Funding Opportunities-National Center on Elder Abuse

Title	National Center on Elder Abuse
Agency/Center:	Administration on Aging (AoA)
Announcement Type:	Initial
Funding Opportunity Number:	HHS-2011-AoA-AB-1108
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number:	93.048
Key Dates:	Letters of intent are requested by April 9, 2011. The deadline date for submission of applications is 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on May 9, 2011.
Downloads: Program Announcement and Grant Application Instructions (PDF)   (DOC)

Funding Opportunities-Lifespan Respite Care

Each year, Congress appropriates funds for use by AoA and the other Federal Agencies in carrying out their mission. AoA provides grant funding to States and territories, recognized Native American Tribes and Hawaiian Americans, as well as nonprofit organizations, including faith-based and academic institutions. Individuals are not eligible to apply for AoA funding.

For those new to the AoA grants management environment, the Overview section below provides a brief profile of the types of grant instruments we use to fund our programs, the procedures applicants must follow in applying for these grants and the reporting which is required of recipients.

• Overview

2011
Title	FY 2011 Lifespan Respite Care Program
Agency/Center:	Administration on Aging (AoA)
Announcement Type:	Initial
Funding Opportunity Number:	HHS-2011-AoA-LR-1103
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number:	93.072
Key Dates:	The deadline date for submission of applications is 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on May 20, 2011.
Downloads: Program Announcement and Grant Application Instructions (PDF) (DOC)

Funding Opportunities

Medicaid Prevention Grants

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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is pleased to announce the invitation to States to apply for participation in the Medicaid Incentives for Prevention of Chronic Diseases Program authorized by section 4108 of the Affordable Care Act.  This nationwide program will test and evaluate the effectiveness of a program to provide financial and non-financial incentives to Medicaid beneficiaries of all ages who participate in prevention programs to address at least one of the following prevention goals: tobacco cessation, controlling or reducing weight, lowering cholesterol, lowering blood pressure, and avoiding the onset of diabetes or improving the management of the condition; and demonstrating changes in health risk and outcomes, including the adoption of healthy behaviors.

This new funding opportunity does not require States to match the incentive payment with State funds.  Beneficiary incentives available through section 4108 may be used by States to complement other chronic condition health initiatives, such as the currently available Health Home Medicaid State plan option provided by section 2703 of the Affordable Care Act.  Approved administrative and program expenditures for successful applicants will be reimbursed through grant funds from the $100 million dollars appropriated under section 4108 of the Affordable Care Act for this program and evaluation.  The Office of the Governor or the State Medicaid Agency may apply for funding under this grant opportunity, however CMS will accept only one application per State and encourages State offices and agencies to work collaboratively to develop one application packet.

All applications must be submitted electronically through http://www.grants.gov

The solicitation and further application requirements may be obtained at http://www.cms.gov/MIPCD/
 
An applicant’s teleconference is scheduled for March 8, 2011 from 2:30 to 4:30 PM eastern time and may be accessed by calling the operated assisted toll-free dial-in number: (800)837-1935, and the Conference ID is: 2314.

The closing date for this Funding Opportunity Announcement is May 2, 2011.   

AmeriCorps 2011 Grant Availability

Organizations interested in using national service to address critical community needs are invited to apply for a 2011AmeriCorps grant. Applications are being accepted now.

Learn more about AmeriCorps online resources by going to http://www.americorps.gov/for_organizations/apply/national.asp.

Once in this website, scroll down to Additional Application Information and then to Technical Assistance Calls.

There are four types of calls:

1) Introductory Calls:
Introductory Calls are for anyone interested in learning more about the AmeriCorps National grant programs. The call will provide participants with an understanding of the purpose and benefits of AmeriCorps grants, the structure of AmeriCorps National programs and assist participants in determining if AmeriCorps is right for their organizations.

2) Next Steps Calls:
Next Steps calls are for those ready to begin their AmeriCorps grant application. The call will cover the materials needed to apply for an AmeriCorps grant, discuss the requirements and responsibilities of a grantee, review the application content and selection criteria and provide participants with the submission and selection timeline.

3) Budget Calls:
Budget calls will provide participants with information to assist in the development of the budget for their AmeriCorps grant application. Call topics will include basic guidelines, match requirements, member stipends and other member costs, and additional budget-related information.

4) Recompete Calls: FOR CURRENT GRANTEES ONLY.

HHS Announces Availability of Health Center New Access Point Grants

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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced today the availability of up to $250 million in grants for New Access Points for the delivery of primary health care services for underserved and vulnerable populations under the Health Center Program.  The funds, made available by the Affordable Care Act, will be awarded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).

 

A new access point is a new full-time service delivery site that provides comprehensive primary and preventive health care services.  New access points improve the health status and decrease health disparities of the medically underserved populations to be served. 

 

“These funds reflect the Administration’s steadfast commitment to improving and expanding access to vital primary health care services,” said Secretary Sebelius. “From our cities to our smallest towns, each health center has an important role to play, ensuring access to services in its community. Together they have a critical impact on the health care status of those most in need across the nation.”

 

“New access points will address the unique and significant barriers that stand in the way of affordable and accessible primary health care services.” said HRSA Administrator Mary Wakefield, Ph.D. R.N. “Competitive applications will demonstrate a high level of need in the community, present a sound proposal to meet this need, and show that the organization is ready to quickly put their proposal to work.”

Organizations eligible to compete include public or nonprofit private entities, including tribal, faith-based and community-based organizations who meet health center funding requirements.  Current HRSA grantees may apply, as well as organizations applying for the first time.

 

For more information about National Community Health Center Week, visit http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2010pres/chc.html, or visit www.grants.gov to find out how to apply. 

Treatment of Co-Occurring Alcohol Use Disorders and Depression/Anxiety Disorders

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The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), invites applications to support research on the treatment of individuals with co-occurring alcohol use disorders and depression/anxiety. Anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder, social phobia, and posttraumatic stress disorder. The scope of interest includes innovative pharmacological and behavioral treatments based on biological, psychological, behavioral, and social/cultural models of etiology and treatment of comorbid alcohol use disorders and depression/anxiety. In addition, this FOA accepts Comparative and Effectiveness Research applications which compares two or more different existing treatments in this comorbid population. This FOA is limited to depression and anxiety because of the high prevalence of these psychiatric disorders in individuals with alcohol use disorders. Mechanism of Support. This FOA will use the NIH Exploratory/Developmental (R21) award mechanism and runs in parallel with a FOA of identical scientific scope, PAS-10-251, that encourages applications under the R01 mechanisms Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards. Awards issued under this FOA are contingent upon the submission of a sufficient number of meritorious applications. NIAAA has set aside $1.5 million in total cost for fiscal year 2011, and expects that a total of up to six awards will be made for this and companions FOAs. The total amount awarded and the number of awards will depend upon the quality, duration and costs of the applications received .

Eligible Applicants

State governments
Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
Private institutions of higher education
For profit organizations other than small businesses
Small businesses
Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)

Link to Full Announcement

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAS-10-252.html

``Add Us In'' Program

AGENCY: Office of Disability Employment Policy, Department of Labor. Announcement

Type: New Notice of Availability of Funds and Solicitation for Grant Applications. The full announcement is posted on http://www.grants.gov.

Funding Opportunity Number: SGA 10-05.

Key Dates: The closing date for receipt of applications is September 1, 2010 via http://www.grants.gov. Funding Opportunity Description: The U.S. Department of Labor (``DOL'' or ``Department''), Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) announces the availability of approximately $2.3 million to fund up to four cooperative agreements with consortia ranging from $500,000 to $625,000.

The objectives of this new initiative, Add Us In, are:
(1) To increase the ability of targeted businesses to employ adults and youth with disabilities;
(2) to develop and evaluate replicable models, strategies and policies that would ensure that youth and adults from targeted populations with disabilities have access to a broader range of employment and mentoring opportunities; and
(3) to form and strengthen connections between targeted businesses, diversity-serving organizations, youth-serving organizations and disability-serving organizations, building a national and local network of experts skilled in serving individuals with disabilities.

These objectives will be accomplished through the competitive funding of consortia tasked to design, implement, and evaluate innovative systems models that support integrated employment opportunities for people with disabilities within targeted businesses.

For the purposes of this solicitation, the target population consists of members of the following groups: African American, Asian American (including Asian Americans of West Asian decent, e.g., India, and Asian Americans of East Asian decent, e.g., Japan and Korea), Latino or Hispanic American, federally recognized Tribes and Native American communities (including American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and other Native Pacific Islanders (including American Samoan Natives)), Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) individuals, and women.

A targeted business is a for-profit enterprise such as a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, or joint venture of any kind, regardless of size, physically located in the United States or its trust territories which is at least 51 percent owned, operated and controlled on a daily basis by a United States citizen (or citizens) who are members of a target population.

The full Solicitation for Grant Application is posted on http:// www.grants.gov under U.S. Department of Labor/ODEP. Applications submitted through http://www.grants.govor hard copy will be accepted. If you need to speak to a person concerning these grants, you may telephone Cassandra Mitchell at 202-693-4570 (not a toll-free number). If you have issues regarding access to the http://www.grants.gov Web site, you may telephone the Contact Center Phone at 1-800-518-4726.
FR Doc 2010-18762

Grants.gov - Housing Counseling Services

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The synopsis for this grant opportunity is detailed below, following this paragraph. This synopsis contains all of the updates to this document that have been posted as of 07/26/2010 . If updates have been made to the opportunity synopsis, update information is provided below the synopsis.
If you would like to receive notifications of changes to the grant opportunity click send me change notification emails . The only thing you need to provide for this service is your email address. No other information is requested.

Any inconsistency between the original printed document and the disk or electronic document shall be resolved by giving precedence to the printed document.

Description of Modification

Document Type:	Modification to Previous Grants Notice
Funding Opportunity Number:	FR-5415-N-02
Opportunity Category:	Discretionary
Posted Date:	Jul 26, 2010
Creation Date:	Jul 26, 2010
Original Closing Date for Applications:	Aug 27, 2010
Current Closing Date for Applications:	Aug 27, 2010
Archive Date:	Aug 28, 2010
Funding Instrument Type:	Grant
Category of Funding Activity:	Housing
Category Explanation:
Expected Number of Awards:
Estimated Total Program Funding:	$79,000,000
Award Ceiling:	$0
Award Floor:	$0
CFDA Number(s):	14.169 -- Housing Counseling Assistance Program
Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement:	No

Eligible Applicants

Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)

Additional Information on Eligibility:

Eligible applicants include: HUD-approved Local Housing Counseling Agencies (LHCAs); HUD-approved national and regional intermediaries (Intermediaries); State Housing Finance Agencies (SHFAs); and HUD-approved Multi-State Organizations (MSOs).

Agency Name

Department of Housing and Urban Development

Description

This program supports the delivery of a wide variety of housing counseling services to homebuyers, homeowners, low- to moderate-income renters, and the homeless. The primary objectives of the program are to improve financial literacy, expand homeownership opportunities, improve access to affordable housing and preserve homeownership. Counselors provide guidance and advice to help families and individuals improve their housing conditions and meet the responsibilities of tenancy and homeownership. Counselors also help borrowers avoid inflated appraisals, unreasonably high interest rates, unaffordable repayment terms, and other conditions that can result in a loss of equity, increased debt, default, and eventually foreclosure. Additionally, counselors may provide counseling services to homeowners to prevent or resolve mortgage delinquency, default, and foreclosure, with the primary objective to preserve homeownership. Counselors provide guidance and advice to help families and individuals meet the responsibilities of homeownership and modify or refinance their loans to avoid unreasonably high interest rates, unaffordable repayment terms, and other conditions that can result in a loss of equity, increased debt, default, and eventually foreclosure. Applicants funded through this program may also provide Reverse Mortgage Counseling to elderly homeowners who seek to convert equity in their homes into income that can be used to pay for home improvements, medical costs, living expenses, or other expenses.

Link to Full Announcement

Grants.gov/APPLY

If you have difficulty accessing the full announcement electronically, please contact:

PHL HOC Brenda Bellisario 215.861.7268
ATL HOC Carolyn Hogans 678.732.2129
DEN HOC Vic Karels 303.675.1640
STA ANA HOC Rhonda Rivera 714.796.1200x3210
HHQ Intermediaries Terri Gilyard-Ames 202.402.3025 See NOFA

Grants.gov - Find Grant Opportunities - Opportunity Synopsis

AoA is Accepting Applications to Create a National Aging Civic Engagement Technical Center

AoA is pleased to accept applications for a National Aging Civic Engagement Technical Center. The Funding Opportunity Number is: HHS-2010-AoA-CC-1024 Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance CFDA Number: 93.048.

The Program Announcement and Grant Application Instructions are available on http://www.grants.gov or http://www.aoa.gov/AoARoot/Grants/Funding/index.aspx.

The deadline date for submission of applications is 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on June 25, 2010.

Aging Studies in the Pulmonary System

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The National Institute on Aging (NIA) and the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) invite research project grant applications that explore age-associated changes in pulmonary physiology, pathology and function, and their relationship to respiratory conditions and diseases that occur commonly in older populations. The goal of this FOA is to support basic, clinical and translational research to address physiological mechanisms underlying progressive functional declines in the pulmonary system. This research will likely enhance our basic understanding of molecular and cellular aspects of pulmonary aging, which may translate into improvements in the prevention and management of pulmonary diseases in older persons. Projects involving in vitro studies, animal models, and/or human subjects are of significant interest to NIA and NHLBI. Mechanism of Support. This FOA will utilize the R01 grant mechanism Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards. Awards issued under this FOA are contingent upon the availability of funds and the submission of a sufficient number of meritorious applications.

Link to Full Announcement

IHS: Elder Care Initiative Long-Term Care Grant Program

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Indian Health Service

Office of Clinical and Preventive Services; Elder Care Initiative Long-Term Care Grant Program

Announcement Type: New.
Funding Announcement Number: HHS-2010-IHS-EHC-0001.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 93.933.

Key Dates

Letter of Intent Deadline Date: May 10, 2010.
Application Deadline Date: June 4, 2010.
Review Dates: June 22-24, 2010.
Earliest Anticipated Start Date: August 1, 2010.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

The Indian Health Service (IHS) announces the availability of up to $600,000 for competitive grants through the Elder Care Initiative Long- Term Care (ECILTC) Grant Program to support planning and implementation of sustainable long-term care services for American Indians and Alaska Native (AI/AN) elders. This program is authorized under the Snyder Act, 25 U.S.C. 1652, 25 U.S.C. 1653(c), and the Public Health Service Act, Section 301, as amended. This program is described at 93.933 in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA).

Full Announcement

USDA Announces Grants to Expand Nutrition Help for Low-Income Seniors

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The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) will invest in pilot projects to increase access and participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly the Food Stamp Program, among low-income seniors. Award grants, totaling approximately $8 million, will allow State agencies to pursue innovative outreach and delivery pilot projects. Interested State agencies may obtain grant applications at http://www.grants.gov or http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap

USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is encouraging State agencies to submit grant applications for programs designed to boost SNAP participation among Medicare's Extra Help population. Extra Help, also called Low Income Subsidy, is a program to help low-income individuals or couples with limited resources pay for their Medicare prescription drug plan costs. Under a new law, data from these applications is sent to State Medicaid agencies to enroll people in Medicare Savings Programs. FNS will provide funding to encourage the Extra Help population to participate in SNAP by using State Medicaid agency data from Medicare Savings Programs. FNS invites State agencies to submit applications that will implement outreach efforts, simplify eligibility, or standardize benefits for this population.

The deadline to submit grant proposal applications is June 30, 2010.

AoA Announces Availability of Approximately $2.25 Million for Lifespan Respite Care Programs

The U.S. Administration on Aging is announcing the availability of approximately $2.25 million for implementation of the requirements of the Lifespan Respite Care Act of 2006. These projects will enable states to establish, enhance or expand Lifespan Respite Care systems, including new and planned emergency respite services, training and recruitment of respite workers and volunteers and assist caregivers with gaining access to needed respite services.

Under the 2010 "Lifespan Respite Care Program" announcement, AoA will award approximately ten to fifteen grants to states with federal funding up to $200,000 each for three-year project periods. AoA will fund projects that propose to serve all eligible respite recipients, including family members, foster parents, or other adults providing unpaid care to adults needing care to meet basic daily needs or prevent injury and to children who require care beyond that required to meet their basic needs. Over the course of these projects, states will work to expand and enhance respite care services to family members; improve the statewide dissemination and coordination of respite care; and provide, supplement, or improve access and quality of respite care services to family caregivers, thereby reducing family caregiver strain.

This is a limited grant competition. Awards will only be made to eligible state agencies who: administer the states program under the Older Americans Act of 1965; or administer title XIX of the social Security Act; or are designated by the Governor of the state to administer the State’s programs under this title who are an aging and disability resource center working in collaboration with a state respite coalition or organization, AND who are not currently funded under the Lifespan Respite Care Program.

The closing date for applications for this announcement is Monday, June 7, 2010. The deadline for submission of a letter of intent to apply for funding is Friday, May 7, 2010. Letters should be submitted by facsimile or e-mail to Greg Link at greg.link@aoa.hhs.gov or (202) 357-3558 (Fax). To learn more about this opportunity, please visit http://www.aoa.gov/AoARoot/Grants/Funding/index.aspx.

HHS, HUD PARTNER TO ALLOW RENTAL ASSISTANCE TO SUPPORT INDEPENDENT LIVING FOR NON-ELDERLY PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

Thousands of Americans with disabilities will have housing assistance specifically targeted to meet their needs, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan announced today.

As part of President Obama’s Year of Community Living initiative, HHS and HUD collaborated to provide housing support for non-elderly persons with disabilities to live productive independent lives in their communities rather than in institutional settings. HUD is offering approximately $40 million to public housing authorities across the country to fund approximately 5,300 Housing Choice Vouchers for non-elderly persons with disabilities, allowing them to live independently. HHS will use its network of state Medicaid agencies and local human service organizations to link eligible individuals and their families to local housing agencies who will administer voucher distribution.

The vouchers will augment work already being done by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) through its Medicaid Money Follows the Person (MFP) grant program. Originally set to expire next year, the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010” extended the MFP program through 2016 with an additional appropriation of over $2 billion. The Act also cut to three months, from the previous six months, the amount of time a person must be in an institution to qualify for help making the transition to community life.

“This number of vouchers to this community is a major milestone for HUD,” said Donovan. “I am pleased that two federal agencies have combined efforts to give these individuals the independence they so desperately want and deserve.”

“This commitment by HHS and HUD to directly link housing support to these individuals will be of immeasurable value not only to them, but to the communities in which they will be living,” said Sebelius. “Individuals with disabilities have so much to contribute to the quality of life in our communities when given the freedom and opportunity to do so.”

Of the 5,300 vouchers set aside as part of this program, up to 1,000 will be specifically targeted for non-elderly individuals with disabilities currently living in institutions but who could move into the community with assistance (Category II). The remaining 4,300 (Category I) can be used for this purpose also, but are targeted for use by non-elderly individuals with disabilities and their families in the community to allow them to access affordable housing that adequately meets their needs.

In addition, HUD is encouraging housing authorities to establish a selection preference to make some or all of their Category I allocation available to individuals with disabilities and their families who, without housing assistance, are at risk of institutionalization. Housing authorities have 90 days to submit their applications to HUD. HUD expects to have funding awards ready late fall 2010.

“Many of these individuals are low-income and can not afford market rates for housing. For a number of Americans, these vouchers, along with Medicaid home and community-based services, are essential supports that make the President’s vision for community living possible,” Sebelius noted.

The Year of Community Living is an outgrowth of a 1999 Supreme Court decision in Olmstead v. L.C., in which the court ruled that under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) unnecessarily institutionalizing a person with a disability who, with proper support, can live in the community can amount to discrimination. In its ruling, the Court said that institutionalization severely limits the person’s ability to interact with family and friends, to work and to make a life for him or herself.

As a result of the Olmstead ruling, HHS issued guidance to states on how to make their Medicaid programs more responsive to people living with disabilities who wish to reside in the least restrictive setting. Today’s announcement is yet another step in HHS’s 10-year effort to achieve that goal.

HUD Funds Available Announcement

Alzheimer’s Disease Supportive Services Program (ADSSP) Projects Funding Availability

Assistant Secretary for Aging Kathy Greenlee has announced the availability of approximately $10 million for Alzheimer’s Disease Supportive Services Program (ADSSP) Projects. These projects will provide the opportunity for the Administration on Aging’s national network of community-based organizations and its partners to strengthen their approach in providing services and supports for individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders (ADRD) and their family caregivers.

Funding is available through two Program Announcements: “Evidence-Based Programs to Better Serve People with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders” and “Innovation Programs to Better Serve People with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders.” Eligible applicants are all instrumentalities of state government, which includes – but are not limited to – State Agencies on Aging.

Informational teleconferences are scheduled for Wednesday, March 24, 2010 at 4:00 p.m. EST (Innovation Program) and Thursday, March 25, 2010 at 4:00 p.m. EST (Evidence-Based Program). For call-in information, please see the program announcements.

Applications for both announcements must be received no later than 11:59 p.m. ET. Monday, May 10, 2010. The deadline for submission of a letter of intent is Monday, April 5, 2010. The Program Announcements and Frequently Asked Questions may be viewed at: http://www.aoa.gov/AoARoot/Grants/Funding/index.aspx

Longevity research, policy, and education: International Longevity Center USA - Caregiving

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The International Longevity Center and the Caregiving Project for Older Americans, with support from MetLife Foundation, invites proposals from community colleges and other 2-year institutions under the 2010 Community College Caregiver Training Initiative. The purpose of the initiative is to encourage the development of new and novel programs to train both family caregivers and in-home care workers, promote skill development, advance the quality of care, and provide opportunities for career development.

The caregiver training program awards under this initiative may either be to fund a new program or for building upon existing programs. Up to 13 grants of up to $15,000 will be awarded.
More Information/Full RFP

HHS Secretary Sebelius Announces the Availability of Recovery Act Funds for Community Prevention and Wellness Initiative

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Cooperative Agreement Opportunities for National Organizations

National organizations will have a key role in building a healthier nation as part of the new U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Communities Putting Prevention to Work initiative. HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced a funding opportunity for national public or private non-profit organizations to apply for $10 million in cooperative agreements to help communities decrease smoking and obesity, increase physical activity and improve nutrition.

"National organizations will help move America toward better health," said Secretary Sebelius. "Last month the First Lady announced the Let's Move campaign calling for public-private partnerships across states, local governments, and committed and trusted organizations to help communities implement proven prevention strategies. This opportunity is one of many steps HHS is taking to putting America on track to live longer, healthier lives while reducing health care costs."

Communities Putting Prevention to Work will change systems and environments-for example, improving access to healthy foods and opportunities for physical activity-and putting into place policies that will promote the health of populations. Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), the $10 million in available funds will be awarded to national organizations through a competitive agreement process. With these funds, national organizations will provide expert guidance to communities, help sustain prevention efforts when recovery act funding ends, and foster a national movement toward prevention by implementing key practices across their networks and systems. The HHS Office of Public Health and Science is leading the national organizations component of Communities Putting Prevention to Work in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"In the United States, 7 of 10 deaths result from chronic disease," said HHS Assistant Secretary for Health Howard K. Koh, M.D., M.P.H. "Tobacco, obesity, poor nutrition and lack of physical activity are significant drivers of the nation's disease rates. National organizations have the knowledge and experience to help communities tackle these hard issues. Additionally, national organization's extensive networks will expand the reach and impact of the Communities Putting Prevention to Work initiative." National organizations interested in applying for Communities Putting Prevention to Work- Leveraging National Organizations cooperative agreements can find more information at www.grants.gov. The application deadline is April 19, 2010. To learn more about the Communities Putting Prevention to Work- Leveraging National Organizations program please visit: http://www.hhs.gov/ophs/funding/index.html

AoA to Fund Regional Pension Counseling & Information Projects and Pension Counseling Technical Resource & Assistance Centers

The Administration on Aging (AoA) will award grants for up to six Regional Pension Counseling & Information Projects and one Pension Counseling Technical Resource & Assistance Center.

The Federal government’s share for each of the six Pension Counseling & Information Projects will be approximately $200,000 per year for a project period of up to three years. The counseling projects provide individuals who reside, have worked in, or have some other pension or employer connection to the regional service area with a range of services, including drafting administrative pension claims and appeals, and providing representation and support through administrative proceedings; identifying and pursuing pension benefits from clients’ prior employers; responding to basic questions about rights and remedies under all public and private pension systems throughout the service region; operating a region-wide outreach program to ensure public and provider awareness of the Program’s broad focus of assisting individuals with pension and retirement savings problems, regardless of age or income; and targeting certain outreach efforts to those in greatest need.

Eligible applicants include domestic public or private and non-profit entities including state, local and Indian tribal governments, faith-based organizations, community-based organizations, and institutions of higher education, with a proven record of advising and representing individuals who have been denied employer or union-sponsored retirement income benefits, and which have the capacity to deliver services on a regional basis.

The application deadline for this funding opportunity is April 5, 2010.

To access detailed information on this funding opportunity, please go to http://www.aoa.gov/AoARoot/Grants/Funding/docs/2010/FY10_PensionCounselingProj_2_4_10.doc

The Administration on Aging (AoA) will also fund through a cooperative agreement one Technical Resource and Assistance Center (Center). The Federal government’s share will be approximately $425,253 per year for a project period of up to three years. The Center will be structured to support the Pension Counseling and Information Program’s grantees and others and to encourage coordination among the projects, State and Areas Agencies on Aging, legal services providers, and other potential providers of pension assistance by providing substantive legal training, technical assistance, programmatic coordination, and nationwide outreach, information and referral. The award is a cooperative agreement because AoA will be involved substantially in the project. Eligible applicants include domestic public or private and non-profit entities including state, local and Indian tribal governments, faith-based organizations, community-based organizations, and institutions of higher education, with a proven record of advising and representing individuals who have been denied employer or union-sponsored pension and retirement savings plan benefits, the capacity to provide services under the Program on a national basis, and a well-established, positive reputation in their respective professional communities.

The application deadline for this funding opportunity is April 5, 2010.

To access detailed information on this funding opportunity, please go to http://www.aoa.gov/AoARoot/Grants/Funding/docs/2010/FY10_PensionResourceCenter_PA_final_2_4_10.doc

HHS Announces $27 Million from Recovery Act to Help Older Americans Fight Chronic Disease

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has announced the availability of $27 million to help older individuals with chronic conditions to improve their health and reduce their use of costly medical care. These funds are made possible through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which has provided up to $650 million to HHS for the Communities Putting Prevention to Work initiative launched earlier this fall to promote evidence-based prevention strategies in communities and states across the country.

“This program is about getting money to communities to help seniors manage chronic conditions that threaten their ability to remain in their own homes. Through HHS’ national aging-services network which reaches into nearly every community in America, we are helping people living with chronic conditions and others better manage their own health,” Secretary Sebelius said.

Research has shown that prevention programs can improve the quality of life for older individuals, including frail seniors with multiple chronic conditions, and also reduce health care costs. The Recovery Act funds will put the results of HHS’ research investments into practice at more than 1,200 community-based sites across the country -- reaching tens of thousands of older Americans and their families.

“The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has been about helping families in need during challenging economic times, “ said Assistant Secretary for Aging Kathy Greenlee. “This innovative program will give at-risk older people and their caregivers the tools they need to make their own decisions so they can live longer, healthier and more independent lives.”

This competitive initiative gives every state Aging and Health Department and U.S. territory the opportunity to implement rigorously tested Chronic Disease Self-Management Programs (CDSMP), one of the most prominent being the Stanford University model. The CDSMP is a six-week peer-led training program that covers topics such as healthy eating, exercise, managing fatigue and depression, and communicating effectively with health care professionals. While further research is underway, rigorous evaluations have suggested that the program improves participants’ overall health and energy levels and result in savings to Medicare through fewer hospital stays. CDSMP are specifically designed to be delivered by non-health professionals in community settings, such as senior centers, congregate meal programs, faith-based organizations and senior housing projects.

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National Center on Senior Transportation: Projects & Funding: Student Projects

Description of 2009 - 2010 Program and Application Procedures

Deadline: Thursday, December 17, 2009, no later than 11:59 p.m. E.S.T.
Overview

The National Center on Senior Transportation (NCST) is a collaborative effort between Easter Seals and the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a). Its mission is to increase transportation options for older adults and enhance their ability to live more independently within their communities throughout the United States. Established in 2006, the NCST is funded through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration in cooperation with the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services’ Administration on Aging.

The NCST is once again pleased to announce an opportunity for currently enrolled university students to conduct a project that relates to older adult transportation. Through this program, the National Center on Senior Transportation anticipates awarding a number of post-baccalaureate students with awards up to $2,000 per award to expand upon current transportation/mobility-related projects to benefit older adults and transportation service delivery networks. Funding need not be used for new initiatives and can expand upon a project that is already underway.

Funds may be used to provide partial support to their research projects or for travel to disseminate research findings. The product generated as part of this program will be used to contribute solutions to transportation challenges that older adults, their caregivers, and the communities where they reside face. It is anticipated that products developed will be nationally distributed through the NCST library.

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