Project Grant 20SFWNM008

THE SPONSOR ORGANIZATION IS THE DEMING LUNA COUNTY COMMISSION ON AGING, INC. (COA). THE COA IS A NON-PROFIT 501(C)(3) CORPORATION OPERATING AS A SERVICE ORGANIZATION IN LUNA COUNTY, NEW MEXICO SINCE 1976. THE COA HAS BEEN THE LEADER IN IMPLEMENTING SERVICES AND PROGRAMS IN LUNA COUNTY WITH A STRONG MISSION OF PROMOTING INDEPENDENCE, PRESERVING DIGNITY, AND ENHANCING THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR A DIVERSE POPULATION OF OLDER ADULTS AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN OUR COUNTY. OUR ORGANIZATION ADVOCATES AND PROVIDES SUPPORTIVE PERSON-TO-PERSON SERVICES TO OLDER, LOW-INCOME ADULTS WHO HAVE HEALTH AND FUNCTIONAL LIMITATIONS, ENABLING THEM TO LIVE INDEPENDENTLY FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE IN A DIGNIFIED MANNER WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY. THE COA CURRENTLY OFFERS OPPORTUNITIES FOR OLDER ADULTS THROUGH PROGRAMS LIKE THE SENIOR EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM, THE FOSTER GRANDPARENT, SENIOR COMPANION AND RETIRED SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS. FOR OUR FOSTER GRANDPARENT PROGRAM (FGP) PROJECT, AN ESTIMATED THIRTEEN (13) VOLUNTEERS WILL PROVIDE SERVICE WITHIN THE PRIMARY FOCUS AREA OF EDUCATION THROUGH THE DEMING PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT AND HEAD START PROGRAMS LOCATED IN THE COMMUNITY. FOSTER GRANDPARENT VOLUNTEERS WILL PROVIDE DEVELOPMENTAL, SOCIAL AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS TO IDENTIFIED CHILDREN PRE-K THROUGH SIXTH GRADE THROUGH A NETWORK OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS AND HEAD START PROGRAMS. AT THE END OF A TWELVE MONTH PERFORMANCE PERIOD, THE ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES FOR FOUR STATIONS WILL BE CHILDREN WHO HAVE DEVELOPED SKILLS THAT WILL ASSIST WITH THEIR ADVANCEMENT TO THE NEXT GRADE LEVEL. THESE SKILLS WILL HAVE ASSISTED THEM IN AREAS SUCH AS READING, MATH AND LANGUAGE ARTS AS WELL AS DEVELOPING SOCIAL SKILLS FOR RELATIONSHIP DEVELOPMENT. THE CNCS FEDERAL INVESTMENT TO OUR FGP PROJECT IS $5,100 DOLLARS. THE PROJECT WILL BE SUPPLEMENTED WITH STATE FUNDS OF $61,960. THE PROGRAM WILL ALSO RECEIVE $7,012 OF IN-KIND FUNDS FROM THE CITY OF DEMING. THESE AMOUNTS TOTAL $68,972 (NON-FEDERAL RESOURCES).