By Kate McCaslin CLC Operations Manager
OSV! SAC!
Want to send the anxiety levels of FQHC staff through the roof? Utter one or both of those two acronyms in a Monday morning staff meeting and see what happens.
Joking of course . . .well maybe. The reality is that for most FQHCs these two, once every three-year, HRSA requirements can pile a staggering amount of extra work on top of staffs’ already mile high list of projects.
Throw in the fact that both projects are populated with long lists of tasks, forms and policies – not to mention they both directly impact a health center’s future - and presto! It’s a recipe for high angst and long nights.
Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be that way. While both projects require a significant investment of resources, through proper planning, initiated well in advance of the due date, they don’t have to bring staff to tears.
Leaving OSV for another day, here are a few helpful hints to help ensure your SAC goes smoothly.
First, double check your project period end date.
Last year due to COVID, HRSA extended the project period end date of many health centers by a year, which then pushed the SAC grant application out a year. You should have received an email from HRSA about your extension, but that was a year ago, and well, you know how the old inbox goes sometimes!
So, as a result, your SAC application may have fallen off your radar screen. Good idea to check on your end date now! If you are unsure, double check with your Project Officer.
So, let’s say you know your end date.
Next step? You can estimate when your SAC process will begin.
HRSA makes its Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFO) announcements here, at this page: HRSA SAC Announcement Landing Page
If you check out this page and don’t see your current project period end date, never fear! HRSA updates this page regularly as it makes their announcements.
If your SAC hasn’t been announced yet, you can estimate when the process will begin.
HRSA normally releases the NOFO anywhere from 6 to 9 months in advance of the project end date, with the Grants.gov submission due 6 months out and the final EHB submission due about 5 months out from the project end date. So, working backwards you can approximate when your NOFO should be released.
Next, plan your timeline.
Take a look at one of the NOFOs that has already been released. The NOFOs may change some but are generally consistent from year to year. So, you can determine the major items you will need to complete. Note! It is a wise move to read the entire NOFO! Lots to digest, but it is your application guide.
Finally, keep looking for your announcement – you should receive an email from HRSA about this, but it doesn’t hurt to keep checking the HRSA SAC Announcement page as well.
What other things can you do in advance?
Very Important! Make sure your DUNS, SAM.gov and Grants.gov systems are up to date! These may not be registrations you commonly use. As a result, your registrations may have expired. It is critical that these are updated before you begin your SAC application. Otherwise, you may not be able to timely complete the first step of your SAC, which is filing your Grants.gov application. If you miss that, it is a big, BIG problem! So get those registrations up to date NOW!
Consider beginning the update on your Needs Assessment. This is by far the longest section of the SAC; you need this updated information anyway to be making the most informed decisions possible during your strategic planning session, so you might want to get started sooner rather than later.
Take a look at the required forms and attachments. By checking out the NOFO, you will see the required forms and attachments. Start updating them in advance. For instance, you can update your job descriptions, bio sketches, service area map, by laws and a myriad of other forms so that you get a jump start on your SAC.
Sound like a lot? Well it is, with your biggest funding source riding on the outcome. Don’t take it for granted! (sorry about the pun). Start now and with a little planning and advance work it will go much more smoothly later.
Need help? CLC has your back. For assistance with your SAC, OSV or other pain points, please contact us!