As the pandemic fades into a not so fond but distant memory, the changes that it brought can be felt in every industry and at every level of modern society. One such change was the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA). This ambitious law provided for $350 billion in additional funding to all 50 states, disturbed equally through a modified Community Development Block Grant formula (CBDG). All funds must be obligated by December 31st, 2024, or they will no longer be available. This has states like Arizona seeking creative and effective ways to spend that money.
ARP Program Awards for Providers
In April of this year. Arizona announced a new $40 million award program to strengthen Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) using ARPA funding. The goal is to enhance the member experience, health, and safety of the people receiving HCBS in the state. The application is already open and closes on May 16th, 2023. The state has also partnered with Public Consulting Group (PCG), a public sector consulting firm, to administer the program as well as provide technical assistance to applicants throughout the entire process. The awards are anticipated to come out in July 2023 with awardees receiving payment the following month. All funds must be spent by September 2024.
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
- Behavioral Health Outpatient Clinics (Provider Type 77)
- Board-Certified Behavior Analysts (Provider Type BC)
- Attendant Care (Provider Type 40)
- Adult Foster Care (Provider Type 50)
- Integrated Clinics (Provider Type IC)
- Home Delivered Meals (Provider Type 70)
- Assisted Living Centers (Provider Type 49)
- Adult Day Health (Provider Type 27)
- Assisted Living Homes (Provider Type 36)
- Elderly and Physical Disability (EPD)
- HCBS (Provider Type 81)
- Habilitation Providers (Provider Type 39)
- Area Agencies on Aging Community Service Agencies (Provider Type A3)
Anyone who meets the criteria above may submit one application for up to $500,000.
Ways to use the funding
The state is looking to fund a one-time project with upfront funding and any funds not spent by September 30th, 2024 must be returned to the state. As this is specifically dealing with ARPA dollars, projects should only support Arizona residents and those who are Medicaid-eligible. They have listed the following as the types of projects they are looking to fund:
Programmatic projects
- Create new or expand existing programs, services, or activities
- Improve member experience, health, or safety through:
- Community participation
- Self-advocacy
- Relationship building
- Health promotion
Infrastructure Projects
- Purchase or improve the following:
- Equipment
- Connectivity access
- Data systems
- Assistive technology
- Vehicles
- Physical plant modifications
- Must directly impact member experience, health, or safety
- Exclude the purchase of structures (e.g., homes, buildings, etc.)
This program looks to add an influx of much needed cash into the HCBS world that desperately needs it. Upgrading software is crucial to not only stay in business today but provide the ability for individuals to have access to the type of care they deserve.
MediSked software expands providers’ capacity to serve HCBS participants, and we can help your agency write its grant application! As the trusted technology partner to HCBS organizations for over 20 years, MediSked has our finger on the pulse of all things Arizona HCBS. We are dedicated to delivering comprehensive Software as a Service (SaaS) solutions to support clients with an integrated, person-centered technology model.
MediSked is experienced with helping providers secure HCBS grant funding, and we’d be happy to work with you to secure the available funding in this tight deadline. Visit our Arizona page to get your free consultation!
