ARPA ALP Spending Clarification
The Department of Health has provided the following clarifying information for ARPA ALP Spending:
1. Training and Education:
a. Trainings must be developed by an outside vendor which do not duplicate an already required or offered training. The hiring of a coordinator position for the purpose of organizing trainings, recruitment and retention may be allowable but the funding cannot be used to pay for base wages/salary.
b. Trainings are not allowable for Administrators. Funding may only be used for eligible workforce.
c. Continuing education such as conferences may be allowable, but attendance must result in documented education such as certificate of completion, Continuing education credits, etc. for subjects related to provision of services at an Assisted Living Program.
2. Software:
a. Software for implementing trainings that do not include capital expenses like the purchase of laptops, desktops, etc. for the facility are allowable. Please include how this can be a sustainable option past March 2025.
b. Software which reduces the workforce burden of inefficient care coordination may also be allowable, again, as long as it does not include the purchase of equipment. It must also include how this kind of fund use is a sustainable one.
3. Benefits:
a. Wellness:
i. Keep in mind policies including but not limited to https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/ISC/3239 when thinking of the array of wellness benefits your program may want to offer.
ii. Any one time staff benefit should be aligned with specific wellness goals and offered broadly to all eligible staff.
b. Other:
i. Benefits offered cannot include gifts, or a single benefit which is offered to an individual staff. Benefits should be offered and accessible broadly to all eligible workers.
4. Administrative Expenses (5%): Eligible program sites may cover administrative expenses up to 5% incurred in the implementation of these investments with this funding. Administrative expenses must be tracked and recorded in the same manner as all other expenses. The expenses may be covered for up to 5% of the total award amount.
5. Taxes: Taxes associated with allowable expenses, such as incentives or increased wages, are eligible expenses.
6. Receipt of Funds: Funds are targeted to go out via the Medicaid Provider ID documented in the attestation and verified by the state by March 31st. Additional communication will be released closer to that date.
7. Proportionate Worker Distributions: All funding through this opportunity is meant for workers who are providing services and support directly to residents. If for example you have two staff – one works full time providing only to ALP members and another provides services to ALP members 50% of their time – benefits, training, etc. should be proportionate to the amount of time they are providing services to the ALP members. However, bonuses and incentives should also be more beneficial to staff who have a larger gap in covering cost of living in relationship to their pay. So, a CNA would receive more than a supervising RN in a structure which identifies those gaps.
8. Identifying Information: The Provider ID is the Medicaid Provider ID. And, the Facility ID is in the upper left hand corner of the Operating Certificate.
Additionally – Here is the link to the Webinar Recording. In the Initiative Information tab you will find all the attachments we sent to you as well as a link to the Webinar Recording.
NYSHFA | NYSCAL CONTACTS:
Christina Audi, MHA, LNHA
Executive Director, NYSCAL
caudi@nyshfa-nyscal.org
518-462-4800 x 13
