|
The Office of Community Living (OCL) within the Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF) has the following information to share below:
Announcements:
- Recruiting Digital Literacy Coaches and Member Learners
- Money Follows the Person (MFP) Demonstration Announcement
- Organized Health Care Delivery System (OHCDS) and Home Modifications for Supported Living Services (SLS) and Children’s Extensive Supports (CES) Waivers
- Announcing the launch of the Direct Care Workers Satisfaction and Engagement Survey!
- REMINDER: Apply for an ARPA 7.02 Member Emergency Preparedness Surviving in Place Battery Backup Power Supply System
Memos:
- Case Management Agency Caseload Requirements
- Long-Term Tier 3 Day Habilitation Services
ARPA-Related Meetings:
- REMINDER: Listening Sessions for Health First Colorado Members and Family Members Impacted by the Criminal Justice System
OCL Stakeholder Meeting Recordings:
- Have you missed a Meeting of Interest to You?
| |
|
Recruiting Digital Literacy Coaches and Member Learners
ARPA Project 6.05 - Member Tech Literacy
Project Summary
Like HCBS providers, many HCBS-enrolled members could benefit from greater use of electronic systems. Every day we are all expected to adopt new technologies that improve our lives and help us to access the things we need, including our health care. This includes accessing doctor's portals, utilizing email and text messaging reminder systems for appointments, or receiving services through expanding tele-health and tele-medicine options.
Under this project, HCPF has contracted with the Center for Inclusive Design and Engineering (CIDE) to understand the technology literacy landscape for members served through Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) and identify best practices for effective instruction in achieving desired outcomes including increased digital literacy and use among LTSS members. The outcome of this work is the development of a Digital Literacy Program aimed at improving the digital literacy skills of Health First Colorado members so they may better access online health information and services. This training program is designed for guided facilitation from trained Digital Literacy Coaches.
Examples of topics covered include:
- Understanding Security Risks
- Navigating to Digital Health Resources
- Utilizing Website Portals
- Troubleshooting Your iPad
All participants in this program (coaches and learners) will receive an Apple iPad to utilize for the entirety of the pilot. The device will be theirs to keep once the program has been completed.
We are excited to announce that we are actively recruiting Digital Literacy Coaches and the members they work or live with to participate in this pilot.
Who is Eligible
Active HCBS Members and their coaches (providers, advocates, family, friends) with broadband (high speed) internet access.
If you do not have broadband access and would like more information about how you may be able to obtain it, visit the Governor's Office of Information Technology's Broadband Office.
The Role of the Digital Literacy Coach
The roles and responsibilities of a Digital Literacy Coach include facilitating and guiding your training participants through the courses of the digital literacy curriculum successfully. It is essential for Digital Literacy Coaches to harness a person-centered mindset when coaching their participants. What we mean by person-centered mindset is valuing the importance of providing a tailored learning experience based on your participants preferred learning styles, abilities, and prior knowledge.
For information about Digital Literacy Coach Requirements, including time commitment, required skills, the Coach On-Boarding process, and a schedule of training sessions, see the ARPA 6.05 portion of the ARPA Grants webpage.
Member (Learner) Commitment
- Coaches will be responsible for coordinating with learners, including determining what days and times of the week work best for digital literacy coaching.
- Coaches must have access to learners already interested in participating in the program.
- Before they come to the first training session, coaches should have already talked to potential participants and described the main points of the curriculum to learners, including information like:
- Coaches and members (learners) will meet twice a week
- Courses may discuss topics such as: how to use an iPad; how to be safe online; how to send an email; how an iPad can be used to support access to health care
| |
Money Follows the Person (MFP) Demonstration Announcement
HCPF is excited to announce the award of a $43 million Money Follows the Person (MFP) demonstration grant by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). MFP is a federal grant program that creates a path to community-living for people living in Medicaid Long-Term Care (LTC) facilities.
This award represents a culmination of efforts that include the state’s former MFP demonstration, Colorado Choice Transitions (CCT), and the implementation of permanent Transition Services resulting from House Bill 18-1326 in January 2019. In collaboration with local, state and federal partners, HCPF will implement the new MFP demonstration to expand services and supports available to people who wish to live in the community.
On March 31, 2022, CMS announced changes to the MFP guidelines that included new Supplemental Services to offer support that is not traditionally covered by Medicaid. MFP Supplemental Services will enhance the core components of Colorado’s Transition Services: options counseling, transition coordination, and housing resources. The new services will provide eligible Colorado residents with short-term rental assistance, short-term food assistance, pre-tenancy support, peer mentorship, and environmental adaptations that provide modifications to a home environment while the person resides in a facility.
HCPF is finalizing policy requirements to move implementation forward and will be developing training and communications to provide operational guidance prior to implementation, targeting Fiscal Year 2024-25. There will be ongoing discussion to support implementation at the public Transitions Stakeholder Advisory Council (TSAC) scheduled on the first Thursday of each month.
For more information, please see the CMS announcement.
If you have questions about this announcement or wish to be included in the TSAC meetings, please contact Matt Bohanan.
- - - -
| |
|
Organized Health Care Delivery System (OHCDS) and Home Modifications for Supported Living Services (SLS) and Children’s Extensive Supports (CES) Waivers
This is a reminder to all Case Management Agencies (CMAs) that there are upcoming changes to Home Modifications that are using OHCDS as a delivery model.
- Effected Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023, OHCDS will no longer have the Home Modification benefit as a delivery model.
- This will be for all Home Modification projects regardless of cost.
- Any projects using OHCDS as the delivery model will need to have billing completed by Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023.
-
If any CMA has a non-Medicaid contractor that may be interested in becoming a Medicaid contractor, please reach out to Emily Walsh.
- - - -
| |
Announcing the Launch of the Direct Care Workers Satisfaction and Engagement Survey!
We want to hear from the direct care workforce to understand their satisfaction with wages, compensation, benefits, career advancement, training, and job fulfillment.
The survey cycle begins Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, and will remain open for at least 30 days. This year’s survey questions incorporate feedback from the first survey. All data collected is confidential. The data collected will be used to support workforce initiatives and provide data for future analysis, budget projections, policy planning, stakeholder engagement, and improve quality assurances.
The survey will be available by email and survey link. If you are a direct care worker and want to take part, please contact email hcpf_dcworkforce@state.co.us to request a link.
- - - -
| |
|
REMINDER: Apply for an ARPA 7.02 Member Emergency Preparedness Surviving in Place Battery Backup Power Supply Systems
HCPF has recognized the importance of being prepared for a power outage emergency for people who use life-sustaining medical devices. With funding made available through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and in collaboration with The Center for Inclusive Design and Engineering (CIDE), we will be distributing Battery Backup Power Supply Systems to eligible Health First Colorado members, assisting them in having the necessary equipment to be better prepared and in maintaining their health, safety and independence.
If you are interested in getting a Backup Power Supply System, please complete the application. Once received, the application will be reviewed, information verified, and a determination made if the applicant qualifies. There is a limited supply and a final decision will be made on eligibility and the availability of devices. All applicants will be notified of their results within two months of receipt of the application. All questions should be directed to Julia Beems at 303-315-1284 or julia.beems@ucdenver.edu.
For more information about the project visit the Surviving in Place webpage.
|  | These memos, and other memos of interest, are on HCPF's 2023 Memo Series Communication webpage. | |
-
Informational Memo - Long-Term Tier 3 Day Habilitation Services (Oct. 5, 2023): The purpose of this Operational Memo is to provide updated information to Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Day Habilitation provider agencies, Case Management Agencies (CMAs), HCBS waiver members, and stakeholders on one-on-one (1:1), Tier 3 Day Habilitation services. Day Habilitation services includes both Specialized Habilitation (SH) and Supported Community Connections (SCC) services. This memorandum impacts the HCBS Developmental Disabilities (HCBS-DD) and Supported Living Services (HCBS-SLS) waivers.
|  | Please find an ARPA-related meeting announcement listed below. Other ARPA-related meeting information is on the ARPA Stakeholder Engagement and Calendar webpage. | |
REMINDER: Listening Sessions for Health First Colorado Members and Family Members Impacted by the Criminal Justice System
HCPF is hosting a series of listening sessions for Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program) members and family members who are impacted by the criminal justice system. HCPF staff want to hear feedback, suggestions, and member experiences to help identify gaps in services and needs of this community. HCPF staff will ask questions about members’ experiences enrolling in Health First Colorado and using Health First Colorado benefits.
Virtual and in-person sessions are available. You are welcome to join as many sessions as you want. Anonymous feedback can be provided through online surveys available in English and Spanish.
Virtual Sessions
Register here for any of the one-hour virtual sessions:
- Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023, at 9 a.m. MT
- Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023, at 9 a.m. MT
- Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023, at 9 a.m. MT
In-Person Sessions
Register here for any of the in-person sessions listed below:
Colorado Springs:
Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. MT
Penrose Aspen Room at Penrose Library
20 N. Cascade Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Limon:
Monday, Oct. 16, 2023, 12 to 1 p.m. MT
Limon Community Center South Room
477 D Ave, Limon, CO 80828
Evergreen:
Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023, 2 to 3 p.m. MT
ECHO
27888 Meadow Drive, Evergreen, CO 80439
Commerce City:
Friday, Oct. 27, 2023, 9 to 10 a.m. MT
Salud Family Health
6255 Quebec Parkway, Commerce City, CO 80022
Durango:
Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023, 10 to 11 a.m. MT
Ft. Lewis College Center for Innovation
Suite 225 (Main Mall, Second Floor)
835 Main Avenue, Durango, CO 81301
Alamosa:
Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, 10 to 11 a.m. MT
Adelante Family Resource Center
600 Hunt Ave, Alamosa, CO 81101
Accommodation Requests for the Above Meetings
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 Hannah Hall at hannah.hall@state.co.us or the Civil Rights Coordinator at hcpf504ada@state.co.us at least one week prior to the meeting to make arrangements.
|  | OCL Stakeholder Meeting Recordings | Have You Missed a Meeting of Interest to You? | |
|
Need to Make an Accommodation Request for One of Our General OCL or ARPA-Related Stakeholder Meetings?
Reasonable accommodations for all OCL- and ARPA-related stakeholder meetings 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.
📅 General OCL Meetings are on the OCL Stakeholder Engagement and Calendar.
📅 ARPA-Related Meetings are on the ARPA Stakeholder Engagement and Calendar.
| |
|
Signing up for OCL and HCPF Communications
If you are not currently on the communications list receiving these emails,
you can sign up here.
See a list of all HCPF newsletters you can subscribe to.
| |
|
Looking for Prior OCL Communications?
Do you know about the OCL LTSS newsletter archive? On this page, you can:
- Search OCL newsletters back to January 2021
- Subscribe to the newsletter
- Keep track of OCL announcements, meeting reminders, and memos
| | | | |
