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AoA Announces Availability of $2.5 Million for Lifespan Respite Care Programs
AoA NEWS
U.S. Administration on Aging
Department of Health and Human Services
Thursday, June 4, 2009
For Immediate Release
Contact: AoA Press Office
(202) 357-3507
AoA Announces Availability of $2.5 Million for Lifespan Respite Care Programs
Respite for caregivers can have a positive effect on health and well-being
Acting Assistant Secretary for Aging Edwin L. Walker is pleased to announce the availability of $2.5 million to provide family caregivers with more opportunities to receive much-needed short-term, temporary relief from providing care for their loved ones. These projects will enable states to establish, enhance or expand Lifespan Respite Care systems, including new and planned emergency respite services, training and recruitment of respite workers and volunteers and assist caregivers with gaining access to needed services in their communities.
"Caregivers are often referred to as the backbone of America's long-term care system," said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. "These new grants will help ensure that family caregivers of children or adults of any age with special needs have the relief they need to continue their selfless work of keeping their loved ones at home for as long as possible."
Respite provides the caregiver with a short-term break from the often exhausting daily challenges of caregiving. Respite can help sustain family caregiver health and well-being, avoid or delay nursing home placement, and reduce the likelihood of abuse and neglect.
"The Lifespan Respite Care Program will help to ensure that caregivers have information about and access to available respite resources in the community through improved coordination of those services," said Acting Assistant Secretary Edwin L. Walker.
AoA will award approximately ten to fifteen Lifespan Respite Care grants with federal funding up to $200,000 each to states for a three-year period. The goal is for states to expand and enhance respite care services to family members; improve the statewide dissemination and coordination of respite care; and provide, supplement, or improve access and quality of respite care services to family caregivers, thereby reducing family caregiver strain.
Additionally, AoA is dedicating $175,000 of Lifespan Respite Care funds to maintain a national database on lifespan respite care; provide training and technical assistance to state, community, and non-profit respite care programs; and provide information, referral and educational programs to the public on lifespan respite care.
AoA will fund projects that propose to serve all respite recipients, including family members, foster parents, or other adults providing unpaid care to adults needing care to meet basic daily needs or prevent injury and to children who require care beyond that required to meet their basic needs, and to those who might not otherwise have access to other types of respite care services.
The closing date for applications for this announcement is Wednesday, July 29, 2009. The deadline for submission of a letter of intent is Friday, June 19, 2009. Letters should be submitted by facsimile or e-mail to Greg Link at greg.link@aoa.hhs.gov or (202) 357-3558 (Fax). To learn more about this opportunity, please visit http://www.aoa.gov/AoARoot/Grants/Funding/index.aspx.