American Rescue Plan Act Funding for Home and Community-Based Services

ARPA HCBS Update - August 2022

It’s been ten months since the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) received federal approval of our plans to boost home and community-based services (HCBS) throughout the state using funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Since then, DHS has launched nine initiatives designed to help people who are elderly or have a disability receive much-needed services that allow them to be as independent as possible.

This is the first in a series of regular updates. We’re pleased to report on our progress in leveraging the estimated $350 million in funding to improve the lives of many Wisconsinites. Here are a few key projects that have been gaining traction.

Initiative Spotlight

Grants Opportunities

More than 100,000 children and adults receive HCBS services in Wisconsin. Grant opportunities will direct new resources to alleviate some of the most pressing issues this population faces. Organizations within the HCBS Medicaid system can apply for grants starting August 11, 2022. 

Want to learn more about applying for a grant? Join us for a webinar on August 2 or August 4.

Grant funding will strengthen the HCBS system and support quality and innovation in the delivery of HCBS in Wisconsin. Potential projects will be evaluated to determine how they will benefit at least one of these groups:

• Individuals receiving HCBS
• Families of individuals receiving HCBS
• HCBS providers
• Direct care workers of HCBS providers

Direct Care Workforce (DCW) Reform and Analysis

Wisconsin’s direct caregivers are the backbone of HCBS. To gain insight on how to improve the quality and stability of this vital workforce, Wisconsin’s is participating in the National Core Indicators (NCI) Staff Stability Survey for the first time. Agencies serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities have been invited to participate. Responses were due July 31, 2022. Data on turnover, tenure, wages, benefits, and other key indicators will be included in the final 2021 report.

Next, Wisconsin HCBS agencies that serve older adults and people with physical disabilities will be invited to participate in a pilot survey focused on their direct care service workers. An informational webinar will be held on August 24, 2022, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. CT.

Independent Living Pilot

Many Wisconsin residents who don't need long-term care services or are not currently eligible for Medicaid could benefit from short-term, flexible supports to stay independent and healthy. DHS has been conducting stakeholder outreach and will soon be releasing a proposal outlining this initiative.

Medicaid HCBS Rate Reform

Our stakeholders have told us that more resources for HCBS providers are critical to sustaining the system now and into the future. In response, DHS rolled out a 5% rate increase on January 1, 2022, for qualifying home and community-based services.

Outreach supporting HCBS rate reform includes a quarterly small-group stakeholder meeting we are holding with provider associations, Family Care MCO representatives, and select others to provide status updates and gather input. These meetings started in April 2022.

Also, we are facilitating a workgroup for supportive home care/personal care providers and another workgroup for residential care providers to offer monthly forums supporting information exchange and feedback in anticipation of a fall 2022 provider survey.

Stay Connected

• Were you forwarded this email? Subscribe now to have news about Wisconsin’s ARPA HCBS initiatives, including upcoming grant opportunities, delivered directly to you.
• Visit the American Rescue Plan Act: Extra Funding for Home and Community-Based Services page for the latest news and updates. You’ll also find links to pages for specific initiatives that highlight their projects and accomplishments.
• If you have questions or would like to provide feedback on our ARPA HCBS initiatives, email us.

Please do not reply directly to this email message. For questions, email the DHS ARPA HCBS team. For more information about ARPA funding for HCBS, visit the Wisconsin Department of Health Services website.