Subject:
Title
Non-Competing Grant Application with the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services for Year Three of the 2015-2018 Navigator Grant Program.
label
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval by the County Administrator of the submission of the non-competing grant application with the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for the third budget-period (2017-2018) of the Navigator Grant program.
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Strategic Plan:
Ensure Public Health, Safety, and Welfare
2.2 Be a facilitator, convener and purchaser of services for those in need
Deliver First Class Services to the Public and our Customers
5.1 Maximize partner relationships and public outreach
5.2 Be responsible stewards of the public’s resources
Summary:
If awarded third-year grant funding, the County will continue to provide navigational services to individuals and families seeking assistance with enrollment into the federal marketplace or other qualifying plans.
Background/Explanation:
In 2015, Human Services received and accepted a three-year competitive grant award (2015-2018) from CMS to support Navigators in federally-facilitated and state partnership exchanges. Human Services utilized the funds for 11 navigators (5 of which are bilingual) to provide outreach and education to thousands of citizens, and to perform navigational services for nearly five-thousand (5,000) individuals and families seeking assistance with enrollment into the federal marketplace or other qualifying plans.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 2017 Plan Selections by zip codes in the marketplace from November 1, 2016 through February 9, 2017, 66,743 individuals enrolled into a health plan in the County. This represents a 0.8% increase in enrollments over the total 2016 plan selections by zip codes in the marketplace of 66,271 individuals in the County. Florida remains one of the largest states with a high concentration of uninsured individuals.
Under the new multi-year funding structure, the 36-month project period is funded in 12-month increments known as budget periods. As outlined in the 2015 Navigator FOA, grantees will be required to submit a non-competing continuation application every 12 months for continued funding of their award during the 36-month period. The County was awarded second year funding in the amount of $580,000.00 and for the third year, the County was notified that $580,000 in the state of Florida is available for the County during the third budget period.
With third year funding, Navigators will continue assisting clients with (re)enrollment, outreach and education services in the community. By assisting residents in the enrollment process, the County is pro-actively working to reduce the number of uninsured residents, creating a healthier community and providing more access to care.
Fiscal Impact:
The grant application for year three federal funding is for $580,000.00. No County match is required.
Delegated Authority:
Authority for the County Administrator to approve this grant application is granted under Code Section 2-62 (a)(4).
Staff Member Responsible:
Lourdes Benedict, Director, Human Services
Partners:
County Libraries
Neighborhood Community Centers
Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County
Attachments:
Letter from CMS for Y3 Funding
Intent to Apply Approval
SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance
2017-2018 Project Abstract Summary
2017-2018 Key Personnel
2017 Conflict of Interest Policy
2017-2018 Privacy and Security Policy