Application for EQUAL Funding for ACFs Now Available

The Department of Health (DOH) has just released the application for funding for the Enhancing the Quality of Adult Living (EQUAL) Program. The funding is available to any adult care facility (ACF) that serves residents in receipt of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and/or Safety Net benefits (SN), per their 2014 census. Each eligible applicant will receive a per person amount based on the number of SSI and Safety Net residents reported on their 2014 census. An additional funding allotment will be provided to facilities with a capacity of 100 beds or less. The EQUAL application is now electronic, and is posted on the Health Commerce System (HCS). Applications must be electronically submitted by 5:00 pm on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2015. Hard copies and late applications will not be accepted.

The Dear Administrator letter (DAL) contains detailed information about how to find the application, as well as important details about the EQUAL program itself. It is important to note that a facility must be in compliance with other DOH requirements in order to be eligible—such as the completion of reports required by DOH. Please also review the document, "Conditions for Particpation in the EQUAL Program," which delienates specific requirements, acceptable expenditures, and provides necesssary forms and attestations. Both the DAL and the Conditions for Participation documents should be reviewed carefully.

EQUAL funding is for the purpose of providing quality care and services to eligible residents to better meet resident needs and improve the physical environment of a facility. Resident council approval for the proposed EQUAL expenditure plan is required. DOH recommends that the council adopt a process that can identify the priorities of facility residents for the use of the program funds. The top preferences of the residents’ should be documented in a manner consistent with a vote or survey. The proposed spending plan should detail how the program funds will be used to improve the quality of care and services rendered to the resident or the physical environment of the facility. Funds will not be awarded to subsidize daily operational expenses such as staffing or utilities.

Facility operators who do not have an established Statewide Financial System (SFS) account will need to register by completing the “New York State Office of the State Comptroller Substitute Form W-9: Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification.” Refer to the DAL for additional instructions. It is recommended that you submit this form as soon as possible, to ensure adequate time for processing.

Questions regarding the EQUAL Program should be directed to DOH's Nancy Nowakowski or Dorothy Persico at (518) 408-1133, or by e-mail at equal@health.ny.gov.

Contact: Diane Darbyshire, ddarbyshire@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8828