Kentucky CARES: Continuity of Access to Resources and Essential Services - ABSTRACT: Kentucky CARES: Continuity of Access to Resources and Essential Services Through the CMS Section 206 State Planning Grant, the Kentucky Department of Medicaid Services (DMS) proposes, the CARES Project. This statewide initiative is designed to ensure uninterrupted healthcare coverage and pre- and post-release service delivery for Kentucky’s more than 60,000 Medicaid and CHIP-eligible incarcerated individuals who are reentering the community. The purpose of the CARES project is to develop an infrastructure and deploy operations to enhance the Medicaid enrollment processes, expand bi-directional data sharing capabilities, provide access to care and enable sufficient care coordination, and address systemic disparities and barriers such as fragmented systems and inconsistent care delivery affecting justice-involved populations during the critical pre- and post-release periods. The CARES project will leverage Kentucky's strong interagency collaboration and governance structures to ensure successful deployment and provide continuous project monitoring and oversight. Key Goals and How Funds will be used for Project Activities GOAL 1: Initiate Planning Grant Activities and Establish Comprehensive Project Management Office (PMO) to Build Foundational Capabilities. Operationalize the PMO with fully staffed leadership and structured governance. Complete a statewide needs assessment to establish baseline Medicaid and CHIP enrollment practices and gaps. Align stakeholders with clear reporting structures and communication channels. GOAL 2: Design & Develop Robust Infrastructure, Operations Systems, and Protocols for Medicaid and CHIP Enrollment and Data Sharing. Build data-sharing infrastructure, integrating systems to enable seamless Medicaid and CHIP enrollment and care coordination. Design/deploy performance metrics to monitor care coordination and service delivery. GOAL 3: Implement Protocols and Services to Onboard All Kentucky Correctional Facilities. Train correctional and healthcare staff to implement Medicaid and CHIP eligibility and enrollment processes. Establish continuity of care pathways for individuals transitioning to community settings, with a focus on high-priority needs like mental health and substance use. GOAL 4: Ensure Long-Term Sustainability and Program Optimization. Develop a sustainability plan, identifying funding sources and partnerships to extend the program beyond the grant period. Conduct final evaluations and submit comprehensive reports to CMS, highlighting project outcomes, best practices, and future recommendations. Budget Allocation: The project operates on a federal $4,964,045 budget over four years. Subrecipients: Kentucky Department of Corrections (DOC) and Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) each receive $1,800,000 to enhance Medicaid and CHIP enrollment, data sharing infrastructure, and pre- and post-release service delivery systems. Remaining funds allocated to salaries/benefits for Authorized Organization Representative (state FTE) and vendors to fulfill the Project Director position, conduct a statewide correctional facility needs assessment and provide project management support. Anticipated Outcomes 1) Increased Medicaid and CHIP Enrollment: Implementation of automated systems to streamline enrollment for incarcerated individuals before release. 2) Improved Continuity of Care: Robust bi-directional data-sharing infrastructure ensuring seamless healthcare transitions. 3) Sustainable Practices: A comprehensive sustainability plan ensuring continuity and scaling of successful interventions. 4) Enhanced Equity: Reduction in healthcare disparities for justice-involved populations, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
