This week DHS through its Grants, Equity, Access, and Research (GEAR) Division announced a third round of applications for Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Provider Capacity Grants for Rural and Underserved Communities.

The application deadline is June 28, 2024 at 4:00 pm Central Time.

The opportunity to submit a proposal is open to any entity interested in improving, enhancing, or strengthening their HCBS infrastructures. Applicants may be existing or new service providers of any of the HCBS waiver programs, or providers of Medicaid State Plan services such as home health or personal care services. Adult Day Services and Assisted Living Facilities enrolled to provide waiver services are also HCBS programs.

• RFP to provide Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Provider Capacity Grants for Rural and Underserved Communities: Round Three (DOC)
• RFP Attachment A: Budget template (XLS)

Applicant eligibility

• Organizations who want to become an HCBS provider for the first time. 
• Existing HCBS providers who want to: 
  • improve existing services and/or add new services to reach more people.
  • improve capacity to address and (w/without “problem”) solve organizational challenges and gaps in service delivery by developing and implementing innovative solutions and inclusive and equitable services in their communities.
  • improve the use and sustainability of positive supports to promote inclusion, person-centeredness, and community participation (or engagement) where older adults and people with disabilities make informed choices and have full control over their life decisions and access to quality HCBS services.
  • develop, obtain appropriate licensure, and enroll with DHS Minnesota Health Care Programs (MHCP) as a provider to deliver a new service.
• Organizations must be located and doing business/serving clients in Minnesota.

These grant funds are dedicated to providers who want to expand HCBS services for older adults, people with disabilities, and people who engage in challenging behaviors that impact their ability to find and keep community-based services and supports.  Grant funds must serve one or more of the following priority populations:

• American Indian, Alaskan Native, and Native Hawaiians,
• Asian and Pacific Islanders,
• Black/African American (American-born), 
• Black/African-born,                  
• Latine,
• People who identify as LGBTQ+,
• People living in rural and regional centers outside the seven-county metro area.

Only applications that have been submitted via the online grant portal system by the application deadline of June 28, 2024, by 4:00 p.m. Central Time will be considered.

The maximum grant award may not exceed $150,000. The term of the initial grant period is anticipated to be from December 1, 2024, through May 31, 2026. Extensions/continuation awards will be considered for an additional one year ending June 30, 2027.