Original publication date: August, 2007
As a member of the EDMIS committee, Softshare participates in weekly EDMIS conference calls. We use this forum to contribute ideas, ask for clarifications, and stay informed. During a recent conference call, we found out two pieces of information that we thought were worthy of passing on.
Initial Face-to-Face Counseling Requirements Are Changing… Again
Not long ago, SBA increased the minimum time requirements of initial face-to-face counseling sessions from 30 minutes of contact time to 60 minutes of contact time. In accordance, Softshare adjusted Softshare 'CATS accordingly (in build 419 which was released in May). SBA has just announced that beginning next fiscal year (October 1, 2007), the minimum time requirements for an initial face-to-face counseling session will change once again. Instead of the 60 minimum minutes being made entirely of contact time, the requirement will be 60 minimum minutes of preparation and/or contact time, as long as some contact time is recorded (even if only a minute). Travel time is excluded. For example, an initial face-to-face session with 5 minutes of contact time and 55 minutes of preparation time will be considered as a proper initial face-to-face counseling session. Note: This new requirement only applies to initial face-to-face counseling sessions. Initial online or phone counseling sessions will still require 30 minimum minutes of contact time.
Incorrect Definition of "New Businesses Created" Milestone/Goal
There is an SBA document floating around that states that SBA will calculate new businesses created by comparing fields 20 (the client's initial business status) and fields 39 (the client's current business status) of an SBA 641. This document is NOT accurate.
Softshare has received confirmation that SBA calculates the new businesses created goal by comparing field 39 of a current SBA 641 against this same field in the client's previous SBA 641. In other words, SBA looks for a business status change from one counseling session to the next. We've been told that a correction will probably not be issued regarding this so we wanted to be sure that you were aware of this false definition, as well as the correct one.
While We're Talking About SBA Definitions
Softshare recently wrote an FAQ titled How do I calculate the following SBA milestones/goals: new businesses and jobs created, capital infusion, extended engagement clients, and long-term counseling clients? outlining how you can use Softshare 'CATS to mimic the calculations EDMIS will perform on your exported data