Funding is available to licensed skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), assisted living facilities (ALFs), and critical access hospitals (CAHs) in Montana. Funding is provided to support infection control projects to help improve infection control programs and expertise. Projects must fall in the scope of this project and in line with the approved project list noted below. Funds must be spent from 5/9/2023 to 9/15/2023.
Applications must be submitted via Submittable by applicants. Applications will be reviewed by DPHHS, and approval notices will be sent to the applicants via email. This grant application will close on June 9, 2023, at 5:00 pm. Facilities will be notified by July 14, 2023, if the application is approved.
Funding will be reimbursement-based, and receipts and invoices are required for reimbursement. Invoices and receipts are due by the 15th of each month (i.e., August 15, September 15) if you would like to receive reimbursement within 30 days of submission. All receipts and invoices are due by September 15, 2023, for this application cycle. Questions regarding this grant opportunity can be sent to Erika Baldry, Infection Control and Prevention/Healthcare-Associated Infections Section Supervisor, at Erika.Baldry@mt.gov or via phone at 406-444-0275.
The following are allowable cost for the funds provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (MT DPHHS) to your facility:
- Fit-testing supplies: Funds may be used to ensure staff are appropriately fit tested for an appropriate respirator if it is anticipated they may care for persons known to have COVID-19 as part of their job duties. This can be accomplished through purchasing fit testing supplies as part of the implementation of a facility’s respiratory protection program or paying to have staff fit tested by an external party.
- Portable air filters: Funding can be used to purchase portable air filters. However, an HVAC assessment must be completed prior to purchasing the portable air filters. If your facility applies for this project, please also apply for project #3 (HVAC assessments).
- HVAC Assessments: Funding to support an external or internal consultant to provide an HVAC assessment.
- Infection Control and Prevention Training: Specific infection control training for staff
- Technology Improvements: Funds may be used to purchase hardware and/or software necessary for reporting to public health, coordination of follow-up on reportable diseases/conditions detected, or tools that assist in the rapid identification/monitoring of potentially infectious diseases. This includes but is not limited to: computers, automated temperature screening technology for persons entering the facility, electronic screening systems, and monthly subscription costs for the duration of the funding period.
- Purchasing PPE: Funds may be used to purchase PPE necessary for staff to safely conduct testing for any facility that is conducting point of care (POC) COVID-19 testing
- Targeted education campaigns (i.e.. vaccination of healthcare staff): Funds may be used for materials related to educational campaigns for the prevention of COVID-19. This may include but is not limited to vaccination, respiratory etiquette, or cleaning and disinfection. Materials may include printed materials or the development of training materials.
- Environmental Services: Purchasing single-use products or purchasing more supplies to allow for proper allocation for transmission-based precautions rooms. For example, purchasing microfiber towels for cleaning/disinfection or buckets and spray bottles that can be discarded.
- Testing Supplies: Funds may be used to purchase testing supplies or pay for testing to complete COVID-19 testing.
- Transmission-based precautions (TBP) isolation carts: Funding can be used to purchase isolation carts to store PPE. Isolation carts should have drawers to protect PPE. It should also be a wipeable surface to allow for cleaning and disinfection.
- Clean/dirty equipment tags: Funds may be used to purchase clean/dirty tags or clean/dirty magnets to indicate to staff clean vs dirty equipment. This will allow staff to know what equipment should be cleaned and disinfected prior to use on other patients, assisting with the prevention of transmission of COVID within a facility.
Funding Allocation:
Funding is based on bed size for each facility type. Grants will be provided up to the allocated amount based on bed size. However, some facilities may receive additional funding beyond their current bed size if they are able to justify their need.
SNFs:
- 0-20 beds: up to $10,000/facility
- 21-50 beds: up to $12,500/facility
- 51-75 beds: up to $16,000/facility
- 76-100 beds: up to $18,500/facility
- Greater than 100 beds: up to $20,000/facility
Assisted Living Facilities:
- 0-10 beds: up to $1,800
- 11-20 beds: up to $2,250
- 21-50 beds: up to $2,600
- 51-100 beds: up to $2,900
- Greater than 100 beds: up to $3,200
Critical Access Hospitals
- Up to $7,605
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DESCRIPTION OF THE CYBERSECURITY PROGRAM
The goal of the Cybersecurity Program is to provide much needed awareness regarding the threat of cybersecurity as well as monitoring, security, and training to protect Montana’s small and medium sized businesses from cybersecurity attacks. Cyber-attacks on all businesses, but particularly small to medium sized businesses are becoming more frequent, targeted, and complex. This program would provide funds to directly assist businesses with cybersecurity monitoring and security. The Department has allocated approximately $2 million towards this program.
Businesses can receive up to $8,000 in grant funds for reimbursement of newly implemented cybersecurity measures paid to an accredited Montana Cybersecurity Company for monitoring and security equipment and/or programs.
These funds are provided under Assistance Listing Number (“ALN”), formerly known as CFDA Number, 21.027.
DEFINITIONS:
Accredited Montana Cybersecurity Company: A Montana based Managed Service Provider (MSP), IT, or security company with a combination of education, certification, training, and experiential and continuous learning attributes required to implement cybersecurity measures effectively. Common certifications can be found here: https://niccs.cisa.gov/about-niccs/cybersecurity-certifications
Eligible Activities: Eligible cybersecurity measures include the following performed by a third party: security services, network security equipment, consumer security software, data security, cloud security, infrastructure protection, identity access management, real time threat response, integrated risk management, application security and training. Cyber Insurance is NOT eligible. Costs must have been incurred after November 15, 2022.
Eligible Business: The business must be registered and in good standing with the Montana Secretary of State or Tribal Government and/or is a sole proprietorship. The business must have at least 5 but no more than 50 employees. The business must be for profit. The Business must also have been in business for more than one year and may not be a hobby business. The business cannot have implemented any previous cybersecurity measures, except for the standard anti-virus software. Cannabis related businesses are not eligible for Federal grants.
Hobby Business: Any activity that a person pursues because they enjoy it and with no intention of making a profit. The Department reserves the right to follow up for additional information to determine if a business is a hobby business. The Department will make the determination at its own discretion.
Employee: Any employee who works an average of at least 30 hours per week for more than 120 days in a year is considered full time. An employee is on a company’s payroll and receives wages and benefits. Employees must be reported on the businesses UI-5 form.
ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS
Eligible businesses apply directly to the program. Applications are only accepted on https://www.covidreliefmt.org/submit
Businesses are excluded from receiving funds if they are on the federal or state debarment lists or engaging in a business activity that is federally excluded like cannabis.
GRANT CEILING AND THRESHOLDS
The Department ultimately determines the size of the grant and reserves the right to recommend a reduced amount.
Businesses can submit one grant application to the program, but the one application can include multiple eligible activity invoices up to $8000.
ELIGIBLE COSTS
Reimbursements are for businesses that have not implemented cybersecurity measures in the past except for antivirus software.
Eligible business must engage with Montana based Managed Service Provider (MSP), IT, or security company with a combination of education, certification, training, and experiential and continuous learning attributes for the implementation of eligible activities. Many of these activities are considered cybersecurity hygiene but can also include the purchase of equipment for the implementation of the cybersecurity measures.
The costs must have been incurred after November 15, 2022.
GRANT APPLICATION SUBMITTAL PROCESS
The Montana Department of Commerce is the primary point of contact for initiating the application.
The eligible business must implement and pay for the cybersecurity measures. Once they complete the measures, the eligible business may submit an application to the Department of Commerce for reimbursement.
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION SUBMITTAL
Applications will be accepted on a first come – first serve basis until all funds have been obligated.
Reimbursement requests for eligible expenses will be accepted beginning November 15, 2022, through December 31, 2023.
MANAGEMENT OF FUNDS
The eligible business must have implemented and paid for the cybersecurity measures. They are eligible to submit one application, up to $8,000, for reimbursement. Once the expenses are verified and contract has been executed, the funds are transferred via Electronic Funds Transfer to the business.
At the end of the calendar year, the State will issue 1099 for funds disbursed.
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If you need help:
- If you need technical help completing your application contact Submittable support at https://www.submittable.com/contact/ [salesloft.submittable.com]
- If you need help due to internet issues, unable to scan receipts, etc - please contact one of the regional centers of the Montana Small Business Development Network - contact info for centers available at: https://sbdc.mt.gov/
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Before you Submit: Once you click submit at the bottom of your application, it will become locked and you will not be able to edit. To make changes, you would need to withdraw your application and resubmit.
We encourage you to take your time and fill out the application completely and accurately and review before submitting.