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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNA Grant - Disability Resource connections ADRC4 {; • NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES Office of long-term Services .and Supports REQUEST FOR APPLICATION (RFA) EXPANSION OF AGING AND DISABILITY RESOURCE CONNECTIONS State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2008-2009 North Carolina. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Long-Term Services and Supports ~ axle of Contents Paae Introduction S Background 6 Scope of Services 6 Target Population ~ 8 Award Amounts ~ 13 Eligibility 9 Grant Award Period 9 Reporting 10 The procurement Process 10 Number of Copies 10 Generallnstructions 11 Application Face Sheet 15 Notification of Intent to Apply 17 Application Review Process ~ 21 Scoring 21 Project Profile-Form A 23 Project Abstract-Form B 25 Scope of Work Elements-Forms Cl-7 ~7 Budget-Form D1 37 Budget Narrative-Form D2 ~ ~ 313 Conflict of Interest-Form E 41 IRS Federal Tax Exempt Letter -Form F ~ 45 ' Certification Regarding Drug-Free Workplace Requirements-Form G 47 Disclosure of Lobbying Activities-Form H 49 Certification Regarding Lobbying-Form I 53 Notice of Certain Reporting and Audit Requirements-Form J 57 State Grant Certification of No Overdue Taxes-Form K ~ 61 Consumer Survey-Form L 63 Request for Application 67 ' Application Checklist 69 4 ' • • • 3 of 69 1 ~' •~ • - North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Office of Long-Term Services and Supports RFA# OLT5-08-01 REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS . EXPANSION OF AGING AND DISABILITY RESOURCE CONNECTIONS (ADRC~ FUNDING AGENCY: North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services ISSUE~DATE: April 15, 2008 .FUNDING AGENCY: NCDHHS Office of Long term Services and Supports Location: 906 Tate Drive Raleigh, NC 27603 ' Mail: 2001 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-2001 Applications, subject to the conditions made a part of hereof, will be received until 5:00 p.m., June 9, 2008, for furnishing services described herein. SEND ALL APPLICATIONS DIRECTLY TO THE FUNDING AGENCY ADDRESS SHOWN ABOVE. Direct all inquiries concerning this RFA to: Sabrerra Lea Location: 906 Tate Drive, Dorothea Dix Campus, Raleigh, NC 27603 Mail: 2001 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-2001 Phone: 919-855.4428 • Fax: 919.715.8399 NOTE: All prospective applicarrts are ENCOURAGED to participate in a BIDDER'S AUDIO-INFERENCE C~~LL on May 2, 2008 from 10:00-12:00 noon. The call in number is: 919A20.7945. Questions concerning the spedfications in this Request for Applications win be received unto 5.'00 p.m. April 30, 2008 by email to adre.forums@nanail.net. A summary of an questions and answers discussed during the bidder's conference can win be available on the websrte at htin://www.ncdhhs.eov/itc/ and emaned to an agenaes and organizations who received a copy of this RFA. Prospective appi'icants are asked to complete and return notice of intent to apply. (See instructions on page 17) INTRODUCTION With this Request for AppGretions (RFA), the North Carnf~ Departrnerrt of Health and Human Servkes Oifioe of longxerrn Services and Supports (NCDHHS OLTS) &rtends to identify and fund applicants that demonstrate how ADRCs wiT be devebped, implemented, and used as a vehicle m irrrplement the OLTS vision: th create a statevride, irrlegrated, person and farru1y-centered system for arose who need bog-term services and supports so that they can five and actluuey partic~abe ~ communities ofthe~ d~oice. In an effort in rrraiar'ri¢e expareron.ei~ applications that cover multiple counties are DIY encouraged ~ is the use of tedmology tD track and provide inforrnation and assistance to wristnriers. Streamfming access to services and mmimaurg the bunien fior tti ten their "stories" repeatedly do varbus derides is of paramourrt importance. The objective for th's RFA derives from the 2001 North Caronrra IrntiTute on Medidne Reoorruneridations, spedfKany; "The North Carolina OHHS should devebp a'un~orm portal of errt~(systerrr for long~errn care services ~ whictr oonfiderrtiaGty of rciforrrration is er>sixed (prioriity)." ADRCs should be the pruriary vehicle for establishing a uniform portal of entryto lor~tenn services and supports in North Carolina. . The intent of the RFA is not tD supplant exrsbrrg programs that provide iirformation and referral servbes to obey adults and indfiriduak widr disabi"filres. tt is also not the ~rterit of this RFA to devebp segregated programs. To the contrary, this RFA seeks m integrate and strerigdien relationships between e>asting providers through the esiabl~sfrmerrt aF formal nnlages, • partnerships, and referral protocols. 5 of 59 r North Cazolina Department of Health and Human Services Office of Long-Term Servipes and Supports • KGROUND in many communities, long-term support services are supported by numerous funding streams, administered by muhiple agencies, and have complex, fragmented, and often duplicative intake, assessment, and eligibility functions. Determining how to obtain services ~is difficult both for persons who qualify for publicly funded support and for those who can pay privately. A uniform, coordinated system, of information and access for all persons seeking long-term support will minimize confusion, enhance individual choice, and support informed decision making. It will also improve the ability of state and local governments to manage resources and to monitor program quality through centralized data collection and evaluation. ADRCs are a key component of an effectively managed, consumer-driven system of long-term supports and services. ADRCs will enable policy makers and program administrators to respond more effectively to individual needs, address system problems, and .limit the unnecessary use of high-cost services, including institutional services. Making information and counseling available to both public and private-pay individuals is a central element of the ADRC vision. Reaching people before they become Medicaid-eligible, ~+nd helping them to learn about low-cost options and programs such as private long-term support insurance, can help individuals make better use of their own resources and help to prevent or delay spending resources down to Medicaid eligibility levels. SCOPE OF SERVICES Target Population • This RFA is to develop ADRCs that serve, at a minimum, the aging population, and adults with disabilities. For the definition of "aging" in this solicitation, we use age 60 and above as specified in the Older Americans Act. For the definition of "disability," we use the definition from the Americans with Disabilities Act, "a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of such individual; a record of such an impairment; or being regarded as having such impairment " The ADRC will be a resource for both public and private-pay individuals. Each ADRC will serve persons who are aging, adults with disabilities, family caregivers and persons planning for future long-term support needs. The ADRC will also be a resource for health care professionals, long-term support professionals, and others who provide services to the aging population and to people with d'~sabilities. Program Features Usted below are program features which should be considered in developing the proposal to meet the intent of this RFA. The goal of ADRCs is to empower individuals to make informed choices and to streamline access to long-term services and supports. Long-term services and supports refers to a wide range of in-home, community based, and institutional services and programs that are designed to help individuals who are aging. Each ADRC in North Carolina must: • Serve as a highly visible and trusted resource where people can turn for information on the full range of long-term support options • Serve as a uniform portal of entry to public and private long-term support programs and benefits • 6 of 69 . " North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Office of Long-Term Services and Supports • Actively promote public awareness of both public and private long-term support options, as well as awareness of the ADRC, especially among underserved and hard-to-reach populations • Provide information and counseling, as needed, on all available long-term support options • Help people assess their potential eligibil"Ry for public tong-term support programs and benefits • Facilitate the process for determining program eligibility for public long-term support programs and benefits, including level of care determinations for Medicaid nursing home and HCBS waiver programs • Assist people with the Medicaid eligibility determination process (in collaboration or coordination with Medicaid eligibility determination staff) ~ Provide short-term assistance or case management to stabilize individuals needing long-term support and their families in times of immediate need before they have been connected to ongoing support (e.g., enrolled in a home and community-based waiver) • Provide information and referral about programs and benefits that can help people remain in the community, such as :(but not limited toj disease -prevention and heaRh promotion programs, transportation services, and income support programs • Help people plan for their future long-term support needs • Organize, simplify, and ensure "seamless'" access to all public long-term support programs • ADRCs may also provide on-going case management to individuals using public or private funding. The operational configuration of ADRCs will vary from geographic service area to geographic service area. In some communities, ADRC functions may be performed in a single location. However, in some . localities, ADRCs may be decentralized and have multiple sites and organizations involved in performing the information and access functions. Regardless of the configuration, the functions of the ADRC will be coordinated to ensure that all individuals are provided with accurate and timely information to streamline access to long-term services and supports. ADRCs will create formal linkages between and among the major pathways to long-term support, including preadmission screening programs for nursing home services, hospital discharge planning, physician services, and the various community agencies and organizations that serve the ADRCs target populations. These linkages will ensure that people have the information they need to make informed decisions about their support options as they pass through critical transition points in the health and long-term support system. DHHS recognizes that not all communities can immediately implement the ideal ADRC described above. However, the vision indicates the latitude of design possibilities for ADRCs and our long-range expectations. We believe implementation of the full vision can achieve success in meeting individual needs and preferences and in effectively managing public resources, while implementation of too few of the elements will limit the success of an ADRC program. While the RFA requires one agency or organization to take responsibility for submitting the application and to manage the contract and funding, it is expected that the application and subsequent implementation will involve other agencies and organizations within the community. ADRC functions cannot be administered by one agency or organization in isolation. The sum of the community agencies and organizations performing ADRC functions will be known as the "Collaborative," while individual agencies and organizations making up the Collaborative wilt be known as "Collaborative Operating Entities." • 7 7 of 69 North Carolina. Department of Health and.Human Services f> Office of Long-Term Services and Supports ADRCs will gather and manage information from individuals in a way that ensures their confidentiality, but limits repeated collection of the same infonmation throughout the various interactions with the long-term support and services system. The individual-level data will be used, in part, as the foundation of a management information system that will track client intake, needs assessment, service plans, utilization, and costs. The management information system will support on-going program analysis, planning, budgeting, quality assurance, program evaluation, and continuous improvement as • well as state and local policy development. Sustainability (Maintaining the initiative after funding ends) Funding through this grant process is time limited. Consequently, organizations must be able to develop specific strategies to help ensure long-term sustainability. Examples of such strategies include, but are not limited to, identifying a permanent, administrative "Nome" for the program, long-term funding, outcome-based evaluation, and necessary policy changes. Sustainability of this project will entail the development and execution of a provider organization's capacity to offer the option of individualized services and supports to an expanding consumer base beyond the contract period. Furthermore, successful sustainability will be evidenced by a shift in the culture of the Coilaborative~ and Collaborative Operating Entities to reflect an investment in individualized supports and services for people who are aging and adults who have disabilities. The NCoilaborative° will develop a network that serves as a learning community for each other, as well as other provider organizations in the state that wish to be engaged in the process. Award Amounts Applicants are eligible to apply for either a Mini Grant for creating or improving the infrastructure for delivering at least one of the ADRC required functions or for the Full Grant for Expansion of Aging and . Disability Resource Connections. Applicants applying for the full contract will be eligible to receive funding in a range of $50,000 to $75,000, depending on the size and scope of the project and needs as described in the applicant's budget submission. Fully funded contracts are multi-year initiatives for up to 33 months. Contractors are expected to provide a match of 596 of non-federal funding, which may be in-kind. Payment shall be made in accordance with the Contrail Documents as described in the attached Scope of Work. We currently expect to fund four (4) full contracts, subject to re-consideration upon receipt of the applications. Applicants applying for a mini grant will be eligible tb receive up to $10,000 depending on the size and scope of the project as described in the applicant's budget submission. The mini grants area 12-month initiative. Payment shall be made in accordance with the Contract Documents as described in the attached Scope of Work. We currently expect to fund up to ten (10) mini grants, subject to re- consideration upon receipt of the applications. Mini grants are not subject to a 596 match. Grant Award Period • Full Grant: October 1, 2008, through June 30, 2011 • Mini Grant: Oilober 1, 2008 through September 30, 2009 • ~~ ~J • 8 of 69 Eligibil'~ty North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Office of Long-Term Services and Supports Application is open to organizations and agencies with an interest in delivering information and assistance regarding long-term supports and services to older adults and adults with disabilities. Reporting If awarded funding, the following are required: . 1) Monthly: Reimbursement request in a format determined or approved by the OLTS by the l0ei of each month, to the contract administrator. 2) Semi-Annually: Data to support the OLTS in completing its required Semi-Annual and Annual Reports for its funding sources, the Administration on Aging and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. 3 Annual ) IY a) Submit NC State Auditors GS 143C-6-22 & 23 Grant Compliance Report. 9 9 of 69 ADRC Community Discussion Invitees- May16, 2008 10 ~ Altman, Heather Carol Woods Haltman carolwoods.or Barrett, Kate OC De t on A in Kbarrett co.oran e.nc.us Beckerdite, Tana UNC CARES beckerdi email.unc.edu Brooks, James Pro'ect Com assion James ro'ect-com assion.or Busb -Whitehead, Jan UNC Medicine Jan Busb -Whitehead med.unc.edu Colette, Sandra Chatham Co De ton Social Services Sandra.coletta ncmail.net Coston, Nanc OC De t of Social Services Ncoston co.oran e.nc.us DeLo e, Laura Carol Woods Idelo a carolwoods.or Dennison, An el Chatham Co Council on A in an el.dennison ncmail.net Giuliani, Carol UNC Ph sisal Thera carol iuliani med.unc.edu Gorle , Am MAP Consultant a orel email.unc.edu Graham, Ron Vocational Rehabilitation ` Ronald. raham ncmail.net Harve ,Gwen OC Assist. Coun M r Gharve co.oran e.nc.us Jones. Todd OC Information Technologies TionesCcDco.orange.nc.us Passmore, Jer OC De t on A in J assmore co.oran e.nc.us Passmore, Jill TJCOG -AAALTC Ombudsman Pro ram 'm assmore aol.com Pellettier. Joan TJCOG -Area Aaencv on Aaina Joellettiert~ticoa.oro Roberson, Lorene NC.Serv Deaf & HOH & ATP Lroberson Ncat .or Salmon, Ma Anne UNC CARES masalmon email.unc.edu t •