Federal Grant Award Summary

The Office of Grants Management awarded $723,027 in federal funding to Laurel Jones County Council On Aging, Inc. (doing business as Council On Aging) effective July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029, to support the AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) (CFDA 94.011). The award represents a $27,000 increase to the program's baseline funding, bringing the total baseline to $650,724, and requires the awardee to maintain a 10 percent statutory match and 10 percent budgetary match. The program will engage at least 72 volunteers aged 55 and older with limited incomes in one-on-one mentoring, tutoring, and educational support services for children with special needs or who are academically or socially disadvantaged.

Under this three-year project, the Council On Aging will deliver volunteer-based services in schools, early education centers, childcare facilities, and other community settings throughout Mississippi. AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers will provide an average of 20 hours per week of direct services, including academic tutoring, literacy instruction, mentoring, parenting skills education to young parents, and developmental support for children with disabilities. The awardee must maintain comprehensive financial and program records for three years following submission of the final Federal Financial Report and ensure all compensated individuals complete National Service Criminal History Checks.