RFA 20422 - Direct Caregiver Flexibility

The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), through its Office of Aging and Long-Term Care and Center for Regulatory and Policy Initiatives, has released the Direct Caregiver Flexibility grant under Request for Applications (RFA) #20422. This opportunity aims to support providers and organizations engaged in long-term care by enhancing workforce flexibility and resilience in direct caregiver roles. The initiative is part of New York State’s ongoing efforts to improve the quality and sustainability of long-term care services, especially for aging populations, by addressing workforce challenges through targeted funding and strategic flexibility mechanisms. The Direct Caregiver Flexibility grant is designed to assist eligible organizations in implementing innovations or operational changes that enhance the ability of direct care staff to provide consistent and high-quality services. The grant does not publicly list specific allowable expenses or caps on use; however, typical funding in such contexts may support activities such as staffing adjustments, scheduling innovations, or cross-training programs to promote better use of existing workforce resources. The funding is expected to contribute to system-wide improvements by reducing caregiver burnout, improving continuity of care, and increasing organizational capacity in long-term care settings. Eligible applicants must submit their applications via the New York Statewide Financial System (SFS) Vendor Portal. The application process involves a technical registration through the SFS, where applicants must search for the opportunity using the Event ID or agency filter (DOH01). Applicants are advised to submit at least 48 hours before the due date to address any technical errors that may arise. Applications must pass a system-level global error check before submission, and documents uploaded must conform to specific file naming and size limitations. Prequalification through the NYS Grants Gateway is mandatory for not-for-profit organizations unless explicitly exempt. This includes maintaining current filings such as the IRS Form 990, Financial Statements, and NYS Charities Bureau documentation. Failure to remain prequalified at the time of application will disqualify an applicant from funding consideration. Only users with the role of "Bid Response Submitter" may finalize and submit an application in the system. The application period for this grant opened on December 3, 2024. All applications must be received by January 23, 2025, at 4:00 PM Eastern Time. Questions regarding the application were accepted until December 23, 2024, and the compiled Questions and Answers were posted on or about January 7, 2025. There is no mention of a pre-application process or letters of intent, nor is there a stated recurrence for the funding cycle. Interested applicants are encouraged to refer to the official vendor portal and SFS training materials for detailed application instructions. For questions, applicants may contact Carol Rodat, Special Advisor to the Office of Aging and Long-Term Care, via email at DCF.Grant@health.ny.gov or phone at (518) 402-0990. Further guidance, including user manuals and training webinars, can be found through the Statewide Financial System’s SFS Coach section and NYS Grants Management resources.