This month we will be providing updates on several projects in the category of Support Post-COVID Recovery & HCBS Innovation. The pandemic had a startling, disproportionate impact on individuals residing in congregate care settings. While ARPA funding may not be used for nursing facilities, it may be used to transform community-based residential care settings.

Reimagining Colorado’s residential settings is required to support member health, safety, and overall well-being, as well as to create the long-term care system of the future. This future system ideally supports choice, offers the continuum of care, and is provided in the member’s home or community of choice.

Drawing on these foundational goals, we have updates on multiple projects in this category this month for you to learn about. We have a profile of a member who participated in the innovative and exciting CAPABLE pilot. We also have an update on the Respite Care Grant, 3 new completed projects, and information about upcoming Emergency Preparedness trainings.

We hope you enjoy!

~ The ARPA Team

CAPABLE:

Transforming Lives Through Community Support

A Member Profile

Launched in January of 2022, 4.05 Pilot CAPABLE (Community Aging in Place - Advancing Better Living for Elders), is a groundbreaking program developed at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing with the goal of improving health, independence, and safety through an innovative model of support.

CAPABLE operates on a participant-driven model, placing individuals at the center of their care journey. This approach has proven to improve health outcomes while reducing costs. Participants receive 4-5 months of in-home support from a dedicated team, including an occupational therapist, registered nurse, handy worker, and primary care team. This collaboration ensures personalized care tailored to each participant's unique needs.

To shed light on the impact of CAPABLE, we spoke with Sarah Gaylord, a CAPABLE participant and Healthfirst Colorado member. Sarah shared her experience with us:

Why did you enroll in the CAPABLE program?

"I enrolled because I heard of it through TRE (The Resource Exchange) + Independence Center."

What surprised you most about the program?

"I was highly impressed by how everyone in the program was dedicated to helping people out. Some program people are only there for a paycheck, and you can tell."

What was your favorite part about the program?

"It’s probably the experience of meeting everyone and working with everyone. KT the handyman is just a blast!"

Is there anything that you will be incorporating into your daily life as a result of the program?

"Because they helped make the dryer ADA compliant, I’m at least able to get stuff out of the dryer. The ramp (installed with the program) makes it easier to get into the backyard."

What made the CAPABLE program unique?

"I think a lot of it had to do with the people who were working for it. They were definitely working for the system rather than meet the status quo. They were able to customize the needs that I had rather than going off a sheet of paper as a protocol."

Would you recommend the program to others?

"Yes - and I have!"

CAPABLE is more than just a program; it's a testament to the power of community support and personalized care. Together, let's continue to uplift and empower older adults and those living with a disability, ensuring that everyone can age with dignity and independence.

If you are interested in learning more about CAPABLE, visit Colorado Visiting Nurse Association or Brothers Redevelopment, Inc. Ongoing enrollments may be limited based on the organization’s funding available for these programs.

Enhancing Respite Care Access in Colorado

We're thrilled to share the successes of the recent ARPA 4.08 Respite Care Grant initiative, aimed at improving access to respite services for caregivers and families across Colorado. This grant, spanning from December 2022 to December 2023, has made significant strides in expanding support networks for those in need.

Grant Purpose and Achievements:

The grant's primary goal was to enhance respite services, ensuring that 75% of the funding directly benefited Health First Colorado members. Over the course of the project, 12 grantees were awarded a total of $1,146,887, facilitating the expansion of respite care services across various counties in the state.

Project Highlights:

The impact of these grants has been substantial. With over 1,200 caregivers benefiting from the program, families in five counties have seen a tangible improvement in their respite care options. The funds have been instrumental in expanding services to new populations, sustaining existing programs, and increasing respite hours for current participants.

Reminder:

Training Fund Grants Open for Individual Direct Care Workers and HCBS Providers 

HCPF is offering short-term grant funding to incentivize and expand training opportunities for the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) workforce. The grants will fund higher-level skills that will promote greater retention within the HCBS workforce. The maximum award amount per application for direct care workers is $500 and for HCBS providers is $100,000.

Eligible applicants include:

• Individual, age 18 or older, who is currently working in a direct care role within any of Colorado’s Home & Community-Based Service (HCBS) Waivers; or
• Individual, age 18 or older, who desires training to enter direct care within Colorado’s HCBS Waiver workforce; or
• Also included within this workforce, are Certified Nurse Aides and Home Health Aides within Long-Term Home Health; or
• Currently enrolled Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver providers; and
• Training vendor/provider that develops/delivers training/specialization for the HCBS workforce. 

Interested in learning more about how this grant could support higher-level skills for the HCBS workforce?

Visit the grant program information page to get more details and apply.

Individual grant applications are open now and the next round of provider grant applications opens April 1!

Questions? Email us at hcpf_dcworkforce@state.co.us .

We are excited to share that 3 new projects have formally completed!

Project summaries, key activities and achievements, outcomes, and relevant materials (when applicable) can be found on the project pages linked below.

• 6.02 - Specialty Search in Provider Specialty Tool
• 8.05 - Pay for Performance for Home Health & HCBS 
• 8.09 - Waiver Quality Expansion

❌ CANCELED: Community First Choice (CFC) April 3, 2024, Meeting

The CFC team has decided to cancel the CFC Council Meeting scheduled for 10 to 11:30 a.m. MT on Wednesday, April 3, 2024. We apologize for the short notice of this cancellation. The next several weeks are extremely busy for HCPF and, as we have no updates for CFC, we think it sensible to cancel the April 3 meeting.

We will hold the regularly scheduled CFC Council Meeting on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at 10 a.m. MT. The May meeting information can be found on the ARPA Stakeholder Engagement Calendar.

We look forward to seeing you in May! Thank you!

We welcome any stakeholder questions at the CFC email inbox.

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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.