LIHEAP DCL 2022-04 Additional Training Opportunities for Guidance on Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA)/LIHEAP Coordination

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program

Dear Colleague Letter

DCL#:  LIHEAP-DCL-2022-04

DATE:  January 12, 2022

TO:  Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Grant Recipients

SUBJECT:  Additional Training Opportunities for Guidance on Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA)/LIHEAP Coordination

ATTACHMENT(S):  N/A

This letter provides grant recipients with information about additional training and technical assistance (T/TA) opportunities on the guidance from the Office of Community Services (OCS) regarding coordination between the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program this winter.

On November 18, 2021, OCS released guidance on LIHEAP/ERA coordination, in partnership with the Treasury Department, to LIHEAP recipients. On December 2, 2021, OCS released DCL-2022-02 which announced a series of upcoming T/TA opportunities regarding the November guidance including a series of office hours and two webinars. The first webinar took place on December 13, 2021 and was targeted to states and territories; the second webinar took place on December 15, 2021 and was catered to tribal grant recipients. The slides from both webinars are available on the LIHEAP Training Resources webpage under the Program Administration & Monitoring section. The first four office hours on January 10, 11, 24, and 25  reached capacity within two business days.

Additional Office Hours Exclusively for LIHEAP/ERA State Directors or Administrators

Due to the original series of office hours reaching capacity so quickly, OCS is scheduling two additional office hours to support LIHEAP and ERA state directors or administrators as they begin to adopt the LIHEAP/ERA coordination guidance and implement best practices. Each office hour session will be limited to 15 individuals to maximize assistance. Grant recipients will be able to sign up for office hours on a first come, first served basis.

To make the most out of the office hour sessions, we encourage grant recipients to coordinate with their respective LIHEAP/ERA directors and plan to attend the same meeting time. Individuals should pre-register and include any potential questions they would like to be addressed by OCS and the U.S. Department of Treasury staff in the registration form. This does not preclude grant recipients from asking additional questions during the session. Instead, it will allow us to cover frequently asked questions early on in the session and/or through written guidance, so we can maximize the time we have during each office hour.

The additional office hour sessions are as follows:

1. Friday, January 28th, from 1:00 — 2:00 p.m. (ET).
2. Tuesday, February 1st, from 1:00 — 2:00 p.m. (ET).

Registration Information

Please fill out this invitation to register Visit disclaimer page for one of the above sessions. *Registration will close 48 hours before each session.*

LIHEAP/LIHWAP/ERA Coordination with Utility Providers Webinar

OCS will host another webinar with the Treasury Department to discuss the ways that LIHEAP/LIHWAP/and ERA grant recipients can coordinate with utility providers to increase the efficiency and reach of their programs. Panelists from across the country will share their perspectives on coordination with utility providers and highlight best practices. The webinar will take place on Monday, January 31st, from 1:30—3:00pm (ET).  

Registration Information

Please register Visit disclaimer page for the webinar in advance.

Thank you for your attention to these matters. OCS looks forward to continuing to provide high-quality services to OCS grantees.