Saturday, May 24, 2025
5/24/2025
Cooperative Agreement to Support Navigators in Federally-Facilitated Exchange - Project Abstract Summary First Choice Services, Inc., (FCS), a community and consumer focused non-profit organization based in Charleston, West Virginia, proposes to provide navigators for the Federally Facilitated Exchanges in Iowa, New Hampshire, and West Virginia. FCS specializes in social service helplines and community outreach. FCS will serve each of these states in a state-wide capacity. FCS will target the following populations in these three states: " Individuals losing Medicaid during the Medicaid Unwind " Individuals with mental health or substance related disorders " Low-income or homeless individuals " Medicaid eligible consumers who are not enrolled in coverage despite eligibility " Rural communities " Racial and ethnic minorities FCS is using a hybrid model of virtual assistance and in-person assistance to achieve statewide coverage in each of the three states. In West Virginia, FCS will continue to operate the Navigator call line and will employ Navigators from the four major metro areas of the state. In New Hampshire, FCS will continue a consortium that was formed between FCS and three subrecipients: " The Foundation for Healthy Communities " Harbor Care " Lamprey Healthcare Navigators will be hired by these subrecipients. Outreach and education activities and in-person enrollment assistance will be provided by the Navigators in their offices and remotely at special events. FCS will continue to operate the call line that has been successful in providing enrollment assistance to New Hampshire for the last two years. In Iowa, FCS will provide virtual education and outreach activities through earned media and live webinars about the ACA, the Marketplace, and financial assistance available to assist with premiums. As with the previous two years, Navigators will be available on the call line that is designated for Iowa. Funding Amount for Budget Year 3 The following is the approved funding amounts for budget year 3, broken down for each state. State Year 3 West Virginia $1,050,000 New Hampshire $654,745 Iowa $270,815 Total $1,975,560 FCS currently has and will continue to have through the end of the third budget year 24 full-time Navigators, including 2 bilingual Navigators. For WV, there are 11 full-time Navigators dedicated 100%, as well as 1 full-time employee dedicated 70%, 1 dedicated 55%, and 3 dedicated 25%. For NH, there are 6 full-time Navigators dedicated 100%, 1 dedicated 50%, 3 dedicated 25%, 1 dedicated 15%, and 1 dedicated 10%. For IA, there are 2 dedicated 100%, 1 dedicated 50%, 3 dedicated 25%, 1 dedicated 15%, and 1 dedicated 10%. All are full-time and there are no volunteers. Additionally, all FCS Navigators will be fully trained and certified during the Open Enrollment period and throughout the entire third budget year.
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).