';
CLOSE
Tags Posts tagged with "Funding"

Funding

0 867

With the passing of the FY 2024/25 PA budget last week, intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism (ID/A) associations are attempting to obtain clarity regarding its impact on services. The Governor’s Office announced, however, that the scheduled meeting to review these impacts has been postponed in order to allow the Department of Human Services (DHS) more time to analyze the details of the budget. The Governor’s Office shared the following message:

The Commonwealth’s enacted FY24-25 budget includes a philosophical shift in how Pennsylvania approaches service delivery for individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism – a much needed and overdue course change to invest in dignity and opportunity for this community. In February, Governor Shapiro announced the intent to tackle the waiting list for services with a new approach, the Multi-Year ODP Program Growth Strategy. Accompanying this structural change is a substantial investment in services for individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism totaling $354.8M combined state and federal funds – an investment that supports providers, direct support professionals, and families who help make our vision of Everyday Lives a reality.

Included in the total funding is $280M in federal and state funds, which averages 7 percent rate increases for FY24-25. DHS is continuing the analysis of the funds appropriated for FY24-25 for ID/A services and how this will reflect in final rates that will take effect for FY24-25. Also included is an investment of $74.8M in combined federal and state funds for FY24-25 to put the commonwealth on a path to end the emergency waiting list by offering 1,500 adults enrollment in the Consolidated or Community Living Waivers and altering the management of home and community-based services capacity.

In addition to rate increases, the enacted budget includes funding for the implementation of performance-based contracting and the addition of sign language interpretation services. Performance-based contracting is scheduled to be implemented for residential services beginning in FY24-25. Sign language services will be added to ODP’s home and community-based waivers beginning January 1, 2025, pending approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

We know there is great interest to further discuss the impact of the enacted budget on your programs and services. DHS will provide additional information to stakeholders related to the necessary recalculation for the fee schedule rates for FY24-25 and performance-based contracting upon completion of the analysis.

0 527

HARRISBURG, PA (July 12, 2024) – Intellectual disabilities and autism (ID/A) advocates and providers are calling the final 2024/25 Pennsylvania budget a “strong step forward” that will “change so many lives for the better.” The approved budget includes additional funding for increased rates and more capacity to serve the waiting list. As Gov. Josh Shapiro noted last night in his final budget remarks, “The ID/A community was finally heard in these halls of power.”

“I am grateful for the partnership and collaboration with Pennsylvania Advocates and Resources for Autism and Intellectual Disabilities (PAR), The Provider Alliance, MAX Association, The Alliance of Community Service Providers, The Arc of Pennsylvania, and RCPA,” said Richard Edley, PhD, CEO and President of Rehabilitation and Community Providers Association (RCPA). “It was this unique and unified advocacy that has led to this important step forward in the administration’s multi-year growth strategy. Thank you, Governor Shapiro, and the House and Senate, for listening. We look forward to our continued work together.”

View the full press release here.

0 503

On July 11, 2024, Governor Shapiro signed a bipartisan 2024/25 budget that invests in a range of fields, from health care to public transportation to education. The details of the budget are available in the Governor’s Press Release, which highlights each field and dollar amounts signed. In particular, the budget addresses:

  • Supporting PA’s ID/A community and Direct Support Professionals (DSP);
  • Investing in gun violence prevention;
  • Increased funding for nursing homes and the Aging Our Way plan;
  • Combatting maternal mortality; and
  • Further investments in mental health.

RCPA Policy Staff will be reviewing the budget in great detail over the next few days. We plan to reach out to our members with updates and key information as more becomes available and analyzed. If you have any questions regarding the budget, please reach out to your Policy Director.

0 456

Self-advocates joined RCPA, several legislators, and other associations and provider organizations at a press conference to support ID/A funding in the state budget on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, at the State Capitol in Harrisburg. As part of his 2024/25 budget proposal, Governor Josh Shapiro called for investing $483 million in state and federal funds into the network of care for individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism (ID/A). If enacted, the funding would allow more individuals to access professional support and services as well as relieve families of around-the-clock caregiving duties. ID/A providers across Pennsylvania have long called for increased state investments, and this allocation will allow providers to recruit and retain more direct support professionals (DSP) who have cared for these individuals at low wages. The lack of DSPs and funding have caused thousands of Pennsylvanians to wait months or more for services and support.

Sherri Landis of the Arc of PA spoke, as did Representatives Kinsey and Heffley.

In addition, many self-advocates, including DSPs and family members of those with ID/A, attended and spoke about the need for funding.

 

0 505

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the availability of $500 million in grants over the next five years to increase the number of organizations who help people enroll in health coverage through the Federally-Facilitated Marketplace (FFM) on HealthCare’s website. This is the largest funding allocation CMS has made available for Navigator grants to date. With the additional funding, CMS encourages eligible entities and individuals to apply, especially those that focus on education, outreach, and enrollment efforts to underserved and diverse communities.

Please read the the full announcement details and guidance below. If you have questions, please contact RCPA COO and Policy Director Jim Sharp.

What’s new for this year’s Navigator Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)?

  • Focuses on increased participation of smaller, community-based organizations as part of CMS efforts to reach people where they are.
  • Provides longer multi-year grant funding.
  • Shorter and easier to understand application.

Who can apply?
Eligible organizations may include but are not limited to community and consumer-focused nonprofit groups; trade, industry, and professional associations; commercial fishing industry organizations; ranching and farming organizations; chambers of commerce; unions; resource partners of the Small Business Administration; and non-healthcare licensed insurance agents and brokers. Such other entities may include but are not limited to Indian tribes, tribal organizations, urban Indian organizations, and state or local human service agencies.

How much funding is available through this funding opportunity?
CMS expects to award $500 million total over the five-year period of performance, provided in five budget periods of 12 months each; $100 million is available for the first 12-month budget period.

Will there be technical assistance available for applicants?
CMS will hold two technical assistance sessions for potential applicants. These sessions will provide applicants with an overview of this project, relay budget guidance, and review the instructions for applying outlined in the 2024 Navigator funding opportunity. Applicants are encouraged to submit questions in advance of each session to CMS via email.

Technical Assistance Session #1

Technical Assistance Session #2

What is the deadline to submit an application for the NOFO?

Applications must be submitted by July 8, 2024 at 11:59pm ET. You must submit your application through the Grants website. Grants.gov creates a date and time record when it receives the application. If you submit the same application more than once, we will accept the last on-time submission.

For instructions on how to submit in Grants.gov, see the Quick Start Guide for Applicants.

Can my organization help promote the NOFO?

CMS encourages partners to share this listserv with your networks and to use the below social media and attached graphics on your social accounts.

  • CMS has announced $500 million in grants over the next 5 years for Navigator programs, as part of the continued efforts to connect people to the ACA Marketplace and other health coverage options. Learn more.
  • CMS has announced $500 million in grants over the next 5 years for Navigator programs, as part of the continued efforts to connect people to the ACA Marketplace and other health coverage options. These awards mark the first time the grants have been awarded for a period of more than three years of funding, allowing grantees to better retain and add more staff who are trained to help consumers find affordable, comprehensive health coverage.

For more information about the Navigator NOFO, visit the links below:

0 302

This is a final reminder that, per ODPANN 24-041, providers must request the one-time workforce recover supplemental payment no later than May 15. Providers may put in a request by completing a brief ODP survey. As of the morning of May 6, 2024, the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) received requests from 505 providers.

If your MPI is on the ODP spreadsheet, this will serve as confirmation that your agency’s request has been received. ODP will release a similar file after the deadline. Late requests will not be accepted.

123...27Next Page 1 of 27
© 2021 - Rehabilitation & Community Providers Association