Frequently Asked Questions

The online application form should be completed all at one time. It is suggested that applicants draft the components of the application in another format and then paste the text into the form. The form fields do not have character or word limits; however, the Health Equity goals questions have a 250-word limit.

If you get booted out the system, please use the code you were provided and if you lose your code and you cannot access the application, please send your request for access to the Health Issues & Challenges mailbox for your code or assistance.

Your project can be structured for the span of time as best suits what outcomes you intend to achieve based on a 2-, 3- or 4- year period beginning July 1, 2023, and ending Dec. 31, 2026; however, all grant agreements must be fully executed by Dec. 31, 2024, and all funding spent by Dec. 31, 2026. Projects with less than a 24-month project period will not be considered.

The grant guidance does not indicate such requirement. However, if you think that would help your application, then feel free to include it.

The data will be reported in REDCap Survey. The questions are written to ask for an aggregate number to be input into a blank field. The exact requirements are listed in the grant guidance.

Yes, we have allowed fiscal agencies to be the lead applicant. The MOU or subrecipient contract with the organization implementing the grant will be between the lead agency and subrecipient.

One agency will be the parent agency and the other will be a subrecipient. The agency may submit one application, but they will need to clarify who the parent agency will be.

No, there is no limit. If you feel well-suited to apply for more than one priority area, then please apply for any relevant priority areas. Current grantees may not apply for the priority area in which they are currently funded but may apply in priority areas in which they did not receive an award.

There is no limit to the total amount of funding for which an organization can apply. The total funding available in the grant opportunity is $50 million, and it will be allocated among all priority areas (and awardees) plus fund the dashboard created by the Indiana Management Performance Hub. Applicants should consider these factors when applying.

Current grantees may not apply for the priority area in which they are currently funded.

Current grantees may apply in priority areas in which they did not receive any funding. Current grantees are only eligible for funding in program areas where they were not awarded funding for Round 1. Grantees that fall under the same organizational umbrella may not reapply in program areas where they have already received funding.

Yes, serving persons with disabilities would fit under the health equity expectation. However, please also reference the Social Vulnerability Index link in the grant guidance to confirm if the county you are serving falls within the following guidelines: To further prioritize health equity, organizations that reside in, or serve communities that rank high (.5 and above) on the CDC’s Social Vulnerability Index, will be prioritized for funding.

We have used the terms Community Health Worker and Patient Navigator interchangeably and prefer these two terms.

We are assuming this will be a purchase of a cellular app for patients to use while they are attending the diabetes prevention program that you will implementing.  Yes, this would be an allowable expense.

There are many tangible ways that hepatitis C linkage to care can be enhanced through these efforts within your community. Please think of and report on ways that can be sustained with and without continued funding. IDOH will continue to seek additional funds to support this programming beyond the initial period of performance.

Documents that can demonstrate the lead entity’s existing scope of work across the state (collaborations and partnerships). Documentation of the lead entity’s ability to manage/contract  for the 20 required positions for this funding opportunity.

The performance measures are not meant to be punitive but rather goals to achieve,  knowing that this will be a new program in much of the state. The measurement of these goals  will be overseen by the lead entity but will be closely monitored by IDOH staff with ongoing  communications and collaborations on ways to enhance and improve the program as necessary.

Yes, that number is the estimated, anticipated impact of the total program. Again, this number  is not meant to be punitive but rather a goal for the program to achieve.

Please submit a two-to-four-year budget.

No, this funding was intended to create navigation for clients throughout the state, through  establishing care coordinators. Care coordinators could promote education and conduct outreach  to providers while aligning clients with a payer for medical services (i.e., Medicaid or marketplace  insurance programs).

Please get involved with your local ZIP Coalition if you are not already. The lead entity will be  tasked with working collaboratively with each ZIP Coalition to determine partner organizations at  the local level, for engagement in this funding opportunity. Please let the ZIP Coalition know of your desire to participate in this funding opportunity and project. You can sign up to be a  member of your local ZIP Coalition by going to www.ZIPindiana.org.

Utilization of Luther Evaluation Web’s APHIRM or a similar database is necessary to report data  on health outcomes.

This will be determined on a case-by-case basis in partnership with the lead entity and each identified agency. Both approaches are acceptable. ZIP Coalition feedback has advised IDOH that a contractual relationship with local organizations is preferred over the lead entity hiring all 20 staff positions and placing them at satellite locations.

There is no funding ceiling for this section. Applicants are encouraged to present their proposals and matching budgets with clear justification of the need for the proposed funding being requested.

As currently stated in the RFP, funds must be encumbered (obligated) by Dec. 31, 2024. Funds must be spent by Dec. 31, 2026. This means that funds awarded to a grantee must be executed in a contract with IDOH and the purchase order finalized by Dec. 31, 2024. Grantees have until Dec. 31, 2026, to spend funds as they have described in their awarded proposal, whether that is through subgrants or direct expenditures.

The direct purchase of food is an allowable expense. Please include in your proposal how this will be sustainable after this funding expires.

Yes, you may apply for these activities; however, please know that we are most interested in activities/projects that focus on policy, system, and environmental change strategies and also activities/projects that will be sustainable after funding is spent.

While we do want some initiatives/funding proposals to span larger initiatives with a larger reach, we also expect to receive applications (and award them) to smaller organizations/projects. Your idea fits the parameters of the RFA, but we do not yet know the answer to the question about direct food costs. We have had some challenges with our funders allowing that in the past, so we are looking into whether food will be an allowable cost and in what way.

Yes, this type of activity would fit in the parameters for the RFA. Having a combined approach (nutrition and physical activity) would likely help your application score higher vs. if you only focused on one or the other. Evidence shows that the more risk factors a community organization can focus on at one time, the better the health outcomes.

You may use funding for physical improvements such as those you mentioned. Please make sure to include how it will increase physical activity or nutrition or decrease food insecurity.

Yes, this is an allowable expense.

Yes, any loaned equipment will be required to be maintained and resourced by the local health department. Equipment must be returned if there is no one on staff qualified to use the equipment.

To be licensed as a risk assessor, an individual first needs to meet the following qualifications:

1. Successfully complete an approved lead-based paint course in the appropriate discipline and receive a certificate of training from an approved course provider.
2. Have attended an Indiana approved lead-based paint two (2) hour rules awareness course within twelve (12) months prior to making license application, if the approved lead-based paint course in subdivision (1) is not an Indiana-approved course.
3. Meet or exceed the experience and education requirements for each desired discipline as listed in subsection (b).
4. For inspector, risk assessor, project designers, and supervisor applicants, pass the third-party examination in the appropriate discipline.

Risk assessor applicants shall take and pass the inspector and risk assessor courses and pass all required examinations, including third-party examinations. Applicants must meet any one

(1) of the following combinations of education and experience:

• Bachelor’s degree and one (1) year of experience.
• Associate degree and two (2) years of experience.
• A high school diploma or GED and three (3) years of experience.

Required experience must be in a related field, including lead, asbestos, environmental remediation work, or construction.

Info on training providers who offer risk assessor courses can be found at https://www.in.gov/health/files/2020-2021-lead-abatement-training-course-providers-contact-info.pdf.

IDOH does have some scholarship funds to cover the cost of the course, but the LHD would be responsible for travel, per diem, hotel, and wages for that individual for the week of training. Scholarship funds are available on a first come-first serve basis, and Katie Etter tracks whether we have funding available or not. The cost for the license can be waived for LHD personnel.

Yes.

Yes, staff supporting a risk assessor with either clerical or in-field work are allowed. Please note that any risk assessment entered into I-LEAD must be entered using the credentials of the licensed individual, and any in-field samples taken must be taken by the licensed individual.

Yes, the requirements for case management currently in place for children with a confirmed blood lead level at 10 will be the requirements for children with a confirmed level at or above 5.

Yes, they will mirror the current requirements for children between 5.0 and 9.9 and are as follows:

• Notifying the child’s primary medical provider, within 10 working days
• Providing education material to the parents
• Any other actions the local health officer deems appropriate.

Yes.

Yes, this is an allowable expense.