The New York Department of Health (DOH) recently announced it is accepting applications for New York Health Equity Reform: Social Care Networks regional grants. The nine regional grants will distribute a total of $500 million to strengthen the network of social care providers responsible for delivering high-quality, evidence-based, and accessible social care services. One goal of the program is to build a more resilient, flexible and accessible social care delivery system that supports reduction in health disparities and advances health equity.
New York State will award one Social Care Network Lead per region and the Leads’ responsibilities are:
- Social Care Service Navigation – collaborate with regional systems to screen Medicaid members for health-related social needs (“HRSN”), validate eligibility for members and navigate appropriate services;
- Community Based Organization (“CBO”) Network Development;
- CBO Capacity Building;
- Fiscal Management – contracting with Managed Care Organizations (“MCOs”) to facilitate payments to CBOs;
- Data and Technology – establishing regional connectivity between the Social Care Network (“SCN”), New York state and other stakeholders;
- Performance Management – use data-driven performance reporting to demonstrate value and how social care services advance health outcomes and reduce health disparities;
- Operations and Governance – establish and maintain a governing body and executive leadership team that understands the region and coordinates among stakeholders.
The announcement reports that applicants can apply for multiple regions, but a separate application is required for each region.
DOH reports that eligible applicants include Not-for-Profit – 501(c)(3)s with at least three years’ experience working with CBOs and are Community Based Organizations (CBOs), Independent Practice Associations, Health Homes, Behavioral Health Collaboratives, Federal Quality Health Centers (“FQHCs”) and Performing Provider Systems.
Applications are due on or before March 27, 2024 at 4 PM.
Questions are due by Jan. 31, 2024, with answers posted on or about Feb. 9, 2024,2/9. It is expected that awards will be made on June 1, 2024, for a 31-month period.
The Grant Opportunity Portal for this grant can be accessed at: IntelliGrants – Grant Opportunity Portal (ny.gov)
