Planning for Success as a PSH Provider

A Guide For Community-Based Organizations Evaluating Participation In Medicaid

Proudly presented by Atrómitos, this comprehensive toolkit on Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) results from an Apple Health and Homes Capacity Building grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce. Developed with a commitment to creating healthier, more resilient, and more equitable communities, our toolkit offers a wealth of information, resources, and strategies to enhance understanding and drive the successful implementation of PSH initiatives.

This toolkit aims to reduce complexity and barriers to entry, making it easier for organizations, including yours, to participate in the Foundational Community Supports program as a Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) provider. It provides practical guidance tailored to community-based organizations (CBOs), particularly “by and for” organizations, offering them the necessary support and resources to increase participation, retention, sustainability, and satisfaction in the Foundational Community Supports (FCS) program.

By framing FCS participation within the broader context of strategic planning and capacity development, the toolkit helps CBOs navigate the complexities of the healthcare system effectively. We recognize that the success of FCS relies on the representation, participation, and achievements of CBOs like yours.

The toolkit packet below consists of 10 tools designed to provide step-by-step guidance, templates, and valuable information tailored to community-based organizations. It is an invaluable resource for organizations seeking practical support in navigating the intricacies of the PSH services within the FCS program.

Video Tutorial for Success

In this step-by-step video, two of Atrómitos’ experts, Tina Simpson, JD, MSPH, and Kate McNulty, MA, CHC, explain the importance and functionality of each tool to ensure the successful use of the toolkit.

Each individual tool is also available for download below.

Toolkit 1

Overview of Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH)

This fact sheet defines permanent supportive housing, focusing on Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) principles, including identification of the models, eligibility, and services provided.

Toolkit 2

What is Apple Health and Homes (AHAH)

This fact sheet defines AHAH, including identifying the supports and services available through the program, the Foundational Community Supports (FCS) program, and how the two are related.

Toolkit 3

Board Engagement Strategy: Permanent Supportive Housing

This guide is for organizational leadership and identifies the information necessary to present to the Board of Directors when evaluating the business case for a PSH program. A proposed agenda and sample prompts are provided to enable leadership to facilitate Board discussion. The guide includes a Board Score Card, RAID document, SWOT Tool, SBAR Tool, and 4 Square Tool, which the Board can use to evaluate the PSH opportunity regarding capital financing and the FCS contract.

Toolkit 4

Evaluating the Business Case for Permanent Supportive Housing Program

This guide identifies the critical business issues that organizations need to be aware of and how to evaluate them when creating or expanding an existing PSH program.

Toolkit 5

Capital Financing Options and Considerations

Capital financing is available through AHAH, but additional, diversified capital funding is needed. What are sources of funding, and how do organizations braid financing together? This fact sheet discusses these aspects.

Toolkit 6

Beyond Capital Financing

This tool identifies the other sources of funding (operating and support services) that are necessary and available, focusing on the Medicaid Foundational Community Supports program. A checklist is included with this tool.

Toolkit 7

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and PSH

This tool explains what HIPAA is and how it relates to PSH programs.

Toolkit 8

Compliance Readiness Assessment

This assessment document identifies the standard programmatic and regulatory compliance requirements for serving as an FCS provider. In addition, a guided assessment enables the user to evaluate the readiness of the organization to meet those requirements and identify areas where gaps need to be addressed. Within this toolkit are two templates, Compliance Requirements, and a HIPAA Compliance Assessment.

Toolkit 9

Foundational Community Supports Contract Evaluation

This tool provides a step-by-step process for establishing a contract review workgroup and includes a work plan template to manage the process. It also explains how to analyze a contract by focusing on critical areas of operational impact within the FCS contract.

Toolkit 10

Contract Compliance Crosswalk

The contract compliance crosswalk is like the Compliance Readiness Assessment in format and function but is based on a crosswalk of the specific contract terms. This crosswalk serves as a resource for leaders to better understand the standard PSH contract terms and prompts to guide implementation planning and operational capacity development to ensure that (1) contract terms are met and (2) operational adjustments are consistent and feasible.