Grants for Adaptive Sports Programs for Disabled Veterans and Disabled Members of the Armed Forces

of athletes, athlete assessment, sport-specific training techniques, program development (including programs at the local level), sports equipment, supplies, program evaluation, and other activities related to the implementation and operation of the program. B. Funding Priorities: The overriding goal is to ensure that appropriate levels of resources are provided to eligible adaptive sports entities with the greatest capabilities to provide adaptive sports activities that meet the current needs and priorities for disabled Veterans and disabled members of the Armed Forces as described in the ASG Program goals and objectives and provides adaptive sports activities in geographic regions where VA has identified limited sports opportunities for disabled Veterans and disabled members of the Armed Forces as further described in V.A.2.(g) below. C. Approach: Grantees will be expected to leverage adaptive sports grant funds to provide adaptive sports activities for disabled Veterans and disabled members of the Armed Forces. In doing so, grantees are required to establish outreach programs including active liaison with VA, Department of Defense, State, local and tribal governments; and Veterans Services Organizations (VSOs), private agencies, and organizations as detailed under 77.11. Grantees may work through coordinated partnerships built either through formal agreements or the informal working relationships commonly found amongst adaptive sports entities, VSOs and other entities providing adaptive sport services for disabled Veterans and disabled members of the Armed Forces to be served by the grantee. As part of the application, under 77.5(a)(5), all applicants will provide letters of support from any partners which will deliver services that reflect the applicant’s engagement in providing adaptive sports activities. Letters of partnership support should include details of the scope of activities and if applicable, scope of funding involved in the partnership. Letters of recommendation from individuals and entities that are not involved in delivery of adaptive sports services in the grant application do not qualify as letters of support from partners. Assistance in developing ongoing rehabilitative, therapeutic, and wholelife health adaptive sports opportunities for disabled Veterans and disabled members of the Armed Forces is a fundamental goal of the ASG Program. For planning purposes, the ASG Program is not intended to provide long-term adaptive sports opportunities for disabled Veterans and disabled members of the Armed Forces. The ASG program is administered annually and does not guarantee subsequent awards. D. Authority: Funding is authorized by 38 U.S.C. 521A, as amended by the VA Expiring Authorities Extension Act of 2013, Public Law 113-59. VA implements the ASG Program by regulation in 38 CFR Part 77. Funds made available under this NOFA are subject to the requirements of the aforementioned regulations and other applicable laws and regulations. E. Requirements for the Use of Adaptive Sports Programs Grant Funds: The grantee’s request for funding must be consistent with the limitations and uses of adaptive sports program grant funds set forth in 38 CFR Part 77. Full information on the FY2015 Adaptive Sports Grant Program including the Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA), additional forms, and guidance are located at the VA Adaptive Sports Grant Web site at http://www.va.gov/adaptivesports/va_grant_program.asp.