DOH Releases RFA for $7.5M in Community-Based Organization Consortium Planning Grants

The Department of Health (DOH) has released a Request For Applications (RFA) to support the engagement of Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) with Performing Provider Systems (PPSs) in conducting projects under the State’s Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment (DSRIP) program. The RFA recognizes that CBOs can assist PPSs in addressing the social determinants of health for Medicaid beneficiaries and support reductions in avoidable hospital use. Among the CBO services that can help to achieve desired DSRIP outcomes are: housing, nutrition, transportation, language access services, and legal assistance. Grants are intended to support organizations that do not bill Medicaid for their services. The application is available through the Grants Gateway here.

Awards will be issued to a consortium of CBOs in each of three regions: New York City, Long Island and Mid-Hudson, and Rest of State. A minimum of $2.5M is allocated, and up to $7.5M may be available, to support this initiative. The anticipated contract term is Dec. 1, 2016 through Nov. 30, 2017. Each of the three regional grantees will be eligible for up to $2.5M.

Each application must be submitted by a “Consortium Lead” that must:

be a not-for-profit 501(c)3, non-Medicaid billing health organization that currently provides comprehensive health services to the targeted population, community-based social and human service organizations. For example: housing, social services, religious or faith based organizations, food banks, etc.

In other words, Medicaid providers are not eligible to serve as Consortium Leads. However, senior services organizations that do not bill Medicaid would appear to be eligible.

In addition, the Consortium Lead and its members should have:

Annual operating budgets of LESS than $5M;
Endorsement by the PPSs in the region in which they are located;
Engagement or participation in PPS projects or in PPS committees;
Three years of experience in:
Working with the targeted population; or
Past regional collaboration on other social determinants or health care projects or programs;

Applicants may not include: health care providers or provider associations; research centers; or academic institutions that are part of hospitals or health systems.

These funds may be used for costs associated with:

Subcontracted consultant(s), including consultant fees incurred in formulating the successful application;
Staff for consortium planning activities;
Administration to organize the consortium;
Professional fees (financial and legal);
Data analysis and other activities to support planning;
Technical assistance/training;
Meetings;
Equipment and supplies; and
Engagement activities with the PPS.

These funds may NOT be or be used for:

Capital and construction costs;
Workforce development; or
Existing activities that are part of the CBOs’ program and service model.

Each applicant must identify and retain a consultant, who will not only help the CBO Consortium Lead to develop the application for this funding, but will also develop and implement the planning activities once an award is made.

Letters of interest are encouraged but not required. They should be submitted via the Grants Gateway in the Pre-Submission Uploads section of the online application. A copy should also be emailed to DOH here. Please ensure that the RFA number is noted in the subject line and that letters are submitted by July 8th.

An applicant conference call will be held on June 8th at 12 p.m. Potential applicants should register for this conference by sending an e-mail to DOH here; in order to ensure that adequate phone lines are available. A maximum number of two representatives from each prospective applicant will be permitted to dial into the applicant conference from separate phones.

The following are key dates and deadlines:

Applicant Conference Call Registration Deadline: June 2, 2016 by 4 p.m.
Applicant Conference Call June 8, 2016 at 12 p.m. (Dial 518-549-0500, then press the Profile ID: 40913670, then # to participate in this call.)
Questions Due: June 17, 2016 to OHIPContracts@health.ny.gov
Questions, Answers and Updates Posted (on or about): June 30, 2016
Letter of Interest/Intent Due: July 8, 2016
Applications Due: August 16, 2016 by 4 p.m.

Contact: Karen Lipson, klipson@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8383 ext. 124.