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The State will encourage collaboration through pre-application outreach, technical assistance sessions, and applicant communications that emphasize alignment and regional coordination. While the State will not broker partnerships or disclose proprietary proposal details, applicants may be encouraged to explore voluntary collaboration where overlapping visions or geographies are identified.

After a signed executed agreement has been received.

Yes. The State is responsible for working with subrecipients and contractors to ensure timely disbursement of funds in accordance with federal cash management and compliance requirements. Funds must be disbursed promptly and not held unnecessarily.

There is no predetermined cap.

The RHT Program prioritizes projects that demonstrate a clear pathway to sustainability beyond the 5-year funding period. While proposals are not required to achieve sustainability before the program ends, they must include a credible sustainability plan. Applications that lack a clear and feasible pathway to long-term sustainability may receive lower scores and may not be selected for funding.

Reference; NOFO → Project Narrative → Sustainability Plan, Merit Review → Scoring (Table 2: Sustainability), FAQ on sustainability expectations

Reimbursement for past or currently in-progress projects and expenses is not allowable. All funding must go towards new projects and investments.

 Budgets and outcomes must be clearly delineated by initiative.

After a signed executed agreement has been received.

Notice of funding opportunities will be released, and awards will be approved on a rolling basis throughout program years.

While we anticipate proposals that stretch over multiple years, the state can only award dollars budgeted for the current program year.  Organizations will need to re-apply for future program year awards.

The state is currently focused on locally and regionally-driven initiatives, but a statewide initiative is possible if a compelling statewide initiative is proposed.

The State plans to share high-level program information, awarded projects, and aggregate outcomes. Proprietary proposal content will not be posted.

Yes. Public-facing updates or dashboards are anticipated, subject to CMS requirements.

Yes. Materials will be posted following completion of Roadshow events.

The state plans on funding proposals submitted by healthcare, education, and community-based organizations. These organizations will then be enter into contractual relationships with private vendors as needed to accomplish the goals of their proposals.

Third party vendors such as technology, roofing, AC, or facility repair companies should partner directly with these funded organizations.

The THRIVE initiative anticipates large investment in telehealth, mobile health, and remote patient monitoring for rural residents of Arkansas. Regional collaboratives and local providers should bring forward proposals that describe the need and details how the applicant will use the funding to address the need for their rural populations.

At this time, the state is not planning on making direct procurement of telehealth or other technology equipment but may do so in future program years.

Final determinations for awards will be overseen by a state-led evaluation team consisting of leadership from the Governor’s Office, Department of Human Services, Department of Health, and Department of Finance and Administration.

The RHT program requires quarterly evaluation and status reporting to promote program transparency and ensure program goals are being met. Funding recipients will be expected to cooperate with the state to gather required information for reporting.

Funds may be recovered from sub-recipients per contract terms.

CMS generally does not recover funds solely because an initiative fails to achieve expected outcomes or long-term sustainability, provided the State is acting in good faith and in accordance with its approved application. However, funds may be withheld, reduced, or recovered if a State fails to comply with program requirements, including not following through on commitments in its application, failing to meet reporting or spending requirements, or otherwise using funds inconsistently with the approved plan.

States generally may not change, add, or remove initiatives from their approved RHT Program after award. However, CMS allows limited updates, including budget adjustments and minor workplan changes through annual continuation processes. In rare and extenuating circumstances, States may request amendments to their plans, subject to CMS review and approval.

NOFO, see page 17

Generally, the State will conduct the program on a reimbursement basis. We do recognize there may be scenarios where upfront funding is necessary. These instances will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.