Veterans Health Programs Improvement Act Assistance to States Hiring and Retaining Nurses at State Veterans Homes

Law States The Secretary shall make payments to States under this section for the purpose of assisting State homes in the hiring and retention of nurses and the reduction of nursing shortages at State homes

Eligibility For Funding Receives Per Diem payments for that fiscal year Has an employee incentive scholarship program or other employee incentive programs designed to promote the hiring and retention of nursing staff and reduce nursing shortages

Amounts of Payment Payment many not be used to provide more than 50% of the costs for a fiscal year of the employee incentive scholarship or other employee incentive program for which the payment is made

The amount of payment to a state for any fiscal year Is the amount equal to 2 percent of the amount of payments estimated to be made to that State for that State home for that fiscal year.

Application Based On: Description of the nursing shortage at the State home The employee incentive scholarship program or other employee incentive program described for which payment is sought.

Disbursements Payments shall be made as part of the routine disbursement of payments to the State home

Use of Certain Receipts If the State home receives a refund payment made by an employee in breach of the terms of an agreement for employee assistance that used funds provided under this section, the payment shall be returned to the State home’s incentive program account and credited as a non-Federal funding source.

Annual Report From Payment Recipients Any state home receiving payment under this section shall be required to agree to provide to the Secretary a report detailing the use of the funds including a descriptive analysis of how effective the incentive program has been on nurse staffing during that fiscal year

Annual Report From Payment Recipients Report to the Secretary within 60 days of the close of the FY. Eligibility for further payments will be contingent upon receipt of the annual report

Define Nurse Licensed or certified and who are bedside care givers at least a majority of time 38 U.S.C (c) authorizes VA to establish criteria for award of payments

Credible Evidence of Nursing Shortage SVH records Documenting vacancies Documenting overtime Evidence supporting difficulty in hiring and retaining in local area

Summary Evidence of a currently established employee incentive program Up to 50% of cost of current employee incentive program Not to exceed 2 percent of the total per diem payments estimated by VA to be paid to the SVH during that FY VA will consider any information available including past performance of the SVH program

Types of Programs Eligible Short term scholarships for continuing nurse education Sign-on bonuses for nurses Student loan forgiveness programs Improvements in working conditions

Application VA Form Available from VAMC At fill.pdf://vaww4.va.gov/vaforms/medical/pdf/ fill.pdf Call Theresa Hayes at or or Brenda Wiggins at or

Submission for Payment Must be received by VA during the last quarter of preceding FY (July 1- September 30) State must submit evidence that state has sufficient funding, when combined with the VA payments to fully operate its employee incentive program through FY end. Authorized state official certifying availability of funds by certain date for the FY without further state action to make funds available Or copy of State law authorizing funds for the employee incentive program

Application continued If insufficient information: State rep will be notified in writing and electronically, regarding what else is needed State has 30 calendar days from notice to submit requested information

Annual Report Sets forth in detail the use of the funds Descriptive analysis of effectiveness of program in improving nurse staffing in the SVH Decreased turn over Improved hiring and retention

Annual Report Provide to VA within 60 days of the close of Federal FY (September 30 th ) in which payment was made

Annual Report Shall be subject to audit by VA A state receiving payment under this part shall also prepare audit reports as required by the Single Audit Act of 1984 (38 CFR part 41) and submit them to VA

Recapture Provisions If a State fails to use the funds provided for the purpose for which payment was made or receives more than is allowed under this part, ***The United States shall be entitled to recover from the State the amount not used for such purpose of the excess amount received.

Submission of Information To Chief Consultant, Geriatrics and Extended Care (114) VHA Headquarters 810 Vermont Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20420

Notification of Funding Decision If a state fails to meet the requirements of this part for funding, the Chief Consultant shall provide written notice, both and by letter with the decision and the reasons for the decision.

Summary of Requirements Describe the nursing shortage Describe the employee incentive program including costs $$$ Amount requested Document availability of matching funds Describe how the employee incentive program will eliminate the nursing shortage

Questions? Please contact Theresa or or Brenda or