Connecting Kids to Coverage Outreach and Enrollment Cooperative Agreements (CKC) 2025

Background
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking applications for the Connecting Kids to Coverage (CKC) Outreach and Enrollment Cooperative Agreements program. The goal of this program is to enroll eligible, unenrolled children in Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), as well as improve retention of children already enrolled. Since its inception in 2009, CMS has awarded $270.9 million in CKC outreach and enrollment grants to various entities, emphasizing the importance of these services in minimizing coverage gaps for children and families.

Grant Details
The funds may be used for the following tasks:

1. Target eligible, unenrolled children and assist them in enrolling in Medicaid and CHIP.

2. Improve retention rates for children already enrolled in these programs.

Project activities must include educating families about available health coverage, identifying potentially eligible children, assisting families with applications and renewals, and participating in CKC National Campaign activities such as sponsoring training webinars, developing informational articles, creating print and digital campaigns, and distributing public service announcements. Funded organizations will also be required to collect and report data on their progress toward goals.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include government organizations (state, county, city/township governments), Native American tribal governments/organizations, educational institutions (independent school districts, public/state-controlled institutions of higher education), and nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status. Previous recipients of CKC funding may apply if their new proposal is distinct or continues successful activities from prior funding. International organizations and for-profit entities are not eligible.

Period of Performance
The period of performance spans five years with funding provided in five budget periods of twelve months each for new recipients. Existing recipients may receive funding across a different schedule including one 15-month budget period followed by three 12-month periods. All budget periods will conclude on June 30, 2030.

Grant Value
The total expected funding for this program is $66.3 million with an anticipated award range per applicant of up to $3 million. A total of approximately 22 awards are expected depending on requested amounts.

Place of Performance
The specific geographic locations where the grant activities will be performed are implied to be within the jurisdictions served by the eligible applicants.