Provider Technology Grant

The grant opportunity to help HCBS providers upgrade their existing IT hardware or software improve interaction with members, streamline operations, and enhance clinical care and care coordination has closed. Awards have been announced.

Overview

The Provider Technology Grant program from EOHHS totals over $15 million to help organizations that provide Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) to upgrade and modernize their IT hardware and software, and implement innovative technologies that will contribute to future sustainability.

Grants of up to $500,000 each were available to help providers:

• Upgrade hardware and software to improve their delivery and track quality of compliance with HCBS person-centered planning.
• Improve interaction with members through enhanced communication and information sharing between providers, patients, and state and local agencies.
• Streamline operations and improve processes by ensuring technologies are up-to-date.
• Improve clinical care and care coordination by leveraging hardware and software to support the delivery of care.
• Create opportunities for innovation by removing barriers created by a lack of technology or outdated technology.
• Advance health equity and improve outcomes from service delivery.

Priorities for Funding

EOHHS prioritized the following when awarding grants:

• Providers serving people experiencing homelessness or who were formerly homeless
• Providers who have deferred maintenance on their IT due to barriers in purchasing or updating
• Technologies to support culturally, linguistically, or ethnically diverse and gender-inclusive care
• Technologies that will help organizations deliver higher quality services

Eligible Activities

Awardees must use grant funds for activities or equipment that improve interaction with members, streamline operations, and enhance clinical care and care coordination. All purchases or activities must support the provider’s ability to expand, enhance, or innovate HBCS at the organizational level.

The following table provides descriptions and examples for each type of eligible expense.

Eligible Expenses	Description	Examples
New or Enhanced Electronic Systems	Systems used to record and manage client care, and/or bill for care provided. Can be an installed or cloud-based system.	Electronic medical record system (EMR) Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS) Electronic Health Records (EHR) Emergency Notification Systems (ENS) Applications to enhance closed-loop referrals Enterprise-wide medication management systems Enterprise-wide technology platforms to help individuals be involved in their care
Telehealth Systems	Systems used by providers to communicate with or monitor the health of clients	Teladoc, Kareo, and other similar platforms
Applications or Subscriptions	Systems used by providers to enhance communication and accessibility	Zoom Teleconference software Microsoft Office
Devices or Equipment	Electronic devices used by providers or clients to interact with electronic and telehealth systems	Laptops Tablets Televisions Modems Hard drives
Technical Support/Assistance	Assistance with new digital software, hardware, or electronic systems	Implementation consultants Training on new technologies
Capital Expenditures	Funds for subcontractor to implement physical changes to an organization’s space to accommodate new or upgraded technology	Installation of new servers Installation of new televisions Modifications to circuit breakers

Grant funds can be used to supplement, but not supplant, existing Medicaid HCBS or any other state-funded initiatives.

Ineligible Expenses

Ineligible expenses include, but are not limited to: 

• Ongoing costs of the grant program after it ends on March 31, 2025
• Loan repayment, retention bonuses, referral bonuses, or recruitment bonuses
• Temporary wage increases
• Audio books
• Internet, hot spot, or utility payments
• Capital expenses not related to technology improvement or implementation
• Any pet related technology fees, including robotic or electronic comfort pets 
• Devices for the permanent use of individuals served by the provider’s organization
• Television streaming services

In addition to the above restrictions, grant funds must not overlap with any Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) waiver extension proposals.

Expenses that occurred before the contract start date or after the contract end date will not be reimbursed.

Helpful Resources

• FAQ
• Guide to Using the MassGRANTS Application Portal
• Official RFA
• Amendment 2 for HCBS Tech Grant

Grant Awardees

Provider technology grant program awardees include:   

•            Access Homecare Services Inc. in Randolph 

•            Advocates Inc. in Framingham

•            Aging Services of Central Mass Inc. in Leominster

•            Amego in Attleboro

•            Associates For Human Services in Taunton    

•            Bay Cove Human Services Inc. in Boston    

•            Bay State Community Services Inc. in Quincy    

•            Bethany Community Services Inc. in Haverhill 

•            Bridge Over Troubled Waters Inc. in Boston

•            Bridgewell Inc. in Peabody    

•            Brockton Area Multi-servs Inc. in Brockton    

•            Brookline Comm Mental Health Center in Brookline    

•            Casa Esperanza Inc. in Roxbury    

•            Center For Living & Working Inc. in Worcester    

•            Central Massachusetts Housing in Worcester    

•            Comm Counseling of B C in Taunton    

•            Community Action Pioneer Valley Inc. in Greenfield    

•            Community Rehab Care Inc. in Watertown    

•            County Of Barnstable in Barnstable    

•            Duffy Health Center, Inc. in Hyannis    

•            Easter Seals Massachusetts in Worcester    

•            Excel Nursing Services Inc. in Wilbraham    

•            Family Service Association in Fall River

•            Father Bill's & Mainspring Inc. in Brockton    

•            Fidelity House Inc. in Lawrence    

•            Fuente De Vida Adult Day Care in Hyde Park    

•            Genesis Club House Inc. in Worcester    

•            Greater Boston Chinese in Boston

•            Guardian Healthcare LLC in Boston    

•            Home For Little Wanderers Inc. in Boston    

•            L U K Crisis Center Inc. in Fitchburg    

•            Ledges School & Resident Inc. in Hopedale    

•            M O L I F E Inc. in Fairhaven

•            Mental Health Association Inc. in Springfield

•            Middlesex Human Service Agency Inc. in Waltham

•            Nashoba Learning Group Inc. in Bedford

•            NFI Massachusetts Inc. in Danvers

•            North Suffolk Community Services Inc. in Chelsea

•            Northeast Arc, Inc. in Danvers

•            Northeast Ctr Youth & Families in Easthampton

•            Opportunities For Inclusion in Waltham

•            People Incorporated in Fall River

•            Pine Street Inn Inc. in Boston

•            Relief Home Health Services Inc. in Hyannis

•            Riverside Community Care Inc. in Dedham

•            Saint Francis House Inc. in Boston

•            Shore Educ Collaborative in Chelsea

•            South Shore Support Serv Inc. in Weymouth

•            Suburban Home Health Care Inc. in Boston

•            Sylvain Counseling Services in Malden

•            The Community Family Inc. in Everett

•            The May Institute Inc. in Randolph

•            The United Arc Inc. in Turners Falls

•            Thrive Support & Advocacy in Marlborough

•            Toward Independent Living in Dedham

•            Transitions Through Motion in Belchertown

•            Triangle Inc. in Malden

•            Turning Point Inc. in Newburyport

•            Veterans Inc. in Worcester

•            Viability Inc. in Springfield

•            Visiting Rehab and Nursing Services Inc. in Mansfield

•            Volunteers Of America of MA Inc. in Jamaica Plain

•            Westmass Eldercare Inc. in Holyoke

Questions

For questions about the grant program, please email [e-mail].

Last updated:	August 26, 2024