Grants

CMS Awards School-Based Services Grants to 18 States

On June 24, 2024, CMS awarded 18 states grants for the implementation, enhancement, and expansion of Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) school-based services. The states will use these funds to help connect millions more children to critical healthcare services, especially mental health services, at school. Made possible by the historic investments of the  Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA), the states will each receive up to $2.5 million over 3 years. 

The grants notice of opportunity was announced in January, 2024. In partnership with the U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services sent a letter to governors on the importance of the opportunity.

Grant Types & Recipients

There were 3 grant recipient types: enhancement, expansion, and implementation.

 Enhancement

 Enhancement of SBS includes states that have expanded coverage and billing of Medicaid services provided in schools to include any Medicaid or CHIP-covered service provided to a Medicaid or CHIP-enrolled student by a Medicaid or CHIP-participating provider, no matter whether that service is provided as required by a student’s:

• Individualized education program (IEP)
• Individualized family services program (IFSP)
• 504 plan
• Any other Medicaid- or CHIP-enrolled beneficiary (can be defined in a healthcare plan)

There were up to 3 available enhancement grants, which were awarded to:

• Kentucky
• Massachusetts
• Minnesota

 Expansion

 Expansion of SBS includes states that have expanded the coverage and billing of Medicaid or CHIP services provided in schools beyond what is provided as required by a student’s IEP or IFSP.

For purposes of these grant awards, the term “expansion” includes state Medicaid programs or CHIPs that allow for at least one enrolled provider providing non-IEP or IFSP services (like a school nurse). 

For example, a state that included all Medicaid or CHIP-coverable IEP services in their state plan, plus additional Medicaid or CHIP-coverage of allowable vaccine administration and fluoride varnish treatments provided to Medicaid-enrolled students, would be included in this category. 

There were up to 7 available expansion grants, which were awarded to:

• Delaware
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• North Carolina
• Oklahoma

 Implementation

 Implementation of SBS includes states that haven’t expanded coverage of and billing for Medicaid and CHIP services provided in schools beyond what’s required by a student’s IEP or IFSP. 

There were no fewer than 10 available implementation grants, which were awarded to:

• Alaska
• Kansas
• Maryland
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• Vermont
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin