Saturday, May 10, 2025
5/10/2025
Kansas CARES (Coordinating and Assisting Reliable Enrollment Services) - Project Abstract: Thrive Allen County Overview and Goals: Thrive Allen County (TAC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Iola, Kansas, requests funding in the amount of $1,499,999 for the three-year period of performance to support the recruitment, training, and activities of nine Benefits Specialist personnel (BSPs) who will provide services in 64 counties throughout Kansas. TAC has engaged six subrecipient entities that are well connected and experienced in serving their communities. TAC and most of the subrecipients already provide assistance enrolling in health insurance and other benefits programs. Despite these efforts, approximately 11% of Kansas children who are eligible for Medicaid and/or CHIP are not enrolled in either program. With additional personnel dedicated to serving the target population, TAC can further reduce this rate. Among the 64 target counties, nearly 22,000 children are uninsured, and the average uninsured rate for all residents is 12.9%. The proposed project will increase TAC’s and its subrecipients’ capacities to reach even more eligible children, their parents, and pregnant individuals currently without health coverage. TAC proposes to submit health coverage applications for a total of 1,605 Medicaid- and/or CHIP-eligible children, parents, and pregnant individuals over the three-year project period. This includes the following individual goals for each of these targeted subpopulations: • Submit applications for health coverage for 285 children in Year 1, 380 children in Year 2, and 380 children in Year 3; • Of the children served, 71 will be newly enrolled in Medicaid/CHIP in Year 1, 95 in Year 2, and 95 in Year 3; • Of the children served, 71 will be renewed in Medicaid/CHIP in Year 1, 95 in Year 2, and 95 in Year 3; • Submit applications for health coverage for 43 parents in Year 1, 58 parents in Year 2, and 58 parents in Year 3; • Of the parents served, 7 will be newly enrolled in Medicaid in Year 1, 10 in Year 2, and 10 in Year 3; • Of the parents served, 7 will be renewed in Medicaid in Year 1, 10 in Year 2, and 10 in Year 3; • Submit applications for health coverage for 109 pregnant individuals in Year 1, 146 pregnant individuals in Year 2, and 146 pregnant individuals in Year 3; • Of the pregnant individuals served, 27 will be newly enrolled in Medicaid/CHIP in Year 1, 36 in Year 2, and 36 in Year 3; and • Of the pregnant individuals served, 27 will be renewed in Medicaid/CHIP for postpartum coverage in Year 1, 36 in Year 2, and 36 in Year 3. Budget and Use of Funds: BSP outreach and education efforts will target children who are eligible for Medicaid/CHIP, their parents, and pregnant individuals, focusing on the three critical outreach and enrollment periods, as defined by CMS: back-to-school time, year-round enrollment, and retention of coverage. Requested funding will support the salaries and benefits of the BSPs and the TAC staff members who will oversee the program; costs for statewide travel to perform subrecipient site visits and conduct in-person training and technical assistance; and the technology, advertising, material, and supply costs for developing and implementing an outreach plan to target eligible individuals. BSPs will specifically work to reach individuals from rural areas, those with low incomes, and those identifying as minorities, including individuals with limited English proficiency. BSPs will offer both in-person and virtual appointments to assist eligible individuals with enrolling or retaining coverage in Medicaid/CHIP.
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).