American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) �Update Webinar

�Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing

Office of Community Living

Health Programs Office

May 18, 2023

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Agenda

• General ARPA Updates
• Hayley Gleason, Director | Strategic Outcomes Division | Office of Community Living (OCL)
• Amanda Lofgren, Director | Case Management Quality and Performance Division | OCL
• Max Winkler, Manager | Strategic Outcomes Division | OCL
• Grant Highlights
• Emily Reddick, Manager | Strategic Outcomes Division | OCL
• Heather Johnson, Long-Term Direct Care Workforce Unit Supervisor | OCL
• Guest Speaker: Kristie Braaten | Developmental Disabilities Resource Center
• Rachel Shuck, Manager | Strategic Outcomes Division | Behavioral Health Initiatives and Coverage Office (BHIC)
• Guest Speakers: Amanda Smith and Cierra Childs Office of eHealth Innovation
• Other Updates
• Lana Eggers, Manager | Benefits and Services Management Division | OCL
• Jill Schnathorst, Director | Compliance and Innovation Division | OCL
• Candace Bailey, Director | Benefits and Services Management Division | OCL

Hearing From You!

Throughout the webinar today, we will have polls to gather input and ideas from you!

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We encourage you to participate. The feedback you provide allows us to continue to improve and tailor our communication and outreach efforts to what works best for each of you.

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General ARPA HCBS Updates

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Spending Update

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*Spending, encumbered, and allocated estimates through March 2023

Quarterly Reports

New quarterly reports (Jan-March 2023) now up on the website!

• Report to the JBC (submitted 4/17/23)
• Report to CMS (submitted 5/1/23)
• Detailed Budget and Spending Report

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Complete: Project 5.03 - Case Management Rates

The Department contracted with a vendor to:

• Create and administer a time study on Case Management Agency (CMA) activities
• Develop a comprehensive rate workbook for CMA activities and payment

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Complete: Project 5.03 - Case Management Rates

Evaluate and identify best practices in case management which included recommendations for the Department to work on:

• Reimbursement methods for urban and rural travel
• Caseload size limitation
• Streamlined comprehensive training
• Review Rates for CMAs every 5 years (or sooner)
• Align case management tasks across programs/services
• Development of revised quality measurements

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Many of these recommendations are underway using Case Management Redesign!

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Completed Projects: �Website Walkthrough

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Poll Questions -

Website Content

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Questions & Discussion

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Use Raise Hand feature in Reactions

or

If you’re on the phone �Press *6 to unmute or *9 to raise hand

Older Americans Month

May is Older Americans Month!

This year’s theme is ‘Aging Unbound’

• Offers an opportunity to explore diverse aging experiences and discuss how communities can combat stereotypes
• There are currently 56M people in the US over 65 and that number is expected to grow to 71M by 2030
• Visit ACL.gov to learn more about how you can get involved and help spread the message

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Mental Health Awareness Month

May is also Mental Health Awareness Month!

This year’s theme is �‘More than Enough’

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• This month serves as an opportunity for all of us to come together and remember the inherent value we each hold- no matter our diagnosis, appearance, socioeconomic status, background or ability
• Every person should that know, that not matter what, you are inherently worthy of more than enough life, love and hearing. Show up, just as you are, for yourself and the people around you is more than enough
• Visit NAMI.org to learn more

Grant Opportunity Highlights

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Grants Overview

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$148M Total across 21 Grants, Pilots, and Community Initiatives

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$80M in grants, pilots, and community initiatives upcoming

$54.3M

$13.5M

1.05 Training Grants

The primary goal of this grant is to provide training opportunities for workers to gain higher-level skills that would promote greater retention within the HCBS workforce.

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Maximum Award Amount: $100,000

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Who is Eligible:

• Currently enrolled Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver providers; or
• Training vendor/provider that develops/delivers training/specialization for the HCBS workforce.

Deadline:

• Grant cycle ends May 31, 2023
• Two additional grant cycles planned

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Grant Information:

• Informational Webinar June 29, 2023
• Request for Application
• How to Apply

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Questions email hcpf_dcworkforce@state.co.us

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Healthcare Practice Transformation

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• SB22-1302 passed May 2022 with goal of supporting, improving, and expanding integrated behavioral health services in Colorado
• $32 million allocated with a majority of funds allocated for grants
• Short-term grant funding for physical and mental health care providers looking to implement or expand access to mental health care and treatment for mental health and substance use disorders using an evidence-based integrated care model

SB 22-1302

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• Applicants will be prioritized if an applicant can demonstrate that their project meets as many of the following criteria as possible:

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• Serve individuals with co-occurring and complex care needs, serious mental illness, or disabilities;
• Serve children and youth;
• Include opportunities to build out community health worker, behavioral health aide, or similar programs, supported by population-based payments;
• Serve pregnant and postpartum people;
• The practice is considered a small and independent practice
• Demonstrate the ability and intent to serve culturally diverse populations and populations with limited English proficiency;
• Include workforce capacity-building components;
• Include high intensity outpatient services;
• Improve data exchange and data integration that support whole-person care;
• Utilize telehealth;
• Align with or participate in commercial alternative payment models;
• Demonstrate community partnerships;
• Participate in the regional health connector workforce program

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HB 22-1302 Grant Update

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• Grant Status
• Grant application closed: April 26, 2023
• 152 applications, 258 sites, $67,795,547 money requested
• Currently reviewing applications
• Award announcement: June 1, 2023
• Funding distribution: August 1, 2023
• Award period: August 1 - December 30, 2023

6.06 Dollars to Digitize

Support HCBS and Behavioral Health providers by investing in digital tools and technology �offering the most value

• Adopt or upgrade Electronic Health Records (EHR), Telehealth systems, Referral tools, Health Information Exchange (HIE) connections, and necessary devices.
• Expands providers’ reach to members, enhances communication and increases capacity for real-time data sharing.
• Transition providers from paper to electronic systems; �supports care coordination.
• Technical Assistance funding to support successful �implementations, configuration, and end user training.

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113 Dollars to Digitize Grant Awards

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Total Awarded:

$13,551,320

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Average Award:

$118,872

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Grant Projects Start:

May 15, 2023*

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ALL counties served by D2D applicants!

Rural areas¹ have HIGHER number of providers relative to population.

• As designated by Colorado Rural Health Center/Office of Management and Budget definition, supported by census data

What’s Next for 6.06-D2D

ARPA 6.06 Grant Project Implementation:

• 85 EHR Upgrades or New Implementations (29 total)
• 41 Telehealth systems being purchased or upgraded, devices
• 17% of funding for necessary devices for provider/member use
• 6 HIE connection projects and 3 referral tool implementations

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Summer Request for Applications (RFA) - round 2:

• Tentative plans to open July/August
• 200+ applications expected (includes ‘outgoing’ CMAs)
• Please check the ARPA 6.06 webpage for updates

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Other Upcoming Opportunities

ARPA 4.03 Child/Youth Step-Down Options Grant Project:

• 2 RFA Tracks opening Summer 2023
• CHRP Expansion and Qualified Residential Treatment Program (QRTP) Research

ARPA 7.02 Member Emergency Preparedness Grant Project:

• Assist members with disabilities and those with mental health needs, who live independently in the community, to be prepared for potential emergencies by providing resources, supplies, or education
• Application launches 7/1/2023

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Questions & Discussion

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Press *6 to unmute if you’re on the phone �or �Raise your hand in Zoom

Reminder! ARPA Project Pulse Newsletter

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View past issues and subscribe!

Poll Question - �Newsletter Content

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Other Department Updates

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Senate Bill 23-289: CFC Legislation

Why?

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• Updating statute for Community First Choice (CFC) gives the Department authority to implement the program 
• Statutory authority from the State shows the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Colorado Medical Services Board (MSB) that the Department has the support of the legislature to implement the program
• Additionally, statute changes for CFC ensures that all other HCBS statutes are aligned and don't conflict once CFC is implemented

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CFC Language in SB23-289

• Broad bill language allows for future changes and flexibilities with the CFC program in Code of Regulation and with CMS
• The bill language mimics language found in federal statute for CFC
• Language includes:
• Definitions for mandatory services
• Mandatory services
• Consumer direction options including IHSS and CDASS
• Federal language for optional services

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CFC Legislation Timeline

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Adam/Lana/Candace/

Special shoutout to Julie Reskin, David Bolin, and Megan Bowser for taking quick action to testify in support of the bill to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee and to David for testifying in the House as well

DOJ Update

• New project 3.03, as approved through the Department’s BA-07 request, will help address Department of Justice (DOJ) findings letter
• ARPA funds will pay for FY 2023-24 implementation
• In-Reach Counseling
• Increase in Transition Coordination Units
• Housing Navigation expansion
• Financial eligibility escalation
• etc.

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Equity Study Second Meeting Promo

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ARPA Initiative 3.01 - Equity Study, HCPF is working with stakeholders to identify barriers and increase equity across home and community-based services (HCBS) programs. Including:

• Internal Department Equity Study (to be released this summer)
• Agency/Provider and Member/Caregiver Survey - Nearly 500 respondents (2/2023)
• Virtual Summit #1 on April 4 with over 115 participants
• In depth learning exchanges with local grassroots, community organizations

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On June 6, 2023 from 12 to 2 p.m., we will share what we have learned, and invite your further participation in a conversation about barriers and actionable solutions around awareness and enrollment of HCBS programs and services.

Please register by May 31, 2023

View more information about ARPA 3.01

Other OCL Updates

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Upcoming Rate Increases

The following services will receive a Targeted Rate Increase (TRI) effective 7/1/23:

• GRSS
• Non-Medical Transportation (NMT) - Supported Living Services (SLS)/Developmental Disability (DD) - To bring these rates in alignment with NMT on the other adult LTSS waivers

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Additionally the direct care worker base wage is also increasing to $15.75 and each service will receive a corresponding rate increase

All services will also receive a 3% across-the-board increase

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Questions & Discussion

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Press *6 to unmute if you’re on the phone �or �Raise your hand in Zoom

Poll Question - �Webinar Content

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60 Second Satisfaction Survey

www.surveymonkey.com/r/GenARPA

Next Webinar

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Thursday, June 15, 2023

OCL Update Webinar�All Stakeholders

• 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
• New Registration Link�

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Thank you!

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