Health related social needs: Community capacity building funding

Application window: April 1 – May 31, 2025

HRSN Overview

The Oregon Health Plan’s (OHP) Health Related Social Needs (HRSN) benefit was developed to support OHP/Medicaid members who are experiencing certain life transitions and have specific medical needs. These benefits are intended to help members stay healthy during times of greater need. The categories of HRSN benefits include:

• Medically necessary climate devices
• Housing supports
• Nutrition supports

Implementing the HRSN benefit provides new opportunities for Coordinated Care Organizations (CCOs) to partner, coordinate care, identify needs, and track access to climate, housing, and nutrition services. Community-based organizations, social service agencies, and housing and food providers play an important role in delivering these services to eligible OHP members.

CCBF Funding Overview

To support the HRSN benefit, funding is available statewide to organizations that are interested in offering one or more of the new benefits as a contracted HRSN provider. This funding will allow Columbia Pacific CCO to offer grants to organizations in order to build the necessary capabilities and capacity to provide climate, housing, and/or nutrition services as a Medicaid health benefit. More information about the minimum requirements to become an HRSN provider are available here: HRSN Service Provider Contract Requirements.

In 2025, Columbia Pacific CCO will have $1,935,893.61 available to support current and potential HRSN providers to build capacity to meet contracting requirements and offer the HRSN benefit. Funding can be granted in 4 categories:

• Technology
• Development of Business or Operational Practices
• Workforce development
• Outreach, education, and convening

In 2025, Columbia Pacific CCO will prioritize awards in the following categories:

• Contracted HRSN housing providers for activities that build additional capacity
• Organizations that can provide the fruit and veggie and/or nutrition education benefits that have not yet received CCBF funding
• Organizations that can provide housing stability benefits that have not yet received CCBF funding

Application Process

Columbia Pacific will accept applications for the Community Capacity Building Funding from April 1 – May 31, 2025 through ZoomGrants. The ZoomGrants link will be posted on this webpage on April 1, 2025. The application narrative and budget template are available to preview: Application and Budget Template.

Applicants will be notified of funding decisions no later than September 30, 2025. Applications will be evaluated for how they fit into Columbia Pacific CCO’s funding priorities and the following evaluation criteria: 

• Completion: materials are filled out and the applicant meets minimum eligibility requirements.
• Need: includes a strong justification for why CCBF is needed to support delivery or bolster capacity to provide HRSN services and requests permissible uses of funding.
• Experience: describes relevant experience in providing HRSN or similar services and intends to develop capacity to offer one or more HRSN services.
• Intent to contract: is currently contracting for or intends to contract to provide HRSN services.  Please note that CCBF grant agreements are not the same as an HRSN contract and does not guarantee that your organization will receive an HRSN contract. CCBF grant funds are intended to build necessary infrastructure for HRSN contracting.
• Equity plan: includes details on how the application intends to promote health equity through the use of CCBF.
• Non-duplication: funding will not duplicate or supplant other funding sources.
  

Resources and Contact Information

If you have any questions about the Community Capacity Building Funding process, would like to meet with us to discuss your application, or need assistance with completing the application, please reach out to us at cpccosocialneeds@careoregon.org. 

More information about the HRSN benefit and the CCBF funding opportunity is available at the links below: 

• OHA’s Community Capacity Building Funding webpage
• OHA’s HRSN Provider webpage
• CPCCO’s HRSN Provider webpage