Specifications include, but are not limited to: Any Arkansas unit of general purpose, local government or private, secular or faith-based nonprofit organization (NPO) may apply for an ESG sub-grant through the DHS DCO/OCS application process. However, in order to be eligible for consideration of a grant, all requirements discussed in Section 2 of this policy manual must be met. All applicants must consult with, and be a member in good standing of, the OCSrecognized Continuum(s) of Care operating within the applicant’s area of service. • How are services and referrals coordinated between: o Emergency shelter providers, o Essential services providers, o Homelessness prevention providers o Rapid rehousing providers, o Homeless service providers o Other service providers (including mainstream resources), & o Housing providers? • What policies exist to ensure that the needs of special populations are met (i.e. youth, victims of domestic violence, chronically homeless, high barrier clients, etc)? • What procedures exist for determining and evaluating eligibility for ESG assistance? • What formal termination and grievance policies exist? They must reflect HUD’s requirement that only the most severe cases be terminated, and allowing clients to return to the program once issues that caused the termination are resolved. • What policies exist that ensure that ALL ESG providers are screening ALL clients for potential eligibility in not only ESG-funded assistance, but also other housing programs and services offered within the agency or the community (including mainstream resources like TANF and SNAP benefits)
