American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)

• 1915(c) HCBS waiver providers, Supported Community Living (SCL) and Supported Employment (SE) providers.

• 1915(i) state plan HCBS habilitation, Home-Based Habilitation and SE providers.

• Community-Based Neurobehavioral Rehabilitation Service (CNRS) providers

• They billed a managed care organization (MCO) or FFS Medicaid for eligible services provided between July 1, 2020, and June 30, 2021.

• They continued to provide patient care after April 1, 2021.

• They have not permanently ceased providing patient care directly or indirectly.

• With respect to Medicare, any state Medicaid program, and any federal health care program, the recipient is not:

  • suspended or excluded from participation.

  • suspended from receiving payments.

  • under any other sanction or penalty.

Projects may include but are not limited to those listed below.

• Projects that expand providers’ capacity to serve HCBS participants by providing remote support services using technology to provide real-time assistance from direct support professionals in remote locations, including but not limited to:

  • Purchase of consultation services to implement technology-enabled services.

  • Purchase of smart technology (hardware and software) or home automation devices to augment direct service delivery.

    • Computer equipment.

    • Monitors, cameras, and speakers.

    • Sensors (infrared, magnetic, audio, pressure, and motion).

    • Smart appliances such as refrigerators, washers, dryers, stoves, ovens, and microwaves.

    • Home security systems including keyless entry and video doorbells.

    • Safety equipment such as smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

    • Training and technical assistance costs related to implementing the technology.

  • Purchasing of two-way, real-time communication technology systems that enable individuals to communicate with remote staff by using phones or web-based technology.

    • Technology and equipment must comply with all relevant safety laws, rules, regulations, and codes for technology and technical safety for devices that interact with patients or are integral to diagnostic capabilities.

    • Technology and equipment utilized in the provision of telemedicine services must be compliant with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

    • Training and technical assistance costs related to implementing the technology.

• One-time purchases of supportive technology to increase HCBS participant independence and community access (when purchases are not otherwise available by other dedicated funding sources, or otherwise covered services). Examples include, but are not limited to:

  • Assistive technology – equipment, software program, or products/systems used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities for HCBS participants not otherwise available through the HCBS waiver or state plan Medicaid.

    • Medication reminders and dispensers

    • Wearable technology (smart watches, pendants, bracelets)

    • Health trackers

    • Augmentative communication devices

    • Computer accessibility devices

    • Frequency modulation (FM) systems, coupling accessories, and loop systems

    • Optical character recognition (OCR) software systems and screen readers

  • Other assistive or supportive technology recommended by professionals of occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech, hearing, and language services; assistive technology professionals and certified enabling technology integration specialists (ETIS)

  • Training and technical assistance in using assistive or supportive technology

• Purchasing of technology or other equipment for HCBS staff to support community-based services and programs

  • Smart phones (excluding monthly service fees)

  • Tablets

  • Laptops/desk top computers

  • Training and technical assistance

• Other projects which meet the intent of improving, enhancing, or strengthening Iowa’s HCBS infrastructure

• Projects aligning with those described above, and that have been implemented since April 1, 2021, are eligible for grant funds. Providers must include a detailed description of the project, its intended outcomes, and a detailed budget to support the request for funds.

The department will assess the amount of proposed funding along with the number of participants the project(s) would affect. Entities may submit proposals for more than $100,000, with the knowledge they may not be funded for the entire amount. Entities should entertain fundraising or identify other sources of funding to supplement any funding gaps. The department will distribute grant funds to eligible providers until the fund has been fully expended.

Funding Restrictions

All awarded funds have the following restrictions:

• Funds shall not be used for the purchase or development of multi-family units serving more than five (5) individuals, including apartments and duplexes.

• Funds shall not be used for anything other than the projects specified in the project proposal.

• Funds shall not be used to pay for administrative costs or clinical care.

• Funds shall not be used to pay for indirect costs. All costs must be related to the project proposal and be outlined and justified in the budget.

• Funds shall not be used for wages, retention, or other bonuses for staff.

• Funds shall not be used for disposable or single-use items for a single person. Projects must be for the benefit of individuals served overall (as applicable). Evaluation of the project will reflect this restriction and proposals are subject to disqualification if for a single person only unless the project or item can be transferred or used multiple times.

• If awarded only a portion of the requested funding, and the submitted proposal application indicates the project can be completed with other funding sources, the project must be fully completed by March 31, 2024. Any unspent funds shall be remitted to the department.

• Entities must maintain complete records of fund expenditures and understand that project budgets are subject to potential post-payment review or audit.

Agency providers enrolled under multiple national provider identifiers (NPIs) for eligible HCBS should list those NPIs and their corresponding tax ID number and pay-to-legacy numbers on the application. Providers should submit only one application per organization. Duplicate applications will be rejected.

Agency providers may apply for the Remote Monitoring Grant funds beginning October 1, 2022. The application period will remain open until the funds allocated for this project have been expended. Providers may request grant funds by completing the online application and attestation and uploading the required documents and minority impact statement. The department will only accept complete applications which include the submission of the required documents listed below.

Proposals from entities that have multiple locations may be awarded for only one location or all locations at the department’s discretion. Entities should indicate the location(s) in their proposal application. Entities can submit proposals for multiple projects (if applicable, submit one proposal application with all projects listed).

The Remote Monitoring Grant application must include:

• A brief project description and point of contact (POC).

  • Identify or name the entity submitting the application.

  • Provide a brief description and purpose of the project, in no more than five sentences.

  • Include total amount of funds requested.

  • Identify a POC for the application, including name, position/title, address, phone number, and email address.

• Entity Information

  • List the entity’s current programs and activities.

  • Provide the entity’s national provider identification (NPI) Number

  • Provide the entity’s tax identification number (TIN)

• Project Description

  • Describe the project in detail explaining how it will enhance improve or expand HCBS.

  • Provide a timeline of the project, purchases or expenditures using grant funds that shows major milestones for the project.

  • If the applicant will be collaborating with any other entities (e.g., individuals, organizations, associations, facilities, etc.) on the initiative, the other entities should be identified. Include any entity and whether the entity will be applying for ARPA grant funds. Explain what specific deliverables the other entity is responsible for.

• Budget

  • Describe the budget for the project, including other funding sources and allocations. Include the source of the pricing as applicable.

  • Provide a detailed line-item budget proposal using a table format outlining the specific cost requirements within each of the following budget categories:

    • Personnel/consultants

    • Travel

    • Equipment purchases and rentals

    • Training

    • Cost of project activities to be undertaken by a sub-contractor. Each subcontractor is budgeted separately.

    • Other direct costs (expenses not covered in any of the previous costs)

    • Total indirect costs

      • If the entity is purchasing goods and services that are available from multiple sources, the entity must include three competitive quotes for the cost of any equipment, construction, and labor. The quotes shall be from businesses that comply with federal, state, and local laws as required.

      • Please note budget amounts for anything prohibited by the ARPA section 9817 guidelines or federal and state rules will be disallowed.

  • Sustainability Plan

    • Describe the sustainability plan for the project after grant funds awarded have been exhausted.

• Iowa Medicaid Provider Services will record receipt of the applications, project descriptions, budgets, and MIS as they are received and notify the HCBS Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) project team.

• The ARPA HCBS QIO project team will verify that the provider submitting the application had claims paid during SFY21 and are in good standing with the department by sharing the provider listings with program integrity to ensure that the providers are not:

• suspended or excluded from participation.

• suspended from receiving payments.

• under any other sanction or penalty.

• The ARPA HCBS project team will review a project and the associated budget and make a recommendation on the eligibility of the project and the amount of funds to distribute.

• During the bi-monthly award meeting, the ARPA HCBS team will review the recommendation for the award for each project and make a final determination on the eligibility and amount of the award. Providers or projects identified as not eligible will be notified by Provider Services.

• The process above will be repeated monthly until all project funds have been expended.

• Each month the ARPA HCBS project team will approve the amount of ARPA project funds to be awarded to the providers applying during the prior month.

• The ARPA HCBS project lead will identify the amount to be distributed to each provider based on the approved project and budget and send the final agency provider listing to CORE services to enable the one-time payment to the provider.

• The provider will receive the gross payment on the regularly scheduled payment date the month following the month of application and award determination.

• 1915(c) HCBS waiver providers, including case management and consumer choices option (CCO) employees.

• 1915(i) state plan HCBS habilitation providers, including case management.

• Home health agencies delivering HCBS waiver services, personal care and private duty nursing.

• TCM.

• Rehabilitative service providers including:

  • Assertive community treatment (ACT) providers.

  • ABA.

  • BHIS.

  • CNRS.

  • Behavioral health service providers delivering mental health services or substance use disorder services.

• They billed a managed care organization (MCO) or FFS Medicaid for eligible services provided between July 1, 2020, and June 30, 2021.

• They continued to provide patient care after April 1, 2021.

• They have not permanently ceased providing patient care directly or indirectly.

• With respect to Medicare, any state Medicaid program, and any federal health care program, the recipient is not:

  • suspended or excluded from participation.

  • suspended from receiving payments.

  • under any other sanction or penalty.

Projects may include but are not limited to those listed below.

• Projects that expand providers’ capacity to serve HCBS participants. Examples of projects include but are not limited to:

  • Vehicles- purchasing new or modifying existing vehicles to transport HCBS participants in more individualized ways.

  • Vehicles- purchasing new or modifying existing vehicles for use by staff to conduct HCBS (on call response, medication administration, planning meetings, etc.)

  • Purchase of single-family homes in neighborhoods in the community to expand access to HCBS residential services to individuals with multi-occurring diagnoses and complex needs; and those transitioning from hospitals, nursing facilities, skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitation facilities, and other congregate care settings.

  • Renovations to existing homes and buildings where direct services are provided.

    • Accessibility

    • Safety

    • Service expansion (adding space to accommodate additional service recipients)

  • Purchase of critical building systems

  • Upgrading or purchasing electrical, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, security, life safety, lighting, utilities, telecommunications, and energy management

• Projects that improve access to care and monitoring of the quality of care for HCBS Medicaid members

  • Purchasing of certified EHR technology to improve the quality of member care.

    • New or upgraded technology

    • Purchasing or updating internal IT systems

    • Modifying current software or hardware

    • Training costs related to implementing technology

  • Projects to fully comply with federal EVV requirements. Examples of projects include, but are not limited to:

    • New or upgraded technology to allow for compliance with EVV

    • Purchasing or updating internal IT systems

    • Modifying current software or hardware

    • Training costs related to implementing technology

  • Purchasing of electronic service record technology

    • New or upgraded technology to allow for compliance with service documentation requirements

    • Purchasing or updating internal IT systems

    • Modifying current software or hardware

    • Training costs related to implementing technology

  • Purchasing of telehealth equipment and software

    • The technology and equipment must comply with all relevant safety laws, rules, regulations, and codes for technology and technical safety for devices that interact with patients or are integral to diagnostic capabilities.

    • The technology and equipment must be of sufficient quality, size, resolution, and clarity such that the licensee can safely and effectively provide the telemedicine services.

    • The technology and equipment utilized in the provision of telemedicine services must be compliant with HIPAA.

    • Training costs related to implementing technology

  • Purchasing of services that improve overall organizational infrastructure. Eligible activities under this category include:

    • hiring staff or consultants to assist with:

      • developing database management systems

      • developing financial systems

      • developing meaningful use EHR systems

      • developing technology enabled services

      • developing internal quality monitoring and improvement systems

  • building other administrative systems needed to increase the organization’s ability to access and sustain new funding sources and deliver on the organization’s mission

  • Purchasing of technology or other equipment for HCBS staff to support community-based services and programs

• One-time purchases of equipment to increase HCBS participant independence and community access (when purchases are not otherwise available by other dedicated funding sources, or otherwise covered services). Examples of projects may include, but are not limited to:

  • Adaptive equipment to assist with community access, activities of daily living, and independence

    • Wheelchair ramp

    • Vehicle platform lift (VPL)

    • Ceiling lift

  • Assistive technology – equipment, software program, or products/systems used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities for HCBS participants not otherwise available through the HCBS waiver or state plan Medicaid

• Other projects which meet the intent of improving, enhancing, or expanding Iowa’s HCBS infrastructure

• Projects aligning with those described above and that have been implemented since April 1, 2021, are eligible for grant funds. Providers must include a detailed description of the project, its intended outcomes, and a detailed budget to support the request for funds.

The department will assess the amount of proposed funding along with the number of participants the project(s) would affect. Entities may submit proposals for more than $100,000, with the knowledge they may not be funded for the entire amount. Entities should entertain fundraising or identify other sources of funding to supplement any funding gaps. The department will distribute grant funds to eligible providers until the fund has been fully expended.

Funding Restrictions

All awarded funds have the following restrictions:

• Funds shall not be used for the purchase or development of multi-family units serving more than five (5) individuals, including apartments and duplexes.

• Funds shall not be used for anything other than the projects specified in the project proposal.

• Funds shall not be used to pay for administrative costs or clinical care.

• Funds shall not be used to pay for indirect costs. All costs must be related to the project proposal and be outlined and justified in the budget.

• Funds shall not be used for wages, retention, or other bonuses for staff.

• Funds shall not be used for disposable or single-use items for a single person. Projects must be for the benefit of individuals served overall (as applicable). Evaluation of the project will reflect this restriction and proposals are subject to disqualification if for a single person only unless the project or item can be transferred or used multiple times.

• If awarded only a portion of the requested funding, and the submitted proposal application indicates the project can be completed with other funding sources, the project must be fully completed by March 31, 2024. Any unspent funds shall be remitted to the department.

• Entities must maintain complete records of fund expenditures and understand that project budgets are subject to potential post-payment review or audit.

Agency providers enrolled under multiple national provider identifiers (NPIs) for eligible HCBS should list those NPIs and their corresponding tax ID number and pay-to-legacy numbers on the application. Providers should submit only one application per organization. Duplicate applications will be rejected.

Agency providers may apply for the Health IT and Infrastructure Grant funds beginning October 1, 2022. The application period will remain open until the funds allocated for this project have been expended. Providers may request grant funds by completing the online application and attestation and uploading the required documents and minority impact statement. The department will only accept complete applications which include the submission of the required documents listed below.

Proposals from entities that have multiple locations may be awarded for only one location or all locations at the department’s discretion. Entities should indicate the location(s) in their proposal application. Entities can submit proposals for multiple projects (if applicable, submit one proposal application with all projects listed).

• A brief project description and point of contact (POC).

  • Identify or name the entity submitting the application.

  • Provide a brief description and purpose of the project, in no more than five sentences.

  • Include total amount of funds requested.

  • Identify a POC for the application, including name, position/title, address, phone number, and email address.

• Entity Information

  • List the entity’s current programs and activities.

  • Provide the entity’s national provider identification (NPI) Number

  • Provide the entity’s tax identification number (TIN)

• Project Description

  • Describe the project in detail explaining how it will enhance improve or expand HCBS

  • Provide a timeline of the project, purchases or expenditures using grant funds that shows major milestones for the project

  • If the applicant will be collaborating with any other entities (e.g., individuals, organizations, associations, facilities, etc.) on the initiative, the other entities should be identified. Include any entity and whether the entity will be applying for ARPA grant funds. Explain what specific deliverables the other entity is responsible for.

• Budget

  • Describe the budget for the project, including other funding sources and allocations. Include the source of the pricing as applicable.

  • Provide a detailed line-item budget proposal using a table format outlining the specific cost requirements within each of the following budget categories:

    • Personnel/consultants

    • Travel

    • Equipment purchases and rentals

    • Training

    • Cost of project activities to be undertaken by a sub-contractor. Each subcontractor is budgeted separately.

    • Other direct costs (expenses not covered in any of the previous costs)

    • Total indirect costs

    • If the entity is purchasing goods and services that are available from multiple sources, the entity must include three competitive quotes for the cost of any equipment, construction, and labor. The quotes shall be from businesses that comply with federal, state, and local laws as required.

    • Please note budget amounts for anything prohibited by the ARPA section 9817 guidelines or federal and state rules will be disallowed.

• Sustainability Plan

  • Describe the sustainability plan for the project after grant funds awarded have been exhausted.

• Iowa Medicaid Provider Services will record receipt of the applications, project descriptions, budgets, and MIS as they are received and notify the HCBS Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) project team.

• The ARPA HCBS QIO project team will verify that the provider submitting the application had claims paid during SFY21 and are in good standing with the department by sharing the provider listings with program integrity to ensure that the providers are not:

• suspended or excluded from participation.

• suspended from receiving payments.

• under any other sanction or penalty.

• The ARPA HCBS project team will review a project and the associated budget and make a recommendation on the eligibility of the project and the amount of funds to distribute.

• During the bi-monthly award meeting, the ARPA HCBS team will review the recommendation for the award for each project and make a final determination on the eligibility and amount of the award. Providers or projects identified as not eligible will be notified by Provider Services.

• The process above will be repeated monthly until all project funds have been expended.

• Each month the ARPA HCBS project team will approve the amount of ARPA project funds to be awarded to the providers applying during the prior month.

• The ARPA HCBS project lead will identify the amount to be distributed to each provider based on the approved project and budget and send the final agency provider listing to CORE services to enable the one-time payment to the provider.

• The provider will receive the gross payment on the regularly scheduled payment date the month following the month of application and award determination.

• A brief project description and point of contact (POC).

  • Identify or name the entity submitting the application.

  • Provide a brief description and purpose of the project, in no more than five sentences.

  • Include total amount of funds requested.

  • Identify a POC for the application, including name, position/title, address, phone number, and email address.

• Entity Information

  • List the entity’s current programs and activities.

  • Provide the entity’s national provider identification (NPI) Number

  • Provide the entity’s tax identification number (TIN)

• Project Description

  • Describe the project in detail explaining how it will enhance improve or expand HCBS

  • Provide a timeline of the project, purchases or expenditures using grant funds that shows major milestones for the project

  • If the applicant will be collaborating with any other entities (e.g., individuals, organizations, associations, facilities, etc.) on the initiative, the other entities should be identified. Include any entity and whether the entity will be applying for ARPA grant funds. Explain what specific deliverables the other entity is responsible for.

• Budget

  • Describe the budget for the project, including other funding sources and allocations. Include the source of the pricing as applicable.

  • Provide a detailed line-item budget proposal using a table format outlining the specific cost requirements within each of the following budget categories:

    • Personnel/consultants

    • Travel

    • Equipment purchases and rentals

    • Training

    • Cost of project activities to be undertaken by a sub-contractor. Each subcontractor is budgeted separately.

    • Other direct costs (expenses not covered in any of the previous costs)

    • Total indirect costs

    • If the entity is purchasing goods and services that are available from multiple sources, the entity must include three competitive quotes for the cost of any equipment, construction, and labor. The quotes shall be from businesses that comply with federal, state, and local laws as required.

    • Please note budget amounts for anything prohibited by the ARPA section 9817 guidelines or federal and state rules will be disallowed.

• Sustainability Plan

  • Describe the sustainability plan for the project after grant funds awarded have been exhausted.

• Iowa Medicaid Provider Services will record receipt of the applications, project descriptions, budgets, and MIS as they are received and notify the HCBS Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) project team.

• The ARPA HCBS QIO project team will verify that the provider submitting the application had claims paid during SFY21 and are in good standing with the department by sharing the provider listings with program integrity to ensure that the providers are not:

• suspended or excluded from participation.

• suspended from receiving payments.

• under any other sanction or penalty.

• The ARPA HCBS project team will review a project and the associated budget and make a recommendation on the eligibility of the project and the amount of funds to distribute.

• During the bi-monthly award meeting, the ARPA HCBS team will review the recommendation for the award for each project and make a final determination on the eligibility and amount of the award. Providers or projects identified as not eligible will be notified by Provider Services.

• The process above will be repeated monthly until all project funds have been expended.

• Each month the ARPA HCBS project team will approve the amount of ARPA project funds to be awarded to the providers applying during the prior month.

• The ARPA HCBS project lead will identify the amount to be distributed to each provider based on the approved project and budget and send the final agency provider listing to CORE services to enable the one-time payment to the provider.

• The provider will receive the gross payment on the regularly scheduled payment date the month following the month of application and award determination.

• 1915(c) HCBS waiver providers, including case management.

• 1915(i) state plan HCBS habilitation providers, including case management.

• Home health agencies delivering HCBS waiver services, personal care, and private duty nursing.

• TCM.

• Rehabilitative service providers including:

  • Assertive community treatment (ACT) providers.

  • ABA.

  • BHIS.

  • CNRS.

  • Behavioral health service providers delivering mental health services or substance use disorder services.

• Associations and advocacy organizations supporting the delivery of HCBS.

• They billed a managed care organization (MCO) or FFS Medicaid for eligible services provided between July 1, 2020, and June 30, 2021.

• They continued to provide patient care after April 1, 2021.

• They have not permanently ceased providing patient care directly or indirectly.

• With respect to Medicare, any state Medicaid program, and any federal health care program, the recipient is not:

  • suspended or excluded from participation.

  • suspended from receiving payments.

  • under any other sanction or penalty.

Projects may include but are not limited to those listed below.

• Projects that expand the providers capacity to serve HCBS participants by ensuring direct support professionals are highly trained and well qualified to deliver HCBS. Examples of projects include, but are not limited to:

• Purchase of staff training and development technology (hardware and software) to support staff training and development.

  • Computer equipment including tables, desktops and/or laptops.

  • Software.

  • Training and technical assistance costs related to implementing the training and development technology.

• Purchase of competency-based training content including self-directed trainings that will enhance the quality of direct services provided.

• Payment for registration and associated costs for industry-recognized courses that result in certification, or credential, of the employee which will enhance the quality of direct services provided and/or promotes advancement of the employee in the field of long-term services and supports within the provider’s organization. The certification must be awarded in recognition of an individual's attainment of measurable technical or occupational skills necessary to obtain employment or advance within an occupation.

  • Direct support professional certification

  • ISTART certification

  • Positive behavioral supports (PBS) certification

  • Certified brain injury specialist (CBIS) certification

  • Certified brain injury specialist trainer (CBIS-T) certification

  • Crisis response certification

  • Behavioral health technician certification

  • Certified employment support specialist certification

  • Medication aide certification

  • Home health aide (HHA) certification

• Provision of up to $1,000 in tuition assistance to employees enrolled in post-secondary or continuing education courses that includes stackable course credits supporting adult basic education, a degree program, a diploma, or license, that will enhance the quality of direct services provided and/or promote advancement of the employee within the provider’s organization. Eligible courses of study include:

  • Nursing, including certified nursing assistant (CNA), licensed practical nurse (LPN), or other relevant degrees.

  • Degree programs in the field of long-term care, including care for persons with disabilities.

  • Social work

  • Licensed mental health professional (LMHP)

  • Licensed applied behavior analyst (LABA)

  • Occupational therapy

  • Physical therapy

• Other projects which meet the intent of improving, enhancing, or strengthening Iowa’s HCBS infrastructure.

• Projects aligning with the projects described above and that have been implemented since April 1, 2021, are eligible for grant funds. Providers must include a detailed description of the project and its intended outcomes and provide a detailed budget to support the request for funds.

The department will assess the amount of proposed funding along with the number of participants the project(s) would affect. Entities may submit proposals for up to $100,000, with the knowledge they may not be funded for the entire amount. Entiteis should entertain fundraising or identify other sources of funding to supplement any funding gaps. The department will distribute grant funds to eligible providers unil the fund has been fully expended.

Funding Restrictions

All awarded funds have the following restrictions:

• Funds shall not be used for the purchase or development of multi-family units serving more than five (5) individuals, including apartments and duplexes.

• Funds shall not be used for anything other than the projects specified in the project proposal.

• Funds shall not be used to pay for administrative costs or clinical care.

• Funds shall not be used to pay for indirect costs. All costs must be related to the project proposal and be outlined and justified in the budget.

• Funds shall not be used for wages, retention, or other bonuses for staff.

• Funds shall not be used for disposable or single-use items for a single person. Projects must be for the benefit of individuals served overall (as applicable). Evaluation of the project will reflect this restriction and proposals are subject to disqualification if for a single person only unless the project or item can be transferred or used multiple times.

• If awarded only a portion of the requested funding, and the submitted proposal application indicates the project can be completed with other funding sources, the project must be fully completed by March 31, 2024. Any unspent funds shall be remitted to the department.

• Entities must maintain complete records of fund expenditures and understand that project budgets are subject to potential post-payment review or audit.

Agency providers enrolled under multiple national provider identifiers (NPIs) for eligible HCBS should list those NPIs and their corresponding tax ID number and pay-to-legacy numbers on the application. Providers should submit only one application per organization. Duplicate applications will be rejected.

Agency providers may apply for the Employee Training and Scholarship Grant funds beginning October 1, 2022. The application period will remain open until the funds allocated for this project have been expended. Providers may request grant funds by completing the online application and attestation and uploading the required documents and minority impact statement. The department will only accept complete applications which include the submission of the required documents listed below.

Proposals from entities that have multiple locations may be awarded for only one location or all locations at the department’s discretion. Entities should indicate the location(s) in their proposal application. Entities can submit proposals for multiple projects (if applicable, submit one proposal application with all projects listed).

• A brief project description and point of contact (POC).

  • Identify or name the entity submitting the application.

  • Provide a brief description and purpose of the project, in no more than five sentences.

  • Include total amount of funds requested.

  • Identify a POC for the application, including name, position/title, address, phone number, and email address.

• Entity Information

  • List the entity’s current programs and activities.

  • Provide the entity’s national provider identification (NPI) Number

  • Provide the entity’s tax identification number (TIN)

• Project Description

  • Describe the project in detail explaining how it will enhance improve or expand HCBS

  • Provide a timeline of the project, purchases or expenditures using grant funds that shows major milestones for the project

  • If the applicant will be collaborating with any other entities (e.g., individuals, organizations, associations, facilities, etc.) on the initiative, the other entities should be identified. Include any entity and whether the entity will be applying for ARPA grant funds. Explain what specific deliverables the other entity is responsible for.

• Budget

  • Describe the budget for the project, including other funding sources and allocations. Include the source of the pricing as applicable.

  • Provide a detailed line-item budget proposal using a table format outlining the specific cost requirements within each of the following budget categories:

    • Personnel/consultants

    • Travel

    • Equipment purchases and rentals

    • Training

    • Cost of project activities to be undertaken by a sub-contractor. Each subcontractor is budgeted separately.

    • Other direct costs (expenses not covered in any of the previous costs)

    • Total indirect costs

      • If the entity is purchasing goods and services that are available from multiple sources, the entity must include three competitive quotes for the cost of any equipment, construction, and labor. The quotes shall be from businesses that comply with federal, state, and local laws as required.

      • Please note budget amounts for anything prohibited by the ARPA section 9817 guidelines or federal and state rules will be disallowed.

• Sustainability Plan

  • Describe the sustainability plan for the project after grant funds awarded have been exhausted.

• Iowa Medicaid Provider Services will record receipt of the applications, project descriptions, budgets, and MIS as they are received and notify the HCBS Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) project team.

• The ARPA HCBS QIO project team will verify that the provider submitting the application had claims paid during SFY21 and are in good standing with the department by sharing the provider listings with program integrity to ensure that the providers are not:

• suspended or excluded from participation.

• suspended from receiving payments.

• under any other sanction or penalty.

• The ARPA HCBS project team will review a project and the associated budget and make a recommendation on the eligibility of the project and the amount of funds to distribute.

• During the bi-monthly award meeting, the ARPA HCBS team will review the recommendation for the award for each project and make a final determination on the eligibility and amount of the award. Providers or projects identified as not eligible will be notified by Provider Services.

• The process above will be repeated monthly until all project funds have been expended.

• Each month the ARPA HCBS project team will approve the amount of ARPA project funds to be awarded to the providers applying during the prior month.

• The ARPA HCBS project lead will identify the amount to be distributed to each provider based on the approved project and budget and send the final agency provider listing to CORE services to enable the one-time payment to the provider.

• The provider will receive the gross payment on the regularly scheduled payment date the month following the month of application and award determination.