Wednesday, February 5, 2025
2/5/2025
Project Title: Succeeding Together: Virginia's Coordinated Approach to Supporting Successful Re-Entry for Medicaid/CHIP Members Organization Name: Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services Goals: Comply with Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 (CAA2023) Section 5121 Youth Re-Entry Requirements; Engage Effectively and Consistently with Key Stakeholders; and Lay Groundwork for Continued Movement on Continuity of Care Budget total: $4,995,157 Description of use of funds: Virginia’s Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) is the single state agency responsible for administration of Virginia’s Medicaid and CHIP (known in Virginia as “FAMIS”) programs. New Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 (CAA2023) requirements will help to ensure that much-needed services are delivered to a key vulnerable Medicaid/CHIP population, but barriers to its implementation remain. As Virginia confronts the herculean task of standing up certain Medicaid/CHIP services to eligible juveniles under CAA2023 Section 5121, Federal Planning Grant funds will enable it to bring core state and local agency, as well as private sector partners to the table, and design and document its compliance with new measures in a manner tailored to its highly specific needs. Virginia will leverage its existing partnerships with key state agencies, including the Department of Social Services, Department of Juvenile Justice, and Department of Corrections. It will collaborate with its Managed Care entities, local/regional jails, and existing provider networks to ensure services under Section 5121 are provided in a way that meets the needs of Virginia’s incarcerated youth as well as federal requirements. Virginia will use Planning Grant dollars to onboard 2 new staff who will oversee ongoing continuity of care efforts during the 4-year Cooperative Agreement (CA) project period. It will bring in a contractor early in the CA project period to provide needed supports to develop a current-state baseline, conduct research into Virginia-specific barriers (fragmented jail structure, data exchange challenges, provider shortages) and their solutions, and create an implementation roadmap based on phased activities. Planning Grant dollars will also support needed modifications to Virginia’s Medicaid/CHIP eligibility and enrollment systems to ensure smooth and timely data exchange and service delivery for incarcerated members nearing re-entry. Funds will help Virginia build upon core processes developed to promote continuity of care for incarcerated individuals that were initially put in place to prepare for Medicaid Expansion in 2019. They will supplement efforts by Governor Glenn Youngkin (including the Stand Tall, Stay Strong, Succeed Together initiative) to further Administration goals to support re-entry success and reduce recidivism.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).