Assisted living operators in Texas are eligible for grants from a $46 million fund set up by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission for a variety of workforce initiatives, including recruitment and retention bonuses, but they could face “significant roadblocks” in accessing them, according to one industry representative.
The money is part of the rollout of $178 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds for a grant program aimed at helping a variety of healthcare providers tackle the workforce issues worsened by the pandemic. The Texas Assisted Living Association had advocated for the state’s 1,992 assisted living communities to be included as eligible providers.
“Leading up to and during the 3rd Special Session, TALA met with key legislators and the Office of the Governor to explain why assisted living communities deserved and needed to have access to ARPA funds,” Carmen Tilton, TALA vice president of public policy, told McKnight’s. “We testified in front of both the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees about the shortcomings in the Provider Relief Fund and the disparity between the financial impact of the staffing crisis compared to the amount of federal and emergency state assistance to providers.”
Tilton estimated that the awards could range from $500 to $2,000 per bed based on a similar calculation the commission used for intermediate care facilities providers.
Providers were able to submit applications beginning Friday, but she said that assisted living communities could face “significant roadblocks.” Eligible providers first need to apply for and receive a Texas identification number, and all applying communities must be up to date with their required monthly federal funds reports to the commission.
“As of last week, over 1,500 AL providers are listed as having not submitted at least one of their required monthly reports. Most assisted living communities do not have a Texas identification number,” she said.
