ARPA Project Pulse Newsletter | |
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We are now two full years into our ARPA HCBS implementation, and we want to take this opportunity to reflect on some of the significant achievements we have accomplished together. We sincerely appreciate your ongoing contribution and guidance. The work we do relies heavily on stakeholder involvement for its success.
Looking ahead to 2024, our main focus will be finalizing the execution of our projects and smoothly closing them out. All the allocated funds must be used by the end of March 2025. This is an exciting phase, but it also entails a lot of work to ensure the completion of the remaining 60 projects. We eagerly anticipate working closely with all of you to achieve this goal.
As we all take this time to reflect on the past year and plan for the next, we hope that you have a restful end to 2023 and are excited about what’s to come in 2024 as we continue to be a leader in Colorado in home and community-based services.
~ The ARPA Team
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Looking Back
A Retrospective of ARPA in Numbers
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2
ARPA Projects Completed
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40
HCPF Staff Project Leads
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1,348
Total Attendance at ARPA Webinars
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88,142
Pageviews on the ARPA Webpages
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1,385
Subscribers to This Newsletter
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202
Project-specific Stakeholder Meetings
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8,508
Stakeholder Attendance at Project-specific Meetings
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21
Grant Request for Proposals Posted
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16
Projects Awarding Grants
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👀
Direct Care Workforce (DCW) Appreciation in the Community
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HCPF and the Direct Care Workforce Unit are thrilled to announce the work done under ARPA project 1.07 - Public Awareness Campaign, which is now rolling out across the state! Keep your eyes peeled on busses, on television, social media and more for important messages about the tremendous value and critical need that the direct care workforce fills.
For more information about the ongoing work in this area, including ways to get involved, visit the Direct Care Workforce Spotlight webpage.
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Colorado Recognized by the White House for ARPA HCBS Achievements
On December 11, 2023, Vice President Harris announced that American Rescue Plan investments in home and community-based care services for millions of seniors and Americans with disabilities reached about $37 billion across all 50 states. Governor Jared Polis along with other national leaders gathered to celebrate the achievements thus far made possible by this historic funding.
Read more about the convening here.
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Open Grants Requesting Applications:
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NEW 4.07 Complex Needs Service Enhancement System of Care Grant
- Specific types of home and community-based services (HCBS) residential providers may apply for funds for projects that will enable agencies to better serve individuals with complex behavioral and/or medical support needs that require intensive supports and interventions, to include materials, home modifications, use of a consultant, and/or equipment that are not already billable to Medicaid. These funds are not for the purpose of directly providing ongoing services.
- 1.05 Training Fund - Provider Grant
- Provides training opportunities and incentives for direct care workers to gain higher-level skills that would promote greater retention within the HCBS workforce.
- 1.05 Training Fund - Individual Grant
- Provides training opportunities and incentives for direct care workers to gain higher-level skills that would promote greater retention within the HCBS workforce.
- 4.03 Child/Youth Step-Down Options Program and Provider Recruitment - QRTP Track - Phase 2
- This funding will support the expansion of Qualified Residential Treatment Program (QRTP) service capacity by addressing operational needs identified by QRTP providers. Through this funding opportunity, QRTP providers may apply for funds by selecting from a menu of project ideas that best suit their needs. Project categories and examples include:
- Facility repairs—windows, walls, doors, etc.
- Trauma-informed space upgrades—noise reduction, reducing visual complexity (distracting wall or floor patterns), adequate and responsive lighting, soothing color schemes, clear/consistent signage
- Culturally and linguistically appropriate space upgrades—print and multimedia materials and signage in languages commonly used by those in the populations they serve
- Training—additional training for staff not otherwise covered
- Facility physical safety improvements/enhancements—keypad/key card entry systems, door closers, security camera systems
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Upcoming ARPA Stakeholder Engagement | |
To see all the meetings listed below on a calendar or to find meeting materials and recordings from previous ARPA-related Stakeholder Engagement, visit the ARPA Stakeholder Engagement webpage. | |
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Community First Choice (CFC) Council Meeting
The Community First Choice (CFC) Council is in place to collaborate with and advise the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) on the design and implementation of a CFC option in Colorado. Primarily made up of people with disabilities, those 65 years or older, and their representatives, the council’s experience and expertise will help ensure that CFC is implemented in a way that best meets the needs of Coloradoans with disabilities.
Agendas, presentations, and other related materials for council meetings can be found on the CFC Stakeholder Opportunities webpage.
For more information, contact the CFC team at HCPF_CFC@state.co.us.
The meeting will be held:
Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024
10 to 11:30 a.m. MT
Join via Google Meet
Join via Phone:
260-230-1249, PIN: 719 313 221#
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Direct Care Workforce Collaborative (DCWC) Training & Career
Advancement Action Group
This Action Group works collaboratively with stakeholders to identify and move forward strategies to support the recruitment and retention of Colorado's direct care workforce. This group intends to meet every other month on the first Friday of the month from 9 to 10 a.m. MT. For more information, please see the Direct Care Workforce Collaborative webpage, or email HCPF_DCWorkforce@state.co.us.
The meeting will be held:
Friday, Jan. 5, 2024
9 to 10 a.m. MT
Join via Zoom
Join via Phone:
(Toll-free) 877-853-5257
Meeting ID: 969 4053 6000, Passcode: 115140
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NEW: ARPA 1.05 Provider Informational Webinar Series
These webinars will provide information to prospective applicants about the ARPA 1.05 Provider Grant. The intention of this grant is to provide more training opportunities and incentives for workers to gain higher-level skills that would promote greater retention within the HCBS workforce. This webinar will review the grant eligibility and application process. All interested stakeholders are welcome.
More information will be posted on the ARPA 1.05 webpage. If you have any questions, email HCPF_DCWorkforce@state.co.us.
The webinars will be held:
Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, 9 to 10 a.m. MT
Thursday, March 7, 2024, 1 to 2 p.m. MT
Tuesday, May 7, 2024, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. MT
Access information is the same for all three webinars:
Join via Zoom
Join via Phone:
(Toll-free) 877-853-5257
Meeting ID: 993 1700 7314, Passcode: 396389
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4.07 Complex Needs Service Enhancement System of Care Grant Question & Answer Session
Please join us for a Question & Answer Session regarding an exciting new grant opportunity. The Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF) received funding through Section 9817 of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to build systems of care and support that recognize and leverage the needs and capabilities of various populations.
This grant will focus on expanding, enhancing, and strengthening the capacity of existing service providers to serve individuals receiving home and community-based (HCBS) waiver services in a residential setting with disabilities and complex behavior support needs. HCPF has allocated $500,000 to this grant program for up to 100 awardees that may receive between $5,000 and $50,000 in funding.
All interested stakeholders are welcome.
The meeting will be held:
Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024
3 to 4 p.m. MT
Join via Zoom
Join via Phone:
(Toll-free) 833-928-4609
Meeting ID: 893 0031 3658, Passcode: 048428
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Direct Care Workforce Collaborative (DCWC) Compensation and Benefits Action Group
This Action Group works collaboratively with stakeholders to identify and move forward strategies to support the recruitment and retention of Colorado's direct care workforce.
HCPF has retained the services of Health Management Associates (HMA) to better understand the current landscape for home and community-based services (HCBS) providers, with a focus on rural and inner-city communities. As part of this work, HMA is engaging internal and external stakeholders to better understand current rates, reimbursement methodologies, and the impact of these on care deserts. HMA will be attending this meeting to discuss this project with interested stakeholders. Please reach out to HCPF_DCWorkforce@state.co.us for any questions.
The meeting will be held:
Friday, Jan. 19, 2024
10 to 11 a.m. MT
Join via Zoom
Join via Phone:
(Toll-free) 1-877-853-5257
Meeting ID: 993 1700 7314, Passcode: 396389
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Direct Care Workforce Collaborative (DCWC) Value and Awareness Action Group
This Action Group works collaboratively with stakeholders to identify and move forward strategies to support the recruitment and retention of Colorado's direct care workforce.
The meeting will be held:
Friday, Jan. 26, 2024
1 to 2 p.m. MT
Join via Zoom
Join via Phone:
(Toll-free) 1-877-853-5257
Meeting ID: 969 40536000, Passcode: 115140
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Reasonable accommodations will be provided upon request for persons with disabilities. Auxiliary aids and services for individuals with disabilities and language services for individuals whose first language is not English may be provided upon request. Please notify John Barry at 303-866-3173 or John.R.Barry@state.co.us or the 504/ADA Coordinator at hcpf504ada@state.co.us at least one week prior to the meeting to make arrangements. | |
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