HRSA Grant Funds Available to Health Care Providers to Strengthen Workforce
The Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) reminds entities that provide health care, including health care providers' associations and Federally Qualified Health Centers, that American Rescue Plan Act grant funding is available through the Health and Public Safety Workforce Resiliency Training Program. Applications will be accepted through August 30, 2021.
 
COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions Updated in Advance of End of Public Health Emergency
As AHCCCS plans for the eventual end of the federal public health emergency, and starts the associated work to unwind many of the programmatic changes the agency made last year, we continue to update the COVID-19 FAQs. Please refer to this page frequently for the latest information. 
Tell Us About Your Experiences with Crisis Lines
AHCCCS seeks feedback from Arizonans who have called a crisis line to get help for themselves or others. Please take this short survey to privately share your experiences with crisis lines in Arizona. We want to know—what worked well and what could go better?

The survey closes August 31, 2021.
photo of Gina Relkin
Gina Relkin Named Interim AHCCCS General Counsel 
While AHCCCS finalizes the hiring process for the General Counsel/Assistant Director for the Office of Administrative Legal Services (OALS) position, Gina Relkin, Deputy General Counsel, has accepted the General Counsel role in the interim until the position is permanently filled. The position became available when Matt Devlin retired after 22 years with the agency and 25 years with the state. 
Additionally, the agency’s organizational chart reflects a recent reporting structure change with OALS now reporting to the Deputy Director of Business Operations. 
AHCCCS Submits Plans to Reinvest Federal ARPA Funds in Support of HCBS and Mental Health Services
On July 12, AHCCCS submitted a proposal to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) detailing the agency’s plan for reinvesting federal funding made available through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The spending plan includes strategies that seek to strengthen AHCCCS’ existing home and community based services (HCBS) program which serves individuals with disabilities and/or serious mental illnesses, individuals who are elderly, and children with behavioral health needs.
On July 30, the agency also submitted ARPA spending plans to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to implement additional Mental Health Block Grant (MHBG) and Substance Abuse Block Grant (SABG) funding. 

The MHBG funding, if approved, will address the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic for children designated with Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED), adults designated with Serious Mental Illness (SMI), and assistance for ongoing initiatives for individuals who experience a First Episode Psychosis (FEP). The SABG funding, if approved, will be used to identify needs and gaps within the continuum of care and to support strategies that further substance use disorder primary prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery services. 

Learn more about ARPA reinvestment opportunities for Medicaid programs on the AHCCCS ARPA web page.
Provider Relief Fund Reporting Required for Period 1 by Sept. 30
The Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) reminds providers who received one or more payments exceeding, in the aggregate, $10,000 in Provider Relief Funds (PRF) during a Payment Received Period that they are required to report as part of the post-payment reporting process. The Provider Relief Fund Reporting Portal is now open for reporting on the use of funds. Providers required to report during Reporting Period 1 have until September 30, 2021 to submit their information in the portal.
To support providers, HRSA has extended the reporting deadline to 90 days and has created additional resources to help providers report, including a stakeholder one-pager and stakeholder toolkit.
Quarterly Tribal Consultation
Thurs., August 12, 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. on Zoom
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Check the  AHCCCS Tribal Consultation web page for all meeting materials, including agendas and slide decks.


OIFA Hot Topics: Using OIFA Empowerment Tools to Navigate the Healthcare System
Tues., August 24, noon – 1:00 p.m.
OIFA will demonstrate their empowerment tools and answer questions about accessing your healthcare. AHCCCS members, family members, and stakeholders are welcome to attend.