[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 92 (Friday, May 13, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-11637]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: May 13, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Administration on Aging
[Program Announcement No. AOA-94-2]
Fiscal Year 1994 Program Announcement; Availability of Funds and
Request for Applications
AGENCY: Administration on Aging, HHS.
ACTION: Announcement of availability of funds and request for
applications under the Administration on Aging's Discretionary Funds
Program for research, demonstration, training, development, and related
capacity-building activities.
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SUMMARY: The Administration on Aging (AoA) announces its Fiscal Year
(FY) 1994 Discretionary Funds Program (DFP) of knowledge building,
program innovation and development, information dissemination,
training, technical assistance, and related capacity-building efforts.
The FY 1994 DFP is responsive to the major strategic initiatives of the
Assistant Secretary for Aging and to specific mandates of the Older
Americans Act, which focus on certain aging program areas and on the
needs of vulnerable older population groups. Funding for AoA
discretionary grants is authorized by Title IV of the Older Americans
Act, Public Law 89-73, as amended.
This program announcement consists of three parts. Part I provides
background information, discusses the purpose of the AoA Discretionary
Funds Program, and documents its statutory funding authority. Part II
describes the programmatic priorities under which AoA is inviting
applications to be considered for funding. Part III describes, in
detail, the application process and provides guidance on how to prepare
and submit an application.
All of the forms necessary to submit an application are published
as part of this announcement following Part III. No separate
application kit is necessary for submitting an application. If you have
a copy of this entire announcement, you have all the information and
forms required to prepare and submit an application.
Grants will be made under this announcement subject to the
availability of funds for the support of the priority area project
activities described herein.
DATES: This announcement contains different deadline dates for the
submission of applications, depending upon the priority area under
which an application is submitted for competitive review and funding.
For applications responding to one group of designated priority areas,
the deadline date is July 12, 1994. For another group of specified
priority areas, the deadline for applications is October 7, 1994. One
other priority area has multiple deadline dates. The potential
applicant should check each priority area carefully to determine the
deadline date for the application it intends to submit.
ADDRESSES: Application receipt point: U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services, Administration on Aging, Office of Administration and
Management, 330 Independence Avenue, SW., room 4644, Washington, DC
20201, Attn: AoA-94-1.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Department of Health and Human
Services, Administration on Aging, Office of Program Development, 330
Independence Avenue, SW., room 4278, Washington, DC 20201, telephone
(202) 619-0441.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Part I. Background
A. The Challenges of an Aging Society
According to the National Center for Health Statistics, life
expectancy at birth for Americans in 1991 rose to a record 75.5 years.
The Census Bureau predicts that by the year 2020 the average life
expectancy will be 82 years for women and 74.2 years for men. At the
turn of the century, only 4 percent of the American population was 65
and over. By 1990, it was 12 percent. Beginning in approximately 15
years, the percentage is projected to increase rapidly to 20 percent
and then to increase slowly to about 21% by 2050 and 22% by 2060. By
the year 2030, there will be more people age 65 and older than young
people under age 15 in the population.
The baby boom generation, which will begin to reach retirement age
in little more than a decade, now represents the largest age segment of
the U.S. population, numbering approximately 75 million. The current
older population, already noted for its heterogeneity, will be
significantly more diverse with the aging of the baby boomers in the
early decades of the 21st century. The great increase in the numbers
and the diversity of the elderly, combined with dramatically different
lifestyle changes, such as four-generation households and more women
serving in both caregiving roles and the work force, are all important
factors to consider in planning for an aging society.
If the Nation is to be well prepared for the burgeoning numbers of
older persons at the turn of the century, and to be equally well
equipped to take advantage of the opportunities those changes provide--
and not be daunted by the hard challenges--then today we must grasp the
basic implications of an aging society, and act on the basis of those
realizations. Our Nation has many different policies and agencies that
impact on what people may or may not do when they retire. Although the
Department of Health and Human Services provides the bulk of public
financing for programs and benefits that directly or indirectly affect
older persons, almost every federal agency is involved in providing
services to older persons including the Departments of Housing and
Urban Development, Transportation, Justice, Agriculture, Labor,
Defense, Energy and Treasury. By creating the position of Assistant
Secretary for Aging, the President and the Secretary of the Department
Health and Human Services have provided a focal point for aging policy,
whereby the disparate program responsibilities of federal government
agencies can be linked into a more coherent vision of what is needed
for an aging society.
B. Older Americans Act Responsibilities of the Assistant Secretary for
Aging and the Administration on Aging
The Older Americans Act of 1965, as amended, is designed to provide
assistance in the development of new or improved programs to help older
persons, through grants to the States and tribal organizations for
community planning and services and for research, demonstration and
training projects. Through the Act, the Congress has declared that it
is the responsibility of the Federal government, the States and Native
American tribal organizations to assist older people as they endeavor
to secure an adequate retirement income, the best possible physical or
mental health services, suitable housing, long term care services,
employment opportunities and participation in a wide range of civic,
cultural, eduational and recreational activities.
Title II of the Act declares, further, that it is the
responsibility of the Assistant Secretary for Aging to serve as the
effective and visible advocate for older individuals within the
Department of Health and Human Services and with other departments,
agencies, and instrumentalities of the Federal Government. Under Title
II, the Assistant Secretary is charged with directly assisting the
Secretary of Health and Human Services in all matters pertaining to
problems of the aged and aging and with the responsibility to
administer the formula and discretionary grant programs authorized by
Congress under Titles III, IV, VI and VII of the Act.
1. The AoA Discretionary Funds Program
The Discretionary Funds Program authorized by Title IV of the Act
constitutes the major research, demonstration, training and development
effort of the Administration on Aging. Through this Title IV Program
Announcement, the Assistant Secretary for Aging intends to draw special
attention to the Discretionary Funds Program as an essential mechanism
for: (a) improving programs and services to the elderly: (b)
emphasizing several major initiatives that respond directly to the
current and future challenges and opportunities of an aging society,
and; (c) carrying out his responsibilities as a chief advocate for
older persons.
The Title IV mandate is aimed, generally, at building knowledge,
developing innovative model programs, and training personnel for
service in the field of aging, and matching these resources to the
changing needs of older persons and their families in the coming
decades. AoA's research, demonstrations, training and other
discretionary projects are focused on:
Advancing our knowledge and understanding of current
program and policy issues, such as community and in-home long-term care
service systems and programs, significant to the well-being of the
older population;
Improving the effectiveness of Older Americans Act
programs by testing new models, systems, and approaches for better
providing and delivering services to older persons; and providing
training, technical assistance, and information that will increase our
ability to serve older Americans with skill, care, and compassion.
2. Coordination With Other Federal Agencies
In accordance with Title II of the Older Americans Act, the
Assistant Secretary for Aging and the Administration on Aging (AoA)
function as focal points within the Federal government for aging-
related concerns. In that capacity, the Assistant Secretary advises the
Secretary of Health and Human Services on matters affecting older
Americans and provides consultation and information to units across the
Federal government on the characteristics, circumstances, and needs of
older persons. AoA has a strong commitment to working with other
Federal agencies on policy and program development in issue areas of
importance to older Americans. To carry out its national level program
and advocacy responsibilities, AoA places major emphasis on developing
collaborative relationships with other Federal agencies aimed at
coordinating diverse and wide-ranging Federal program resources and
linking those resources to the similarly diverse needs of older
persons.
Dating back two decades, AoA has worked hard to develop and
implement a network of Federal Interagency Agreements to better serve
older Americans, combining our resources with those of the Departments
of Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, Labor, and Education,
the Farmers Home Administration, and the Corporation for National and
Community Service (formerly ACTION), as well as with other agencies
within the Department of Health and Human Services, such as the Social
Security Administration, the Health Care Financing Administration, the
Administration for Children and Families, and the Public Health
Service, including the National Institute on Aging.
These interagency collaborations represent a strategic coupling of
AoA's resources to serve the nation's elderly, especially those at risk
of losing their independence. AoA's Federal Interagency Agreements
cover a spectrum of program efforts--in housing, transportation, health
promotion, elder abuse, etc.--that closely parallel a number of the
priority areas in this Discretionary Funds Program Announcement.
3. Dissemination of Title IV Project Results and Products
In keeping with the provisions of the Older Americans Act, all
projects funded under Title IV are required to undertake vigorous steps
to disseminate the results and products of their projects to
appropriate audiences involved in promoting the well-being of older
persons. This should include energetic marketing of products and
results. Projects are strongly encouraged to utilize appropriate
promotional media campaigns in order to insure that their outcomes
receive the widest possible attention. Such campaigns should seek to
educate consumers, providers (including the Aging Network), the private
sector, and policy sector about their results and to promote use of
their products. A special priority area in this Program Announcement
further emphasizes the importance of dissemination and utilization of
Title IV project findings, products, and results.
As described below in Part III, Section I.2, the most effective
dissemination begins at the moment a project is conceptualized and
includes the involvement of potential user audiences throughout the
project, particularly in the design of products. As part of their
dissemination plan, applicants are also encouraged to consider the
development, as appropriate, of brief products suitable for widespread
dissemination to older persons, their families and other caregivers,
and practitioners who serve older persons. Advice on ways to maximize
the utilization of a proposed project may be obtained by contacting
Saadia Greenberg at the AoA Office of Dissemination and Utilization at
(202) 619-0441. Applicants may also be interested in obtaining a
publication entitled, Dissemination by Design, which may be requested
by calling the above number.
C. Major Strategic Initiatives
The Secretary of Health and Human Services has charged the
Assistant Secretary for Aging with lead responsibility within the
Department for four major strategic initiatives--home and community-
based long-term care; older women; an aging blueprint for future
generations; and nutrition and malnutrition. These initiatives are in
concert with the Older Americans Act mandate to develop new and
improved programs to help older persons. Through this Program
Announcement, the Assistant Secretary is focusing Title IV
Discretionary Funds support on each of these initiatives. (Full
descriptions of the initiatives are available by contacting the Office
of Program Development, Administration on Aging at 202-619-0441).
1. Home and Community Based Long Term Care
The home and community-based long-term care initiative responds to
the central concern that persons with chronic illnesses and
disabilities have the resources to live independently in their homes
and communities as long as possible. One critical issue now being
debated is how we can best ensure that government at all levels works
in a more efficient and effective manner to help meet that concern. To
focus attention on this and other key issues affecting home and
community-based long-term care, the Assistant Secretary for Aging and
the Administration on Aging convened a Health Care University in
January 1994. The Health Care University provided a forum for (1)
outlining the Assistant Secretary's home and community-based long-term
care initiative; (2) encouraging the participants (including community,
state, Tribal, and national organizations, agencies, and officials) to
better understand and fully discuss the Health Security Act legislation
proposed by the President, and; (3) providing preliminary findings of
the AoA home and community-based long-term care survey.
The home and community-based long term care initiative will focus
on building a comprehensive policy on long-term care for all persons
who need services, with a special emphasis on the elderly. Surveys show
that older people overwhelmingly prefer to live in their own homes and
communities, rather than in institutional settings, but many need home
and community-based services to do so. Approximately 6.1 million older
people living in the community experience difficulty with one or more
activities of daily living such as eating, bathing, dressing,
toileting, or transferring in or out of bed. However, less than half of
these individuals receive any personal help. Through this Discretionary
Funds Program (DFP) Announcement, AoA will provide leadership for the
continued development of consumer-driven home and community-based
systems of care.
2. Older Women
Efforts to improve the quality of life for America's older women
comprise another of the Assistant Secretary's initiatives upon which
this DFP Announcement will focus. Women comprise 60 percent of today's
65 plus population. Today, there are 18.3 million women, as compared to
12.6 older men. By the year 2000, it is expected that there will be
five women for every two men over the age of 75. The special
circumstances faced by older women are frequently overlooked. Almost
three-quarters of all elderly persons living below poverty are women.
Poverty is projected to be an even greater problem for women when the
baby boom generation reaches retirement.
Although women live longer than men, the quality of their lives
often deteriorates substantially in the later years due to illnesses,
chronic conditions, falls and other injuries, and stresses of
caregiving or of living alone. Some physical conditions which typically
affect older women can be prevented if they are encouraged to adopt
healthier lifestyles in the late middle years.
The Administration on Aging recognizes the need for a highly
visible, well-coordinated effort which, through outreach, education,
dissemination, advocacy and partnership-building, will focus on
critical issues affecting older women including income security,
health, caregiving and housing. The older women's initiative will work
to enhance the capacity of the Aging Network to effectively address
older women's issues and explore the feasibility of developing
intradepartmental and interagency partnerships to address the needs of
older women. It will also endeavor to educate older women at the grass
roots/local level, as well as the public and private sectors, about
issues affecting older women; and reinforce the capacity of women to
make significant contributions to society throughout the life cycle.
3. Nutrition and Malnutrition
The nutrition and malnutrition initiative of the Assistant
Secretary will address the critical problem of malnutrition among the
elderly. Recent surveys show that alarming numbers of older Americans
are malnourished. At the same time, because of medical advances and the
availability of community-based services, such as home delivered meals,
more older persons have been able to remain independent and in their
own homes, rather than having to be institutionalized. The
Administration on Aging's nutrition and malnutrition initiative will
focus attention on educating the public and private sectors to the
growing problem of malnutrition, and finding ways to prevent its
occurrence. As part of that effort, AoA is now supporting a synthesis
of current knowledge concerning the nutritional status of older
persons, as well as an analysis of public awareness of the issues of
nutrition and malnutrition among the elderly.
The Administration on Aging will also focus its nutrition and
malnutrition initiative on the current in-home and congregate meals
programs supported under Title III and Title VI of the Older Americans
Act. Key goals are: 1) increasing public awareness regarding the issues
of adequate nutrition, malnutrition, hunger, and food insecurity and
their interrelationships to health, independence, and quality of life
of older individuals; 2) providing leadership in promoting a nutrition
agenda for the future; 3) developing and promoting direct prevention
and intervention strategies to enhance the nutritional status of older
people, and; 4) developing integrated public policies to ensure greater
access to appropriate food and nutrition services for older
individuals. In support of these essential components of the nutrition
and malnutrition initiative, the Assistant Secretary for Aging is
investing approximately $2.8 million dollars in an evaluation of the
National Nutrition Program for the Elderly funded under Title III of
the Older Americans Act. A contract to perform the evaluation has been
awarded to Mathematica Policy Research, Inc., of Princeton, N.J.
4. Blueprint for an Aging Society
Another major AoA initiative that the Program Announcement will
address is development of a blueprint for how the Nation can and should
now prepare for the retirement of future generations, particularly the
baby-boom generation. As society ages, and the first of the baby boom
generation reaches retirement age in the next decade, we must begin to
plan for the impact that this aging cohort, and those following, will
have on our society. Significant increases in the numbers and diversity
of older persons, the complexity of claims on resources being made
between generations, dramatically different lifestyle changes such as
four generation households and more women serving in both caregiving
roles and the work force--these are among the critical factors that
must be addressed in planning for an aging society. In addition,
society must learn to recognize that active and productive retirement
is the norm.
In determining how best to address the needs of our aging society,
we must examine not only the economic implications, but the social
implications as well. The Blueprint will outline a framework for
responding to the issues of future retirees by examining the aging of
the baby boom cohort from a wide perspective, including issues such as
the role of health and long-term care; the importance of supportive
services such as housing and transportation; lifestyle choices and
individual responsibility; the impact of demographic changes on family
and social structures; diversity issues; and the economic realities of
an aging society. This conceptual framework will assist the federal
government in sorting out the options available to promote a more
coordinated approach to our aging society.
Addressing the aging of society from this broad framework
necessitates that we explore ways of working both within and outside of
the Department of Health and Human Services to address these critical
issues. The role of the Administration on Aging would include mounting
an education campaign around savings and thrift issues, as well as
physical fitness and health promotion. This education campaign would
have as its focus making society aware of the opportunities and choices
available to older persons to remain productive and active citizens, as
well as the contributions seniors make to this country.
D. Other Older Americans Act Mandates
Other areas of emphasis in this Title IV Discretionary Funds
Program Announcement derive from certain specific mandates of the Older
Americans Act, which concentrate discretionary funding resources on
making specific aging programs more effective and on better serving
vulnerable population groups. The priority program areas (in addition
to long term care, nutrition, older women, and a future aging society)
include multigenerational and intergenerational programs, volunteerism,
and minority aging.
E. Technical Assistance Workshops for Prospective Applicants
Workshops will be held in Washington, D.C. and several other cities
to provide guidance and technical assistance to prospective applicants.
Please call the appropriate AoA contact person for the time and
location of the workshop you are interested in attending.
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City AoA Contact Person(s)
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Washington, D.C.................... Alfred Duncker/Saadia Greenberg,
Albert Byrd/Irma Tetzloff, (202)
619-0441.
Boston, Massachusetts.............. Thomas Hooker, (617) 565-1158.
New York, New York................. Judith Rackmill, (212) 264-2976.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania......... Paul E. Ertel, Jr., (215) 596-6891.
Atlanta, Georgia................... Franklin Nicholson, (404) 331-5900.
Chicago, Illinois.................. Eli Lipschultz, (312) 353-3141.
Dallas, Texas...................... John Diaz, (214) 767-2971.
Kansas City, Missouri.............. Larry Brewster, (816) 374-6015.
Denver, Colorado................... Percy Devine, (303) 844-2951.
San Francisco, California.......... Frank Cardenas, (415) 556-6003.
Seattle, Washington................ Chisato Kawabori, (206) 553-5341.
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F. Statutory Authority
The statutory authority for awards made under the AoA Discretionary
Funds Program is contained in Title II and Title IV of the Older
Americans Act, (42 U.S.C. 3001 et seq.), as amended by the Older
American Act Amendments of 1992, Pub.L.102-375, September 30, 1992.
G. Public Comments on this Announcement
AoA invites comments on this Discretionary Funds Program
Announcement. In addition, because the field of aging is characterized
by rapidly unfolding events, new data, findings and interpretations,
and a diversity of issues important to older people, the Administration
on Aging is considering the publication of two Discretionary Funds
Program Announcements in Fiscal Year 1995, in early Winter and late
Spring. We invite comments on that possibility as well. Please direct
your comments to: Office of Program Development, Administration on
Aging, 330 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20201.
Part II--Priority Areas
Part II of the Discretionary Funds Program (DFP) Announcement sets
forth the priority areas under which applications will be considered
for funding by the Administration on Aging. Part II also provides
general guidelines concerning eligible applicants as well as project
costs and duration. More specific instructions regarding eligibility,
the federal share of project costs, project duration, and deadline
dates for the submission of applications may be found under the
individual priority areas.
Applications must be directly and explicitly responsive to the
expressed concerns of the particular priority area under which they are
submitted.
A. Eligible Applicants
As a general rule, any public or nonprofit agency, organization, or
institution is eligible to apply under this Discretionary Funds Program
Announcement. Where there are exceptions to this rule, they are
specified in the appropriate priority area description. The
Administration on Aging will not consider grant applications from
individuals because they are ineligible to receive a grant award under
the provisions of Title IV of the Older Americans Act. For-profit
organizations are not eligible applicants, but may participate as
subgrantees or subcontractors to eligible public or nonprofit agencies.
Any nonprofit organization applying under this program announcement
that is not now a DHHS grantee should include, with its application,
Internal Revenue Service or other legally recognized documentation of
its nonprofit status. A nonprofit applicant cannot be funded without
proof of its status.
B. Project Costs and Duration
Under each priority area, AoA has estimated the number of projects
to be funded and offered guidelines regarding both the duration of
those projects and the anticipated federal share of project costs.
Because applications are reviewed on a competitive basis within
priority areas, they are expected to be comparable in terms of cost and
duration. Therefore, applicants are strongly urged to adhere to those
guidelines.
C. Projects Funded Under Cooperative Agreement Awards
Under certain priority areas, AoA has indicated it will use the
mechanism of the cooperative agreement in making awards. Under the
cooperative agreement mechanism, AoA and each project grantee will
share responsibility for managing that project.
The grantee organization will have the primary responsibility for
developing and implementing the activities of the project. AoA will
join with the grantee in deciding the major issues to be addressed by
the project; use periodic briefings and ongoing consultation to share
with the grantee its knowledge of the issues being addressed by the
project as well as information about relevant activities being
undertaken by others; provide feedback to the grantee about the
usefulness to the field of its written products and information sharing
activities; and participate as much as possible in the deliberations of
the project advisory committee. The details of this relationship will
be set forth in the cooperative agreement to be developed and signed by
AoA and the prospective grantee prior to the issuance of the award.
D. List of Priority Areas
(1) Home and Community-Based Long Term Care
1.1 Consumer Participation in Home and Community Based Care
1.2 Capacity Building and Mentoring Program in Home and Community
Based Care
1.3 Aging and Disability: Models for Coordinated Service Systems
1.4 Employment of Public Assistance Recipients in Home Care
1.5 National Long Term Care Policy and Resource Center on Housing and
Supportive Services
1.6 Eldercare Locator
(2) Older Women
2.1 National Policy and Resource Center on Older Women
2.2 Protecting Older Women Against Domestic Violence
(3) Nutrition and Malnutrition Among the Elderly
3.1 National Policy and Resource Center on Nutrition and Aging
(4) Blueprint for An Aging Society
4.1 National Academy on Aging
(5) Other Older Americans Act Mandates
5.1 Responding to the Needs of Minority Elderly through National
Minority Aging Organizations
5.2 National Volunteer Senior Aides/Family Friends Projects
5.3 Volunteer Service Credit Demonstrations
5.4 AoA Dissemination Projects
5.5 Field-Initiated Project Applications
(1) Home and Community-Based Long Term Care
1.1 Consumer Participation in Home and Community Based Care
To develop effective and efficient systems of home and community
based care (HCBC), States must promote the informed participation of
consumers in the planning, development and delivery of services. For
consumers to have meaningful input, they need information and better
organization. Consumers need to be informed about the complex issues
relating to governance and management of the HCBC system, including
linkages with the institutional and acute care systems; resource
allocation and cost controls; access to services, including
eligibility, assessment, and care planning and coordination; and the
scope, organization and quality of services. This information should
serve to empower consumers to become partners in the planning and
implementation of state and community HCBC systems.
Of critical importance is the mobilization and organization of
consumers at state and community levels. Effective input into systems
development and implementation can be achieved only through the
collaboration of individuals and interest groups at all levels within
the State. Collective action by consumers, based on sound information,
will result in consumer-driven HCBC which is available, accessible and
appropriate in relation to defined needs within allocated resources.
The Administration on Aging is interested in receiving applications
for conducting statewide demonstration projects resulting in replicable
models of consumer involvement in the design, development, and
implementation of home and community based care systems. Such models of
consumer-driven HCBC may be targeted to the elderly, or to the elderly
in concert with other target populations (e.g. persons with
disabilities).
Proposed projects should emphasize empowering individuals and
groups at state and community levels to participate in the development
of consumer-driven systems of home and community-based care. Applicants
must identify the resources and mechanisms for developing and
disseminating information, and for the mobilization and organization of
individuals and groups to impact on HCBC policy, programs and services.
Applicants should also focus on the development and implementation of
mechanisms that would allow formal consumer input. Applications should
address how proposed strategies will be targeted or modified to reach
special populations such as low income and minority individuals and
residents of rural areas. Innovative approaches are highly encouraged.
Proposals are invited from public and private non-profit
organizations with demonstrated experience in representing and serving
consumers of home and community based care. The Administration on Aging
plans to make 4-6 awards with an approximate federal share of $125,000
per year for an estimated project period of two (2) years. The deadline
date for applications under this priority area is July 12, 1994.
1.2 Capacity Building and Mentoring Program in Home and Community
Based Care
In the absence of a cohesive federal policy on long-term care,
States have been in the forefront of developing home and community-
based care infrastructures. The staff of certain State Agencies on
Aging and Area Agencies on Aging have significant knowledge and
experience in the design, promotion, and implementation of home and
community based systems. At the same time, the development of state
systems has been an uneven process, with some States having achieved
comprehensive statewide programs of home and community-based care while
others are just now beginning.
As highlighted in Part I of this Announcement, home and community
based care is one of the Assistant Secretary for Aging's priorities. In
the past, the Administration on Aging has funded substantial
demonstration and research projects in this area and continues to do
so. However, an understanding of, and experience in, the development of
state home and community based care infrastructures constitute a unique
body of knowledge. It encompasses creating systems to assure quality of
care, maximizing consumer choice and participation, developing
financing mechanisms and budgetary systems, and understanding the
pertinent policy environment. AoA's 1993 Home and Community Based Care
Survey of all fifty States documented a variety of technical assistance
and capacity-building needs in these areas.
Although research can identify critical issues and evaluate
alternatives, it seldom addresses the practical, hands-on decisions
that accompany the design and establishment of a statewide system. The
definitive textbook or curriculum on how to build state home and
community-based care infrastructures has yet to emerge. This priority
area is based on the conviction that AoA can best facilitate the
development of state home and community based infrastructures by
supporting the exchange of accumulated knowledge, expertise, and hard-
earned lessons. Accordingly, AoA is soliciting applications to design
and administer a capacity-building/mentoring program in home and
community based care.
The goal of the capacity-building/mentoring program is to assist
States in the development of home and community-based care
infrastructure by: (1) using the expertise and knowledge of State and
Area Agency on Aging staff who have demonstrated leadership in creating
innovative systems in their States; (2) drawing from other pertinent
areas of knowledge and experience (e.g. the establishment of Medicaid
waiver programs, Independent Living Centers, etc.) and; (3) providing
peer consultation to States whose leadership has a commitment to
improving their state system and recognizes the need for technical
assistance.
Applicants must present an overall agenda and set of activities/
approaches for conducting the project over a three year period, as well
as provide a detailed first year plan for how the capacity-building/
mentoring program will be developed, organized, and implemented.
Applications must specify the mechanisms that the applicant intends to
use to promote the hands-on exchange of expertise and peer
consultation. These mechanisms could include but are not limited to
sabbaticals, conferences, partial placement, on-site job placement,
intergovernmental transfers, and other innovative techniques.
Applicants should bear in mind that in order to accomodate both the
needs of States receiving peer consultation and of those providing peer
consultation, multiple approaches or mechanisms will most likely be
needed. In justifying their proposed courses of action, applicants
should also demonstrate how these activities are designed to maximize
the funds available to accomplish the stated goals.
AoA expects to fund one capacity-building/mentoring program in home
and community based care with a federal share of approximately $300,000
per year for three years. The deadline date for submitting applications
under this priority area is October 7, 1994. Any public or private non-
profit agency or organization is eligible to apply. However, the
applicant must have extensive knowledge of home and community-based
care systems and the ability to identify key capacity-building needs
regarding state infrastructure, to select and recruit exemplary State
and Area Agency on Aging staff to provide peer consultation, to match
States with the appropriate peer consultants, and to coordinate all
arrangements.
The applicant selected will be awarded a Cooperative Agreement for
a three-year project period. AoA and the organization/institution
selected will work cooperatively to design and implement the capacity-
building/mentoring project. Each year AoA and the grantee will
negotiate a scope of work with relevant time tables and objectives. The
project shall have a director with an appropriate background and
qualifications relevant to aging and disability, long term care,
systems development, and policy studies who shall devote a minimum of
50% of his/her time to this position.
1.3 Aging and Disability: Models for Coordinated Service Systems
The ongoing debate about health care reform, long term care and
disability are clear indicators of the need for the aging, disability
and rehabilitation communities to work more closely together. The
Administration on Aging seeks proposals from State and Area Agencies on
Aging, State agencies serving the disabled, Tribal organizations, and
national organizations and providers to examine the issues and
establish models relating to the coordination of services for the frail
elderly and the disabled, a promising recent development in several
state systems.
Over the past few years, the Administration on Aging has
established working relationships with organizations such as the
Administration on Developmental Disabilities and the National Institute
for Disability and Rehabilitation Research of the Department of
Education to better serve older adults with disabilities and their
families. This priority area will extend these ties to the grass roots,
state and local levels.
A recent analysis of information from State Agencies on Aging
indicates that at least eighteen State Aging Agencies have some policy
or program management responsibility for the disabled. The
Administration on Aging wishes to further explore potential
opportunities for interaction, coordination and joint partnerships
between the aging network and the disability community.
Proposals submitted under this priority area relate to the
development of a coordinated service system. Proposals must include
evidence of collaboration between the aging community and network of
organizations serving the disabled. Joint applications may be
submitted.
Coordinated Service Systems
There seems to be a fairly common assumption that specific programs
for the disabled and the elderly, which were established under separate
legislation, are quite different from each other even though the policy
objectives for the two target groups have some similarities. Programs
for the elderly promote maximum independence through access to a
comprehensive, community based service delivery system. Programs for
the disabled place high value on enhancing personal autonomy, promoting
consumer choice and supporting independence.
An examination of the similarities between the two programs raises
speculation regarding ``turf'' issues and the legislative mandates
regarding advocacy for the two constituent groups. In the interest of
making programs more responsive and cost effective, a very different
environment exists for strategizing about how to use available
resources more effectively. The aging network preference for a ``non-
medical'' model of home and community based long term care may raise
some concern as to whether clients of the two programs have comparable
needs. Some may view programs for the disabled as too closely tied to
the medical or health care system. Another factor in this equation is
how will an aging disabled population, which benefitted from
rehabilitation programs initiated in the 1970s, affect demand for aging
services as the disabled grow older.
Applications funded under this section should result in the
development of effective and innovative models which demonstrate
linkage of the aging and disability networks. These models can build on
existing models that have been successfully implemented by public and
private organizations at the national, state and local levels. Projects
may focus on various aspects of systems development such as access/care
coordination, quality assurance, management of home and community based
care, interagency coordination and the financing mechanisms employed by
the two different groups.
In developing new models, successful applicants will seek the
advice, input and cooperation of experts and practitioners in the aging
and disability fields. Program activities may include conferences, work
groups for the design of new approaches, and development of issue
papers. Applications should include provision for wide dissemination of
the new model and a plan for marketing the model to others in a manner
which actively encourages and facilitates opportunities for
replication.
Under this priority area, AoA expects to make approximately 4-6
awards with a federal share of up to $150,000 each year for a period of
approximately three years. The deadline date for submitting
applications under this priority area is July 12, 1994.
1.4 Employment of Public Assistance Recipients in Home Care
Home care remains one of the fastest growing workforce areas in
today's economy. This growth will only increase as the emphasis on home
and community based long term care continues, especially if provisions
for such care are included in a health care reform bill approved by the
Congress. However, shortages of home care workers affect the access
older and disabled persons have to needed care, as well as the
continuity and quality of care they receive.
This priority area addresses the need for demonstrating approaches
to increasing the size and stability of the home care workforce by
employing public assistance recipients, a group of persons typically
outside the workforce. It also reflects the Administration's commitment
under proposed welfare reform to foster gainful work for those caught
in the current welfare system.
Many past efforts to employ persons on welfare in the home care
workforce have been unsuccessful. A major deterrent has been the
perception--and in some States the reality--that welfare payments and
Medicaid benefits exceed the wages and benefits offered by the home
care industry. This priority area is intended to demonstrate that this
deterrent and others can be overcome by replicating existing, proven
approaches or developing new approaches for employing welfare
recipients in home care.
Examples of existing approaches that merit consideration for
replication are described below. Information on these programs is
available by calling the Office of Program Development at 202-619-0441.
Denver Department of Social Services (DSS) project
``Apprenticeships for Health Services Paraprofessionals''--This
approach, funded two years ago by AoA, successfully trained, placed,
and provided initial career advancement ladders for Aid to Families
with Dependent Children (AFDC) recipients in nursing aide/home health
aide positions. This was done in collaboration with the Department of
Health and Human Services' Job Opportunities and Basic Skills (JOBS)
program and the Department of Labor's first successful nurses
assistant/home health aide apprenticeship program. One key to the
success of the Denver project was creative mixing of Title IV
discretionary funding with those of others available in the community,
e.g. Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA), JOBS, and adult education,
etc. The project also featured careful participant screening, extensive
case management, mentoring, and supportive services, one year of
training, internships, and apprenticeships resulting in an
apprenticeship certification, guaranteed jobs and benefits, and
guidance in future career paths.
Cooperative Home Care Associates (CHCA)--The CHCA program
was established in the South Bronx in 1985 as a worker-owned
cooperative that allows employees to participate in decision making
about all aspects of the organization. They primarily train and employ
single mothers who have previously been on welfare. After new employees
complete a trial period, they can become worker-owners by pledging a
member-equity investment, which can be deducted from weekly pay. The
agency's wages are among the highest in the home care industry and the
agency provides raises based on seniority. All employees receive health
insurance, paid vacation, and sick time. The agency has provided
funding for senior paraprofessionals to become LPNs. The annual
turnover is less than 20 percent, far below the industry average.
This priority area is designed to replicate and/or adapt the proven
experiences of projects like those described above to new settings, or
to demonstrate other innovative and promising approaches to employ
public assistance recipients in home care programs. It is not intended
to support the expansion of existing programs.
Proposals shall contain an evaluation component that effectively
measures project outcomes, particularly in terms of employment, wages
and benefits received, retention, and reduction in welfare benefits.
Project findings should demonstrate a program approach that will be of
use to State and Area Agencies on Aging, local employment, social
service, and other service agencies around the country. The proposal
should contain a nationwide effort to disseminate project results to
the aging network and other relevant agencies and organizations.
State and Area Agencies on Aging, Tribal organizations, and other
public and private non-profit organizations, institutions and agencies
are eligible to submit an application under this priority area. As
appropriate, applications should be developed in consultation with
State and Area Agencies on Aging. The deadline date for submitting
applications under this priority area is October 7, 1994. AoA intends
to make approximately 2-3 awards under this priority area with a
federal share of approximately $150,000 per year for a project period
of two years.
1.5 National Long Term Care Policy and Resource Center for Housing and
Supportive Services
As the nation engages in a debate to develop a national long term
care strategy, it is important to recognize that a successful strategy
must include choices for a wide range of housing options to serve as an
alternative to institutionalization. For several reasons, among them
the high likelihood that it can and does function as a service delivery
point, housing is a significant factor which can affect how long term
care home and community based services are delivered and financed. Too
frequently, the significance of housing options and living arrangements
have not been taken into sufficient consideration in attempts to
develop comprehensive, coordinated long term care systems.
Over the past several years AoA has supported a number of
initiatives to expand elderly housing options. Our goal has been to
increase the capacity of the aging network to work with other networks
such as housing, finance, real estate, homebuilders, etc., and provide
public education and information to the elderly and their families to
make informed decisions about their housing choices. Important
programmatic initiatives were launched in home equity conversion,
shared housing, consumer housing information services, supportive
services in federally assisted housing, accessory apartments, land use
and zoning, home modifications and models for State Agency on Aging
leadership roles in federally assisted housing. AoA has worked in
partnership with other organizations, such as the Robert Wood Johnson
Foundation, to implement major initiatives in elderly housing.
Despite these many program efforts elderly housing continues to be
a complex subject which requires ongoing attention. It involves
numerous levels of government and many public and private agencies.
Because of the complexity of the subject it has been difficult for the
aging network and others to develop comprehensive and coordinated
approaches. Program development has been inhibited by a lack of up-to-
date information, knowledge, expertise, and resources.
Because housing and supportive services are vital and integral
components of home and community based long term care services, this
priority area seeks to establish a National Long Term Care Policy and
Resource Center for Housing and Supportive Services. The Center's
mission is to provide a focal point for the development of long term
care home and community based services specializing in elderly housing
and supportive services. In particular, applicants must demonstrate an
awareness of the special housing needs of older women, minorities and
elderly residents of public housing. Applicants must propose a strategy
for addressing these issues and incorporating specific activities into
their applications.
In September of 1993, the Administration on Aging, pursuant to
Section 407 of the Older Americans Act Amendments of 1992, funded four
applications to establish and operate National Resource Centers for
Long Term Care. The Centers are responsible for conducting research,
disseminating information, and providing training and technical
assistance aimed at improving national, state, and local programs for
the provision of home and community based long term care. The proposed
National Long Term Care Policy and Resource Center for Housing and
Supportive Services will complement and coordinate its efforts with the
four current Centers, together constituting a broad, multifaceted
source of knowledge, information, training, and technical assistance to
national, state, and local organizations and agencies working to build
a comprehensive, accessible, and effective long term care system.
The Center will support State and Area Agencies on Aging as they
promote the development of community based systems of services for
older persons throughout their State. The Center will also assist AoA
to develop successful strategies and approaches for coordinating
program efforts with those programs administered by the Department of
Housing and Urban Development that affect housing for the elderly and
disabled.
The Center will focus its efforts on analyzing and synthesizing
available knowledge; putting it in a format which is useful to
planners, practitioners, and others; conducting training based upon it;
and promoting the dissemination and utilization of this knowledge in
efforts to expand housing options and supportive services for older
persons. Special emphasis is to be placed upon those activities which
support improved and close coordination between Older Americans Act
programs and programs under the jurisdiction of the Department of
Housing and Urban Development. This special emphasis should aid State
and Area Agencies in gaining timely information about new legislative
and policy issues related to federal housing programs. In addition, the
following activities should be undertaken on a national scope:
1. Training and technical assistance to help agencies in the Aging
Network and other organizations and agencies working in the field of
long term care on policy and practice issues through such means as
telephone consultation, written products and materials,
teleconferencing, workshops, and conference presentations.
2. Public education and information dissemination that will result
in effective sharing of the latest thinking, methods and findings with
State Agencies on Aging, Area Agencies on Aging, legislative officials,
service providers, researchers, educators, and the public. Applicants
are encouraged to develop innovative media and marketing approaches to
reaching elderly consumers and to targeting special audiences and key
decision makers.
3. Knowledge building and policy analysis oriented toward results
and products which have practical application and immediate use to
those working on housing and supportive services, e.g., the development
and/or modeling of a useful instrument or tool; preparation of
educational, practice, and technical assistance materials; an analysis
of key issues of concern relative to a particular subject. Applicants
should have the capacity to meet the need for short-term policy
analysis on topics relating to housing, supportive services, and long
term care. Based on a high level of knowledge and information
synthesis, applicants should propose possible subjects for policy
analysis but also demonstrate that they possess the capacity to respond
flexibly and quickly to such needs.
Any public or nonprofit agency, organization, or institution is
eligible to apply under this priority area. However, to merit serious
consideration, an applicant must demonstrate that it has (1) extensive
knowledge and experience in the area of housing and supportive
services, (2) a record of relevant achievement in this area, and (3)
the requisite organizational capability to carry out the activities of
a Resource Center on a nationwide scale. AoA and the organization/
institution selected to serve as the National Long Term Care Policy and
Resource Center for Housing and Supportive Services will work
cooperatively in the development of its scope of work and agenda of
major events and activities. (However, applicants are expected to
propose an agenda for the first and subsequent years based on their
assessment of salient issues). The National Long Term Care Policy and
Resource Center for Housing and Supportive Services shall have a
Director with an appropriate background and qualifications in aging and
policy studies who shall devote a minimum of 50% of her/his time to
this position.
AoA expects to fund the National Long Term Care Policy and Resource
Center for Housing and Supportive Services through a cooperative
agreement award for a period of three years. The federal share of
Center project costs will be $300,000 for year one and $400,000 per
year for years two and three. The deadline date for submitting
applications under this priority is July 12, 1994.
1.6 Eldercare Locator
In this fast-paced era where most women work outside the home and
adult children of aging parents frequently live far from their aging
relatives, it has become more and more imperative that older people and
their caregivers have access to information about where to get services
necessary to assist older persons in meeting their needs within their
own communities. As the number of agencies and organizations providing
home and community based services to older persons proliferates, there
is a need to assist people in finding the right kind of service for
their particular need. Especially useful would be information and
assistance for frail elderly and their families on accessing home and
community based services. Frequently, people seeking service for their
aged loved ones are not aware of where to get information about
services that may be available nor are they aware of the existence of
the network of aging services at the local level.
Information and assistance or information and referral as it may be
more commonly known, is a mandated service under the Older Americans
Act. Each Area Agency on Aging must provide this service either itself
or through contract to serve the older population in its planning and
service area. In a 1988 study of Information and Referral (I&R) systems
funded by AoA, two problems were identified. First, significant
variation was found in both the quality and quantity of I&R services
available throughout the country. Second, people in local communities
and particularly long-distance caregivers had difficulty in finding out
about available services in the community in which their loved one
resided. This feasibility study found strong support among State and
Area Agencies on Aging for a national locator service to build on and
not duplicate or replace the existing I&R services, a national locator
service which would target long distance caregivers.
In response to these concerns, the Administration on Aging in 1990
funded the development and implementation of the Eldercare Locator.
This national 800 telephone number is designed to help direct both
local and long-distance caregivers to the appropriate source of
information about services in every locality in the United States.
Callers identify the county, city or zip code in which the older person
lives and describe the type of services they are looking for. The
operator then directs them to a local Information and Referral number,
an Area Agency on Aging or the number of the particular service which
has been identified and the caller makes the local contact.
The Eldercare Locator began service in December 1991 on a limited
basis in the Northeast States. Over the next year, the Locator service
was expanded in stages to other parts of the country, becoming
nationwide in December 1992. The Locator serves all 50 States, Puerto
Rico, the Virgin Islands, and the American Trust Territories. It is
operational from 9 AM EST until 11 PM EST. In January, 1994, additional
operators and telephone lines were added to increase the ability of the
Locator to serve additional clients with reduced waiting times. Prior
to January, 1994, the Locator was able to serve an average of 4000
callers a month. This figure will be significantly increased with the
addition of the new operators and lines and expanded times, although no
figures were available at the time of publication of this announcement.
The Eldercare Locator is a part of an AoA Initiative begun in 1990
to improve access to and quality of I&R assistance that older people
and their caregivers receive. The I&R Initiative focused on heightening
recognition of the pivotal role this service plays in a comprehensive
and coordinated system of community based long term care services. The
AoA Initiative focused on enhancing: the quality of I&R systems; the
professionalism of staff operating I&R systems; the visibility of I&R
systems for older persons; access to existing I&R services; and the
availability of I&R services to those elderly at risk of losing their
independence. Under the Initiative, AoA funded both the Locator and a
National Information and Referral Support Center which provides
training and technical assistance to State and Area Agency on Aging
Information and Referral programs and assists them in strengthening and
expanding their services.
The Administration on Aging is soliciting proposals, under a new
competition, to continue the Eldercare Locator and the National
Information and Referral Support Center. Continued support for the
Locator is aimed at strengthening and expanding its services,
increasing public awareness and understanding of the Locator, and
enhancing the access of older people and their caregivers to community
based long term care services. In addition to the continuation and
expansion of the basic Locator service, the following activities should
be undertaken by the grantee:
Continuous update of the database with a new survey of the
Area Agencies on Aging to determine whether the database should be
expanded and if so, how. The results of this survey should be reflected
in further refinements of the database.
An evaluation of the Locator service should be conducted
within the first year. A previous evaluation of the service conducted
prior to implementation of nationwide service indicated that 78% of
users were satisfied with the service and would use it again. Since the
service will have been operational for over two years by the time a new
evaluation is undertaken, it is necessary to look at consumer
satisfaction at this point in time as well as how the service could be
improved. Other factors that should be examined are the efficiency and
effectiveness of the services compared to the overall cost per average
call.
Either as part of the evaluation or as a separate study,
an investigation should be conducted on the impact of changing
technology on the future of information-based services particularly as
it would impact on the Eldercare Locator. For example, in the future,
might it be feasible and what are the cost implications of patching
callers directly through to local I&R services.
A major public relations/publicity campaign should be
conducted designed to reach the maximum number of older people and
their caregivers informing them about the availability of the Locator.
With the increasing number of Baby Boomers being put in the position of
having to care for or find care for their aging parents, it is
necessary to educate this group not only where to go to find services
but what kind of services they should be looking for. One of the
results of the evaluation that was conducted after the first six months
of operation of the Locator indicated that use of the Locator by
minority populations was limited. Special emphasis should be directed
toward outreach to minority populations and increasing use of the
Locator by these groups.
In its public relations and outreach activities, the
grantee should encourage participation and support by private and
voluntary organizations.
The Locator should consider the possibility of creating a
linkage with the Department of Defense and its military family support
centers. Frequently, military family support centers get inquiries from
members of the military about their aging relatives and where to go to
get services for them. This would be a logical area in which the
grantee could promote the use of the Locator.
With the advent of elder rights systems being formalized
as a result of the implementation of Title VII of the Older Americans
Act, the Locator should examine the possible role of Information and
Referral services as a gateway to elder rights systems. As these
systems develop, the Locator and the I&R Support Center should examine
the potential of structuring relationships between these services.
Since the Locator depends on the maintenance of quality information
and referral services at the state and local level, attention must
continue to be focused on upgrading these services through training and
technical assistance for state and local Information and Referral
service programs. AoA proposes to continue and expand the National
Information and Referral Support Center. The Support Center should
provide training and technical assistance, capacity building, long
range development, assistance in system upgrade, implementation of
standards for I&R services, and other services related to the
maintenance of high quality service among state and local information
and referral services. In addition, the Support Center should, in an
advisory capacity, support the operation of the Locator and help
coordinate the Locator with State Aging Agency and local information
and referral networks.
The current Eldercare Locator project has been in operation since
the summer of 1990 under the auspices of the National Association of
Area Agencies on Aging. The National Information and Referral Support
Center has been operated since the summer of 1990 by the National
Association of State Units on Aging. Information regarding the Locator
and the Information and Referral Support Center is available by calling
the Office of Program Development, Administration on Aging at (202)
619-0441.
AoA expects to fund one cooperative agreement under this priority
area with a federal share of approximately $750,000 per year for a
project duration of approximately three years. The deadline date for
submitting applications under this priority is July 12, 1994.
Eligibility is limited to public and private non-profit national
organizations with experience in conducting national hotlines and
dealing with the network of State and Area Agencies on Aging and State
and Area Information and Referral Services. Coalitions of organizations
are encouraged.
(2) Older Women
2.1 National Policy and Resource Center on Older Women
Because of their longevity and lengthier retirement periods, the
health, economic and social problems of the elderly are more often
problems of women. As described earlier in this document under the
Assistant Secretary's Initiative on Older Women, older women are
clearly a population at risk. It is imperative that policy makers at
all levels, aging organizations, other national organizations, and
service providers begin to recognize and respond to the unique needs
and concerns of older women.
Under this priority area, the Administration on Aging is soliciting
proposals for the establishment of a National Policy and Resource
Center for Older Women. The Center is expected to assist the
Administration on Aging in focusing national attention on the
contributions and problems of older women, with particular emphasis on
the issues of income security, caregiving, health, and housing.
As the population ages, one of the primary challenges facing
decision makers will be how to enhance the quality of life for older
women, the vast majority of the older population. Without specific
interventions and strategies designed to improve the status of current
and future generations of older women, they will continue to face
higher poverty rates, to bear a disproportionate share of caregiving
burdens--frequently without access to caregiving when they need it--and
to suffer from more chronic illnesses.
Single elderly women are particularly at risk. A 1991 report of the
Advisory Council on Social Security projects that single elderly women
in the baby boom generation will have lower levels of income and wealth
than single elderly men or elderly couples. In fact, the economic well-
being of single elderly women will continue to decline relative to that
of elderly couples.
Younger and mid-life women must realize that their decisions and
actions now will have a considerable impact on how they live as older
women. Society in general needs to reinforce the capacity of older
women to contribute and to be less dependent upon public benefits as
they age.
AoA believes that a National Policy and Resource Center for Older
Women can play a significant role in fostering a nationwide dialogue
about how to improve the status of older women. The goals of the
National Policy and Resource Center for Older Women are to encourage
greater national responsiveness to the concerns of older women through
the identification of critical issues; to educate key actors such as
older women themselves, policy makers, the Aging Network, and national
aging and women's organizations; and to prepare relevant policy
analyses.
Applicants under this priority area must discuss the overall agenda
and activities of the Center over a three year period and provide a
detailed first year plan for how the Center will address caregiving,
income security, housing, and health issues as they relate to older
women. The program design should clearly demonstrate how individual
activities and projects are part of and contribute to the development
of a comprehensive approach to improving the quality of life for
America's older women.
In addition, applicants must show how they will carry out the
following activities:
1. Consumer Education and Dissemination
All consumer education and dissemination activities should focus on
transmitting information on caregiving, health, income security,
housing and other relevant issues to older women at the grassroots
level. Many useful materials and products have been developed but have
not reached the older women who would benefit from them. Applicants are
encouraged to develop innovative approaches to consumer education and
dissemination. Also, proposals should specify how they will work with
the Aging Network as well as other networks to disseminate relevant
information to women at the local level. In particular, education
efforts should recognize the diversity of older women in terms of race,
ethnicity, class, and other factors.
2. Education and Technical Assistance
Education and technical assistance activities should target members
of the Aging Network and national women's organizations as well as
policy makers at all levels. Both aging and women's organizations need
to become more responsive to the needs of older women and to recognize
their areas of common interest. Policy makers at all levels must
realize the necessity of planning not only for an aging society but
also for a society that will be predominantly female and old.
3. Knowledge Building and Policy Analysis
Research, development, and policy analysis should be oriented
toward results and products which have practical application and
immediate use to those working on older women issues, e.g., the
development and/or modeling of a useful instrument or tool; preparation
of educational, practice, and technical assistance materials; an
analysis of key issues of concern relative to a particular subject.
Applicants should have the capacity to meet the need for short-term
policy analysis on topics relating to older women. Based on a high
level of knowledge and information synthesis, applicants should propose
possible subjects for policy analysis but also demonstrate that they
possess the capacity to respond flexibly and quickly to such needs.
Any public or nonprofit agency, organization, or institution is
eligible to apply under this priority area. However, to merit serious
consideration, an applicant must demonstrate that it has (1) extensive
knowledge of and experience in older women issues, policies, and
programs; (2) a record of relevant achievement in this area;, and (3)
the requisite organizational capability to carry out the activities of
a Resource Center on a nationwide scale.
AoA expects to fund the National Policy and Resource Center for
Older Women through a cooperative agreement award for a three year
period, with a federal share of approximately $300,000 for the first
year; $400,000 for the second year; and $400,000 for the third year.
AoA and the organization/institution selected to serve as the National
Policy and Resource Center for Older Women will work cooperatively in
the development of its scope of work and agenda of major events and
activities. (However, applicants are expected to propose an agenda for
the first and subsequent years based on their assessment of salient
issues). The National Policy and Resource Center for Older Women shall
have a Director with an appropriate background and qualifications in
aging and policy studies who shall devote a minimum of 50% of her/his
time to this position. The deadline for submission of applications
under this priority area is October 7, 1994.
2.2 Protecting Older Women Against Domestic Violence
Physical and sexual violence against women is a serious problem.
Millions of women are assaulted by their intimate partners each year.
Nearly one quarter of women in the United States will be abused by a
current or former partner some time during their lives. This violence
causes serious physical, psychological, and social consequences for
these women.
Domestic violence is an ongoing, debilitating experience with
profound dehumanizing consequences: the battering of body and soul; the
increased isolation from the outside world; the toll on personal
freedom, and; the foreboding sense that countervailing resources are
beyond one's grasp. Whenever a woman is placed in physical danger or
controlled by threat or use of physical force, she has been abused. The
risk is greatest when a woman is separated from supportive networks.
Physical/sexual abuse is recurrent and escalates in frequency and
severity. It is often accompanied by emotional and psychological abuse.
Older women who experience domestic violence are in a unique
situation, compared to younger women. They may have endured a violent
relationship for years or the abuse may begin late in the life of a
relationship, brought on by age-related changes in either or both
partners, such as retirement or declining physical and mental health.
In trying to leave a violent relationship, older women face obstacles
that are different from those faced by younger battered women,
obstacles linked to family relationships, health, employment, finances,
and to the psychological costs of starting over late in life.
Although older battered women can turn to the domestic violence/
domestic abuse system, few do. With some notable exceptions, most local
domestic violence programs do not address the needs or concerns of
older women. Efforts focus on younger women and women with children.
Staff are not familiar with the aging process. In addition, the
majority of shelters have not been accessible to older women with
physical disabilities, although the Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA) of 1992 will undoubtedly provide an impetus for change.
Applications are invited from public and non-profit organizations
engaged in implementing either local domestic abuse programs or
statewide domestic violence programs. Applications should include the
following:
(1) A plan for providing services designed to meet the physical,
psychological, and economic needs of older women, including physically
disabled women;
(2) A plan that demonstrates a coordinated systems approach to
gaining the cooperation of community agencies such as aging services
providers, domestic violence shelters, religious institutions, health,
emergency medical services, mental health, legal services, law
enforcement, and criminal justice;
(3) A plan that includes cross training between aging and domestic
violence organizations;
(4) An endorsement of the program by the Area Agency on Aging if
the program is local, an endorsement by the State Agency on Aging if
the program is statewide; and
(5) A plan for measuring the amount of linkages being established
between the aging and domestic violence organizations, the numbers of
older women being reached through outreach programs, and the number of
older women being effectively served.
Among the key elements which should be considered for inclusion in
a coordinated system to protect older women against domestic violence
are (1) safe housing, advocacy, and support of women, (2) criminal
justice system action, (3) effective civil protection, (4) counseling/
education groups for the men who batter, (5) systems cooperation, and
(6) coordination, participation by, and accountability to battered
women.
All public and nonprofit agencies and organizations are eligible to
apply under this priority area. Applicants must demonstrate a strong
knowledge base and an extensive experience of providing services to
women who are victims of domestic violence. Preference will be given to
applicants with demonstrated extensive experience in providing services
to older women. As appropriate, applicants are encouraged to develop
close linkages with State and Area Agencies on Aging in the development
of the application and the implementation of the project.
AoA expects to fund approximately 3-5 projects under this priority
area with a federal share of approximately $125,000 per year and an
estimated project period of two (2) years. The deadline date for
submission of applications under this priority area is July 12, 1994.
(3) Nutrition and Malnutrition Among the Elderly
3.1 National Resource and Policy Center on Nutrition and Aging
Optimal nutritional status is essential to the well-being, health,
independence, and quality of life for everyone, from well, healthy
individuals to frail, vulnerable, functionally impaired individuals.
Access to adequate food that provides essential nutrients is a daily
issue for all Americans, but becomes a more significant issue if an
individual is elderly.
Most experts agree that adequate nutrition is vital to helping
older individuals remain independent, avoiding premature nursing home
placement or using expensive health care services. Appropriate
nutrition promotes health, prevents or delays the onset of disease,
aids in recovery from illness and trauma, reduces incidence of
hospitalization and rehospitalization, helps delay further declines in
already functionally impaired individuals, fosters continued
independent living in the community, and even plays a role in helping
individuals who are terminally ill.
The Assistant Secretary for Aging and the Administration on Aging
have important responsibilities for promoting good nutrition and
preventing malnutrition in the nation's older population. This priority
area, which calls for the establishment of a National Resource and
Policy Center on Nutrition and Aging, underscores the need for better
knowledge, better information, and better trained personnel to better
serve malnourished older persons. Under the Older Americans Act, AoA
and the aging and nutrition service network of 57 State Units on Aging,
670 Area Agencies on Aging, 224 Title VI Grantees, and 15,000 nutrition
sites serve approximately 243,150,000 meals to approximately 3.5
million people. Yet a study by the Urban Institute (November-1993)
indicates that although community nutrition programs are reaching some
of the at-risk older population, only about one-third of those in need
are currently being served and that these programs are stretched to
their financial limit.
Recognizing both the importance of good nutrition for all older
Americans and that nutrition services are an integral component of home
and community based long term care services, the Assistant Secretary on
Aging has established a Nutrition/Malnutrition Initiative that focuses
on the prevention of malnutrition and food insecurity and the promotion
of good nutritional practices. The Initiative places responsibility on
AoA to undertake four interrelated strategies:
(1) Increasing the awareness of consumers, providers,
administrators, and policymakers regarding the importance of good
nutrition among the aging population and its role in home and community
based long term care services;
(2) Providing leadership among various agencies and organizations
including the aging and nutrition networks in promoting a nutrition
agenda for the future;
(3) Developing and promoting direct prevention and intervention
strategies which will enhance the nutritional status of older
individuals and nutrition programs at all levels; and
(4) Developing public policies which will ensure greater access to
appropriate food and nutrition services for older individuals,
especially low-income, minority, and those at nutritional risk.
The Administration on Aging and the National Resource and Policy
Center on Nutrition and Aging, to be established under this priority
area, will work through a Cooperative Agreement in implementing the
Nutrition/Malnutrition Initiative to promote and improve nutritional
and health status for older Americans. The Center will focus on the
following three activities:
(1) Information Dissemination: Applications should include
effective methods for sharing the latest thinking, methods and findings
regarding nutrition/malnutrition and the elderly with the Aging
Network, service providers, researchers, educators, private industry
and the public. The Center will also be responsible for developing a
media campaign to educate consumers, providers, the private sector and
policy makers about the issues and interrelationships of adequate
nutrition, malnutrition, hunger and food insecurity on health,
independence, and quality of life for older individuals. Applications
must describe what outcomes and impacts are anticipated as a result of
the information dissemination efforts;
(2) Training and Technical Assistance: Applications should describe
how the Center will assist agencies in the Aging Network and other
organizations and agencies that work in the field of nutrition and
aging to develop effective strategies for preventing malnutrition and
promoting good nutrition at the community level. Such activities should
include encouraging leadership within communities to identify and
strengthen community supports; developing strategies to enable these
entities to intervene in innovative ways, developing direct prevention
and intervention strategies, and; encouraging new partnerships with the
private sector. Applications must describe what outcomes and impacts
are anticipated as a result of the training and technical assistance
efforts;
(3) Knowledge Building and Policy Analysis: Applications should
describe how the proposed Center proposes to assist AoA and the Aging
Network through the conduct of research for improving the nutritional
well being of older adults particularly the vulnerable and at risk
populations. Research is to be limited to short term studies with
practical and useful products that develop, enhance, or promote
knowledge of and solutions to issues surrounding malnutrition and
nutrition with respect to older people. Applications must describe what
outcomes and impacts are anticipated as a result of the research and
policy development efforts. Applicants should have the capacity to meet
the need for short-term policy analysis on topics relating to
nutrition/malnutrition and the elderly. Based on a high level of
knowledge and information synthesis, applicants should propose possible
subjects for policy analysis but also demonstrate that they possess the
capacity to respond flexibly and quickly to such needs.
AoA and the organization/institution selected to serve as the
National Policy and Resource Center on Nutrition and Aging will work
cooperatively in the development of its scope of work and agenda of
major events and activities. (However, applicants are expected to
propose an agenda for the first and subsequent years based on their
assessment of salient issues). AoA will share with the Center
information on other federally supported projects and activities
relevant to malnutrition, nutrition, and the elderly. The Center shall
have a Director with an appropriate background and qualifications in
aging and policy studies who shall devote a minimum of 50% of her/his
time to this position.
AoA expects to fund the National Policy and Resource Center on
Nutrition and Aging through a cooperative agreement award for a period
of three years. The federal share for the first year will be $300,000
with second and third year federal funding at $400,000 per year. The
deadline date for submission of applications under this priority is
October 7, 1994. Eligible applicants for the Center are public and
private non-profit organizations with knowledge and experience
regarding nutrition, malnutrition, nutrition programs and nutritional
needs of the elderly.
(4) Blueprint for an Aging Society
4.1 National Academy on Aging
The Administration on Aging is soliciting proposals, under a new
competition, for the continuation of the National Academy on Aging,
which was established with funding from the Administration on Aging in
FY 1991. The Academy has and will continue to serve as a valuable
source of knowledge and guidance on the critical future issues shaping
a blueprint for an aging society. It has brought together leaders in
American society to discuss and debate emerging aging trends and
issues, as well as strategies regarding how they and their
organizations can better meet the challenges inherent in the graying of
America. The Academy has achieved national recognition as an impartial
national forum for policy analysis and debate on the major policy
issues of our current and future aging society.
Leaders and decision makers are increasingly aware of the
challenges in responding knowledgeably and effectively to the growth
and change in our nation's older population. Leaders at national,
state, and community levels-- from public, private, and voluntary
sectors alike--must become more cognizant of the transformations now
taking place toward an aging society, and be able to provide wise and
timely decisions affecting the elderly.
Decision makers will be especially challenged by the growing
numbers of two different generational segments of our aging population:
(1) Older persons at risk of losing their independence and; (2) the
baby-boom generation--a cohort of more than 70 million individuals born
between 1946 and 1964, who will begin to reach retirement age in the
first decade of the 21st century. These two groups have different
substantive expectations as well as different time perspectives
regarding such salient issues and challenges of an aging society as
income maintenance, health security, caregiving, and housing. The needs
of vulnerable at-risk older persons are immediate and tangible, and the
challenges to society on their behalf are in many ways those described
earlier in this Program Announcement under the Assistant Secretary for
Aging's Home and Community Based Long Term Care Initiative.
The challenge to the baby-boom generation, and to the nation as a
whole, is to prepare now to meet their not-too-distant future resource
needs, to act now in an intelligent and sensible fashion so that their
independence is sustained in the future. This challenge is more fully
described under the Assistant Secretary for Aging's Initiative to
Develop a Blueprint for an Aging Society, also described earlier in
this Program Announcement.
The goals of the Academy are to encourage greater national
leadership on aging issues through the clarification of critical issues
in the field of aging, the thoughtful analysis and informed discussion
of those issues in public forums, and the reporting of those policy
analyses and debates to key decisionmakers. The Academy should promote
discussion of nationwide approaches to these issues and challenges for
the use and benefit of the Academy participants and as input to the
policy deliberations of federal, state, and local governments. The
major outcome of Academy events and activities should be an analytical
and educational framework for better informing leaders, policy
officials, and the public about the need to plan comprehensively for
the growing and diverse numbers of older Americans in the 21st century.
Applications should include the basics of a four-year plan for the
Academy with a detailed first year agenda of symposia, seminars, public
forums, research, and analysis relative to emerging national aging
issues. The applicant should also plan on establishing short term
working groups of experts organized around key aging issues whose tasks
will be to conduct independent policy analyses resulting in policy
papers for the consideration of executive and legislative officials,
and others focused on aging issues. The program design for the Academy
should encourage the exchange of ideas and information that will
stimulate creativity and innovation in programs and methods for meeting
the needs of the elderly. Attention should be devoted to bringing
together participants with diverse points of view who are cognizant of
the most recent policy issues and background materials pertinent to the
topic focus of discussion.
Participants in the program activities developed by the Academy
should be drawn from aging as well as non-aging organizations, from
both the private and public sectors. They should, however, share both
an interest in aging issues and a capacity for shaping future aging
programs and policies. Participants from the field of aging may include
executives of State and Area Agencies on Aging and Tribal
organizations, leaders in service provision, executives of national
aging organizations, as well as researchers, educators, futurists and
others in the field of aging. Participants drawn from outside the field
of aging are expected to be composed of individuals with an impact on
and interest in aging issues and the needs of older persons at risk.
This second group includes subject matter and policy area experts,
business leaders, executives from national organizations (non-aging),
and leaders of public and voluntary agencies, elected and appointed
public officials, labor unions, religious bodies, civic groups, and
educational institutions. It is expected that through the programs
offered by the Academy, these leaders will gain an enriched, more
comprehensive understanding of the elderly and of the challenges of
shaping national, state, community, and organizational responses to
their needs. It is also expected that, through their involvement,
participants will contribute their knowledge, experience and insight on
aging issues vital to the formation of enlightened national policy.
Applicants for the National Academy on Aging award must be
qualified to provide the high level of knowledge and the expert
analysis of issues expected of a prominent national forum for
crystallizing our thinking and advancing our agenda regarding the
future aging society. The applicant should propose a faculty whose
collective expertise spans the broad range of policy and program issues
in aging. It should describe how the Academy program is designed to
focus attention on the salient issue of preparing the baby boom
generation for their coming retirement in an aging society and on such
other significant subjects as home and community based long term care,
older women, and nutrition/malnutrition. In that regard, the Academy
will be assisted by AoA in coordinating its agenda and scope of work,
as appropriate, with the efforts of AoA-supported Resource Centers and
projects.
One of the major tasks of the Academy will be to stimulate public
officials, the business community, and individuals to prepare
comprehensively for retirement in the 21st century. The successful
applicant must, therefore, set forth a scope of work, and demonstrate
the capacity, to analyze and synthesize a diverse set of factors and
strategies for the consideration of the public, private, and voluntary
sectors in planning for the aging of the baby-boom cohort and beyond.
Other features of the Academy include the following:
The applicant selected will be awarded a Cooperative
Agreement for a four-year project period. Under the Cooperative
Agreement award mechanism, the Academy will not conduct its activities
on behalf of AoA but rather on a cooperative basis with AoA.
AoA will advise the organization/institution selected to
serve as the National Academy on Aging on the development of the
Academy's agenda. However, applicants are expected to propose an agenda
for the first and subsequent years based on their assessment of salient
contemporary and future aging policy issues.
The National Academy of Aging shall have its own
organizational identification and visibility within the structure of
the performing organization.
The National Academy on Aging shall have a Director with
an appropriate background and qualifications in aging and policy
studies who will devote at least 50% of her/his time to this position.
Appropriately qualified individuals shall be appointed to the Academy's
faculty in full, part time, or consultant positions.
An Advisory Committee will be established to provide
overall direction and guidance to the Academy in developing its agenda
of major events and substantive activities.
Under the cooperative agreement award instrument, the awardee
organization will have the primary responsibility for developing and
implementing the activities of the Academy. The Assistant Secretary for
Aging and AoA will share with the Academy responsibility for clarifying
the specific issues to be addressed by the Academy and for establishing
the short term working groups of experts to be organized around key
aging policy issues. AoA will, through periodic briefings and ongoing
consultation, share with the Academy its knowledge of the issues being
addressed by the Academy as well as information about relevant
activities being undertaken by others, and provide feedback to the
Academy about the usefulness to the field of its programs, forums, and
other activities. The details of this relationship will be set forth in
the cooperative agreement to be developed and signed prior to issuance
of the award.
AoA expects to fund the National Academy on Aging through a
cooperative agreement under this priority area with a federal share of
approximately $500,000 per year for a project duration of approximately
four years. The deadline date for submitting applications under this
priority area is July 12, 1994.
AoA funds are to be used to support the administration of the
Academy, the cost of conducting core research, conference planning and
meeting management, evaluation, and dissemination/utilization
activities, including educational programs and living expenses of those
attending. As the Academy becomes more established, the strong
expectation of AoA is that the organizational sponsor of the Academy
will develop additional sources of support. A plan for those sources of
support and for becoming self-sufficient must be spelled out in the
application, as well as an evaluation plan that reflects efforts for
continuous improvement of Academy functions and activities and periodic
independent examination of the impact of its work.
The current National Academy on Aging has been in operation since
late 1991 under the auspices of the Maxwell School of Citizenship and
Public Affairs at Syracuse University. The principal aging policy
issues addressed by the Academy have been income security, long term
care, older women, and the implications of demographic change in an
aging society. Information regarding the work of the Academy is
available by calling the Office of Program Development, Administration
on Aging at (202) 619-1269.
(5) Other Older Americans Act Mandates
5.1 Responding to the Needs of Minority Elderly Through National
Minority Aging Organizations
Throughout its history, the Older Americans Act has assigned a high
priority to the development and provision of services to those older
individuals who are in greatest economic or social need, with
particular attention to individuals whose status is low income or
minority. Consistent with this legislative mandate, the Assistant
Secretary for Aging has established four major initiatives which have
special relevance to low income minority older persons. The four
initiatives, which are described in detail elsewhere in this Title IV
Program Announcement are: (1) Home and Community Based Long Term Care;
(2) Special Concerns of Older Women; (3) Nutrition/Malnutrition Among
the Elderly; and (4) Developing a Blueprint for Future Aging
Generations. This priority area is intended to underscore the stake of
minority aging populations in efforts now underway to advance these
initiatives and to enlist national minority aging organizations in
these efforts to better serve and represent minority elders.
The growth of the older population, the impending acceleration of
that growth rate when the baby boom generation reaches retirement age,
and the implications of these developments have attracted considerable
public attention. What has not been impressed upon us so strongly is
the diverse composition of our growing older population. While today,
44 million persons are over the age of 60, 14 percent of these older
persons are minority. By the year 2030: older whites are expected to
grow by 197 percent; older African Americans will grow by 300 percent;
and older Hispanics will grow by 395 percent. Immigration is a primary
factor in this projected growth. Combined with projections that older
Pacific-Asian and Native American persons will grow by 200 to 300
percent, these numbers will make minority elders total about 25 percent
of the older population in 2030.
When we fully realize the potential impact of these numbers and the
accompanying diversity they reflect, both among and within future older
populations, a number of key minority aging issues take on new
dimensions. Minority elders continue to experience a number of barriers
to home and community based long term care; the gaps in income, health,
caregiving, and housing faced by older minority women have reached
crisis proportions; minority elders are more likely to be malnourished
and need better access to nutrition programs and services; minority
older persons are a litmus test of whether we, as a nation, can plan
well for a diverse and equitable aging society in this decade and well
into the 21st century.
National minority aging organizations--representing older persons,
professionals, advocates, program planners--that have the capacity, the
experience, and the conviction to work for and with minority elders are
a vital source of leadership and action in addressing minority aging
issues. They have essential roles to play:
(1) In ensuring that home and community based care is accessible
and available to at-risk minority elderly;
(2) In meeting the special concerns of minority older women;
(3) In targeting nutrition services to malnourished minority
elderly; and
(4) In securing for minority elderly a fair opportunity to serve
and be served in a diverse and equitable future aging society.
Applicants under this priority area should demonstrate that their
proposed projects will produce specific strategies, with measurable
outcomes, for dealing with one or more of the four (4) issue areas
outlined above. The applicant should make clear who will undertake what
action under the proposed project; what the outcome, results, and
intended benefits will be; and what the potential is for the
replication and reinforcement of the strategies being proposed. In
particular, the applicant must demonstrate that it has concrete plans
for continuation of the proposed strategy and project activities after
the demonstration period has been completed. Thus, the effort being
proposed by the applicant must not only make tangible and significant
differences in the lives of minority elderly, these changes must be
seen as having a lasting impact.
Eligible applicants under this priority area are national minority
aging organizations with extensive knowledge and experience in serving,
representing, and working with minority elderly. AoA expects to fund
approximately five (5) projects under this priority area for a two-year
period with an approximate federal share of $150,000 for the first year
and $100,000 for the second year of the project. The deadline date for
submitting applications under this priority area is July 12, 1994.
5.2 National Volunteer Senior Aides/Family Friends Projects
An estimated five to seven million children suffer from chronic
health conditions/disabilities; approximately one to two million of
them need help (because of disability) with activities such as feeding,
dressing, or bathing themselves. About 90 percent of these children are
cared for at home. Public/formal resources for such care are in scarce
supply. Furthermore, the informal, supportive, traditional bonds within
extended families and communities are not as available as in the past.
Additional resources are needed. Drawing upon the experience and good
will of older volunteers is one way to help alleviate some of the
overwhelming burden that the families of disabled children so
frequently face.
Older volunteers can be a significant resource for the families of
severely disabled or chronically ill children. This has been
demonstrated in recent years by the Family Friends Program of the
National Council on Aging (NCOA) and by the Volunteer Senior Aides
Program of the Administration on Aging (AoA). (The latter was modeled
upon the former.) These two intergenerational programs match mature and
caring volunteers with children who have special needs because of
disability or chronic illness and with children/families who are
otherwise in distress.
The Family Friends program for children with disabilities or
chronic illnesses was established, in 1986, by NCOA, with funding
support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. In 1990, the program
diversified by helping another at-risk group, the rural poor (Rural
Family Friends Help Families in Distress). That same year, NCOA
introduced Family Friends into homeless shelters for families and
children. Then, in 1992, Family Friends took on a new challenge--to
give social and emotional support to families of babies who are HIV-
positive.
In 1991, AoA began implementation of the Volunteer Senior Aides
(VSA) Program pursuant to the legislative mandate of Section 10404 of
the 1989 Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA). Section 10404
authorized this program for community-based demonstrations to determine
to what extent volunteer senior aides, by providing basic medical
assistance and support to disabled/chronically ill children and their
families, can reduce the cost of care for such children.
Program funds became available with the FY 1991 Appropriation Bill
for the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), which provided
funding under Section 1110 of the Social Security Act. Within DHHS, AoA
was then assigned responsibility for program administration and awarded
grants supporting six three-year community-based VSA demonstration
projects. The six grantees are:
The Los Angeles County Area Agency on Aging (Los Angeles,
CA) in collaboration with Jewish Family Services of Los Angeles and
Huntington Memorial Hospital of Pasadena;
The CrossRoads of Iowa Area Agency on Aging (Des Moines,
IA), in collaboration with the Easter Seal Society of Iowa;
The Region IV Area Agency on Aging (St. Joseph, MI), in
collaboration with the local Foster Grandparents Program;
The Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (Philadelphia, PA),
in cooperation with Temple University's Center for Intergenerational
Learning and Institute on Disabilities;
The County of Riverside Office on Aging (Riverside, CA);
and
The Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) Area Agency on
Aging (Kansas City, MO) in collaboration with the Children's Mercy
Hospital and the University of Missouri's University Affiliated Program
for Developmental Disabilities.
The last of these, MARC, is also conducting evaluative research on
the VSA Program. The National Council on the Aging, drawing upon its
experience with Family Friends, provides technical assistance,
training, and capacity-building services to the VSA demonstrations.
Because of the continuing need for and the proven success of the
Family Friends/VSA, program, AoA is now soliciting applications to
develop and implement VSA projects in additional communities. Proposed
projects should demonstrate the use of Volunteer Senior Aides to assist
families of disabled/chronically ill children, thereby reducing the
cost of care for such children. These projects should effectively
employ the unique skills, varied experience, good will, and
availability of older volunteers in assisting the Nation's children who
are severely disabled or chronically ill.
VSA Project Parameters
Volunteer Senior Aides projects, usually tri-generational, are
designed to benefit everyone involved. The children, who have serious,
chronic illnesses or disabilities and range in age from infancy to 12
years, receive physical care, self-help instruction, emotional support,
and nurturing. Their siblings may receive greater attention or may
benefit indirectly as their family is strengthened. The parents (or, in
some cases, grandparents) of these children are given encouragement and
respite--intangibles that they need to carry on. The volunteers--aged
55 and older--have a mission and are rewarded with a sense of personal
pride and accomplishment. They becomes less isolated, more involved in
the community, and develop an affectionate relationship with their new
``granddaughters'' or ``grandsons'' and/or other family members. The
community is strengthened by older citizens voluntarily providing
supportive services to younger citizens. Health care costs are reduced.
And people learn to rely on each other, connecting with an ``extended
family'' in this era of disconnected families.
Family Friends or VSAs are extensively trained to find the best way
to help a family. The type of help depends upon what's needed at the
time. They may tutor the child, teach personal care and self-help
skills, or take the child to recreational/cultural events. These
volunteers often act as advocates, serving as ``case coordinator'' and
speaking on behalf of the family to the various professionals who plan
and manage the child's care. They also provide social and emotional
support and, in many cases, respite to weary parents. (Respite is
provided only when the child is medically stable and by agreement of
parents, project director, and volunteer and is limited to half of the
time the volunteer spends with the child.)
VSA/Family Friends essential program components include:
Recruitment, screening, interviewing, and careful
selection of volunteers;
Recruitment, interviewing, and selection of families/
children;
Sixty (60) hours of intensive training for volunteers;
Careful matching of volunteers with families, based on
compatibility, proximity/transportation, personal styles and needs,
health of volunteer, schedules, and language barriers;
Supervision of volunteers;
Fundraising and promotion of the program; and
Project evaluation.
Two types of project applications may be submitted for review and
funding consideration under this priority area: 5.2A--Demonstration
Projects; and 5.2B--Technical Assistance Project.
5.2A Demonstration Projects
AoA plans to fund approximately six (6) demonstration projects
under this sub-priority area at a federal share of approximately
$70,000 per year for a project period of up to approximately three (3)
years. The deadline date for submitting applications under this sub-
priority area is July 12, 1994. Eligible applicants are restricted to
public or non-profit community-level agencies, organizations, or
institutions in communities where Family Friends or VSA projects have
not previously been funded. Each proposal should include participation
of both a health care facility and a social service agency. Proposals
should include participation in the project by a project advisory board
or committee.
Proposals should follow the Family Friends/VSA paradigm, briefly
outlined above but thoroughly documented in materials available from
NCOA's Family Friends Resource Center. Recommended materials include:
Bringing Family Friends to Your Community, a manual detailing a step-
by-step approach to developing and implementing these projects; and
Family Friends--A Program Guide. Prospective applicants may call or
write the Family Friends Resource Center at Telephone: (202) 479-6675,
Fax: (202) 479-0735, Address: Family Friends Resource Center, National
Council on the Aging, 409 Third Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20024.
Demonstration projects funded under this priority area will receive
technical assistance and guidance in the development and implementation
of their projects from the project funded under priority area 5.2B.
5.2B Technical Assistance Project
AoA plans to award one project grant under this sub-priority area
to provide technical assistance and training to the new demonstration
projects. Applicants for this grant must demonstrate an extensive
knowledge base relating to Family Friends and strong experience in
providing technical assistance and training to such projects. On the
basis of its strong knowledge base and its assessment of the progress
of the demonstration projects, the grantee will be expected to assist
projects in implementing their demonstrations and to offer
recommendations for future program initiatives.
The application must include a plan for assisting approximately six
(6) demonstration projects. Plans should include at least one site
visit to each project and a ``cluster'' meeting for the new model
projects funded under priority area 5.2A. The successful applicant
under this section is responsible for assisting the six (6) funded
projects with the following:
(1) Providing timely and relevant background information regarding
effective Family Friends programming;
(2) Training and technical assistance in developing Family Friends
programs;
(3) Assisting in strategic planning for the long term continuation
of the programs; and
(4) Conduct research studies on the VSA Program.
Funding for this award will be for approximately $80,000 per year
for a project period of up to three (3) years. The deadline date for
submitting applications under this sub-priority area is July 12, 1994.
5.3 Volunteer Service Credit Demonstrations
Under this priority area, the Administration on Aging is soliciting
applications from public agencies and nonprofit organizations to test
new models and replicate existing models of the volunteer service
credits concept. A primary focus should be on home and community based
services that help at-risk elders to continue to live in their homes,
e.g. shopping, transportation, telephone reassurance and friendly
visiting, light housekeeping, and respite care. Preference will be
given to model projects which significantly involve low-income,
minority, and rural elderly.
The basic service credit concept is to give volunteers a unit of
credit for each service hour performed, regardless of the type of
service, in the expectation that accrued credits will be redeemed for
services by the volunteers at some future time of need. A centralized
accounting system must be maintained to keep track of credits and match
up volunteers with recipients. As a practical matter, limitations on
the number and type of services offered are necessary as are rules that
govern accumulation and use of credits. After initial start-up and
operation, a steady and continuing source of core financial assistance
is needed to (1) administer the system, (2) guarantee redemption of
built-up credits in those cases when the type of immediate service need
cannot be met by the volunteer services then available, and (3) off-set
credit deficits incurred when recipients, because of illness or other
circumstances, cannot repay the services provided to them with
volunteer effort.
The Administration on Aging has funded several service credit
demonstration projects in the past. Most recently five (5) two-year
service credit demonstrations were funded along with a technical
assistance project. AoA funded projects specifically designed to help
volunteers become more involved in helping older people in their
communities. Of the demonstration sites funded, several utilized
churches as a base for the recruitment of volunteers. One project
linked service credits in a business and industry setting. Applicants
may wish to contact the AoA funded service credit projects to learn
more about the specifics of the grants. Information regarding these
demonstrations may be obtained by contacting the Office of Program
Development at (202) 619-0441.
The purpose of this priority area is to test the feasibility of
implementing the service credit concept in new areas and to replicate
existing models in new sites. Among the possible areas for testing and
replicating the service credit concept are (1) corporate retirement
benefit programs; (2) programs under the sponsorship of fraternal
organizations; (3) social and health maintenance insurance programs
where volunteer services are credited with partial payment in lieu of
fees and premiums under newly-designed community long term care service
packages; (4) low income housing programs in which residents provide
services to low-income minority elderly; (5) programs in residential
retirement communities; (6) programs involving union retirees; (7)
employer based service credit projects under which employees assist the
elderly in their community and (8) church-based service credit programs
involving assistance to low-income minority elderly.
Applicants are encouraged to solicit co-sponsoring community
organizations, including youth groups to donate volunteer services to
individuals who cannot become full participants of the service credit
program or to compensate older volunteers with services not provided by
participants in the service credit program. Projects using co-
sponsoring organizations must incorporate this support in a manner that
does not detract from the central feature of the service credit concept
of having older persons earn volunteer credits in exchange for future
services when they are needed. Accordingly, enrollment of volunteers
eligible to be full participants in the program should be limited to
persons age 55 and over (spouses excepted).
AoA plans to fund approximately five (5) model volunteer service
credit projects at a federal share of approximately $50,000 per year
for a period of approximately 17 months. Projects should be designed as
models for testing the effectiveness of innovative approaches to
volunteerism through utilization of the service credit concept.
Successful applicants must provide a detailed plan for the management
and operation of the service credit demonstration, including
documentation of approaches to be used in attracting public and/or
private sector support for making the project self-sufficient after
federal funding has ended. The deadline date for submitting
applications under this priority area is July 12, 1994.
5.4 AoA Dissemination Projects
Each year, AoA invests substantial Older Americans Act Title IV
resources in grant and cooperative agreement projects to conduct
research, demonstrations, and training to improve the quality and
availability of services and programs that are vital to the well-being
of at-risk older persons. Dissemination is a basic component of each of
these projects. Every Title IV project is required to conduct
appropriate dissemination of project results as part of its work plan.
For the many projects which are essentially knowledge transfer
activities (e.g., technical assistance, public/professional education),
dissemination is the key component.
Enhanced dissemination is still needed, however, to maximize the
utility of Title IV projects. The urgency to improve the effectiveness
and availability of services is especially pronounced as both fiscal
constraints and the number of older Americans increase. The ultimate
goal of this priority area is to maximize the utilization of Title IV
project products and results that can directly benefit older Americans
in need of services.
Dissemination projects are expected to be especially energetic in
their marketing of products and results. Projects are expected to
utilize appropriate promotional, public relations, and media campaigns
in order to insure that their outcomes receive the widest possible
attention. Such campaigns should seek to educate consumers, providers
(including the Aging Network), the private sector, and policy sector
about their results and to promote use of their products. These efforts
will be considered a key indicator of the scope of the impact of the
proposed project.
The AoA Dissemination Projects funded under this priority area are
also expected to foster greater awareness of the challenges of an aging
society and of the contributions, real and potential, that aging
programs make in responding to those challenges. These awareness-
building efforts may take several forms, including the development and
dissemination of materials keyed to decision-making points on a
particular aging issue and the use of appropriate communication
mechanisms.
Two types of project applications may be submitted for review and
funding consideration under this priority area:
A. Enhanced Dissemination of Product(s) of Significant Value
A major purpose of this priority area is to support more extensive
dissemination of Title IV products of significant value. In the course
of performing their work, grantees sometimes develop especially
valuable products which warrant dissemination beyond that originally
contemplated or for which dissemination opportunities are found which
were not envisioned earlier. Grantees who are convinced that such
products are needed, and of demonstrated value to the aging network
and/or others involved in improving the availability, effectiveness,
and quality of aging services, may apply under this section for
funding. (This opportunity applies to both current and former grantees
whose projects were completed within two years of the publication of
this announcement).
Applicants may address the dissemination of either a single product
or more than one product from a single project. In this context, the
term ``product'' may include the ``Final Report'' as well as other
project products such as manuals, handbooks, curricula, brochures,
technical assistance materials, reports, audio-visual materials, etc.
Applicants applying for enhanced dissemination projects must submit a
copy of the product(s) to be disseminated along with each copy of their
application. (For audio visual products, only a single copy of the
product need to be submitted). This attachment is in addition to the
page limit which applies to all applications; however, the application
narrative itself may not exceed the limits described below in Part III.
B. Syntheses of ``Cluster'' Projects Results and Products
A second purpose of this priority area is to support the
development and dissemination of syntheses of project products/results
from earlier Title IV project ``clusters'' (e.g., projects funded under
the same priority area of a previous AoA Discretionary Funds Program
announcement). Projects in a cluster may vary widely in terms of
approach, outcomes, and products, but all deal with the same subject
matter or problem area. A synthesis of needed and useful products/
results of these projects may well have synergistic value, and a
multiplier effect, in generating knowledge and substantiating best
practices which can be applied to the benefit of older Americans.
Such a synthesis may take various forms. An applicant may
synthesize exemplary products as produced--or change the form of the
product to maximize utilization. Creative adaptations may be needed. A
compilation of relevant demonstration or research results (and/or
recommendations) from the cluster may be what is needed. Applicants are
encouraged to be innovative in their response to this priority area.
The need for the synthesis should be demonstrated. A strategy for
promoting utilization must be included as part of the application.
Applicants proposing to synthesize the results of clusters of past
projects must submit a general description of the past projects and
their outcomes not to exceed five (5) pages in length. This cluster
description should be in the form of an attachment which is in addition
to the page limit which applies to all applications. However, the
application narrative itself may not exceed the limits described below
in Part III.
Applications of either of the types described above should
carefully specify not only what dissemination activities are to be
performed but also: (1) Why the product(s) is important, (2) to whom it
is important, (3) what would be the results and benefits of
dissemination and utilization of the product(s), and (4) what specific
actions such as training or technical assistance would the proposed
project undertake to assist those who wish to adapt or adopt the
products and/or the recommendations contained in the products.
Prospective applicants are cautioned that this priority area may not be
used simply to finish or extend the basic work of a previously funded
project (under the guise of dissemination) or to undertake the basic
dissemination which is required as part of the work plan of all Title
IV grantees.
In preparing applications under this priority area, applicants may
find useful the publication Dissemination by Design which was produced
as part of an AoA Title IV project. Interested applicants who do not
already have a copy of this publication may obtain one by contacting
AoA's Office of Program Development (OPD) at (202) 619-0441. (There is
no requirement to use this particular reference in the development of
your application.)
Applicants may also request an information sheet on the AoA-
supported National Aging Dissemination Center, which works with AoA to
promote dissemination of the products of Title IV grantees. The Center
is available to provide technical assistance on dissemination and
utilization to prospective applicants under this priority area.
Prospective applicants are encouraged to utilize this resource. The
Director of the Center is Theresa Lambert. She can be reached at (202)
898-2578. Projects funded under this priority area will be expected to
work cooperatively with the Dissemination Center or any similar
resource to be established in the future.
Applicants under this priority area are limited to current and
former Title IV grantees and cooperative agreement awardees. AoA
expects to fund approximately five (5) dissemination projects under
this priority area. The federal share of awards will range from
approximately $25,000 to $50,000, depending upon the level of activity
proposed, for a project period of approximately seventeen (17) months.
The deadline date for submitting applications under this priority area
is July 12, 1994.
5.5 Field-Initiated Project Applications
The Older Americans Act, Title IV, Section 401, authorizes the
Assistant Secretary for Aging to support projects:
To expand the Nation's knowledge and understanding of aging and the
aging process, to design and test innovative ideas in programs and
services for older individuals, and publicly disseminate the results
of [such innovative projects], to replicate such programs and
services under [the Older Americans Act], and to help meet the needs
for trained personnel in the field of aging. . . .
Each of the priority areas that has been presented in this
Discretionary Funds Program (DFP) Announcement is focused on a subject
of current or emerging significance to our nation's older population.
These priority areas describe with some particularity the nature of the
activity to be undertaken, the type, scope, duration, and funding
amount of the project and, in some instances, the applicants eligible
to compete.
Under this priority area for Field-Initiated Project Applications,
the focus remains on issues that matter greatly to older people, but
not necessarily those issue areas (home and community based long term
care, older women, etc.) that have already received considerable
emphasis in this DFP. This priority area is intended for proposed
project initiatives that reflect a deep-seated interest in any policy,
program, or related issue of importance to older Americans. In a
similar vein, the Administration on Aging fully recognizes, that there
are many creative ideas, innovative approaches, training/technical
assistance/dissemination efforts, etc., which do not readily fit the
designated Priority Areas of this Discretionary Funds Program
Announcement. This priority area is also intended to be responsive to
proposals embodying those ideas, approaches, and efforts.
Field-initiated applications for new grant awards are invited under
the following functional sub-categories: (1) Special event/conference
proposals; (2) research and demonstration (R&D) projects, and; (3)
education, training, and technical assistance efforts. Current AoA
grantees seeking large-scale supplemental awards (supplements that
would exceed 25% of their current project award and/or extend their
project period beyond three months) must also compete under this
priority area to be eligible for funding. To ensure that to the maximum
extent possible competition will be between proposals of a comparable
scope and nature of activity, applications will be grouped according to
the appropriate sub-category and be evaluated, scored, and ranked
within each of these subcategories:
(1) special event/conference proposals;
(2) research and demonstration (R&D) projects;
(3) education, training, and technical assistance efforts, and;
(4) large-scale supplements to currently active AoA funded project
grants (supplements that would exceed 25% of their current project
award and/or extend their project period beyond three months).
Applicants are reminded that they are competing under a national
program of gerontological training, research, demonstrations, and
centers as authorized by Title IV of the Older Americans Act.
Therefore, field-initiated applications will be screened by AoA to
assure that they are not local service projects, but rather are
responsive to issues of national significance and will result in
findings, reports, and products with national implications. In
addition, each field-initiated application will be screened to
determine that it is not, in essence, the same application that was
recently disapproved by AoA for funding. Applicants should wait a
minimum of six months before resubmitting an application for
consideration under another review and award cycle.
AoA has established deadlines at fixed Fiscal Year quarterly
intervals for the submission of field-initiated applications under this
Discretionary Funds Program Announcement. The first deadline is October
7, 1994. Subsequent deadlines are January 13, 1995, April 14, 1995, and
July 14, 1995. Applicants will be informed of their funding status
within 60 days of the pertinent deadline date.
Although the number of field-initiated proposals approved for
funding can not be estimated beforehand, applicants should be advised
that only a limited amount of Title IV funds will be reserved for this
priority area and only applications of outstanding merit will be
considered for funding. The federal share of project costs per year is
expected to fall within the following approximate ranges: $20,000 to
$40,000 for special events/conferences; $50,000 to $100,000 depending
upon the nature of the proposed research, demonstration, training,
technical assistance, or related effort; $50,000 and above for large-
scale supplements to current grants. The duration of new project awards
could range from one (1) to two (2) years. Large scale supplements are
limited to a maximum period of twelve (12) months.
Part III--Information and Guidelines for the Application Process
and Review
Part III of this Announcement contains general information for
potential applicants and basic guidelines for submitting applications
in response to this announcement. Application forms are provided along
with detailed instructions for developing and assembling the
application package for submittal to the Administration on Aging (AoA).
General guidelines on applicant eligibility were provided in Part I.
Specific eligibility guidelines were provided in Part II under certain
priority areas.
A. General Information
1. Review Process and Considerations for Funding
Within the limits of available federal funds, AoA makes financial
assistance awards consistent with the purposes of the statutory
authorities governing the AoA Discretionary Funds Program and this
Announcement. The following steps are involved in the review process.
a. Notification: All applicants will automatically be notified of
the receipt of their application and informed of the identification
number assigned to it.
b. Screening: To insure that minimum standards of equity and
fairness have been met, applications which do not meet the screening
criteria listed in Section D below, will not be reviewed and will
receive no further consideration for funding.
c. Expert Review: Applications that conform to the requirements of
this program announcement will be reviewed and scored competitively
against the evaluation criteria specified in Section F, below. This
independent review of applications is performed by panels consisting of
qualified persons from outside the federal government and knowledgeable
non-AoA federal government officials. The scores and judgments of these
expert reviewers are a major factor in making award decisions.
d. Other Comments: AoA may solicit views and comments on pending
applications from other federal departments and agencies, State and
Area Agencies on Aging, interested foundations, national organizations,
experts, and others, for the consideration of the Assistant Secretary
for Aging in making funding decisions.
e. Other Considerations: In making funding award decisions, the
Assistant Secretary for Aging will pay particular attention to
applications which focus on older persons with the greatest economic
and social need, with particular attention to the low-income minority
elderly. Final decisions will also reflect the equitable distribution
of assistance among geographical areas of the nation, and among rural
and urban areas. The Assistant Secretary for Aging also guards against
wasteful duplication of effort in making funding decisions.
f. Other Funding Sources: AoA reserves the option of discussing
applications with, or referring them to, other federal or non-federal
funding sources when this is determined to be in the best interest of
the federal government or the applicant.
g. Decision-Making Process: After the panel review sessions,
applicants may be contacted by AoA staff to furnish additional
information. Applicants who are contacted should not assume that
funding is guaranteed. An award is official only upon receipt of the
Financial Assistance Award (Form DGCM 3-785).
h. Timeframe: Applicants should be aware that the time interval
between the deadline for submission of applications and the award of a
grant is at least two months and often three months or more in
duration. This length of time is required to review and process grant
applications.
2. Notification Under Executive Order 12372
This is not a covered program under Executive Order 12372.
B. Deadline for Submission of Applications
This Program Announcement contains different deadline dates for the
submission of applications, depending upon the priority area under
which an application is submitted. Please check each priority area
carefully to determine the deadline date for the application you plan
to submit. Applications must be either sent or hand-delivered to the
address specified in Section D, below. Hand-delivered applications are
accepted during the normal working hours of 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.,
Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. An application will meet the
deadline if it is either:
1. Received at the mailing address on or before the applicable
deadline date; or
2. Sent before midnight of the applicable deadline date as
evidenced by either (1) a U.S. Postal Service receipt or postmark or
(2) a receipt from a commercial carrier. The application must also be
received in time to be considered under the competitive independent
review mandated by Chapter 1-62 of the DHHS Grants Administration
Manual. Applicants are strongly advised to obtain proof that the
application was sent by the applicable deadline date. If there is a
question as to when an application was sent, applicants will be asked
to provide proof that they have met the applicable deadline date.
Private metered postmarks are not acceptable as proof of a timely
submittal.
Applications which do not meet the above deadlines are considered
late applications. The Office of Administration and Management will
notify each late applicant that its application will not be considered
under the applicable grant review competition.
AoA may extend a deadline date for applications because of acts of
God, such as floods, hurricanes or earthquakes, when there is
widespread disruption of the mail, or when AoA determines an extension
to be in the best interest of the government. Depending upon the
precipitating factor(s), the extension will apply to all potential
applicants in the area affected by the natural disaster, or to all
potential applicants across the nation. Notice of the extension will be
published in the Federal Register.
C. Grantee Share of the Project
Under the Discretionary Funds Program, AoA does not make grant
awards for the entire project cost. Successful applicants must, at a
minimum, contribute one (1) dollar, secured from non-federal sources,
for every three (3) dollars received in federal funding. The non-
federal share must equal at least 25% of the total project cost.
Applicants should note that, among applications of comparable technical
merit, the greater the non-federal share the more favorably the
application is likely to be considered.
The one exception to this cost sharing formula is for applications
from American Samoa, Guam, the Virgin Islands or the Northern Mariana
Islands. Applicants from these territories are covered by Section
501(d) of Public Law 95-134, as amended, which requires the Department
to waive ``any requirement for local matching funds under $200,000.''
The non-federal share of total project costs for each budget period
may be in the form of grantee-incurred direct or indirect costs, third
party in-kind contributions, and/or grant related income. Indirect
costs may not exceed those allowed under federal rules established, as
appropriate, by OMB Circulars A-21, A-87, and A-122. If the required
non-federal share is not met by a funded project, AoA will disallow any
unmatched federal dollars. A common error is to match 25% of the
federal share rather than 25% of the entire project cost.
D. Application Screening Requirements
All applications will be screened to determine completeness and
conformity to the requirements of this announcement. These screening
requirements are intended to assure a level playing field for all
applicants. Applications which fail to meet either of the two criteria
described below will not be reviewed and will receive no further
consideration. Complete, conforming applications will be reviewed and
scored competitively.
In order for an application to be reviewed, it must meet the
following screening requirements:
1. Applications must be submitted by the deadline date specified in
the priority area under which the application is submitted for
competitive review and funding consideration. It is incumbent upon the
applicant to clearly indicate under what priority area the application
is intended for consideration. Applications must be postmarked by
midnight, or hand-delivered by 5:30 p.m., Eastern Time, on the deadline
date of the relevant priority area, to: Department of Health and Human
Services, Administration on Aging, Office of Administration and
Management, 330 Independence Avenue SW., room 4644, Washington, D.C.
20201, Attn: AoA-94-1.
2. Applicants must meet all eligibility requirements specific to
the priority area under which they have submitted their application.
(It bears repeating that, for everyone's benefit, the applicant should
be sure that the priority area has been clearly identified in the
application).
Only Those Applications Meeting These Screening Requirements Will
Be Assigned to Reviewers
In addition to these screening requirements, the applicant is
strongly advised to adhere to the following standards in preparing the
application:
(1) The application should not exceed forty (40) pages, double-
spaced, exclusive of certain required forms and assurances which are
listed below. Applications whose typescript is single-spaced or space-
and-a-half will be considered only if it is determined the applicant
has not thereby gained a competitive advantage.
The following documents are excluded from the 40 page limitation:
(1) Standard Form (SF) 424, SF 424A (including up to a four page budget
justification) and SF 424B; (2) the certification forms regarding
lobbying; debarment, suspension, and other responsibility matters; and
drug-free workplace requirements; (3) proof of non-profit status; (4)
indirect cost agreements; (5) attachments submitted as directed under
priority area 5.4.
The following portions of the application are subject, in the
aggregate, to the forty (40) page limitation:
--Summary description (suggested length: one page);
--Narrative (suggested length: twenty-five to thirty pages);
--Applicant's capability statement, including an organization chart,
and vitae for key project personnel (suggested length: five to ten
pages) and;
--Letters of commitment and cooperation (suggested length: four pages).
All applications will be checked against the aggregate forty (40)
page limitation. Any material, of whatever content, in excess of the
forty (40) pages will be withheld from the reviewers.
E. Funding Limitations on Indirect Costs
1. Training projects awards to institutions of higher education and
other non-profit institutions are limited to a federal reimbursement
rate for indirect costs of eight (8) percent of the total allowable
direct costs or, where a current agreement exists, the organization's
negotiated indirect cost rate, whichever is lower. Differences between
the applicant's approved rate and the 8% limitation may be used as
federal cost sharing. See Section J-2, Item 6j, below.
2. For all other applicants, indirect costs generally may be
requested only if the applicant has a negotiated indirect cost rate
with the Department's Division of Cost Allocation or with another
federal agency. Applicants who do not have a negotiated indirect cost
rate may apply for one in accordance with DHHS procedures and in
compliance with relevant OMB Circulars.
F. Evaluation Criteria
Applications which pass the screening will be evaluated by an
independent review panel of at least three individuals. These
reviewers, experts in the field, are from academic institutions, non-
profit organizations, state and local government, and, upon occasion,
federal government agencies other than AoA. Based on the specific
programmatic considerations set forth in the priority area under which
an application has been submitted, the reviewers will comment on and
score the applications, focusing their comments and scoring decisions
on the criteria below.
Applications are scored by assigning a maximum of 100 points across
four criteria:
(1) Purpose and Need for Assistance (20 points),
(2) Approach/Method--Workplan and Activities (30 points)
(3) Anticipated Outcomes, Evaluation and Dissemination (30 points),
(4) Level of Effort (20 points).
1. Purpose and Need for Assistance, Weight: 20 points
a. Does the proposed project clearly and adequately respond to the
announcement priority area under which it was submitted?
b. Does the application adequately and appropriately describe and
document the key problem(s)/condition(s) relevant to its purpose? Is
the proposed project justified in terms of the most recent, relevant,
and available information and/or knowledge?
c. Does the applicant adequately and appropriately describe the
needs of special population groups--low income, minority, women,
disabled, rural--in addressing problem(s)/conditions(s) relevant to its
proposal?
2. Approach/Method--Workplan and Activities, Weight: 30 points
a. Does the proposal clearly express and organize a workplan that
systematically includes specific objectives, tasks, and activities
which are responsive to the statement of needs and purpose?
b. Does the workplan include a detailed timeline for accomplishment
of tasks and objectives? Is the sequence and timing of events logical
and realistic?
c. Are the roles and contribution of staff, consultants, and
collaborative organizations clearly defined and linked to specific
objectives and tasks? Does the workplan specify who will be responsible
for managing the project; for the preparation and dissemination of
project results, products, and reports; and for communications with the
Administration on Aging should the project be approved for funding?
3. Anticipated Outcomes, Evaluation and Dissemination Weight: 30 points
a. Are the expected project benefits and/or results clearly
identified, realistic, and consistent with the objectives of the
project? Are outcomes likely to be achieved and will they significantly
benefit older persons through improvement in policy or practice, and/or
contribute knowledge to theory and research?
b. Is the plan for project evaluation clear and relevant to the
scope of activity proposed? Does this plan identify the type of data to
be collected and the method of analysis to be used in measuring project
achievement and significance?
c. Does the proposal include a plan for dissemination which is
likely to increase the awareness of project activities and events
during project performance? Is this plan adequate for communicating
project outcomes and products to all appropriate audiences?
4. Level of Effort, Weight: 20 points
a. Are vitae provided for the project director(s), key staff and
consultants that document their qualifications to conduct their
designated roles?
b. Is the time commitment of the proposed project director
sufficient to assure proper direction, management and completion of the
project? Is the time commitment of other key staff sufficient to assure
completion of the project as proposed?
c. Is the budget justified with respect to the adequacy and
reasonableness of resources requested? Are budget line items consistent
with workplan objectives?
d. Are letters from outside organizations included and do they
express clear commitment and responsibility from the organizations
regarding their roles and contributions as described in the workplan?
e. Are the writers of the proposal identified and will they be
involved in its oversight and implementation? If not, is there a
logical explanation for their non-participation?
G. The Components of an Application
To expedite the processing of applications, we request that you
arrange the components of your application, the original and two
copies, in the following order:
SF 424, Application for Federal Assistance; SF 424A,
Budget, accompanied by your budget justification; SF 424B (Assurances);
and the certification forms regarding lobbying; debarment, suspension,
and other responsibility matters; and drug-free workplace requirements.
Note: The original copy of the application must have an original
signature in item 18d on the SF 424.
Proof of nonprofit status, as necessary:
A copy of the applicant's indirect cost agreement, as
necessary;
Project summary description;
Program narrative;
Organizational capability statement and vitae;
Letters of Commitment and Cooperation;
A copy of the Check List of Application Requirements (See
Section K, below) with all the completed items checked.
The original and each copy should be stapled securely (front and
back if necessary) in the upper left corner. Pages should be numbered
sequentially. In order to facilitate the handling and reproduction of
the application for purposes of the review, please do not use covers,
binders or tabs. Do not include extraneous materials such as agency
promotion brochures, slides, tapes, film clips, etc. It is not feasible
to include such items in the review process. They will be discarded if
submitted as part of the application.
H. Communications with AoA
Do not include a self-addressed, stamped acknowledgment card. All
applicants will be notified by mail of the receipt of their application
and informed of the identification number assigned to it. This number
and the priority area should be referred to in all subsequent
communication with AoA concerning the application. If acknowledgment is
not received within seven weeks after the deadline date, please notify
the Office of Program Development by telephone at (202) 619-0441.
After an identification number is assigned and the applicant has
been notified of the number, applications are filed numerically by
identification number for quick retrieval. It will not be possible for
AoA staff to provide a timely response to inquiries about a specific
application unless the identification number and the priority area are
given.
Applicants are advised that, prior to reaching a decision, AoA will
not release information to an applicant other than that its application
has been received and that it is being reviewed. Unnecessary inquiries
delay the process. Once a decision is reached, the applicant will be
notified as soon as possible of the approval or disapproval of the
application.
I. Background Information and Guidance for Preparing the Application
1. Current Projects and Previous Project Results
In the Program Narrative of the application (see Section J-6
below), applicants are expected to demonstrate familiarity with recent
and ongoing activity related to their project proposal. With respect to
AoA-supported discretionary grant projects, information on current AoA
projects may be obtained by contacting the Office of Program
Development at 202/619-0441. Regarding completed AoA projects, copies
of all AoA discretionary grant final reports and printed materials are
sent to: the National Aging Dissemination Center; the National
Technical Information Service (NTIS), a clearinghouse and document
source for federally sponsored reports; Ageline Database, a
bibliographic database service sponsored by the American Association of
Retired Persons, available online through BRS and DIALOG; and the U.S.
Government Printing Office Library Program, a catalog and microfiche
service for 1400 depository libraries located throughout the United
States.
Information concerning access to the bibliographic and document
referral services provided by these clearinghouses can be obtained
through most public and academic libraries. For direct information, use
the following contacts:
(1) National Aging Dissemination Center, National Association of
State Units on Aging, 1225 I Street NW., suite 725, Washington, DC
20005, (202) 898-2578.
The Dissemination Center maintains a computerized database of
descriptions of recent AoA grant products including reports, studies,
training materials, technical assistance documents, and audio-visual
products. Staff are available to scan the database for products and
tailored printouts may be requested. The Center has also established a
product repository of over 1000 products generated under Title IV
grants. The repository serves as a backup source for original documents
from which duplicates can be produced when copies are no longer
available from the grantees. Information about products and searches of
this database can be requested by telephone (800-989-6537) and by
written request. In addition, the database will also be available via
modem for on-line searches (800-989-2243).
(2) National Technical Information Service, 5285 Port Royal Road,
Springfield, VA 22161 (703) 487-4600.
(3) Ageline Database (a) BRS Customer Service, 8000 Westpark Drive,
McLean, VA 22102 (800) 345-4BRS.
(b) DIALOG Customer Service, 3460 Hillview Avenue, Palo Alto, CA
94304 (800) 3DIALOG (415) 858-2700 (in California).
(4) U.S. Government Printing Office, Acquisition Unit, Library
Programs Service, North Capitol and H Streets NW., Washington, DC 20401
(202) 275-1070.
2. Dissemination and Utilization
The purposes and expectations associated with Title IV
discretionary projects extend well beyond the immediate confines of a
particular project's local impact. Projects should have a ripple effect
in the field of aging in terms of replicating their design, utilizing
their results, and applying their benefits to a widening circle of
older persons. This section suggests certain principles of
dissemination to be considered in developing your application:
the most useful projects make dissemination and
utilization a central, not peripheral, component of the project;
dissemination starts at the beginning of a project not
when it is completed;
potential users should be involved in planning the
project, if possible, and products developed with the needs of
potential users in mind;
dissemination is a networking process;
at a minimum, dissemination includes getting your final
products into the hands of appropriate users and making presentations
at conferences; and
coordination with other related projects may increase the
chances of your products being used.
J. Completing the Application
In completing the application, please recognize that the set of
standardized forms and instructions is prescribed by the Office of
Management and Budget (approved under OMB control number 0348-0043) and
is not perfectly adaptable to the particulars of AoA's Discretionary
Funds Program. First-time applicants, in particular, may have some
misgivings that they have not crossed the final ``t'' or dotted the
last ``i'' of their application. Any applicant should, of course, take
reasonable care to avoid technical errors in completing the
application, but the substantive merits of the project proposal are the
determining factors. In these instructions, we offer several pointers
aimed at clarifying matters, overcoming difficulties, and preventing
the more common technical mistakes made by applicants. If the need
arises, please call (202) 619-0441 for assistance.
Forms SF 424, SF 424A, SF 424B, and the certification forms
(regarding lobbying; debarment, suspension, and other responsibility
matters; and drug-free workplace requirements) have been reprinted as
part of this Federal Register announcement for your convenience in
preparing the application. Single-sided copies of all required forms
must be used for submitting your application. You should reproduce
single-sided copies from the reprinted form and type your application
on the copies. Please do not use forms directly from the Federal
Register announcement as they are printed on both sides of the page.
To assist applicants in completing Forms SF 424 and SF 424A
correctly, samples of completed forms have been provided as part of
this announcement. These samples are to be used as a guide only. Be
sure to submit your application on the blank copies. Please prepare
your application consistent with the following guidance:
1. SF 424, Cover Page: Complete only the items specified in the
following instructions:
Top Left of Page. In the box provided, enter the number of the
priority area under which the application is being submitted.
Item 1. Preprinted on the form.
Item 2. Fill in the date you submitted the application. Leave the
applicant identifier box blank.
Item 3. Not applicable.
Item 4. Leave blank.
Item 5. Provide the legal name of applicant; the name of the
primary organizational unit which will undertake the assistance
activity; the applicant address; and the name and telephone number of
the person to contact on matters related to this application.
Item 6. Enter the employer identification number (EIN) of the
applicant organization as assigned by the Internal Revenue Service.
Please include the suffix to the EIN, if known.
Item 7. Enter the appropriate letter in the box provided.
Item 8. Preprinted on form.
Item 9. Preprinted on form.
Item 10. Preprinted on form.
Item 11. The title should describe concisely the nature of the
project. Avoid repeating the title of the priority area or the name of
the applicant. Try not to exceed 10 to 12 words and 120 characters
including spaces and punctuation.
Item 12. Preprinted on form.
Item 13. Enter the desired start date for the project, beginning on
or after September 1, 1994 and the desired end date for the project.
Projects may be from 17 to 48 months in duration. Check the description
of the priority area under which you are applying for the expected
project duration.
Item 14. List the applicant's Congressional District and the
District(s), if any, directly affected by the proposed project.
Item 15. All budget information entered under item #15 should cover
either: (1) the total project period if that period is 17 months or
less; or (2) just the first 12 months if the project period is for 24,
36, or 48 months. The applicant should show the federal grant support
requested under sub-item 15a. Sub-items 15b-15e are considered cost-
sharing or ``matching funds''. The value of third party in-kind
contributions should be entered in sub-items 15c-15e, as applicable. It
is important that the dollar amounts entered in sub-items 15b-15e total
at least 25 percent of the total project cost (total project cost is
equal to the requested federal funds plus funds from non-federal
sources).
Check: Please check item 15 to make sure you have presented budget
amounts only for the first year if you are proposing a multi-year
project. A common error is to present budget totals for a full project
period of 24, or 36, or 48 months in item 15.
Item 16. Preprinted on form.
Item 17. This question applies to the applicant organization, not
the person who signs as the authorized representative. Categories of
debt include delinquent audit disallowances, loans and taxes.
Item 18. To be signed by an authorized representative of the
applicant organization. A document attesting to that sign-off authority
must be on file in the applicant's office.
2. SF 424A--Budget Information
This form (SF424A) is designed to apply for funding under more than
one grant program; thus, for purposes of this AoA program, most of the
budget item columns/blocks are superfluous and should be regarded as
not applicable. The applicant should consider and respond to only the
budget items for which guidance is provided below. Section A--Budget
Summary and Section B--Budget Categories should include both federal
and non-federal funding for the proposed project covering (1) the total
project period if that period is 17 months or less or (2) the first 12
months if the project period is for 24, 36, or 48 months.
Section A--Budget Summary
On line 5, enter total federal Costs in column (e) and total non-
federal Costs (including third party in-kind contributions but not
program income) in column (f). Enter the total of columns (e) and (f)
in column (g).
Section B--Budget Categories
Use only the last column under Section B, namely the column headed
Total (5), to enter the total requirements for funds (combining both
the federal and non-federal shares) by object class category.
A separate budget justification should be included which shows,
preferably in the form of a table, the breakdown of budget cost items
by federal and non-federal shares and fully explains and justifies each
of the major budget items, personnel, travel, other, etc., as outlined
below. The budget justification should not exceed four typed pages and
should immediately follow SF 424A.
Line 6a--Personnel: Enter total costs of salaries and wages of
applicant/grantee staff. Do not include the costs of consultants, which
should be included under 6h--Other.
Justification: Identify the principal investigator or project
director, if known. Specify the key staff, their titles, and time
commitments in the budget justification.
Line 6b--Fringe Benefits: Enter the total costs of fringe benefits
unless treated as part of an approved indirect cost rate.
Justification: Provide a breakdown of amounts and percentages that
comprise fringe benefit costs, such as health insurance, FICA,
retirement insurance, etc.
Line 6c--Travel: Enter total costs of out-of-town travel (travel
requiring per diem) for staff of the project. Do not enter costs for
consultant's travel or local transportation.
Justification: Include the total number of trips, destinations,
length of stay, transportation costs and subsistence allowances.
Line 6d--Equipment: Enter the total costs of all equipment to be
acquired by the project. For state and local governments, including
federally recognized Indian Tribes, ``equipment'' is non-expendable
tangible personal property having a useful life of more than two years
and an acquisition cost of $5,000 or more per unit. For all other
grantees, the threshold for equipment is $500 or more per unit.
Justification: Equipment to be purchased with federal funds must be
justified as necessary for the conduct of the project. The equipment,
or a reasonable facsimile, must not be otherwise available to the
applicant or its sub-grantees. The justification also must contain
plans for the use or disposal of the equipment after the project ends.
Line 6e--Supplies: Enter the total costs of all tangible expendable
personal property (supplies) other than those included on line 6d.
Line 6f--Contractual: Enter the total costs of all contracts,
including (1) procurement contracts (except those which belong on other
lines such as equipment, supplies, etc.) and, (2) contracts with
secondary recipient organizations including delegate agencies. Also
include any contracts with organizations for the provision of technical
assistance. Do not include payments to individuals on this line.
Justification: Attach a list of contractors indicating the name of
the organization, the purpose of the contract, and the estimated dollar
amount. If the name of the contractor, scope of work, and estimated
costs are not available or have not been negotiated, indicate when this
information will be available. Whenever the applicant/grantee intends
to delegate a substantial part (one-third, or more) of the project work
to another agency, the applicant/grantee must provide a completed copy
of Section B, Budget Categories for each contractor, along with
supporting information.
Line 6g--Construction: Leave blank since new construction is not
allowable and federal funds are rarely used for either renovation or
repair.
Line 6h--Other: Enter the total of all other costs. Such costs,
where applicable, may include, but are not limited to: insurance,
medical and dental costs; noncontractual fees and travel paid directly
to individual consultants; local transportation (all travel which does
not require per diem is considered local travel); space and equipment
rentals; printing and publication; computer use; training costs,
including tuition and stipends, training service costs including wage
payments to individuals and supportive service payments; and staff
development costs.
Line 6i--Total Direct Charges: Show the totals of Lines 6a through
6h.
Line 6j--Indirect Charges: Enter the total amount of indirect
charges (costs), if any. If no indirect costs are requested, enter
``none.'' Indirect charges may be requested if: (1) the applicant has a
current indirect cost rate agreement approved by the Department of
Health and Human Services or another federal agency; or (2) the
applicant is a State or local government agency. Applicants other than
state and local governments are requested to enclose a copy of this
agreement. Local and state governments should enter the amount of
indirect costs determined in accordance with HHS requirements. When an
indirect cost rate is requested, these costs are included in the
indirect cost pool and should not be also charged as direct costs to
the grant.
In the case of training grants to other than state or local
governments (as defined in 45 CFR Part 74), federal reimbursement of
indirect costs will be limited to the lesser of the negotiated (or
actual) indirect cost rate or 8 percent of the amount allowed for total
project (federal and non-federal) direct costs exclusive of any
equipment charges, rental of space, tuition and fees, stipends, post-
doctoral training allowances, contractual items, and alterations and
renovations. As part of the justification, applications subject to this
limitation should specify that the federal reimbursement will be
limited to 8%.
For training grant applications, the entry for line 6j should be
the total indirect costs being charged to the project. The federal
share of indirect costs is calculated as shown above. The applicant's
share is calculated as follows:
(a) Calculate total project indirect costs (a*) by applying the
applicant's approved indirect cost rate to the total project (federal
and non-federal) direct costs.
(b) Calculate the federal share of indirect costs (b*) at 8 percent
of the amount allowed for total project (federal and non-federal)
direct costs exclusive of any equipment charges, rental of space,
tuition and fees, post-doctoral training allowances, contractual items,
alterations and renovations.
(c) Subtract b* from a*. The remainder is what the applicant can
claim as part of its matching cost contribution.
Line 6k--Total: Enter the total amounts of Lines 6i and 6j.
Line 7--Program Income: Estimate the amount of income, if any,
expected to be generated from this project. Do not add or subtract this
amount from the total project amount. Describe the nature, source, and
expected use of income in the Level of Effort section of the Program
Narrative.
Section C--Non-Federal Resources
Line 12--Totals: Enter amounts of non-federal resources that will
be used in carrying out the proposed project. If third-party in-kind
contributions are included, provide a brief explanation in the budget
justification section.
Section D--Forecasted Cash Needs
Not applicable.
Section E--Budget Estimate of Federal Funds Needed for Balance of the
Project
This section should be completed only if the total project period
exceeds 17 months.
Line 20--Totals: Enter the estimated required federal funds
(exclude estimates of the amount of cost sharing) for the period
covering months 13 through 24 under column ``(b) First;'' and, if
applicable, for months 25 through 36 under ``(c) Second,'' for months
36 through 48 under ``(d) Third.''
Section F--Other Budget Information
Line 21--Direct Charges: Not applicable
Line 22--Indirect Charges: Enter the type of indirect rate
(provisional, predetermined, final or fixed) to be in effect during the
funding period, the base to which the rate is applied, and the total
indirect costs.
Line 23--Remarks: Provide any other explanations or comments deemed
necessary.
3. SF 424B--Assurances
SF 424B, Assurances--Non-Construction Programs, contains assurances
required of applicants under the Discretionary Funds Program of the
Administration on Aging. Please note that a duly authorized
representative of the applicant organization must certify that the
applicant is in compliance with these assurances.
With the possible exception of an Assurance of Protection of Human
Subjects, no other assurances are required. For research projects in
which human subjects may be at risk, an Assurance of Protection of
Human Subjects may be needed. If there is a question regarding the
applicability of this assurance, contact the Office for Protection from
Research Risks of the National Institutes of Health at (301) 496-7041.
4. Certification Forms
Certifications are required of the applicant regarding (a)
lobbying; (b) debarment, suspension, and other responsibility matters;
and (3) drug-free workplace requirements. Please note that a duly
authorized representative of the applicant organization must attest to
the applicant's compliance with these certifications.
5. Project Summary Description
On a separate page, provide a project summary description headed by
two identifiers: (1) the name of the applicant organization as shown in
SF 424, item 5 and (2) the priority area as shown in the upper left
hand corner of SF 424. Please limit the summary description to one page
with a maximum of 1,200 characters, including words, spaces and
punctuation.
The description should be specific and succinct. It should outline
the objectives of the project, the approaches to be used and the
outcomes expected. At the end of the summary, list major products that
will result from the proposed project (such as manuals, data collection
instruments, training packages, audio-visuals, software packages). The
project summary description, together with the information on the SF
424, becomes the project ``abstract'' which is entered into AoA's
computer data base. The project description provides the reviewer with
an introduction to the substantive parts of the application. Therefore,
care should be taken to produce a summary which accurately and
concisely reflects the proposal.
6. Program Narrative
The Program Narrative is the critical part of the application. It
should be clear, concise, and, of course, responsive to the priority
area under which the application is being submitted. In describing your
proposed project, make certain that you respond fully to the evaluation
criteria set forth in Section F above. The format of the narrative
should, in fact, parallel the criteria, beginning with an integrated
discussion of (A) the project's purpose(s), relevance, and
significance, which answers the questions of why the project should be
undertaken and what it intends to accomplish. The next section of the
narrative provides a detailed explanation of (B) the approach(es)/
methodology the project will follow to achieve its purpose(s), leading
to a discussion of (C) the anticipated outcomes/results/benefits of the
project, how these will be evaluated, disseminated, and utilized. The
narrative concludes with (D) the level of effort needed to carry out
the project, in terms of the Project Director and other key staff,
funding, and other resources.
Please have the narrative typed on one side of 8\1/2\'' x 11''
plain white paper with 1'' margins on both sides. All pages of the
narrative (including charts, tables, maps, exhibits, etc.) should be
sequentially numbered, beginning with ``Objectives and Need for
Assistance'' as page number one. (Applicants should not submit
reproductions of larger size paper, reduced to meet the size
requirement).
The narrative should also identify the author(s) of the proposal,
their relationship with the applicant, and the role they will play, if
any, should the project be funded.
This narrative guidance is in accordance with that provided in OMB
Circular A-102. The checklist reporting form (Section K, below) is
consistent with that approved under OMB control number 0937-0189.
7. Organizational Capability Statement and Vitae for Key Project
Personnel
The organizational capability statement should describe how the
applicant agency (or the particular division of a larger agency which
will have responsibility for this project) is organized, the nature and
scope of its work and/or the capabilities it possesses. This
description should cover capabilities of the applicant not included in
the program narrative. It may include descriptions of any current or
previous relevant experience or describe the competence of the project
team and its record for preparing cogent and useful reports,
publications, and other products. An organizational chart showing the
relationship of the project to the current organization should be
included. Vitae should be included for key project staff only.
K. Checklist for a Complete Application
The checklist below should be typed on 8\1/2\'' x 11'' plain white
paper, completed and included in your application package. It will help
in properly preparing your application.
Checklist
I have checked my application package to ensure that it includes
or is in accord with the following:
____One original application plus two copies, each stapled securely
(no folders or binders) with the SF 424 as the first page of each
copy of the application;
____SF 424; SF 424A--Budget Information (and accompanying Budget
Justification); SF 424B--Assurances; and Certifications;
____SF 424 has been completed according to the instructions, signed
and dated by an authorized official (item 18);
____The number of the priority area under which the application is
submitted has been identified in the box provided at the top left of
the SF 424;
____As necessary, a copy of the current indirect cost rate agreement
approved by the Department of Health and Human Services or another
federal agency;
____Proof of nonprofit status, as necessary;
____Summary description;
____Program narrative;
____Organizational capability statement and vitae for key personnel;
____Letters of commitment and cooperation, as appropriate.
L. Points to Remember
1. There is a forty (40) double-spaced page limitation for the
substantive parts of the application. Before submitting your
application, please check that you have adhered to this requirement
which is spelled out in Section D.
2. You are required to send an original and two copies of an
application.
3. Indicate the priority area in the box at the top left hand
corner of the SF 424.
4. The summary description (1,200 characters or less) should
accurately reflect the nature and scope of the proposed project.
5. To meet the cost sharing requirement (see Section C above), you
must, at a minimum, match $1 for every $3 requested in federal funding
to reach 25% of the total project cost. For example, if your request
for federal funds is $90,000, then the required minimum match or cost
sharing is $30,000. The total project cost is $120,000, of which your
$30,000 share is 25%.
6. Indirect costs of training grants may not exceed 8%.
7. In following the required format for preparing the program
narrative, make certain that you have responded fully to the four (4)
evaluative criteria which will be used by reviewers to evaluate and
score all applications.
8. Do not include letters which endorse the project in general and
perfunctory terms. In contrast, letters which describe and verify
tangible commitments to the project, e.g., funds, staff, space, should
be included.
9. If duplicate applications are submitted under different priority
areas, AoA reserves the right to select the single priority area under
which it will be reviewed.
10. If more than one project application is submitted, each should
be submitted under separate cover.
11. Before submitting the application, have someone other than the
author(s): 1) apply the screening requirements to make sure you are in
compliance; and 2) carry out a trial run review based upon the
evaluative criteria. Take the opportunity to consider the results of
the trial run and then make whatever changes you deem appropriate.
12. Each application must be mailed by midnight, or hand-delivered
by 5:30 p.m., Eastern Time, on the deadline date specified in the
priority area under which the application is being submitted for review
and funding consideration. Mail or hand-deliver the application to:
Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Aging,
Office of Administration and Management, 330 Independence Avenue, SW.,
room 4644, Washington, D.C. 20201. Attn: AoA-94-2
Dated: May 9, 1994.
Fernando Torres-Gil,
Assistant Secretary for Aging.
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