OMB Approval No. 0985-0018

Expiration 05/31/2010

Community Innovations for Aging In Place

Program Announcement and Grant Application Instructions

U.S. Administration on Aging

2009

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

Administration on Aging (AoA)

AoACenter: Center for Program Operations (CPO)

Funding Opportunity Title: Community Innovations In Aging In Place (CIAIP)

Announcement Type: Initial

Funding Opportunity Number: HHS-2009-AoA-AP-0914

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 93.048

Key Dates: The deadline date for submission of applications is 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on July 15, 2009.

.

  1. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

Background

For more than forty years, the U.S. Administration on Aging (AoA) has served as the effective and visible advocate for older Americans at the Federal level while at the same time providing support and guidance to the Aging Services Network. In this role, AoA is committed to ensuring that older Americans have the support they need to remain in their homes and communities for as long as possible.

Since the passage of the Older Americans Act in 1965, the Aging Network has grown to encompass an array of state, local and community organizations and entities responsible for promoting the development of a comprehensive and coordinated system of home and community based services for older people and, most recently, family caregivers. The Network consists of 56 State Units on Aging, 629 Area Agencies on Aging, 246 Tribal organizations, nearly 20,000 community services provider organizations and 500,000 volunteers. The Network reaches into every community and plays a key role in delivering services and supporting consumer-centered systems of care to some of the most vulnerable members of society.

Reauthorizations of the Older Americans Act in 2000 and 2006 took significant steps towards positioning AoA and the Aging Services Network to be a leader in the provision of long-term care home and community based services. These steps have realized the following:

The establishment/expansion of Aging and DisabilityResourceCenters (ADRCs);

The incorporation of evidence-based disease and disability prevention programs into the array of programs and services currently provided by the Aging Services Network; and

The launch of consumer-directed nursing home diversion programs targeted to individuals before they spend down to Medicaid.

AoA Funded Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities

In addition to these important efforts, AoA has provided funding to various community organizations to develop innovative ways of supporting seniors as they age in place in various settings such as, apartment buildings and neighborhoods with a large percentage of households headed by older adults. For Federal fiscal years 2003 through 2008 more than $22 million in federal funds and match exceeding $7 million has been used to establish more than 40 supportive service programs for older adults living independently in geographically defined residential areas and building complexes. An additional $1.5 million has been allocated for similar programs in FY-2009. Labeled “NORC’s or ‘Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities,’ these programs serve more than 20,000 participants over the age of 75 and many are 85 and older. The accomplishments of the AoA funded NORCs include:

•Enhancing the ability of older adults living in a residential community to continue living independently

•Increasing healthy aging behaviors through exercise, recreation, socialization, educational and culturally appropriate activities

•Identifying needs of at risk residents, facilitating access to existing community and government resources and create gap filling supportive services

For purposes of this grant program, a ‘Naturally Occurring Retirement Community’ (NORC) is defined as a community with a concentrated population of older individuals, which may include a residential building, a housing complex, an area (including a rural area) of single family residences, or a neighborhood composed of age-integrated housing—

(A) where—

(i) 40 percent of the heads of households are older individuals; or

(ii) a critical mass of older individuals exists, based on local factors that, taken in total, allow an organization to achieve efficiencies in the provision of health and social services to older individuals living in the community; and

(B) that is not an institutional care or assisted living setting.

AoA Awards to Livable Communities

Livable Communities are places where people of all ages can live comfortably. In 2005 the Administration on Aging (AoA) sponsored a competition to honor some of the country’s most livable places. For the competition, AoA defined livable communities as cities and counties that have successfully taken specific actions to make significant improvements in the following six key areas:

  • affordable/accessible housing;
  • affordable/accessible transportation;
  • accessible built environments;
  • work, education and volunteer opportunities;
  • access to health and supportive services; and
  • citizen participation in civic and cultural activities.

In addition to honoring the efforts of seven communities, the competition served to help answer the questions ‘What makes a community “livable” for people across the life span?’ and ‘How can communities meet the needs of residents who have invested a lifetime in a place and want to grow older in their own homes?’

The goal of the Community Innovations for Aging In Place (CIAIP) grant project will be to build on the success of AoA funded NORCs and AoA Livable Communities award winners, while integrating additional innovative models that support aging in place.

CIAIP Project Objectives and Activities (Grants)

The AoA will award grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible entities to develop and carry out model aging in place projects (See 42 U.S.C. 3033 for complete statutory authorization for this grant project The projects will promote aging in place for older individuals in order to sustain the independence of older individuals. A recipient of a grant under this subsection must identify innovative strategies for providing, and linking older individuals to programs and services that provide, comprehensive and coordinated health and social services to sustain the quality of life of older individuals and support aging in place.

All CIAIP grantees will use the funds made available through the grant to:

  1. ensure access by older individuals in the project area to community-based health and social services consisting of—
  • case management, case assistance, and social work services;
  • health care management and health care assistance, including evidence-based disease prevention and health promotion services;
  • education, socialization, and recreational activities; and
  • volunteer opportunities for project participants;
  1. conduct outreach to older individuals within the project area;
  1. develop and implement innovative, comprehensive, and cost-effective approaches for the delivery and coordination of community-based health and social services, including those identified in paragraph (1) above, which may include mental health services, for eligible older individuals; and
  1. Cover travel expenses for 2 project staff to attend a project meeting in Washington, DC in Year 2 of the project.

Needs Assessment and Non Duplication of Services

Applicants should include the results of a needs assessment that outlines current services available to promote aging in place as well as gaps in services. Applicants should include a plan to avoid duplication of services.

Collaboration

Applicants should fully describe their current capacity and future intent to collaborate with various partners to accomplish the goals and objectives of this announcement. In particular, applicants should describe their capacity to collaborate with interested local entities including Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs), area agencies on aging (AAAs), private agencies and businesses that provide health and social services, housing entities, community development organizations, philanthropic organizations, foundations, and other non-Federal entities.

For applicants working in geographic areas where affordable housing is difficult to obtain, collaboration with local Public Housing Authorities (PHA) may be particularly useful. Local PHAs may have special programs including housing vouchers that could be made available to assist consumers in their efforts to age in place. For example, a number of PHAs have Housing Choice Vouchers designed to assist low income families and individuals including the elderly to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market. Since housing assistance is provided on behalf of the family or individual, participants are able to find their own housing. In addition, some PHAs have a specific type of Housing Choice voucher known as the Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) program. For a specific list of PHAs where this program is available go to

Applicants interested in additional information regarding partnerships with PHAs in the development of aging in place models may contact Dina Elani, Director of the Division of Public Housing Management and Occupancy, US Department of Housing and Urban Development at .

Data Collection and Evaluation

When developing its application, an applicant should strongly consider its data, measurement, collection, reporting, and evaluation methodologies as AoA is particularly interested in funding innovative performance models that can demonstrate successful outcomes and that may be replicated by other organizations. The CIAIP grantees must be prepared to work cooperatively with the Technical Assistance grantee in the collection of data and evaluation of the project.

Plan for Long Term Sustainability

Applicants should outline their plan to continue the project once Federal funding is no longer available.

Additional Considerations

PREFERENCE.—In carrying out a CIAIP project, the grantee will, to the extent practicable, serve a community of low-income individuals and operate or locate the project and services in or in close proximity to a location where a large concentration of older individuals has aged in place and resided

SUPPLEMENT NOT SUPPLANT.—Funds awarded to CIAIP grantees must be used to supplement, not supplant, any Federal, State, or other funds otherwise available to the grantee to provide health and social services to eligible older individuals.

Technical Assistance Grant (Cooperative Agreement) Objectives and Activities

The AoA will award one grant (cooperative agreement) on a competitive basis, to eligible entities to support the CIAIP grantees in developing and carrying out model aging in place projects. The CIAIP projects will promote aging in place for older individuals in order to sustain the independence of older individuals. The recipient of the TAG cooperative agreement must, at a minimum:

  1. Identify innovative strategies for providing, and linking older individuals to programs and services that provide, comprehensive and coordinated health and social services to sustain the quality of life of older individuals and support aging in place.
  1. Provide a forum (at least monthly) for work sessions with CIAIP grantees and AoA;
  1. Identify potential strategies for quantifying program impacts; and
  1. Plan for and budget one conference in Year 2 with grantees and representatives of AoA, including: (1) securing space; (2) recording/summarizing the meeting; and (3) conducting registration activities.

The Administration on Aging will assist each of the TAG grantee in understanding the strategic goals and objectives, policy perspectives, and priorities of the Assistant Secretary for Aging and the Department of Health and Human Services, by sharing such information via email, conference calls, briefings, memos, and other consultations. The AoA project officer will provide technical assistance and guidance to issues related to grant management and implementation issues, including the execution of the cooperative agreement. The AoA project officer will also share information with the TAG grantee about other federally sponsored projects and activities relevant to activities funded under this announcement.

The TAG grantee, in collaboration with the AoA project officer, will revise, as needed, the work plan submitted with the application (see Attachment D). Within 45 days of the award and 45 days of each continuation award, the grantee will agree upon and adhere to a work plan that details expectations for major activities, products, and reports during the current budget period. The work plan will include a detailed timetable with tangible milestones as identified by AoA in the terms and conditions of the Notice of Award. In addition, the work plan will contain project and activity implementation plans, including potential sub-grantees/subcontractors, staff assignments, and other areas that require AoA consultation, review, and/or prior approval. Either the AoA project officer or the grantee can propose a revision of the final work plan at any time.

The applicants for the CIAIP Technical Assistance Cooperative agreement must demonstrate the capacity to provide all necessary support to any Tribal organization receiving funding under this program. Provision of funding for sub-grantees or subcontracts to carry out specific activities is permissible in consultation with the AoA.

Statutory Authority

The statutory authority for grants under this Program Announcement is contained in Title IV of the Older Americans Act (OAA) (42U.S.C. 3032), as amended by the Older Americans Act Amendments of 2006, P.L. 109-365. (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance 93.048, Title IV Discretionary Projects).

II. AWARD INFORMATION

Award type: Grants (10-15); Cooperative Agreements (1)

Federal Funds Available: Up to $5,000,000 for year 1

(Funding for Years 2 and 3 contingent upon availability of Federal Funds)

Estimated Number of Awards: Up to 16

Estimated Project Start Date: 9/30/2009

Estimated Length of Project: Three years

CIAIP Grants

Up to $4,500,000 will be available to fund up to 15 new Community Innovations for Aging In Place (CIAIP) grants. These grants will be funded at a federal share of approximately $250,000 to $500,000 per year for a project period of three years, contingent on the availability of federal funds.

Technical Assistance Grant (TAG)

Up to $500,000 will be available to fund one Technical Assistance Grant (TAG) in the form of a cooperative agreement. This grant (cooperative agreement) will be funded at a federal share of approximately $500,000 per year for a project period of three years contingent upon availability of federal funds.

The terms and conditions for this cooperative agreement are as follows and will be incorporated by reference in the Notice of Award (NOA).

The AoA will carry out the following activities for the cooperative agreement noted above:

  • Collaborate with the grantee in the development, modification, and execution of the work plan;
  • Provide technical advice on the provision of technical support and associated tasks related to aging in place program models;
  • Review, provide technical advice, and approve work products;
  • Provide consultation in identifying emerging issues as they relate to aging in place program development;
  • Attend and participate in major project events as appropriate.

The TAG grantee will execute the responsibilities of the cooperative agreement listed below:

  • Collaborate with the AoA in the development, modification, and execution of their respective work plans;
  • Assist the AoA in strengthening aging in place model development capacities of the CIAIP grantees;
  • Collaborate with the CIAIP grantees under this announcement to respond to requests for technical assistance as they pertain to delivery of health and social services and development of aging in place service models;
  • Evaluate the impact of overall project activities;
  • Share information with AoA, the Aging Network, and other entities as appropriate;
  • Provide technical assistance and support to State agencies, Area Agencies on Aging, service providers, and to other public and nonprofit agencies and organizations related to aging in place models;
  • Provide technical guidance and expertise in the development of evaluation and outcome measurement to each CIAIP grantee; and
  • Provide technical advice in developing or implementing training, as needed.

Note: Once a cooperative agreement for technical assistance is in place, requests to modify or amend it or the work plan may be made by AoA or the awardee at any time. Modifications and/or amendments of the Cooperative Agreement or work plan must be effective upon the mutual agreement of both parties, except where AoA is authorized under the Terms and Conditions of award, 45 CFR Part 74 or 92, or other applicable regulation or statute to make unilateral amendments.

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

1. Eligible Applicants

CIAIP Grants

Any nonprofit health or social service organization, faith based community organizations, community-based nonprofit organization, area agency on aging, local government agency, or tribal organization that—

(A) demonstrates a record of, and experience in, providing or administering group and individual health and social services for older individuals; and

(B) does not include an entity providing housing under the congregate housing services program carried out under section 802 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 8011) or the multifamily service coordinator program

carried out under section 202(g) of the Housing Act of 1959 (12 U.S.C. 1701q(g)).

Technical Assistance Cooperative Agreement

Any nonprofit organization (including a partnership of nonprofit organizations), that—

(A) has demonstrated experience and expertise in providing technical assistance on a national basis to a range of entities serving older individuals, and experience evaluating and reporting on programs;

(B) has demonstrated knowledge of and expertise in community-based health and social services;

(C) has experience and expertise in aging in place models of supportive services and

(D) has knowledge of Administration on Aging program initiatives, including Aging and DisabilityResourceCenters (ADRCs), Evidence-Based Prevention Programs, Medicaid and Nursing Home Diversion Initiative, etc.

Demonstrated capacity in the following areas is desirable:

  • Data collection and program evaluation related to aging in place models of service.
  • Providing customer training and user support.
  • Demonstrated expertise in the development of models and tools to assist provider organizations in developing and implementing services for older adults.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

Under this Older Americans Act (OAA) program, AoA will fund no more than 85% of the project’s total cost, which means the applicant must cover at least 15% of the project’s total cost with non-Federal resources. Note: Applications will not receive additional consideration based on any match provided above the required 15% level.