Application Process
HHAs and AAs organizations interested in requesting the time-limited, one-time funding must complete the online application by using the link below. One application per organization will be accepted. DSS will review applications.
To be considered for award payments in October 2024, Applications must be received no later than August 29, 2024, 11:59 pm. Please note, timely submission of the application is one part of the award request process. Organizations will be asked to complete and submit Cost Reports and Attestations. The completed Cost Report and Attestation must be received no later than September 25, 2024, 11:59 pm. Applications and/or Cost Reports & Attestations received after the specified time will be considered for Round 2, subject to availability of remaining funds.
Important Forms:
Please read all information carefully, before applying.
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) 9817, One-time In-Home Safety Enhancement Funding for Medicaid funded Home Health Agency Providers and Access Agencies.
Attention: Medicaid Home Health Agency Providers and Access Agencies,
Pursuant to Public Act 24-19, Section 2 (b),(c), home health care agencies and home health aide agencies, except any such agency that is licensed as a hospice organization by the Department of Public Health (“DPH”) pursuant to Section 19a-122b of the Connecticut General Statues and Section 4 (a),(b), in accordance with the provisions in Section 11-4a of the Connecticut General Statutes, that receive reimbursement for services rendered under the Connecticut medical assistance program, as defined in Section 17b-245g of the Connecticut General Statutes, must adopt and implement health and safety training curriculum pursuant to Public Act 24-19 Section 2(a)(1), or, at the Commissioner’s discretion, an alternative workplace safety training program. To the extent authorized herein, the Department of Social Services (“DSS”) agrees to make available one-time only American Rescue Plan (“ARP”) Section 9817 funding to support in-home safety for home health agency and access agency workers in accordance with this In-home safety funding (“IHSF) Agreement (“Agreement”). Funds shall be fully expended by June 30,2025. A one-time payment will be awarded per organization.
The American Rescue Plan Act Section 9817, Strengthening and Investing in Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) for Medicaid Beneficiaries, in conjunction with Public Act 24-19 concerning the health and safety of Connecticut residents, along with the Department of Social Services (“DSS”) will offer one-time payments for home health agencies to help support in-home health and access agency worker safety.
The Application must be completed and returned no later than August 29, 2024, 11:59 pm.
One application per organization will be accepted. You must include all Federal and State Tax ID numbers, all Unique Entity ID’s (UEI), all National Provider Identifiers (NPI) and all Automated Voice Response System (AVRS) ID numbers associated with all the members you serve on one application. You will receive one award that will include all members served under your organization. Multiple or duplicate applications from an organization will be disregarded. Ensure all information is accurate prior to submitting your application. Once an application is submitted, it cannot be altered or modified. Funds may not be used for prior purchases. Funds will cover allowable items purchased from October 1, 2024 through June 30,2025.
The Home Health and Access Agencies are eligible for this payment only if they comply with all applicable state and federal laws, regulations, and guidance, including that the Home Health Agency and/or Access Agency must document in a cost report their proposed budget plan and end of activities actuals report. All expenditures must align with the following workforce supports, as approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (“CMS”), provide invoices, receipts and actuals report on the funds spent. In addition, the funding is time limited and must be used by June 30, 2025.
Approvable items include: (1) Training: self-defense, situational awareness, de-escalation, increased safety awareness; (2) Emergency Response Buttons/devices; (3) Non-Medicaid funded “buddy” or “escort”; (4) GPS devices and tracking devices, including the home based tracking system; (5) Electronic Health record risk factor/risk score; (6) Hire a safety consultant: Conduct safety evaluation across processes; provide results and recommendations; (7) Pay for a dedicated phone line for people to call in, if they are distressed out in the field.
Each organization must complete and track all expenditures from the one-time funding and submit their cost report and actuals for the DSS In-Home Safety Enhancement Funding payment received using the attached cost report form. The Home Health Agency and Access Agency must submit and maintain all supporting documentation, including invoices and payments that informed their projected budget and actuals report. The completed budget report and actuals, with supporting documentation and unused funds will be due to DSS no later than August 15, 2025. Any unused funds based on your actuals report, must be returned to the Department of Social Services. All funds used are subject to a Federal Audit.
If you have any questions, please contact the Department by emailing Inhomesafety.dss@ct.gov.