Track ARRA Funds Distributed by DPHHS
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), through the Montana Reinvestment Act (House Bill 645) makes available $513 million in federal and state funds over the biennium to Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) programs. Governor Schweitzer signed the Montana Reinvestment Act into law on May 14, 2009.
About $320 million of this amount goes to pay Medicaid costs.
The remaining funds have been appropriated for specific department programs and will help working families pay for child care, provide a boost to programs that help senior citizens, stock the shelves of food banks and weatherize homes.
Some funds DPHHS is eligible to receive must go through a competitive grant process and have yet to be distributed.
During this process, this website will be continuously updated to keep the general public informed on the current status of these funds and how they’re being distributed in Montana.
As of December 7, 2011, a total of $438,884,087 in ARRA-related funds have been released to DPHHS programs, including Child Support Enforcement, the Child Care Development Block Grant, the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Program, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Volunteers in Service to America and Medicaid.
- Aging Services Program
- Child Care Development Block Grant
- Child Support Enforcement
- Community Services Block Grant
- Community Aging Services (Non-Medicaid)
- Community Mental Health Crisis Services
- County Health Grants-Asbestos
- Direct Care Worker Wage Increase
- Food for Food Banks
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
- Health Information Technology
- Homeless Prevention/Rapid Rehousing
- Homeless Prevention/ Emergency Shelter
- IDEA Infants and Families
- Indian Property Exclusion in Medicaid Determination
- Medicaid Caseload
- Medicaid Enhanced FMAP
- Medicaid - Transitional
- Prevention and Wellness Fund-Chronic Disease Prevention
- Prevention and Wellness Fund-Immunization
- Prevention and Wellness Fund-Reduction of Healthcare-Associated Infections
- Provider Rate Increase
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Benefits (Food Stamps) and Administration
- System of Care and KMA Sustainability
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
- Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)#tefap
- Vocational Rehabilitation
- Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA)
- Weatherization
- Women’s Infants and Children Benefits
- Women’s Infants and Children System
Funds distributed by DPHHS as of December 7th, 2011 - $438,884,087
Aging Services Program
Funds allocated: $500,000
Funds distributed: $485,000
Distribution schedule: Funds will be distributed equally over biennium.
Contact: Charlie Rehbein, Senior and Long Term Care Division, (406) 444-7788
Description: These funds will be passed on to local area agencies on aging to provide meals on wheels, congregate meals and senior meals. Aging Services provides meal assistance to senior citizens through Area Agencies on Aging or local senior centers for both congregate and home delivered meals. Meals on Wheels provides homebound seniors and adults with disabilities who live with a person 60 years of age or older, a hot lunch to meet their nutritional needs.
Child Care Development Block Grant
Funds allocated: $5,747,366
Funds distributed: $5,747,006
Distribution schedule: $718,736 distributed in FY 2009; $2,873,503 in FY 2010; $2,155,127 in FY 2011.
Contact: Jamie Palagi, Human and Community Services Division, (406) 444-1828
Description: These funds will be used in the Best Beginning Scholarships and Best Beginnings Quality Programs. Best Beginnings Scholarships help working families who qualify to find and afford high quality childcare. The program normally assists in providing childcare for 6,500 working families and this funding will allow us to serve up to 300 more working families. The Best Beginnings Quality Programs include the Higher Education Merit Pay Program, Montana Child Care Development Specialist Apprenticeship Program and the Best Beginnings Stars to Quality Program.
Child Support Enforcement
Funds allocated: $4,306,325
Funds distributed: $4,342,756
Distribution schedule: $1,646,913 distributed in FY 2009; $2,040,176 in FY 2010; $619,235 in FY 2011.
Contact: Lonnie Olson, Child Support Enforcement Division, (406) 444-3338
Description: These funds will be used to restore state general fund money that was reduced by the Legislature. The mission of the Child Support Enforcement Division (CSED) of the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services is to diligently pursue and ultimately achieve financial and medical support of children by establishing, enforcing, and increasing public awareness of parental obligations.
Community Services Block Grant
Funds allocated: $4,512,000
Funds distributed: $4,697,685
Distribution schedule: $1,692,000 distributed in FY 2009; $2,256 in FY 2010; $564,000 in FY 2011.
Contact: Jim Nolan, Human and Community Services Division, (406) 447-4260
Description: These funds will be used to by local communities to support employment, food, housing and healthcare efforts.CSBG funds are utilized by the state’s ten (10) Human Resource Development Councils (HRDCs) to provide projects and services in local communities including: child care, education and job training, provision of food, weatherization and energy assistance, and resource and referral services. The program assists approximately 35,000 households annually. ARRA funding will allow the HRDC network to expand existing activities and provide services for up to 15,000 additional households. The CSBG grant application can be accessed at http://www.dphhs.mt.gov/recovery/csbr-recoveryact.pdf
Community Aging Services (Non-Medicaid)
Funds allocated: $3,000,000
Funds distributed: $2,993,870
Distribution schedule: Funds will be distributed equally over biennium.
Contact: Charlie Rehbein, Senior and Long Term Care Division, (406) 444-7788
Description: The Legislature added this funding to support Non-Medicaid Community Aging Services. Through contracts with the Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) this funding provides services such as transportation, congregate meals and meals on wheels, respite care, home chore services, legal assistance, long term care ombudsman, information and referral services. Montana’s Area Agencies on Aging are public or private non-profit agencies, designated by the Aging Services Bureau, to address the needs and concerns of older Montanans at the local level.
Community Mental Health Crisis Services
Funds allocated: $500,000
Funds distributed: $41,728
Distribution schedule: Funds will be distributed in FY 2010 only.
Contact: Lou Thompson, Addictive and Mental Disorders Division, (406) 444-3969
Description: These funds will be used to provide one-time-only funding for mental health crisis diversion pilot program in relation to HB 130, HB 131 and HB 132. The majority of the funding ($475,000) is earmarked for HB 130 to provide matching grants to counties for crisis intervention, jail diversion, involuntary precommitment, and short-term inpatient treatment costs. The balance of the funding can be used for HB 131 which requires the Department to contract for secure crisis beds in the community.
County Health Grants-Asbestos
Funds allocated: $2,000,000
Funds distributed: $1,909,737
Distribution schedule: Funds will be distributed equally over biennium.
Contact: Anne Weber, Public Health and Safety Division, (406) 444-5559
Description: These funds will be provided to Lincoln County Board of Health for health care costs for asbestos-related disease.
Direct Care Worker Wage Increase
Funds allocated: $16,348,420
Funds distributed: $15,839,738
Distribution schedule: Funds will be distributed equally over biennium.
Contact: Kelly Williams, Senior and Long Term Care Division, (406) 444-4147
Description: The Legislature appropriated $16. 3 million total funds, including $4.5 million general funds to raise provider rates to fund a one-time direct care worker wage increase for Medicaid services in the Senior and Long Term Care Division. This includes nursing facility providers, personal assistance providers and other community based service providers. The rate increase is for direct care and ancillary service staff for the 2011 biennium only.
Food for Food Banks
Funds allocated: $500,000
Funds distributed: $500,000
Distribution schedule: Funds will be distributed equally over biennium.
Contact: Jim Nolan, Human and Community Services Division, (406)447-4260
Description: These funds will be used to support the needs of food banks throughout the state and could potentially purchase 300,000 to 500,000 pounds of food. Food pantries throughout Montana have experienced increased demands by the growing numbers of low income families needing food bank assistance. This funding is intended to purchase additional food items to meet the need to have food on the pantry shelves for those that need it.
Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
Funds allocated: $154,000
Funds distributed: $51,000
Distribution schedule: $69,300 in FY 2009; $77,000 in FY 2010; $7,700 in FY 2011
Contact: Jim Nolan, Human and Community Services Division, (406)447-4260
Description: These funds could be used by programs on American Indian reservations as well as the state commodity warehouse to acquire useful equipment for their storage/distribution centers.
Health Information Technology
Funds allocated: $750,000
Funds distributed: $664,000
Distribution schedule: Funds will be distributed equally over biennium.
Contact: Ron Baldwin, Technology Services Division, (406) 444-1232
Description: This request is for $750,000 general fund for a grant to support the
development of a statewide health information technology pilot project. This grant may be used to purchase hardware, software, programming costs, and participating site-related costs. It is anticipated that this project will utilize the "continuity of care record" as a basis for the exchange of healthcare information among healthcare facilities and providers.
Homeless Prevention/Rapid Rehousing
Funds allocated: $3,750,000
Funds distributed: $3,526,523
Distribution schedule: $187,500 distributed in FY 2009; $1,875,000 in FY 2010; $1687,500 in FY 2011
Contact: Jim Nolan, Human and Community Services Division, (406)447-4260
Description: These funds will be used to help families or individuals that are currently housed but are at risk of becoming homeless and need temporary rent or utility assistance to prevent them from becoming homeless. These funds will also be used to help families or individuals who are experiencing homelessness and need temporary assistance to obtain and retain housing. This is a new program to be operated by the HRDC’s.
Homeless Prevention/ Emergency Shelter
Funds allocated: $1,500,000
Funds distributed: $1,206,260
Distribution schedule: Funds will be distributed equally over biennium.
Contact: Jim Nolan, Human and Community Services Division, (406)447-4260
Description: These funds will assist shelters throughout the state as identified in the present Emergency Shelter Grant. Funds could support essential services to homeless families, one-time payments for homeless prevention services, maintenance in support of existing emergency shelters and rehabilitation or conversion of buildings for homeless shelters. Funds will be distributed via the HRDC’s.
IDEA Infants and Families
Funds allocated: $2,139,843
Funds distributed: $2,132,259
Distribution schedule: Funds will be distributed equally over biennium.
Contact: Bob Runkel, Developmental Services Division,(406) 444-9055
Description: These funds are to provide additional early intervention services for children with disabilities ages 0 to 2 years.
Indian Property Exclusion in Medicaid Determination
Funds allocated: $2,025,598
Funds distributed: $1,958,498
Distribution schedule: $983,300 will be distributed in FY 2010; $1,042,298 in FY 2011
Contact: Linda Snedigar, Human and Community Services Division, (406) 444-6676
Description: Due to changes in the way that certain assets may be counted in determining Medicaid eligibility, this funding will be used to pay for an anticipated increase in the number of American Indians eligible for Medicaid, many of whom will receive long term care services.
Medicaid Caseload
Funds allocated: $171,088,513
Funds distributed: $32,468,200
Distribution schedule: $71,406,748 allocated for FY 2010; $99,681,765 for FY 2011
Contact: Mary Dalton, Medicaid and Health Services Branch, 444-4084
Description: These funds are for the anticipated increase in Medicaid caseloads as a result of the economic downturn. The increased funds for Medicaid will be administered from a department-wide perspective to maintain the current level of services. Medicaid is a joint federal and state government program that pays for medical care for some low-income and medically needy people. The Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) runs the Medicaid program in Montana. Medicaid's mission is to assure that necessary medical care is available to all eligible Montanans within available funding resources.
Medicaid Enhanced FMAP, includes adoption and foster care
Funds allocated: $163,000,000
Funds distributed: $230,990,424
Distribution schedule: $54,000,000 allocated for FY 2009; $78,000,000 for FY 2010; $31,000,000 for FY 2011
Contact: Mary Dalton, Medicaid and Health Services Branch, 444-4084
Description: These funds increase the federal Medicaid funds appropriation due to the temporary increase in the federal Medicaid match rate. The enhanced federal Medicaid match rate is intended to prevent limitations or reductions in eligibility for services and to avert cuts to Medicaid services and provider rates.
Medicaid - Transitional
Funds allocated: $1,666,800
Funds distributed: $1,609,925
Distribution schedule: Funds will be distributed equally over biennium.
Contact: Linda Snedigar, Human and Community Services Division, (406) 444-6676
Description: These funds will provide the option to extend the initial period of eligibility for Transitional Medicaid Assistance to 12 months rather than the current 6 months and to waive certain enrollment requirements beginning July 1, 2009.
Prevention and Wellness Fund-Chronic Disease Prevention
Funds allocated: Montana may be eligible to apply for up to: $3,000,000
Funds distributed: $567,292
Distribution schedule: Full or partial funding available upon successful grant application. Public Health and Safety Division staff is currently writing a grant for this funding.
Contact: Todd Harwell, Public Health and Safety Division, (406) 444-1437
Description: Funding is anticipated to be made available through a competitive request for proposals from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to implement evidence-based programs targeting the reduction of chronic disease among Montanans.
Prevention and Wellness Fund-Immunization
Funds allocated: Montana has applied for $396,855 and $439,225 worth of vaccine.
Funds distributed: $342,146
Distribution schedule: Full or partial funding available upon successful grant application. Public Health and Safety Division staff has submitted a grant for this funding.
Contact: Jim Murphy, Public Health and Safety Division, (406) 444-4016
Description: Funding is anticipated to be made available through a competitive request for proposals from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Funds would be used These funds will be used to purchase and distribute vaccines, improve Montana’s immunization tracking system and conduct outreach activities through local public health agencies.
Prevention and Wellness Fund-Reduction of Healthcare-Associated Infections
Funds allocated: Montana has applied for $510,059.
Funds distributed: $139,643
Distribution schedule: Full or partial funding available upon successful grant application. Public Health and Safety Division staff has submitted a grant for this funding.
Contact: Jim Murphy, Public Health and Safety Division, (406) 444-4016
Description: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released a competitive request for proposals for funds to reduce Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs). Montana has applied and if awarded, the funds can be used to develop a statewide plan to reduce HAIs, improve surveillance of HAIs and carry out pilot projects in healthcare facilities to reduce HAIs.
Provider Rate Increase
Funds allocated: $39,500,709
Funds distributed: $31,484,396
Distribution schedule: $13,014,392 will be distributed in FY 2010; $26,486,317 in FY 2011
Contact: Hank Hudson, Economic Security Division Branch, (406) 444-3470
Mary Dalton, Medicaid and Health Services Branch, (406) 444-4084
Description: The Legislature approved a 2 percent annual one-time provider rate increase for all providers except physicians, psychiatrists, and podiatrists, whose rates are adjusted according to 53-6-125, MCA. The appropriation for the rate increase is allocated to the Director’s Office, but must be allocated to programs. The total approved for the one-time rate increase is $39.5 million, including $15.0 million general fund.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Benefits (Food Stamps) and Administration
Funds allocated: $48,902,281
Funds distributed: $57,670,424
Distribution schedule: $5,983,625 distributed in FY 2009; $21,503,078 in FY 2010; $21,415,578 in FY 2011
Contact: Linda Snedigar, Human and Community Services Division, (406) 444-6676
Description: These funds increased SNAP benefits 13.6 percent as of April 1, 2009 and provide funding for administrative costs. SNAP benefits provide eligible households an opportunity to obtain a more nutritious diet by supplementing their food budget. Additional benefits start at $24 and increase depending upon the number of individuals in the household. There is also a rule change for individuals in the Able-bodied Adults Without Children category that removes the time limited benefit policy. The additional administrative funding is considered one-time-only.
System of Care and KMA Sustainability
Funds allocated: $667,000
Funds distributed: $184,604
Distribution schedule: Funds will be distributed equally over biennium.
Contact: Mary Noel, Health Resources Division, (406) 444-4146
Description: These funds are to sustain the System of Care and Kids Management Authorities (KMA). The funds will pay the increased match required as part of the federal grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The KMA is the local infrastructure that supports a comprehensive and statewide system of care. The KMA has two primary functions: 1) development of a continuum of care within each community, and 2) wraparound planning and coordination for individual youth who are seriously emotionally disturbed and their families. This system of care is child-focused and family-driven and culturally competent.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
Funds allocated: $5,590,201
Funds distributed: $9,023,619
Distribution schedule: $1,765,870 allocated for FY 2009; $2,185,332 for FY 2010; $1,683,999 for FY 2011
Contact: Linda Snedigar, Human and Community Services Division, (406) 444-6676
Description: These funds will be used to continue cash assistance for Montanans at the present level and offer a subsidized employment program.TANF cash assistance is a program providing temporary financial assistance to needy families. TANF currently provides $1.3 million per month in benefits to over 3,300 families. The TANF program rules allow support of subsidized employment for TANF eligible individuals. Through ARRA funding, 80 percent of expenditures in this area can be recovered. Supported employment placements will be developed through WoRC contractors and will be available for up to six months starting July 1, 2009 through September 30, 2010.
Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)
Funds allocated: $87,333
Funds distributed: $234,447
Distribution schedule: $32,750 allocated for FY 2009; $43,667 for FY 2010; $10,916 for FY 2011
Contact: Jim Nolan, Human and Community Services Division, (406)447-4260
Description: This program provides funds for the receiving, storing, distribution and delivery of the additional 339,930 pounds of commodity foods that will be received to replenish the empty food pantry shelves in Montana. The Montana Food Bank Network will receive $30,000 for 2009 which is over 40% of the administrative funds made available.
Vocational Rehabilitation
Funds allocated: $2,315,737
Funds distributed: $2,094,155
Distribution schedule: Funds will be distributed over biennium.
Contact: Peggy Williams, Disability Services Division, (406) 444-4184
Description: These funds will allow for additional services for the Vocational Rehabilitation and Independent Living programs. The Vocational Rehabilitation funds will be used to strengthen and enrich the current program and to help people with disabilities become employed. Both service and infrastructure needs will be addressed. The Independent Living money will be used to enhance services to Montanans with disabilities to help them live independently in their communities.
Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA)
Funds allocated: $100,000
Funds distributed: $141,127
Distribution schedule: Funds will be distributed equally over biennium.
Contact: Vicki Turner, Prevention Resource Center, (406) 444-3484
Description: These funds will provide additional operating expenses for existing AmeriCorps grants. The Prevention Resource Center (PRC), sponsors AmeriCorps*VISTA members throughout Montana. Currently, PRC has AmeriCorps VISTA members serving across the state, from recent college graduates to natives of Montana who were looking to make a difference in their communities. Each VISTA member work with communities through non-profit agencies that provide prevention programs in five areas: drug and alcohol abuse, teen pregnancy, school dropout, youth crime and violence, and child abuse and neglect.
Weatherization
Funds allocated: $27,059,681
Funds distributed: $24,310,074 Distribution schedule: $3,382,460 distributed in FY 2009; $13,529,841 in FY 2010; $10,147,380 in FY 2011
Contact: Jim Nolan, Human and Community Services Division, (406)447-4260
Description: These funds will provide grants for local Human Resource Development Councils that apply to pay to weatherize homes. As with all weatherization projects, the applicants will be asked to provide planning and accountability documentation. The Weatherization Program’s mission is to increase the energy efficiency of homes occupied by low-income individuals, thereby reducing their energy costs. The program has reduced the annual heating costs of recipient households by an average of approximately 32 percent. It serves approximately 2,000 high energy burden households each year. ARRA funding will allow the Weatherization Program to serve at least 2,500 more families and to double the average labor and materials expenditure per dwelling for cost-effective energy conservation measures.
Women’s Infants and Children Benefits
Funds allocated: $1,000,000
Funds distributed: $269,541
Distribution schedule: This funding would be awarded to Montana if our WIC caseload increases to a point that it is warranted.
Contact: Denise Higgins, Public Health and Safety Division, (406) 444-4743
Description: The Montana Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) exists to meet the needs of its constituents: The people of Montana. WIC is dedicated to the delivery of quality nutrition education and counseling, intervention, referral and follow-up on identified risks and to improve eating behaviors and reduce or eliminate nutrition problems.
Women’s Infants and Children System
Funds allocated: $1,000,000
Funds distributed: $317,425
Distribution schedule: This funding would be awarded to Montana if our WIC caseload increases to a point that it is warranted.
Contact: Denise Higgins, Public Health and Safety Division, (406) 444-4743
Description: The Montana Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) exists to meet the needs of its constituents: The people of Montana. WIC is dedicated to the delivery of quality nutrition education and counseling, intervention, referral and follow-up on identified risks and to improve eating behaviors and reduce or eliminate nutrition problems.
