Promoting School Health Services Through Medicaid Billing Grant Program

The Oklahoma State Department of Education administers Project 695, also known as the Promoting School Health Services Through Medicaid Billing initiative, as part of a broader effort to strengthen school-based health infrastructure across the state. This program is supported through federal funding from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and is designed to address systemic gaps in healthcare access, particularly in rural areas where a significant portion of the population resides and where most counties are designated as health professional shortage areas. Schools in Oklahoma often serve as primary access points for student health and mental health services, yet many districts lack the staffing and systems necessary to fully utilize Medicaid reimbursement opportunities. Project 695 is intended to close this gap by providing targeted financial and operational support. The core purpose of the grant is to help school districts recruit and hire credentialed health and mental health professionals who can deliver Medicaid-reimbursable services within school settings. Eligible positions include school nurses, licensed counselors, speech language pathologists, physical therapists, and occupational therapists, among others. By funding these roles, the program aims to increase Medicaid reimbursement revenue, improve student access to care, reduce administrative burdens, and ensure compliance with documentation requirements. The initiative also emphasizes long term sustainability by enabling districts to reinvest reimbursement funds into ongoing service delivery. Funding under Project 695 is structured to cover up to ninety percent of the total salary and benefits for newly hired personnel. This funding is contingent on the employee being properly credentialed and capable of billing Medicaid for eligible services. The grant explicitly restricts the use of funds to new positions and does not allow funding for existing staff. In addition to personnel costs, districts may use funds to purchase supplies necessary to establish health offices for newly hired staff, subject to approval. The program also includes access to an electronic health record system, EdPlan Health, provided at no cost during the grant period, which supports standardized documentation, compliance, and billing processes. Eligibility is limited to Oklahoma public school districts serving PK through 12 students, with geographic restrictions excluding Oklahoma County and Tulsa County. The program is designed to benefit districts across the remaining counties in the state, particularly those facing resource limitations. Participating districts are required to ensure proper implementation, documentation, and compliance with Medicaid billing standards. They must also maintain service continuity if funded staff leave their positions, making reasonable efforts to fill vacancies and documenting any staffing changes in accordance with grant requirements. The application process is conducted through the Oklahoma State Department of Education Grants Management System, where applicants must locate the PRIMS Project 695 opportunity under the competitive grants category. The application window opens on July 9, 2026, and closes at 11:59 PM Central Time on September 11, 2026. There are no pre application requirements such as letters of intent specified. Applicants are expected to submit all required materials within the system by the stated deadline, and no alternative submission methods are indicated. Implementation of the program includes a phased rollout of the electronic health records system, beginning with a readiness assessment, followed by assignment to an implementation wave, and supported by ongoing training and technical assistance. Districts that receive funding are automatically renewed for the following fiscal year, provided they maintain active credentialed personnel. Future funding prioritization favors districts that demonstrate continued participation and staffing stability. For additional information or support, applicants may contact Shawna Blackburn, Program Manager for School Health Services, via email.