Foa_Content_of_HHS-2021-ACL-AOA-ADPI-0083.pdf

Administration for Community Living

Administration on Aging

Alzheimer's Disease Programs Initiative - Grants to States and Communities

HHS-2021-ACL-AOA-ADPI-0083

04/26/2021

Table of Contents Executive Summary

Additional Overview Content/Executive Summary

I. Funding Opportunity Description

II. Award Information

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

3. Responsiveness and Screening Criteria

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Address to Request Application Package

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

Letter of Intent

Project Narrative

Summary/Abstract

Problem Statement

Goals and Objectives

Proposed Intervention

Special Target Populations and Organizations

Outcomes

Project Management

Evaluation

Dissemination

Organizational Capability

Budget Narrative/Justification

Work Plan

Letters of Commitment from Key Participating Organizations and Agencies

3. Submission Dates and Times

4. Intergovernmental Review

5. Funding Restrictions

6. Other Submission Requirements

V. Application Review Information

1. Criteria

2. Review and Selection Process

3. Anticipated Announcement Award Date

VI. Award Administration Information

1. Award Notices

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

3. Reporting

4. FFATA and FSRS Reporting

VII. Agency Contacts

VIII. Other Information

The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (P.L. 104-13)

Appendix

Instructions for Completing Required Forms

Budget Narrative/Justification- Sample Format

Instructions for Completing the Project Summary/ Abstract

ACL Center:

Administration on Aging Funding Opportunity Title:

Alzheimer's Disease Programs Initiative - Grants to States and Communities Funding Opportunity Number:

HHS-2021-ACL-AOA-ADPI-0083

Primary CFDA Number:

93.470 Due Date for Letter of Intent:

03/10/2021 Due Date for Applications:

04/26/2021 Date for Informational Conference Call:

03/03/2021 Applications that fail to meet the application due date will not be reviewed and will receive no further consideration. You are strongly encouraged to submit your application a minimum of 3-5 days prior to the application closing date. Do not wait until the last day in the event you encounter technical difficulties, either on your end or, with https://www.grants.gov. Grants.gov can take up to 48 hours to notify you of a successful submission.

Executive Summary Additional Overview Content/Executive Summary Cooperative agreements under this Alzheimer’s Disease Programs Initiative (ADPI) funding opportunity announcement (FOA), are intended to support and promote the development and expansion of dementia-capable home and community-based service (HCBS) systems in States and Communities. There are two application options contained in this single FOA: Grants to

States (Option A) and Grants to Communities (Option B). No entity is eligible to apply for both State and Community options and no entity is eligible to hold more than one ADPI grant at a time. The dementia-capable systems resulting from program activities under either option are expected to provide quality, person-centered services and supports that help individuals living with dementia and their caregiver remain independent and safe in their communities.

OPTION A: Grants to States Applicants for Option A (36 month cooperative agreements) are the governmental entities within states and territories designated as the state agency for dementia-capability and that have working relationships with their state agencies that enable creating and sustaining a dementia-capable HCBS System. Option A has two required objectives, the first of which is the creation, expansion and sustainability of a dementia-capable state HCBS system that includes Single Entry Point/No Wrong Door (SEP/NWD) access for people with dementia and their family caregivers.

The second objective is to ensure access to a comprehensive, sustainable set of quality state HCBS that are dementia-capable and provide innovative services to the population with dementia and their caregivers.

States and territories eligible for Option A are those that do not have active ACL ADPI State dementia-capability grants. All states without active grants are eligible to apply, however those states that have not benefited from ADSSP grants since before 2014 will be given priority consideration in the post-review decision-making process.

OPTION B: Grants to Communities Cooperative agreements under Option B (36 month cooperative agreements) are available to private and/or public community-based organizations (CBO) that are able to: 1) demonstrate their operation within an existing dementia-capable HCBS system dedicated to the population that they serve; and 2) articulate opportunities and additional services in the targeted gap areas that would enhance and strengthen the existing system.

Option B cooperative agreements are designed to aid community-based HCBS providers in addressing three specific service gaps in existing dementia-capable HCBS systems for persons living with or those at high risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) and their caregivers.

Option B applicants must address each of the following three gap areas:

1. Provision of effective supportive services to persons living alone with ADRD in the community;

2. Improvement of the quality and effectiveness of programs and services dedicated to individuals aging with intellectual and developmental disabilities with ADRD or those at high risk of developing ADRD; and

3. Delivery of behavioral symptom management training and expert consultations for family caregivers.

Community-based organizations are only eligible to hold one ADPI grant at a time. All community-based organizations without active ADPI grants are eligible to apply, however those that have not benefited from ADI-SSS and ADPI grant programs since before 2014 will be given priority consideration in the post-review decision-making process.

Additional Application Elements

Highlights of additional program requirements to which Option A & B applicants are subject are noted below with further information outlined in the full funding opportunity description:

Inclusion of a minimum of one dementia-specific evidence-based or evidence-informed intervention (ACL definitions of evidence-based and evidence-informed are provided in this funding opportunity announcement);

25% cost sharing/match;

Dedication of a minimum of 50% of TOTAL grant funds to the provision of direct services;

Pass through projects are prohibited, no project partner may receive more than

20% of the Federal funding received by the Primary Grantee;

Primary grantee and partners agree to complete initial and then annual Dementia

Capability Assessment;

Robust, third-party, program evaluation, including anticipated program outcomes and measures to demonstrate program impact on persons living with dementia and their caregivers;

Phased program implementation;

Data collection, and Participation in technical assistance opportunities.

Emailed Letters of Intent are requested (but not required) to be submitted 10 days after the funding opportunity announcement posting date.

ACL will host an informational conference call in relation to this FOA, the call will be recorded and made available to the public immediately following the call.

March 3, 2021 from 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm EST.

The dial-in information is below:

Toll Free Number: 888-935-0259 Passcode: 2896207

A recording will be available soon after the call concludes at the following number:

Toll Free Playback Number: 888-566-0396

Playback will be available for 45 days

Please direct any questions about the programmatic goals and objectives of this FOA to erin.long@acl.hhs.gov.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

The National Institute on Aging defines dementia, a major cause of impairment among older adults, as the loss of cognitive functioning, thinking, remembering, and reasoning and behavioral abilities, to the extent that it interferes with a person’s daily life and activities.

Impairment as a result of dementia ranges in severity from the mildest stage, when it is just beginning to affect a person’s functioning, to the most severe stage, when the person must depend completely on others for basic activities of daily living. Estimates of the percentage of older persons with dementia vary, but its prevalence increases with age. A number of conditions can mimic dementia, including dehydration, malnutrition, hearing loss, and depression.

Medication mismanagement can also result in the appearance of dementia.

People with dementia (70 percent of whom live in the community) and their caregivers use the full spectrum of home and community-based services (HCBS) available from a variety of public and private sector programs. Community dwelling individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) are at an increased risk of, among other things, unmet needs, malnutrition and injury and various forms of neglect and exploitation.[1] The complexity of care of persons with advanced dementia is defined by the severity of functional and cognitive impairment, reliance on surrogate decision-making, inability to live alone and tremendous family/caregiver burden. Behavioral symptoms such as repetitive speech, wandering, and sleep disturbances are a core clinical feature of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. If untreated, these behaviors can accelerate disease progression, worsen functional decline and quality of life, cause significant caregiver distress, and result in earlier nursing home placement.[2]

Alzheimer's disease is responsible, at least in part, for an estimated 60 percent of cases of dementia.[3] An estimated 5.8 million individuals in the United States are living with Alzheimer’s disease, that number is projected to triple by 2050.[4] The anticipated increase is attributed to individuals living longer as a result of advances in medicine and technology, as well as social and environmental conditions[5] and thus advancing to ages at which they are at increased risk of developing ADRD.

Estimates are that about half of older persons with dementia do not have an accurate diagnosis or any diagnosis.[6] It is critically important to identify these conditions correctly to provide for appropriate referrals to dementia-capable services that are supportive of individuals living with dementia and their family caregivers. Given the impact of the dementia on people and communities, state and community service systems that wish to be dementia-capable should consider adopting key aspects of a dementia-capable HCBS model.

A dementia-capable HCBS system should:

1. Identify people with possible dementia and recommend that they see a physician for a timely, accurate diagnosis and to rule out reversible causes of dementia or conditions that resemble it.

2. Ensure that program eligibility and resource allocation take into account the impact of cognitive disabilities.

3. Ensure that staff communicate effectively with people with dementia and their caregivers and provide services that are person- and family-centered, offer self-direction of services, and are culturally appropriate.

4. Educate workers to identify possible dementia, and understand the symptoms of dementia and appropriate services.

5. Educate the public about brain health, including information about the risk factors associated with developing dementia, first signs of cognitive problems, management of symptoms if individuals have dementia, support programs, and opportunities to participate in research.

6. Implement quality assurance systems that measure how effectively providers serve people with dementia and their caregivers.

7. Encourage development of dementia-friendly communities, which include key parts of dementia-capability.

Information on how states and communities can become dementia-capable, thus increasing their ability to help people with dementia and their caregivers can be found in ACL’s paper entitled Dementia Capable States and Communities: Lessons Learned from Administration on Aging Grantees. Dementia-capable services within a home and community-based system (HCBS) are those that build upon and integrate existing programs from both private and public sectors.

Public sector partners/programs include, but are not limited to, tribes or tribal organizations, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The ACL’s Alzheimer’s Disease Programs Initiative (ADPI) is informed by the work and recommendations of National Alzheimer's Project Act Advisory Council and is dedicated to filling gaps in services, through the provision of HCBS to both targeted special populations and targeted training at both the State and Community levels. The ADPI is implemented under the authority of Title IV of the Older Americans Act of 1965, as amended.

The ADPI program is designed to pilot much needed dementia-capable HCBS programs to states and communities, evaluate program outcomes and using program outcome data to garner support to sustain successful initiatives beyond the federal program period. The ADPI program is intended to advance non-clinical, social models of HCBS in support of persons with dementia and their caregivers. It is through programs such as this that the Administration for Community Living (ACL) demonstrates its commitment to its mission to maximize the independence, well-being, and health of older adults, people with disabilities, and their families and caregivers.

NOTE: The ADPI will not consider or fund research projects.

1. Gould, E., Maslow,K.,LePore,M.,et al. Identifying and Meeting the Needs of Individuals With Dementia Who Live Alone. Accessed January 22, 2021 at https://nadrc.acl.gov/details?search1=79#result .

2. Gitlin LN, Kales HC, Lyketsos CG. Non-pharmacologic Management of Behavioral Symptoms in Dementia. JAMA. 2012;308(19):2020-2029.oi:10.1001/jama.2012.36918.

3. Alzheimer’s Association. 2019 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures. Accessed January 14, 2021 at https://www.alz.org/media/Documents/alzheimers-facts-and-figures.pdf .

4. Alzheimer’s Association. 2019 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures. Accessed January 14, 2021 at https://www.alz.org/media/Documents/alzheimers-facts-and-figures.pdf .

5. Vincent, GK, Velkof, VA. The Next Four Decades: The Older Population in the United States: 2010-2050. Washington, DC. US Census Bureau, 2010. Accessed January 22, 2021 at https://www.census.gov/prod/2010pubs/p25-1138.pdf.

6. Boustani M, Peterson B, Hanson L, Harris R, Lohr, KN. Screening for dementia in primary care: A summary of the evidence for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.

Ann Intern Med 2003; 138(11):927-37.

Statutory Authority Title IV of the Older Americans Act

II. Award Information Funding Instrument Type:

CA (Cooperative Agreement) Estimated Total Funding:

$ 11,053,915 Expected Number of Awards:

Award Ceiling:

$ 1,000,000 Per Project Period

Award Floor:

$ 550,000 Per Project Period

Length of Project Period:

Other Additional Information on Project Periods and Explanation of 'Other' All awards made in connection with this funding opportunity will be for three-year (36-month) fully funded projects. In other words, the funding, in its entirety, will be made available at the time of award.

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

Option A is extended to eligible state government agencies designated to serve as the State Units on Aging. Option B is open to domestic, community-based public and/or private home and community-based service providers that are operating within an existing dementia-capable system and are able to demonstrate their dementia capability.

Option A: States eligible for this option are those states that do not have active State ADPI dementia-capability grants. Applications from states that have benefitted from ACL’s Alzheimer’s and related dementia program opportunities between 2014 and 2017 will include in their narrative a complete description of previously funded activities and program outcomes, as well as a status update of those activities sustained beyond the program funding period. The narrative will also include a clear delineation between the previously funded activities and the proposed program.

Option B of this Funding Opportunity Announcement is designed to extend existing dementia-capable home and community-based services (HCBS) to the special populations targeted and outlined within this announcement. Eligible entities are those that are able to 1) demonstrate their operation within an existing dementia-capable HCBS system dedicated to the population that they serve, and 2) articulate opportunities and additional services that would enhance and strengthen the existing dementia-capable HCBS system within which they are operating.

Eligible community-based organizations that have benefitted from ACL’s Alzheimer’s and related dementia program opportunities between 2014 and 2017 will include in their narrative a complete description of previously funded activities and program outcomes, as well as a status update of those activities sustained beyond the program funding period. The narrative will also include a clear delineation between the previously funded activities and proposed program. This funding opportunity is not extended to entities not operating within an existing dementia-capable HCBS system.

There are no entities that would be eligible to submit applications for both Option A and Option B.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement:

Yes For awards that require matching or cost sharing by statute, recipients will be held accountable for projected commitments of non-federal resources (at or above the statutory requirement) in their application budgets and budget justifications by budget period, or by project period for fully funded awards. The applicant will be held accountable for all proposed non-federal resources as shown in the Notice of Award (NOA). A recipient's failure to provide the statutorily required matching or cost sharing amount (and any voluntary committed amount in excess) may result in the disallowance of federal funds. Recipients will be required to report these funds in the Federal Financial Reports.

For awards that do not require matching or cost sharing by statute, recipients are not expected to provide cost sharing or matching. However, recipients are allowed to voluntarily propose a commitment of non-federal resources. If an applicant decides to voluntarily contribute non-federal resources towards project costs and the costs are accepted by ACL, the non-federal resources will be included in the approved project budget. The applicant will be held accountable for all proposed non-federal resources as shown in the Notice of Award (NOA). A recipient's failure to meet the voluntary amount of non-federal resources that was accepted by ACL as part of the approved project costs and that was identified in the approved budget in the NOA, may result in the disallowance of federal funds. Recipients will be required to report these funds in the Federal Financial Reports.

The federal match required for the State and Community (Options A & B) program is 25% (cash and/or in-kind). All applicants are required to comply with the 25% match requirement outlined in the funding opportunity announcement (FOA).

There are two types of match: 1) non-federal cash and 2) non-federal in-kind. In general, costs borne by the applicant and cash contributions of any and all third parties involved in the project, including sub-grantees, contractors and consultants, are considered matching funds. Volunteered time and use of facilities to hold meetings or conduct project activities may be considered in-kind (third-party) donations.

Budgetary funds provided from the applicant agency’s budget for costs associated with the project are an example of a non-federal cash match.

All proposed matching funds must be directly connected to proposed program activities and cannot come from other Federal sources.

ACL discourages applicant agencies exceeding the minimum match requirement. A recipient's failure to provide the matching or cost sharing amount (and any voluntary committed amount in excess) may result in the disallowance of federal funds. Recipients will be required to report these funds in the Federal Financial Reports.

Applications with a match greater than the minimum required will not receive more favorable consideration under the review.

3. Responsiveness and Screening Criteria Application Responsiveness Criteria All applications will go through an initial programmatic screening to verify that the applicant meets the funding opportunity announcement criteria. Those applicants that do not meet the minimum responsiveness criteria outlined below will be "screened out" and will not be forwarded for panel review.

Applications will be reviewed to establish responsiveness to the following criteria.

The responsive State and Community (Option A & B) project applicant:

1. Applicant for Option A is an eligible State Unit on Aging. Applicant for Option B is a public agency, private nonprofit agency, institution of higher education, and organization, including tribal organizations operating within an existing dementia-capable home and community-based service system;

2. Application names at least one dementia-specific evidence-based or evidence-informed intervention (that complies with the ACL provided definition) directed at persons with dementia and/or caregivers that will be implemented through program activities(see examples in Grantee-Implemented Evidence-Based and Evidence- Informed Interventions);

a. Application includes an attachment demonstrating that the proposed, dementia-specific evidence-based or evidence-informed intervention meets definitions to satisfy the programmatic requirement, and

b. Demonstrate intent to implement it in the project narrative and the proposed work and evaluation plans.

Application Screening Criteria All applications will be screened to assure a level playing field for all applicants. Applications that fail to meet the three screening criteria described below will not be reviewed and will receive no further consideration.

In order for an application to be reviewed, it must meet the following screening requirements:

1. Applications must be submitted electronically via http://www.grants.gov by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, by the due date listed in section IV.3 Submission Dates and Times.

2. The Project Narrative section of the Application must be double-spaced, on 8.5” x 11” plain white paper with 1” margins on both sides, and a standard font size of no less than 11 point, preferably Times New Roman or Arial.

3. The Project Narrative must not exceed 25 pages. Project Narratives that exceed 25 pages will have the additional pages removed and only the first 25 pages of the Project Narrative will be provided to the merit reviewers for funding consideration. NOTE: The Project Work and Evaluation Plans, Letters of Commitment, and Vitae of Key Project Personnel, etc. are not counted as part of the Project Narrative for purposes of the 25-page limit.

Unsuccessful submissions will require authenticated verification from http://www.grants.gov indicating system problems existed at the time of your submission. For example, you will be required to provide an http://www.grants.gov submission error notification and/or tracking number in order to substantiate missing the application deadline.

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Address to Request Application Package Application materials can be obtained from https://www.grants.gov or https://www.acl.gov/grants/applying-grants.

Please note, ACL requires applications for all announcements to be submitted electronically through http://www.grants.gov in Workspace. Grants.gov Workspace is the standard way for organizations and individuals to apply for federal grants in Grants.gov. An overview and training on Grants.gov Workspace can be found here at:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html

The Grants.gov registration process can take several days. If your organization is not currently registered, please begin this process immediately. For assistance with https://www.grants.gov, please contact them at support@grants.gov or 800-518-4726 between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.

Eastern Time.

At the https://www.grants.gov website, you will find information about submitting an application electronically through the site, including the hours of operation. ACL strongly recommends that you do not wait until the application due date to begin the application process because of the time involved to complete the registration process.

All applicants must have a DUNS number (https://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/) and be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM, www.sam.gov) and maintain an active SAM registration until the application process is complete, and should a grant be made, throughout the life of the award. Effective June 11, 2018, when registering or renewing your registration, you must submit a notarized letter appointing the authorized Entity Administrator. Please be sure to read the FAQs located at www.sam.gov to learn more. Applicants should allot sufficient time prior to the application deadline to finalize a new, or renew an existing registration. This action should allow you time to resolve any issues that may arise. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in your inability to submit your application or receive an award. Maintain documentation (with dates) of your efforts to register or renew at least two weeks before the deadline. See the SAM Quick Guide for Grantees at:

https://www.sam.gov/SAM/pages/public/help/samQUserGuides.jsf.

Note: Once your SAM registration is active, allow 24 to 48 hours for the information to be available in Grants.gov before you can submit an application through Grants.gov. This action should allow you time to resolve any issues that may arise. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in your inability to submit your application or receive an award.

Note: Failure to submit the correct EIN Suffix can lead to delays in identifying your organization and access to funding in the Payment Management System.

Effective October 1, 2010, HHS requires all entities that plan to apply for and ultimately receive federal grant funds from any HHS Operating/Staff Division (OPDIV/STAFFDIV) or receive subawards directly from the recipients of those grant funds to:

1. Register in SAM prior to submitting an application or plan;

2. Maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active award or an application or plan under consideration by an OPDIV; and

3. Provide its DUNS number in each application or plan to submit to the OPDIV.

Additionally, all first-tier subaward recipients must have a DUNS number at the time the subaward is made.

Since October 1, 2003, The Office of Management and Budget has required applicants to provide a Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number when applying for federal grants or cooperative agreements. It is entered on the SF-424. It is a unique, nine-digit identification number, which provides unique identifiers of single business entities. The DUNS number is free and easy to obtain.

Organizations can receive a DUNS number at no cost by calling the dedicated toll-free DUNS Number request line at 866-705-5711.

You must submit all documents electronically, including all information included on the SF424 and all necessary assurances and certifications. In accordance with the Federal Government’s efforts to reduce reporting burden for recipients of federal financial assistance, the general certification and representation requirements contained in the Standard Form 424B (SF-424B) – Assurances –

Non-Construction Programs, and the Standard Form 424D (SF-424D) – Assurances – Construction Programs, have been standardized federal-wide.

Effective January 1, 2020, the updated common certification and representation requirements will be stored and maintained within SAM. Organizations or individuals applying for federal financial assistance as of January 1, 2020, must validate the federally required common certifications and representations annually through SAM located at SAM.gov.

After you electronically submit your application, you will receive an automatic acknowledgement from https://www.grants.gov that containshttps://www.grants.gov tracking number. The Administration for Community Living will retrieve your application form fromhttps://www.grants.gov.

Application materials can be obtained from https://www.grants.gov or https://www.acl.gov/grants/applying-grants.

Please note, ACL requires applications for all announcements to be submitted electronically through http://www.grants.gov in Workspace. Grants.gov Workspace is the standard way for organizations and individuals to apply for federal grants in Grants.gov. An overview and training on Grants.gov Workspace can be found here at: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html

The Grants.gov registration process can take several days. If your organization is not currently registered, please begin this process immediately. For assistance with https://www.grants.gov, please contact them at support@grants.gov or 800-518-4726 between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

o At the https://www.grants.gov website, you will find information about submitting an application electronically through the site, including the hours of operation. ACL strongly recommends that you do not wait until the application due date to begin the application process because of the time involved to complete the registration process.

o All applicants must have a DUNS number (https://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/) and be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM, www.sam.gov) and maintain an active SAM registration until the application process is complete, and should a grant be made, throughout the life of the award. Effective June 11, 2018, when registering or renewing your registration, you must submit a notarized letter appointing the authorized Entity Administrator. Please be sure to read the FAQs located at www.sam.gov to learn more. Applicants should allot sufficient time prior to the application deadline to finalize a new, or renew an existing registration. This action should allow you time to resolve any issues that may arise. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in your inability to submit your application or receive an award. Maintain documentation (with dates) of your efforts to register or renew at least two weeks before the deadline. See the SAM Quick Guide for Grantees at: https://www.sam.gov/SAM/pages/public/help/samQUserGuides.jsf.

Note: Once your SAM registration is active, allow 24 to 48 hours for the information to be available in Grants.gov before you can submit an application through Grants.gov. This action should allow you time to resolve any issues that may arise. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in your inability to submit your application or receive an award.

1.

o Note: Failure to submit the correct EIN Suffix can lead to delays in identifying your organization and access to funding in the Payment Management System.

o Effective October 1, 2010, HHS requires all entities that plan to apply for and ultimately receive federal grant funds from any HHS Operating/Staff Division (OPDIV/STAFFDIV) or receive subawards directly from the recipients of those grant funds to:

1. Register in SAM prior to submitting an application or plan;

2. Maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active award or an application or plan under consideration by an OPDIV; and

3. Provide its DUNS number in each application or plan to submit to the OPDIV.

Additionally, all first-tier subaward recipients must have a DUNS number at the time the subaward is made.

o Since October 1, 2003, The Office of Management and Budget has required applicants to provide a Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number when applying for federal grants or cooperative agreements. It is entered on the SF-424. It is a unique, nine-digit identification number, which provides unique identifiers of single business entities. The DUNS number is free and easy to obtain.

o Organizations can receive a DUNS number at no cost by calling the dedicated toll-free DUNS Number request line at 866-705-5711.

o You must submit all documents electronically, including all information included on the SF424 and all necessary assurances and certifications. In accordance with the Federal Government’s efforts to reduce reporting burden for recipients of federal financial assistance, the general certification and representation requirements contained in the Standard Form 424B (SF-424B) – Assurances – Non-Construction Programs, and the Standard Form 424D (SF-424D) – Assurances – Construction Programs, have been standardized federal-wide.

Effective January 1, 2020, the updated common certification and representation requirements will be stored and maintained within SAM. Organizations or individuals applying for federal financial assistance as of January 1, 2020, must validate the federally required common certifications and representations annually through SAM located at SAM.gov.

o After you electronically submit your application, you will receive an automatic acknowledgement from https://www.grants.gov that contains https://www.grants.gov tracking number. The Administration for Community Living will retrieve your application form from https://www.grants.gov.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Community Living

Erin Long, MSW U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Community Living erin.long@acl.hhs.gov

2. Content and Form of Application Submission Letter of Intent Due Date for Letter Of Intent 03/10/2021

03/10/2021 Applicants are requested, but not required, to submit a letter of intent to apply for this funding opportunity to assist ACL in planning for the application independent review process. The purpose of the letter of intent is to allow our staff to estimate the number of independent reviewers needed and to avoid potential conflicts of interest in the review. Letters of intent should be sent to:

Applicants are requested, but not required, to submit a letter of intent to apply for this funding opportunity to assist ACL in planning for the application independent review process. The purpose of the letter of intent is to allow our staff to estimate the number of independent reviewers needed and to avoid potential conflicts of interest in the review. The letter need only indicate intent to apply for program funding, no additional application details are necessary.

The deadline for submission of the letter of intent is 15 days after the publication of the funding opportunity announcement.

Letters of intent should be sent to:

Erin Long, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Community Living at erin.long@acl.hhs.gov

Project Narrative The Project Narrative must be double-spaced, on 8.5” x 11” paper with 1” margins on both sides, and a standard font size of no less than 11 point, preferably Times New Roman or Arial. You can use smaller font sizes to fill in the Standard Forms and Sample Formats. The suggested length for the Project Narrative is 20 to 25 pages; 25 pages is the maximum length allowed.

Project Narratives that exceed 25 pages will have the additional pages removed and only the first 25 pages of the Project Narrative will be provided to the merit reviewers for funding consideration. The Project Work and Evaluation Plans, Letters of Commitment, Vitae of Key Personnel, and other attachments are not counted as part of the Project Narrative for purposes of the 25-page limit, but all of the other sections noted below are included in the limit.

The sample components of the Project Narrative counted as part of the 25 page limit include:

Summary/Abstract Problem Statement Goal(s) and Objective(s)

Proposed Intervention Special Target Populations and Organizations Outcomes Project Management Evaluation Dissemination Organizational Capability

The Project Narrative is the most important part of the application, since it will be used as the primary basis to determine whether your project meets the minimum requirements for grants under the authorizing statutes. The Project Narrative should provide a clear and concise description of your project. ACL recommends that your project narrative include the following components:

Summary/Abstract This section should include a brief (265 words maximum) description of the proposed project, including: goal(s), objectives, outcomes, and products to be developed. If the applicant is a previous recipient of ACL Alzheimer’s/dementia program funding, that information should be included in the abstract, including a high level description of activities undertaken through earlier funding. Detailed instructions for completing the summary/abstract are included in the “Instructions for Completing the Project Summary/Abstract.”

Problem Statement In this section Option A and B (State and Community) applicants should describe, in both quantitative and qualitative terms, the nature and scope of the particular problem or issue the proposed intervention is designed to address in the community you serve, including how the project will potentially affect older adults and/or people with disabilities, their families, and caregivers as well as the health care and home and community-based service system within which they are operating.

Both Option A and B Problem Statements must include:

Describe the impact of ADRD on the community and population that you serve;

Describe any previous activities undertaken with ACL funding, if any, including program outcomes and insight into activities sustained beyond federal funding;

Describe the trainings and services presently available to address behavioral symptom management, and Describe the management, systems, financial or other challenges requiring attention in order to implement and sustain programs funded under this opportunity.

If the state applicant has benefitted from ACL Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias program funding since 2013 a description of the previous funding activities and outcomes, as well as they ways in which the proposed program builds on previous funding must be included.

In this section Option B Community applicants must:

Describe the existing dementia-capability of the home and community-based service system within which the applicant organization operates and how it pertains to the target populations;

Describe the current state of supports and services in relation to the funding opportunity identified three gaps that will be addressed through the proposed program.

If the community applicant has previously benefitted from ACL Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias program funding a description of the previous funding activities and outcomes, as well as they ways in which the proposed program builds on previous funding must be included.

Goals and Objectives This section should consist of a description of the project’s goal(s) and major objectives. In this section Option A and B applicants should:

Identify your proposed project goal(s) and major objectives (i.e. State project objectives or three Community project targeted gap areas), including the projected total number of individuals who will benefit from services provided this proposed project;

If the community applicant has previously benefitted from ACL Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias program funding a description of the previous funding activities and outcomes, as well as they ways in which the proposed program builds on previous funding must be included;

How you plan to address the major challenges identified in the problem statement;

Description of partnerships, collaborations and innovative activities that will be implemented in support of goal/objective achievement, including the dementia-specific evidence-based/evidence-informed intervention(s) to be implemented in the project;

Explanation of how program activities will be marketed and participants identified;

Explanation of anticipated outcomes and the measures to demonstrate program outcomes;

and Description of the sustainability plan for program elements that are deemed successful.

Proposed Intervention This section should provide a clear and concise description of the intervention you are proposing to use to address the problem described in the “Problem Statement”. You should also describe the rationale for using the particular intervention, including factors such as: “lessons learned” for similar projects previously tested in your community, or in other areas of the country; factors in the larger environment that have created the “right conditions” for the intervention (e.g., existing social or economic factors that you’ll be able to take advantage of, etc.). Also note any major barriers you anticipate encountering, and how your project will be able to overcome those barriers. Be sure to describe the role and makeup of any strategic partnerships you plan to involve in implementing the intervention, including other organizations, supporters, and/or consumer groups.

PLEASE NOTE: When the Project Narrative instructions use the term "intervention," the applicant is required to address ALL elements that this Funding Opportunity Announcement requires, including the following:

Option A: dementia-capable HCBS system Objectives 1 and 2 and at least one dementia-specific evidence-based or evidence -informed intervention, and

Option B: three required service gap areas and at least one dementia-specific evidence based or evidence -informed intervention.

All interventions proposed to meet the dementia-specific evidence-based or evidence-informed requirement must comply with the ACL standards defined in this funding opportunity announcement. Examples of interventions that meet ACL standards can be found in Grantee- Implemented Evidence-Based and Evidence-Informed Interventions.

Special Target Populations and Organizations This section should describe how you plan to involve organizations in a meaningful way in the planning and implementation of the proposed project. This section should also describe whether, and if so how, the proposed intervention will target disadvantaged populations, including limited-English speaking populations, those of greatest economic need and those of greatest social need.

Outcomes This section of the project narrative must clearly identify the measurable outcome(s) that will result from the project. (NOTE: ACL will not fund any project that does not include measurable outcomes). Each project must include AT LEAST ONE outcome measure to demonstrate their project's impact on the Quality of Life of a person with dementia.

This section should also describe how the project’s findings might benefit the field at large, (e.g., how the findings could help other organizations throughout the nation to address the same or similar problems.) List measurable outcomes in the evaluation plan under “Measurable Outcomes” in addition to any discussion included in the narrative along with a description of how the project might benefit the field at large. In 2018 the National Alzheimer's and Dementia Resource Center (NADRC) published a compendium of Evaluation Measure Instruments intended to help providers of dementia-related services identify appropriate and well-researched measures in support of their program evaluation plans.

Applicants are encouraged to consider including a completed program activities matrix in their proposal package, the activities matrix would include: Program area being addressed, Activity proposed, Responsibility for activity, Manner of identification program participants, Participant target numbers, Desired outcomes/tools to measure activity outcomes. A sample grants activity matrix is included in the FOA Appendix C.

A “measurable outcome” is an observable end-result that describes how a particular intervention benefits consumers. It may demonstrate functional status, mental well-being, knowledge, skill, attitude, awareness or behavior. Desirable outcomes from projects targeting individuals living with dementia and their caregivers include, but are not limited to: change in quality of life of the person living with dementia, change in unmet needs, change in stress and/or burden, change in caregiver self-efficacy, a change in the responsiveness or cost-effectiveness of a service delivery system. A measurable outcome is not a measurable “output”, such as: the number of clients served; the number of training sessions held; or the number of service units provided.

You should keep the focus of this section on describing what outcome(s) will be produced by the project. You should use the Evaluation section noted below to describe how the outcome(s) will be measured and reported.

Your application will be scored on the clarity and nature of your proposed outcomes, not on the number of outcomes cited.

Project Management This section should include a clear delineation of the roles and responsibilities of project staff, consultants and partner organizations, and how they will contribute to achieving the project’s objectives and outcomes. It should specify the expertise of those designated for leadership roles, as well as who will have day-to-day responsibility for key tasks including monitoring the project’s on-going progress, preparation of reports; communications with other partners and ACL. It should also describe the approach that will be used to monitor and track progress on the project’s tasks and objectives.

Evaluation This section should describe the method(s), techniques, and tools that will be used by the third party evaluator to: 1) determine whether the proposed intervention achieved its anticipated outcome(s), and 2) document the “lessons learned” – both positive and negative -from the project that will be useful to people interested in replicating the intervention, if it proves successful. The third-party evaluator will develop and submit an evaluation report to the grantee which will be submitted to the funder as a project deliverable.

Individuals or organizations involved in the development or implementation of any component of the proposed program would not qualify as "third-party" evaluator (i.e. if one University department is involved in program implementation, another University department may not serve as the evaluator).The third-party program evaluation plan will include a matrix (as an application appendix) that reflects the following program components: Activity Proposed, Responsibility for Activity, Manner of Identification of Program Participants, Participant Target Numbers, Outcomes/Tools to Measure Activity Outcomes. A list of appropriate and well researched measurement tools that assess outcomes of importance to dementia-related programs can be found in the National Alzheimer's and Dementia Resource Center's (NADRC) compendium of Evaluation Measures Instruments. A sample activity matrix is included in FOA Appendix B. The third-party evaluator will not be expected to collect or analyze the required Dementia Capability Assessments, the National Alzheimer's and Dementia Resource Center team is responsible for this activity.

The development and implementation of a quality assurance (QA) program which ensures continuous quality improvement should be included in this section. The QA program description will include techniques and tools to demonstrate project outcomes, methods for monitoring and tracking progress toward program goal(s) and objectives, and documentation of both positive and negative lessons learned. This section will include the role in program evaluation of the initial and annual (each Fall) completion of the Dementia Capability Quality Assessment of the grantee and its partners.

In December 2016 the NADRC conducted a webinar entitled "Writing an Effective Work Plan and Evaluation Plan" that may be useful in the development of an evaluation plan. Webinar attendees learned: (1) learn how to write project objectives, activities and tasks; (2) learn key elements of an evaluation plan; (3) understand the importance of providing specific details in the work plan and evaluation plan; and (4) find out about available tools and resources.

Dissemination This section should describe the method that will be used to disseminate the project’s results and findings in a timely manner and in easily understandable formats, to parties who might be interested in using the results of the project to inform practice, service delivery, program development, and/or policy-making, including and especially those parties who would be interested in replicating the project.

Organizational Capability Each application should include an 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, including dementia-capability. It should also include the organization’s capability to undertake all proposed activities (all of which must be new to the organization) and sustain those program activities deemed successful after federal financial assistance has ended.

This description should cover capabilities of the applicant agency not included in the program narrative, such as any current or previous relevant dementia-specific experience and/or the record of the project team in preparing cogent and useful reports, publications, and other products. If appropriate, include an organization chart showing the relationship of the project to the current organization.