PROGRAM PROVIDES FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO ORGANIZATIONS WHO 1) EXTEND SERVICES TO UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS IN HARDEST TO REACH AREAS BOTH URBAN AND NON-URBAN; 2) INCREASE THE CAPACITY TO FILE RETURNS ELECTRONICALLY; 3) HEIGHTEN QUALITY CONTROL; 4) ENHANCE TRAINING OF VOLUNTEERS; AND 5) SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVE THE ACCURACY RATE OF RETURNS PREPARED AT VITA SITES. END GOAL/EXPECTED OUTCOMES: VITA GRANT RECIPIENTS ARE EXPECTED TO 1) FOLLOW EXISTING GUIDANCE GOVERNING VITA SITE OPERATIONS; 2) ENSURE AT LEAST 90% OF RETURNS PREPARED ARE FOR INDIVIDUALS WHOSE INCOME IS EQUAL TO OR LESS THAN THE MAXIMUM EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT (EITC) THRESHOLDS; 2) FILE ALL ELIGIBLE RETURNS ELECTRONICALLY; 3) ACHIEVE 100% OF THEIR RETURN PRODUCTION GOALS; 4) BECOME MORE EFFICIENT WITH GRANT FUNDS; AND 5) SHOW INCREMENTAL INCREASES IN RETURN PREPARATION EACH YEAR. INTENDED BENEFICIARIES: TAXPAYERS WHO ARE LOW TO MODERATE INCOME INDIVIDUALS, PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, THOSE FOR WHOM ENGLISH IS A SECOND LANGUAGE, NATIVE AMERICANS, INDIVIDUALS LIVING IN RURAL AREAS, MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES AND THEIR FAMILIES, AND THE ELDERLY. SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES: SUBRECIPIENTS MAY BE UTILIZED BY GRANT RECIPIENTS TO HELP DELIVER KEY ELEMENTS OF THE PROGRAM AND MUST ADHERE TO GRANT PROGRAM GUIDELINES. BROADBAND: SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES RELATING TO BROADBAND USAGE ARE NOT KNOWN AT THE TIME OF AWARD.