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Education Incentive Grant Program

May 18, 2012

Application for Funds – EIG

June 26, 2009

Education Incentive Grant Program

Application for Funds

Effective January 1, 2017 a service must be providing regular data submission into KEMSIS or actively working toward regular data submission into KEMSIS to be eligible for application to this grant.

Introduction

The 2022 Legislature, along with the support of the Governor, approved the Kansas Board of Emergency Medical Services (KBEMS) $375,000 budgeted for FY 2024 to aid rural ambulance services in recruiting, training, and certifying ambulance EMS providers. The money will be awarded in the form of “education and training incentive grants” to licensed ambulance services in rural, frontier, and densely settled rural areas of Kansas.

The purpose of the money is to assist rural and frontier services with the costs associated with becoming a certified EMS provider. It must be clearly understood and agreed upon by the operator of the ambulance service that any dollars awarded through this grant program cannot be used to supplant dollars budgeted to the service. A “Memorandum of Agreement” between the operator and KBEMS addressing this stipulation is included with the grant application. Also required is a “Memorandum of Agreement” between the student and the service which stipulates their responsibility. The grant monies awarded must be utilized as specified in the grant criteria.

The application for Education Incentive Grant (EIG) funds must be submitted by the licensed ambulance service. To be eligible for receiving grant funds, the service must be currently licensed with KBEMS. Money may be requested for classes that start on or after July 1, 2023.

Eligibility

Those eligible for EIG funding would be licensed “ground” services providing care in a frontier, rural, or densely settled rural county or city, based on U.S. census data. (See map below).

 

Frontier (less than 6.0 people per square mile) Rural (6.0 to 19.9 people per square mile)

Densely settled rural (20.0 to 39.9 people per square mile)

 

An eligible student for this program is “a person who agrees to fulfill their year(s) of obligated service with a qualifying licensed ambulance service”. The student must be at least 18 years of age at the time of signing the Memorandum of Agreement.

 

All applications will be accepted, but only services located in frontier or rural counties are eligible for funding in the first 3 months of each grant cycle. (July 1 through September 30 and January 1 through March 31).

 

After the third month of each cycle, (October 1 and April 1) EMS services located in cities with populations less than 2,000 would also be eligible for funding (Burrton, Mount Hope, Caney, Conway Springs, Caldwell, Canton, Moundridge, Lindsborg, Marquette, Buhler, Haven, Pretty Prairie, Hoisington, Claflin, and Ellinwood,). Although the cities are located in urban or semi-urban counties, the population density of the cities listed are rural, or densely settled rural.

 

After the fourth month of each cycle, (November 1 and May 1) the program would open to the densely settled rural counties (blue crosses) and densely settled rural cities with a population between 2,000 and 5,000 (Halstead, Cherryvale, Hesston and Clearwater).

 

Only EMS services located in frontier, rural, or densely settled rural counties or cities are eligible. Substations are not eligible. If a service is licensed in a city or county based on EIG eligibility, to obtain eligibility in another city or county area of operation, an additional license would be necessary to identify the city or county as a separate licensed ground service based on the above criteria. For-profit services are not eligible for funding until the after third month and awards will only be approved at 50% per individual (paramedic awards are exempt).

EIG Map

(Please click on the map below to see the counties that qualify for EIG grant funding).

 

Request Criteria

Grant money may be requested based on the following three criteria:

 

  • First priority shall be given to ambulance services submitting applications seeking grants to pay the cost of recruiting EMS providers and cost of the initial courses of training for EMS providers.
  • Second priority shall be given to ambulance services submitting applications seeking grants to pay the cost of continuing education for EMS providers.
  • Third priority shall be given to ambulance services submitting applications seeking grants to pay the cost of education for EMS providers who are obtaining a post-secondary education degree.

Obligation

The student receiving grant funding agrees to participate as an active EMS provider for the named service (as described on the MOA) for a minimum of one or two years based on certification level:

  • The student receiving grant funding for an EMR, EMT, or AEMT initial course of instruction agrees to work for the named service (as described on the MOA) for a minimum of 20 hours per month for twelve consecutive months of service as required by the sponsoring organization/requesting agency. The sponsoring organization/requesting agency will schedule the EMS provider for a minimum of 20 hours per month.
  • The student receiving grant funding for a Paramedic initial course of instruction agrees to work for the named service (as described on the MOA) for a minimum of 20 hours per month for 24 consecutive months of service as required by the sponsoring organization/requesting agency. The sponsoring organization/requesting agency will schedule the EMS provider for a minimum of 20 hours per month.

Time periods for obligations listed above begin on the date the individual gains Kansas certification at the applicable level.

Student Obligation

  • If the student fails to meet this agreed upon service obligation, or drops out of the course prior to completion, the student will be required to repay the full amount of the grant monies awarded through the Licensed Ambulance Service. The student is responsible for repayment.
  • If the student academically fails the course, or is denied to take the certification exam, the student will be required to repay fifty (50) percent of the grant monies awarded through the Licensed Ambulance Service. The student is responsible for repayment.
  • If the student is unsuccessful in gaining certification after all allowed attempts at the certification exam, the student will not be required to repay any of the grant monies awarded through the Licensed Ambulance Service.
  • If the student does not make all allowed attempts at certification exam, the student will be required to repay 100% of the grant monies. The student is responsible for repayment.
  • The grant monies must be utilized as specified in the grant criteria.

Service’s Obligation

  • The licensed ambulance service will offer the student a minimum of 20 hours per month for the required consecutive months. If the licensed ambulance service fails to schedule the student for a minimum of 20 hours per month, the licensed ambulance service agrees to immediately remit to KBEMS the full grant award.

Funding Amounts

  • Initial Course of Instruction – The following figures are the maximum allowed per student for KBEMS approved Initial Course of Instruction through this grant program:

*EMR – $320.

*EMT – $1,150.

*AEMT – $1,500.

*Paramedic – $5,110.

If the actual costs are less, the smaller amount should be used when requesting funds.

Documentation detailing the costs incurred by student to attend class should be included with application. This documentation should either be on official letterhead, an enrollment schedule, a transcript, syllabus, or a receipt provided to the student.

NOTE: The grant funds may only be utilized for the costs associated with tuition and books (lab fees, equipment required for the course such as stethoscopes, and insurance fees required for the course are permissible). Funds may not be used to purchase computers or pay for examination fees.

Continuing Education – Funds requested for KBEMS approved or CAPCE approved Continuing Education purposes will be awarded at a maximum of $7.50 per hour of approved continuing education per EMS provider (with appropriate documentation) up to $70.00.

If the actual costs are less, the smaller amount should be used when requesting funds.

Distribution of Funding

Funding will be divided between the 1st half (cycle) of the fiscal year (July 1 to December 31) and the second half (cycle) of the fiscal year (January 1 to June 30). As the Education Incentive Grant program will be operated in two separate funding cycles, possible changes in funding, criteria, or documentation may be noted during the second cycle.

First half submissions will be accepted beginning July 1, 2023 and will be received until December 15, 2023. The first half monies will be used for classes that start between July 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023.

Second half submissions will be accepted beginning December 1, 2023 and will be received through June 15, 2024. The second half monies will be used for classes that start between January 1, 2024 and June 30, 2024. Distribution of funds should begin January 1, 2024. Classes beginning during the 1st half (cycle) are ineligible for financing with the 2nd half (cycle) funds.

Licensed Ambulance Services receiving grant monies for Paramedic courses will be required to retain the full amount awarded, and pay and/or reimburse costs associated with the tuition, books, and lab fees, up to the amount awarded. (They will not be allowed to pay the student the entire amount up front.) At the conclusion of the Paramedic course, the Licensed Ambulance Service will be responsible to repay KBEMS any grant monies not used.

Documentation

  • Initial Course of Instruction – Grant monies for KBEMS approved EMR, EMT, AEMT, and Paramedic courses will be disbursed to the Licensed Ambulance Service only upon KBEMS receiving all of the following:

*Education Incentive Grant Program Request for Funding;

*Documentation detailing the costs incurred by student to attend class.  This documentation should either be on official letterhead, an enrollment schedule, a transcript, syllabus, or a receipt provided to the student.

*Memorandum of Agreement Student Form EMR,EMT,AEMT; Check the form page for your case.

*Memorandum of Agreement Service Form; and.

*Verification of students’ enrollment/registration in a KBEMS approved course of instruction, with the course number indicated.

Within 10 days from the date of last class, the following documentation is required:

*The Instructor has 10 days from the date of last class to submit the KBEMS student roster to KBEMS verifying each student’s status of passed, failed, or dropped. Failure to provide the Course Completion Verification (KBEMS student roster sheet) will result in revocation of funding and the repayment of funds to KBEMS.

  • Continuing Education – Per portions of K.A.R. 109-5-3, requested grant monies for KBEMS approved or CAPCE approved Continuing Education courses will be disbursed to the Licensed Ambulance Service only upon KBEMS receiving all of the following:

*Educational objectives;

*Qualification of Instructor;

*Date and time of each EMS continuing education course; and

* Education Incentive Grant Program Request for Funding;

*Continuing Education Form with name, social security number of EMS providers, number of hours, and amount requested; and

*Signed Roster, upon completion of continuing education course, verifying number of hours completed for each EMS provider.

EIG Fulfillment Form:

The EIG Obligation Fulfillment form will be used by service directors to track each grant recipient’s progress toward fulfillment of all obligations.  The form should be submitted to KBEMS as soon as the student stops completing their obligation or finishes it.

 
Submission

The Request for Funding application and Memorandums of Agreement may be submitted no earlier than 30 days prior to the first day of class. The service then has a maximum of 30 days, from the date of application, to provide any remaining documentation. After that time period, if all required documentation has not been received by KBEMS, the funds “reserved” will be redistributed.


Military and Low Income Request for Funding
A new two year study began July 1, 2018 to provide a grant incentive to Military and Low Income applicants, and it will continue beyond the initial timeframe. This incentive is designed to assist in gaining certification by defraying costs for examination and/or application fees. Funding will be provided from EIG funds that were expended and have been collected from those that failed to meet the current grant requirements. For more information click here. To apply complete the Military & Low Income Request for funding form.

Grants

May 13, 2009

KBEMS Grant Programs:

 

Other Grant Resources
U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration www.hrsa.gov
The Rural Health Information Hub, Rural Funding and Opportunities https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/funding/span>
The Kresge Foundation Bricks and Mortar Program http://www.kresge.org/opportunities/
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation www.rjwf.org/index.jsp
Kansas GrantWatch https://kansas.grantwatch.com/
New Federal Website, Grants. gov http://www.grants.gov

Military and Low Income Applicants

June 26, 2018

A new two year study began July 1, 2018 to provide a grant incentive to Military and Low Income applicants, and it will continue beyond the initial timeframe. This incentive is designed to assist in gaining certification by defraying costs for examination and/or application fees. Funding will be provided from EIG funds that were expended and have been collected from those that failed to meet the current grant requirements. The two separate incentives are detailed as follows:

Military – Military members separating from service as well as active military members’ spouses and dependents may request to receive assistance for the fees associated with application for certification. The grant would provide 75% of the application fee if the applicant currently resides in Kansas or the active military member can provide orders demonstrating relocation to Kansas and 100% of the application fee if the individual has a conditional offer of employment from a Kansas entity that provides EMS response (where the condition is gaining Kansas certification). The 75% eligibility would be $11.25 for EMR, $37.50 for EMT and AEMT, and $48.75 for Paramedic.

Low Income Incentive – Individuals that meet the low-income requirements (below) may request to receive assistance for the fees of a first attempt at cognitive certification examination and the application fee. The individual will be required to cover 20% of those costs with the grant covering the remaining 80%. The maximum combined cost is as follows:

The maximum combined cost is as follows:

Provider Type Application NREMT
EMR

$15.00

$75.00
EMT

$50.00

$80.00
AEMT

$50.00

$115.00
Paramedic

$65.00

$125.00

 

You meet the low-income requirements if you receive any of the following:
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Federal Public Housing Assistance (FHPA), Veterans Pension & Survivors Pension Benefit, Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribally Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Head Start Tribal Programs (only those meeting its income qualifying standard), the Food Distribution Program on Tribal Lands, or 135% of the federal poverty level*. An applicant must provide THREE CONSECUTIVE MONTHS of statements as documentation of income from within the last 8 months, or provide a copy of their tax return for the previous year.

*2018 Kansas Poverty Level Guidelines including increase to 135%

Number In Household Maximum Annual Income
1 $16,389
2 $22,221
3 $28,053
4 $33,885
5 $39,717
6 $45,549
7 $51,381
8 $57,213
each additional person $ 5,832

The grant eligibility limit is at or below 135% of the 2018 federal poverty level.

Links

June 8, 2009

Educational Resources

Important Documents

Operational Resources

Agencies and Associations

Summary of Distribution

May 18, 2012

Education Incentive Grant Monies Distribution

KRAF Grant Program

May 18, 2012

View Education report and upload Continuing Education

September 16, 2016

  • How to Check and Enter Continuing EducationPDF)

    • Forms

    June 8, 2009

    Education

    The forms below are only available through the KBEMS Licensing Portal. All forms links in this section will redirect to the Kansas Board of EMS Licensing Portal. Paper/PDF applications will no longer be accepted.

    -Request for Initial Course Approval
    -Request for Initial Course Approval–Educator
    -Single Program Provider Form
    -Retro-active approval for EMS continuing education
    -Sponsoring Organization Application
    -Application for Program Provider Status

    Educational Incentive Grant

    -MOA for Student (Paramedic)Form
    -MOA for Student (EMR, EMT, AEMT)
    -MOA for Service Form
    -Application for Funds
    -EIG Fulfillment Form
    -EIG Fulfillment Form – Paramedics
    -EIG Military & Low Income Request for Funding

    Certification

    Beginning on December 31st, 2021 EMS Providers holding Current Kansas EMS certification can apply for Inactive Ineligible to Practice certification. This allows providers who are no longer providing EMS services to retain their certification without the need to complete continuing education. Submit an application through the portal, along with the $10 fee to change your status to “Inactive Ineligible to Practice”. If you decide to return to active status, you will be able to reinstate your certification by submitting a reinstatement application, completing the required Continuing Education, and payment of the applicable fee.

    A link to the portal is here: Inactive Status Request application.

    Note: All Certification Applications are available on the KBEMS Licensing Portal. All forms links in this section will redirect to the Kansas Board of EMS Licensing Portal. Paper/PDF forms will no longer be accepted for processing.
    EMS Provider Renewal Application
    Educator Renewal Application
    -Military Reinstatement Form
    Inactive Status Request application.
    -Application to Re-Instate an Expired Certification Packet

    Ambulance Forms

    -Vehicle Mech. & Safety Inspection
    -Ground Ambulance Inspection
    -Air Ambulance Inspection
    -Service Inspection

    Other Forms

    -Medical Director Appointment Form
    -Tag Authorization Form
    -Authorization for Release of Information
    -AED Placement Notification

    The forms below are only available through the KBEMS Licensing Portal. All forms links in this section will redirect to the Kansas Board of EMS Licensing Portal. Paper/PDF applications will no longer be accepted.

    -Investigations Self-report Form
    -Felony Conviction Questionnaire
    -Other Allied Health Personnel Form, NOTE: Allied Health Personnel may need to create an account in the Licensing Portal.

    Continuing Education

    July 15, 2009

    Click here to search the Approved Continuing Education Courses

    Continuing Education Audit Policy

    Kansas Continuing Education Plan

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