KDADS, PCG outline Conflict Free Kansas grant: who’s eligible, allowable expenses and application steps

Kansas Department for Aging & Disability Services (KDADS) and Public Consulting Group (PCG) outlined details of the Conflict Free Kansas grant during a pre-bid webinar that walked potential applicants through eligibility rules, allowable expenses, application submission via JotForm and the program’s reimbursement-only payment model.

Heather Flagmark, lead grant manager at Public Consulting Group, said the presentation was “a high level summary” and urged attendees to read the full Request for Applications (RFA) posted on the Conflict Free Kansas website for complete requirements.

The grant is intended to help Kansas providers eliminate conflicts of interest between targeted case management (TCM) functions and direct Home- and Community-Based Services (HCBS) IDD waiver service delivery, a change driven by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ HCBS settings final rule (2014). PCG and KDADS presenters said the work protects Medicaid funding and is a prerequisite for Kansas to pursue a Community Supports waiver and expand capacity for people on the IDD waiver waitlist.

Who can apply and what the funds may cover Eligible applicants described in the webinar include: community developmental disability organizations (CDDOs) that will stop providing IDD waiver direct services; CDDOs that will start or acquire a TCM arm; community support providers (CSPs) that will stop providing TCM; existing non-conflicted TCM agencies seeking to serve individuals who currently receive services from conflicted agencies; and individuals or organizations proposing to create new, conflict-free TCM agencies (new TCMs). New TCM applicants are required to submit a letter of support or proof of affiliation with a CDDO.

Presenters reviewed categories and example caps that appear in the RFA and budget workbook: moving to a new commercial location (up to $5,000), purchasing…