PHOENIX – The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) was one of eight states and the District of Columbia selected to participate in a new federal initiative known as the “Housing and Services Partnership Accelerator” (Accelerator), designed to strengthen partnerships across housing, disability, aging, and health sectors; access available federal programs and resources; and maximize federal flexibilities to help keep people healthy.
“The Accelerator presents tremendous opportunities for AHCCCS as we build our readiness to implement the Housing and Health Opportunities demonstration project on Oct. 1 of this year,” said Liz Da Costa, AHCCCS housing administrator. “Since we are one of the first states approved to demonstrate the impact of Health Related Social Needs on overall health, we are excited to participate in the Accelerator to learn and share information with other states, and to receive technical assistance from federal partners to support implementing the HRSN services in the most thoughtful way possible.”
The Accelerator, offered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), will help Arizona unlock critical resources to reduce homelessness by addressing health-related social needs, such as housing-related services. The program provides technical assistance to states implementing HHS’ recently issued guidance regarding clinically appropriate and evidence-based services that can be covered under Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
Through this program, Arizona seeks to:
Learn more about the Housing and Health Opportunities demonstration project.
