ANCOR FUNDING ALERT

 

June 20, 2003

 

WORKFORCE DEMONSTRATION GRANT APPLICATIONS RELEASED

 

PROVIDERS AND STATES MUST APPLY BY AUGUST 12th

 

Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson today announced the long-awaited Demonstration to Improve the Direct Service Community Workforce. State agencies and community-based organizations—including community providers—that provide direct service workers to Medicaid eligible individuals are eligible to apply for the demonstration grants.  Applications are due to CMS by Tuesday, August 12^th.  Organizations planning to submit grant applications are encouraged to submit to CMS a Notice of Intent to Apply by June 27^th.  In addition, an applicant’s teleconference is scheduled for July 1^st from 2-4pm (EDT) for applicants to have their questions answered by CMS staff.   A complete grant application, applicant teleconference information, and questions and answers are available at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/newfreedom/default.asp.

 

Authorized by the President’s Executive Order 13217—Community-Based Alternatives for Individuals with Disabilities—the demonstration is part of the President’s New Freedom Initiative.  The demonstration seeks proposals to develop innovative programs that improve the recruitment and retention of direct service workers.  In announcing the solicitation today Secretary Thompson stated, This demonstration will encourage new approaches that could make providing personal assistance more inviting and rewarding for potential workers.  CMS Administrator Tom Scully added, These personal assistance workers are the backbone of the nation’s community-based long-term care system…[t]hrough this demonstration, a part of President’s New Freedom Initiative, we hope to be able to attract and retain more of them.

 

Projects proposed by applicants must support the demonstration’s purpose to improve recruitment and retention of direct services workers. While the demonstration program is encouraging applicants to submit their own ideas for recruitment and retention, CMS provides examples of fundable activities under the grant.  CMS is particularly interested in funding grant programs that will test whether offering health care coverage to workers will increase their retention. 

 

Single state agencies and community-based organizations—including community providers—that provide some combination of direct services, education, training, and/or outreach may apply for the grants. However, CMS is looking for grant applications that demonstrate collaboration among organizations.  CMS is seeking applicants that include multiple age and disability groups in their grant activities and indicate effective partnerships to create cross-disability competence. 

 

CMS will provide approximately $6 million to fund seven to ten projects around the country. Maximum grant awards will be $1.5 million for demonstration projects that provide health insurance benefits to workers.  For other projects, the maximum grant award is $750,000.  Matching funds of either in-kind or cash contributions totaling 5% of a project’s total value is required.  Projects will run for 36 months.  CMS anticipates making the grant awards before September 30, 2003.

 

An original proposal and two copies must be postmarked to Nettie Faulkner at CMS by August 12, 2003.  No faxed proposals will be accepted. 

 

A complete application kit—which includes the Notice of Intent to Apply form—is available from the CMS web site at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/newfreedom/dswsolicitation.pdf. Applicants are to submit their letter of intent to CMS by June 27, 2003.  

 

For questions about the application or for more information, contact Carey O’Connor Appold by telephone at (410) 786-2117 or Coconnor2@cms.hhs.gov.  CMS will also provide answers to questions during the applicants’ teleconference July 1, 2003 from 2-4 (EDT).  Call-in information for the call is available at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/newfreedom/dswsolicitation.pdf.

CMS has also made available a Question and Answer document about the demonstration at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/newfreedom/dswqanda.pdf.

 

A copy of the HHS press release announcing the demonstration is available at http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2003pres/20030620a.html.

 

ANCOR encourages its members to consider making an application, to join with others in a coalition to make an application, and/or to work with and urge their state to make an application.

 

 

 

 

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