Analyst: LD Page 1 4/25/22
OFA Bill Analysis
HB 5431
AN ACT CONCERNING FUNDING RECEIVED BY THE STATE
UNDER THE FEDERAL AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT.
SUMMARY:
This bill transfers the administration of the Community Health
Worker Grant Program and associated American Rescue Plan Act
(ARPA) funds totaling $6 million from the Department of Public Health
(DPH) to the Department of Social Services (DSS). The bill also (1)
specifies grants are provided per community health worker employed
by a community action agency (CAA), (2) increases the grant amount
from $30,000 to $40,000 per worker, (3) increases the total grants that can
be distributed to CAAs from $6 million to $8 million, and (4) extends the
date by which grants must be distributed.
This bill also requires the Governor to submit proposed allocations of
federal funding received pursuant to the American Rescue Plan Act to
the General Assembly and requires the General Assembly to approve
the plan.
EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage
BACKGROUND
Community Action Agencies
"Community action agency" means a public or private nonprofit
agency which has previously been designated by and authorized to
accept funds from the federal Community Services Administration for
community action agencies under the Economic Opportunity Act of
1964, or a successor agency established pursuant to section 17b-892 of
10 the general statutes.
Community Health Workers 2022HB-05431-R000634-BA.docx
Analyst: LD Page 2 4/25/22
"Community health worker" means a public health outreach
professional with an in-depth understanding of the experience,
language, culture and socioeconomic needs of the community and who
provides a range of services, including, but not limited to, outreach,
engagement, education, coaching, informal counseling, social support,
advocacy, care coordination, research related to social determinants of
health and basic screenings and assessments of any risks associated with
social determinants of health.
COMMITTEE ACTION
Appropriations Committee
Joint Favorable Substitute
Yea 50 Nay 0 (04/07/2022)