COVID-19 RESOURCES

Consolidated for the Affordable Housing, Homelessness, Behavioral Health and Disability Services Sectors

This page last updated: 4/16/20.

Visitors to TAC’s website are typically involved in multiple aspects of meeting the human services and affordable housing needs of individuals and families experiencing disabilities and homelessness. This resource page consolidates important information from the federal government and other sources related to Medicaid, behavioral health and disability services, and housing/homelessness to assist state and local governments and providers in responding to Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). TAC will update links and resources regularly as new information become available.

CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION (CDC)

The CDC has compiled a number of COVID-19 preparedness and response resources for the health care sector. Some specific helpful resources include:

• Steps Healthcare Facilities Can Take Now to Prepare for Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
• FAQs for Shelter Providers (4/2/20)
• Guidance on Screening Clients for Respiratory Infection Symptoms at Entry to Homeless Shelters (3/31/20)
• Interim Guidance for Responding to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) among People Experiencing Unsheltered Homelessness (3/22/20)
• Interim Guidance for Homeless Service Providers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) (3/22/20)
• Interim Guidance for Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 in Retirement Communities and Independent Living Facilities
• Interim Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations for U.S. Community Facilities with Suspected/Confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES (HHS)

HHS Secretary Alex Azar has declared a public health emergency for COVID-19. Below are some resources related to the virus and response activities, offered by individual HHS agencies.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

CMS is taking several actions in response to COVID-19 aimed at allowing providers, health care facilities, and states more flexibility as they respond to the virus, and has established a Medicaid.gov COVID-19 Resource Page with the most up-to-date information. Selected resources outlining these regulatory flexibilities and other actions CMS is taking to help health care providers and states respond to and contain COVID-19 are included below.

• CMS COVID-19 Waivers and Flexibilities Webpage
• Emergency Declaration Health Care Providers Fact Sheet
• Fact Sheet on Coverage and Benefits Related to COVID-19 Medicaid and CHIP
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for State Medicaid and CHIP Agencies (4/2/20)
• The COVID-19 Section 1115 Demonstration Opportunity makes available a number of authorities to assist states in enrolling and covering beneficiaries in Medicaid and to focus agency operations on addressing the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The Section 1135 Waiver COVID-19 State/Territory Request Template includes a checklist of relevant and commonly requested temporary flexibilities under Section 1135 authorities that are now available as a result of the national emergency declaration.
• 1915(c) Appendix K Template
• Medicaid Disaster State Plan Amendment Template
• CHIP Disaster State Plan Amendment
• Disaster Preparedness Toolkit for State Medicaid Agencies

State Waiver Amendment and Approvals

• Section 1135 Waiver Approvals
• Section 1115 Waiver Approvals
• 1915(c) Appendix K Approvals
• Medicaid Disaster State Plan Amendment (SPA) Approvals
• CHIP State Plan Amendment (SPA) Approvals

Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) Provisions

Section 6008 of the FFCRA provides a temporary 6.2 percentage point increase to each qualifying state's and territory’s FMAP under section 1905(b) of the Social Security Act, effective beginning January 1, 2020 and extending through the end of the calendar quarter in which the COVID-19 public health emergency was declared by the HHS Secretary. Section 6004(a)(3) of the FFCRA adds a new optional Medicaid eligibility group for uninsured individuals allowing for a limited benefit package of services related to testing and diagnosis of COVID-19 during the public health emergency.

• Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) Increased FMAP FAQs (4/13/20)
• COVID-19 FAQs on implementation of Section 6008 of the FFCRA and Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (4/13/20)

Medicaid Telehealth Guidance to States

States have flexibility to cover and support delivery of covered Medicaid services through various telehealth technologies, including live video-conferencing, telephone, email, and remote patient monitoring. CMS has released guidance describing fee-for-service payment options for telehealth within Medicaid to help mitigate COVID-19. Notably, states are not required to submit a State Plan Amendment (SPA) to CMS for the delivery of covered services via telehealth if payments are made in the same way and amount as in a face-to-face setting. If states seek to pay ancillary fees associated with telemedicine, such as equipment and transmission costs, or plan to reimburse for telehealth services differently than for face-to-face services, an SPA may be required to describe the payment rates and methodologies. Telehealth delivery methods that can also be used in response to COVID-19 are outlined in an April 2, 2020 Center for Medicaid & CHIP Services Informational Bulletin on the use of telehealth in Medicaid for rural communities and substance use disorder treatment services as required by the SUPPORT Act.

Guidance for PACE Organizations

CMS has issued guidance to all Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) Organizations in response to COVID-19. PACE organizations serve older adults who often have serious chronic medical conditions and therefore are at higher risk of serious illness from the virus.

Guidance for Pre-Admission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR)

CMS has indicated in its FAQs that PASRR Level 1 and Level 2 evaluations may be conducted remotely rather than face-to-face. PASRR statutory provisions require all applicants to, and residents of, Medicaid-certified nursing facilities to be screened for mental illness and intellectual disability, and, if necessary, be provided specialized services while in the nursing facility. Federal regulations do not prohibit PASRR Level 1 and Level 2 evaluations from being conducted by telephone or through another electronic medium. Unless a state has a specific requirement that PASRR Level 2 evaluations be conducted in a face-to-face interview, there is no need to amend language in the state plan. States can also request an 1135 Waiver to temporarily suspend PASRR Level 1 and Level 2 for 30 days.

Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

The COVID-19 SAMHSA Resources and Information page contains guidance and information to ensure that behavioral health services are uninterrupted during this public health emergency. A sample of guidance and resources is included below.

• Tips for Social Distancing, Quarantine, and Isolation during an Infectious Disease Outbreak
• SAMHSA Disaster Planning Handbook for Behavioral Health Treatment Programs (Chapter 6 addresses planning for infectious disease pandemics)
• Virtual Recovery Resources
• Emergency Grants to Address Mental and Substance Use Disorders During COVID-19
• COVID-19 Information for SAMHSA Discretionary Grant Recipients

SAMHSA has collected guidance documents related to treatment of persons with opioid use disorder (OUD) using telehealth, and to medication-assisted treatment (MAT) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Guidance on pharmacotherapy for OUD availability in circumstances in which patients may be exposed to highly contagious infectious agents such as COVID-19
• Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) Guidance – provides increased flexibility in response to COVID-19
• FAQs on the Provision of Methadone and Buprenorphine for the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder in the COVID-19 Emergency
• Sample Opioid Treatment Program FAQs for states and programs to consider for their individual circumstances
• Use of Telemedicine While Providing MAT
• SAMHSA has also posted links to guidance from the Drug Enforcement Administration allowing flexibility for the use of telemedicine for MAT.

In addition, SAMHSA has provided guidance on consent and disclosures for treatment for persons with substance use disorders as it pertains to 42 CFR Part 2.

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

COVID-19: Potential Implications for Individuals with Substance Use Disorders

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Interim Guidance for COVID-19 and Persons with HIV for health care providers and persons living with H.I.V.

Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA)

Emergency Preparedness and Recovery Resources for Health Centers: Novel Coronavirus FAQ

SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION (SSA)

SSA has established a Social Security and Coronavirus update page to provide information about operational changes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA)

• COVID-19 Federal Rural Resource Guide

ADDITIONAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH & DISABILITY-RELATED RESOURCES

Technical Assistance Collaborative (TAC)

TAC has created a two-page PDF of State COVID-19 Response Strategies for the Disability & Homeless Community to help state-level policymakers facilitate a coordinated response that focuses on the needs of people with disabilities and those who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

National Association of Medicaid Directors (NAMD)

NAMD has posted a previously delivered webinar on Leading through Emergencies: A Toolkit for Medicaid with information on 1135 Waivers.

National Council for Behavioral Health (NCBH)

NCBH has compiled several resources and tools for addressing the Coronavirus for behavioral health providers, including a guide on Best Practices for Telehealth during COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.

National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services (NASDDDS)

NASDDDS COVID-19 Resources and Materials highlights COVID-19 resources and state responses to the virus for intellectual and developmental disability (I/DD) systems’ reference. (3/10/20) 

American Network of Community Options & Resources (ANCOR)

ANCOR's COVID-19 Resource Center includes a preparedness webinar and a state-by-state tracker of what states are doing and guidance being issued to I/DD providers and other providers of in-home care.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING & URBAN DEVELOPMENT (HUD)

HUD's COVID-19 Information and Resources landing page has links to the latest guidance and information to assist homeless service systems, public housing agencies, assisted-housing providers, and other partners as they work together to address this crisis and support vulnerable households at the local level.

April is Fair Housing Month. COVID-related fair housing resources include the HUD Statement on Fair Housing and COVID-19 and educational information from the National Housing Law Project and the National Fair Housing Alliance.

On the Action and Resource Guide page as well as on the HUD Exchange Disease Risks and Homelessness page, the HUD Office of Special Needs Assistance Programs (SNAPS) provides the latest guidance and information for homeless service systems. The SNAPS resources include toolkits for Preventing and Managing the Spread of Infectious Diseases within Shelters and Preventing and Managing the Spread of Infectious Diseases within Encampments, as well as links to CDC guidance specific to homelessness. SNAPS has also issued COVID-19 HMIS Resources, which offers guidance to assist local communities in leveraging the Homeless Management Information System to enhance communication. There is also guidance on using HOPWA funds to address the disease.

HUD Office of Community Planning and Development (CPD) has published CPD Program Formula Allocations and CARES Act Supplemental Funding for FY 2020, listing allocations of a portion of the CARES Act for the Continuum of Care (CoC), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), and Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS (HOPWA) funding, as well as a Memorandum (3/31/20) explaining the availability of waivers for these programs to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to facilitate assistance to eligible communities and households economically impacted by COVID-19. More recently, CPD has published general HOME program waivers and waivers specific to using HOME funds for Tenant Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) as well as an initial set of waivers for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.

The COVID-19 ("Coronavirus") Information and Resources Page also provides the latest guidance and updates from the HUD Offices of Public and Indian Housing (PIH) and Multifamily Housing for public housing agencies, HUD assisted housing providers, service coordinators and tenants of Section 202, Section 811, and other multifamily housing programs. PIH has issued waivers for the Public Housing, Housing Choice Voucher, Indian Housing Block Grant and Indian CDBG programs (4/10/20). COVID-19 FAQs for Multifamily Housing (4/4/20) and COVID-19 FAQs for Public Housing Agencies (3/31/20) are updated regularly. The CDC has also issued guidance for retirement communities that property managers might find useful.

Information for Tenants

HUD tenants include seniors and people with disabilities. In addition to CDC resources for seniors and CDC resources for higher risk populations, listed below are targeted resources.

• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) COVID-19 Resource & Information Guide
• Plain Language Information on COVID-19
• National Domestic Violence Hotline – Staying Safe during COVID-19

Information for Property Managers and Service Coordinators– Resources for Front Line Staff and Residents

The organizations listed below provide COVID-19 information that property managers and service coordinators may find useful.

• Stewards of Affordable Housing – Resources for Front Line Staff and Residents
• Leading Age – Collection of Resources for Affordable Housing Providers
• Leading Age – Visitor Guidance for HUD-Assisted Communities
• Seattle/King County, Washington State - Guidelines for Families & Individuals in Permanent Supportive Housing (3/6/20)
• CSH Guidance for Supportive Housing Providers (3/20/20)
• Rural Housing Updates from the Housing Assistance Council (HAC) 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS (VA)

The VA has posted several resources to its Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program web page, including modified guidance to SSVF grantees on emergency housing assistance in response to COVID-19; SSVF COVID-19 FAQs (3/19/20); and resources submitted by SSVF grantees.

VA Grant and Per Diem Program (GPD) Guidance Regarding COVID-19

VA General COVID-19 FAQs

U.S. INTERAGENCY COUNCIL ON HOMELESSNESS (USICH)

USICH has compiled several resources for homeless systems and providers on its Planning and Preparing for COVID-19 web page, including some resources from local jurisdictions.

ADDITIONAL HOMELESSNESS & HOUSING-RELATED RESOURCES

National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH)

NAEH has compiled key resources to assist homeless systems and providers in responding to COVID-19 from federal, state, and local partners, including examples of local homeless shelter and street outreach guidance.

National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV)

The NCHV COVID-19 Resource Page has been established to assist in preparing and responding to COVID-19 for Veterans experiencing homelessness.

National Council of State Housing Agencies (NCSHA)

The NCHSA COVID-19 Resources and Updates page contains information, guidelines, and notices published by state Housing Finance Agencies (HFAs), federal agencies, and state governments.

National Health Care for the Homeless Council (NHCHC)

NHCHC has created a Coronavirus resources section on its website dedicated to the response to COVID-19 by health care providers who work with people experiencing homelessness. This collection includes COVID-19 Information for Homeless Shelters and Homeless Service Providers. 

National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC)

NLIHC's Coronavirus and Housing/Homelessness page summarizes the federal response and related advocacy efforts, as well as state and city actions related to housing and homelessness.

National Network for Youth (NN4Y)

NN4Y has created a COVID-19 Resources for Youth Homelessness Providers webpage.

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