Foa_Content_of_HHS-2022-ACL-AOA-EJIG-0072.pdf

Administration for Community Living

Administration on Aging

Elder Justice Innovation Grants - Enhancing APS Approaches to Cases Involving Opioids and Substance Use Disorders FY2022

HHS-2022-ACL-AOA-EJIG-0072

05/03/2022

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

Project Abstract

Project Relevance and Current Need

Approach

Special Target Populations and Organizations

Outcomes

Evaluation

Organizational Capacity

Project Deliverables and Dissemination

Bibliography/Works Cited

Budget Narrative/Justification

Project Work Plan

Letters of Commitment from Key Participating Organizations and Agencies

3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)

4. Submission Dates and Times

5. Intergovernmental Review

6. Funding Restrictions

7. 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:

Elder Justice Innovation Grants - Enhancing APS Approaches to Cases Involving Opioids and Substance Use Disorders FY2022 Funding Opportunity Number:

HHS-2022-ACL-AOA-EJIG-0072

Primary CFDA Number:

93.747 Due Date for Letter of Intent:

04/04/2022 Due Date for Applications:

05/03/2022 Date for Informational Conference Call:

03/31/2022 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 The Elder Justice Innovation Grants program is intended to support foundational work to create credible innovations, with benchmarks for adult maltreatment prevention, and for program development and evaluation. The Elder Justice Innovation Grants program supports the https://www.grants.gov/ development and advancement of knowledge and approaches in new and emerging issues related to elder justice. Funded projects will contribute to the improvement of the field of adult maltreatment prevention and intervention at large by undertaking initiatives such as developing programs, interventions, materials, etc., or by establishing and/or contributing to the evidence-base of knowledge. Through this program announcement, ACL plans to award up to twenty (20) cooperative agreements, ranging from $300,000 - $1,000,000 per year for a 24-month project period, to identify effective strategies and solutions that are expected to maximize the impact of direct home-and community-based social, health, and mental/behavioral health services for APS clients impacted by the opioid epidemic and by other substance use disorders.

I. Funding Opportunity Description Background In 2009, deaths from drug overdose, including heroin and prescription opioids, surpassed motor vehicle crashes as the leading cause of injury death in the U.S., and numbers have continued to rise. From 2002-2014, the percentage of opioid misuse was the highest in the 18-25 year old age group. During that time frame, there was a downward trend in misuse among the 18-25 age group. However, with adults age 50+, we’ve seen concerning upward trends in percentage of opioid misuse – particularly in the 50-64 age range. Nearly 1 million adults aged 65 and older live with a substance use disorder (SUD), as reported in 2018 data.[1] While the total number of SUD admissions to treatment facilities between 2000 and 2012 differed slightly, the proportion of admissions of older adults increased from 3.4% to 7.0% during this time. [2] In 2019, nearly half of overdose deaths involved multiple drugs, a phenomenon known as polysubstance abuse.[3]

Aging could possibly lead to social and physical changes that may increase vulnerability to substance misuse. Little is known about the effects of drugs and alcohol on the aging brain.

However, older adults typically metabolize substances more slowly, and their brains can be more sensitive to drugs.[4] Older adults also tend to be using multiple medications, which can interact with opioids and cause serious side effects.[5] Complicating this situation is that older adults with a substance use disorder may have symptoms similar to those of depression, delirium or dementia.[6]

The nation’s opioid and substance abuse crisis will not be solved unless all the segments of society affected by opioid misuse are targeted for redress. The impact of opioid and substance misuse on older adults is multigenerational, and manifests in the following ways:

1. Dimension 1: older adults who misuse opioids and other substances

The 50 and older age cohort is the only group to experience increases in opioid misuse from 2002-2011.[7]

Prescription opioids are more readily available and more often used in older adults than in younger adults. Between 1995-2010, there was almost 9-fold increase in opioid prescriptions in office-based medical visits by older adults.[8]

In 2015, as many as 30 percent of Medicare Part D enrollees received an opioid prescription.[9]

The U.S. population of adults 55 and older increased by about 6% between 2013-2015, yet the proportion of people in that age group seeking treatment for opioid use disorder increased nearly 54%.[10]The proportion of older adults using heroin—an illicit opioid— more than doubled between 2013-2015,4 in part because some people misusing prescription opioids switch to this cheaper drug.[11]

Alcohol is the most used drug among older adults, with about 65% of people 65 and older reporting high-risk drinking, defined as exceeding daily guidelines at least weekly in the past year.[12]

More than a tenth of adults age 65 and older currently binge drink,[13] which is defined as drinking five or more drinks on the same occasion for men, and four or more drinks on the same occasion for women.

Research published in 2020 shows that increases in alcohol consumption in recent years have been greater for people aged 50 and older relative to younger age‐groups.

One study documented a 107%[14] increase in alcohol use disorder among adults aged 65 years and older from 2001 to 2013.[15]

Alcohol use disorder can put older people at greater risk for a range of health problems, including diabetes, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, liver and bone problems, memory issues and mood disorders.[16]

2. Dimension 2: older adults who are being abused – financially and/or physically – by someone who is addicted to opioids and/or other substances

A recent meta-analysis of the literature on risk factors for experiencing elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation identified substance abuse by the abuser/perpetrator as a “strong” risk factor, “validated by substantial evidence.”[17]

An example of a typical case is illustrated in Kentucky where a grandson financially exploited his grandfather by using his debit cards, checks, and credit cards as a means to fuel his addiction to heroin.

In both North Carolina and Kentucky one of the top characteristics that describes perpetrators of mistreatment of vulnerable older adults is substance abuse/misuse of opioids.

APS in Missouri reports another frequent example of a caregiver stealing the prescribed Hydrocodone while the older adult is asleep.

3. Dimension 3: older adults who care for grandchildren whose parents are abusing opioids or other substances and are thus incapable of parenting.

“State child welfare systems have reported that they are experiencing an increase in families coming to their attention with substance use problems impacting their ability to safely parent.”[18]

According to Generations United, 10 percent of children live with grandparents or other relatives[19], and for every 1 child in foster care there are 20 of children under 18 being raised by grandparents or other relatives outside of the foster care system.[20]

For older adults, APS is the emergency service intervention designed to remove immediate risks to safety and to assist in putting community support services in place to stabilize the home environment to safeguard against harm or repeated reoccurrences of abuse, neglect or exploitation. APS programs respond to reports of abuse, arrange for home- and supportive-services (wrap around services) that address/remediate abuse, and additionally refer alleged abusers for treatment and/or prosecution.

APS cases involving opioids are increasing in both numbers and complexity, and include multigenerational problems and interventions. Focus groups conducted by the National Adult Protective Services Association revealed:

1. Opioid cases require at least three times the amount of time to investigate than non-opioid related cases;

2. Opioid cases usually involve emergency affidavits or other court orders, additional assessments, extensive coordination with medical providers;

3. Opioid cases are more difficult to address because of the underlying medical need for pain medications balanced with the risks of overmedication for both consumers and alleged perpetrators of maltreatment;

4. Opioid cases usually involve more than one maltreatment type, including financial exploitation, physical abuse, and neglect;

APS programs already have the following advantages in terms of a rapid impact on the opioid and substance abuse crisis:

APS is the direct, front-line, emergency human and social service response system in every state for vulnerable and older adults experiencing abuse, neglect and exploitation (which includes self-abuse and neglect, such as substance and opioid abuse).

APS is most often the first community agency to interact with older adults and adults with disabilities impacted by the opioid crisis.

However, cases involving opioid misuse and other substance abuse are more difficult to resolve due to a lack of service resources specifically responsive to the needs of APS clients, especially older clients.

Funding Description The Elder Justice Innovation Grants program is intended to support foundational work to create credible innovations, with benchmarks for adult maltreatment prevention, and for program development and evaluation. The Elder Justice Innovation Grants program supports the development and advancement of knowledge and approaches in new and emerging issues related to elder justice. Funded projects will contribute to the improvement of the field of adult maltreatment prevention and intervention at large by undertaking initiatives such as developing programs, interventions, materials, etc., or by establishing and/or contributing to the evidence-base of knowledge. Funded projects should strengthen and enhance state APS systems by promoting innovations and improvements in state APS practices, services, and data collection related to cases involving opioid and other substance misuse that are consistent with ACL’s mission and incorporate a consumer-directed approach. That is, APS practice holds autonomy, self- determination, and self-direction as fundamental values, and APS interventions are rooted in the strengths, assets, goals, culture, wishes, and expectations of the individuals served.

For this opportunity, ACL invites applications that seek to achieve:

1. Improvements in the capacity of APS to serve and assist clients impacted by the opioid crisis and other forms of substance abuse, and;

2. Improvements in the state's ability to document and report to the National Adult Maltreatment Reporting System (NAMRS) case, client, and perpetrator data for opioid and substance abuse-related APS cases.

At the end of these grants, ACL anticipates the identification of effective strategies and solutions that maximize the impact of direct home-and community-based social, health, and mental/behavioral health services for APS clients impacted by the opioid epidemic and other substance abuse, and that can be further replicated and tested in other communities and states. Applicants should detail how they plan to address/explain the following (complete instructions on writing the project narrative can be found in Section IV.2):

Challenges faced by the current APS system in handling/managing opioid and other substance abuse-related cases;

Gaps in home-and community-based social, health, and mental/behavioral health services which hinder APS from securing adequate services for clients affected by opioid and other substance abuse;

Identification and targeting of the project to the most affected communities in their state;

Solutions that fill identified needs and gaps;

The documentation and data collection tools to capture the characteristics of the individuals served and cases worked under this project and reporting to NAMRS; and The method/s that will be employed to successfully measure whether the project has achieved the overall goal and proposed outcome(s) and for this funding opportunity, and who will be responsible for carrying out the evaluation activities.

Additional Information:

(I.) Grantee Meetings Please note that ACL plans to convene grantee meetings during the first six months of each budget period, in-person or virtual as public-health circumstances permit. Grantees are required to attend these meetings, absent extenuating circumstances, and grant funds may be used to cover this grant-related expense if a meeting is held in-person. If applicants intend to use grant funds to attend this meeting, they should include this expense in the application budget.

(II.) Rights in Data ACL understands that the outcomes and results from these demonstration grants may be such that the awardee would like to publish an article or report on the project’s results, or disseminate the outcomes and results in some other public way. Per the HHS Grants Policy Statement (January 1, 2007), page II-69: “In general, [grant] recipients own the rights in data resulting from a grant-supported project or program….[A]ny publications, data, or other copyrightable works developed under an HHS grant may be copyrighted without OPDIV prior approval.” That is, grantees under this funding opportunity do not need to seek approval from ACL to publish reports, articles, or other material about their projects.

However, applicants should also note that Under 45 CFR Section 75.322(b), ACL reserves a royalty-free, nonexclusive, and irrevocable right to reproduce, publish, or otherwise use copyrightable works developed (or for which ownership was purchased) under this cooperative agreement for Federal purposes, and to authorize others to do so, including to disseminate the works and findings. The federal government right to such copyrightable works and data are explained further in the HHS Grants Policy Statement. For this funding opportunity, this means that grantees may not withhold from ACL data or information produced from or by this project, except as protected by privacy laws/regulations, including but not limited to outcome and evaluation data. At the conclusion of the grant period, the grantee must provide a final report that includes the data and materials produced by the grant.

Please Note: The HHS Grants Policy Statement defines “data” as “recorded information, regardless of the form or media on which it may be recorded, and includes writings, films, sound recordings, pictorial reproductions, drawings, designs or other graphic representations, procedural manuals, forms, diagrams, work flow charts, equipment descriptions, data files, data processing or computer programs (software), statistical records, and other research data.”

Citations

[1] Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2019). Results from the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Detailed tables. Rockville, MD: Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Retrieved from https://www.samhsa.gov/data/

[2] Chatre S, Cook R, Mallik E et al. Trends in substance use admissions among older adults.

BMC Health Services Research. 2017; 584(17). doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-017-2538-z

[3] O’Donnell J, Gladden RM, Mattson CL, Hunter CT, Davis NL. Vital Signs: Characteristics of Drug Overdose Deaths Involving Opioids and Stimulants — 24 States and the District of Columbia, January–June 2019. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2020;69:1189–1197. DOI:

http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6935a1 external icon

[4] Colliver JD, Compton WM, Gfroerer JC, Condon T. Projecting drug use among aging baby boomers in 2020. Annals of Epidemiology. 2006; 16(4): 257–265.

[5] Factsheet: “Administration for Community Living - Opioids and Older Adults” url:

https://www.samhsa.gov/data/ https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-017-2538-z http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6935a1 http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6935a1 https://acl.gov/sites/default/files/programs/2018-06/ACL%20Opioid%20Fact%20sheet%20- %20June%202018.pdf

[6] Maree, R.D., Marcum, Z.A., Saghafi, E., Weiner, D.K. and Karp, J.F., 2016. A systematic review of opioid and benzodiazepine misuse in older adults. The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 24(11), pp.949-963.

[7] Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. (May 11, 2017). A Day In The Life Of Older Adults: Substance Use Facts. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Retrieved from: https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/repor t_2792/ShortReport-2792.html.

[8] Frenk, S.M., Porter, K.S. and Paulozzi, L., 2015. Prescription opioid analgesic use among adults: United States, 1999-2012 (No. 2015). US Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics.

[9] Olfson et al, 2013. National trends in the office-based prescription of schedule II opioids, Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 74(9):932-9. doi: 10.4088/JCP.13m08349

[10] Huhn AS, Strain EC, Tompkins DA, Dunn KE. A hidden aspect of the U.S. opioid crisis:

Rise in first-time treatment admissions for older adults with opioid use disorder. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2018 Dec 1; 193: 142-147. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2018

[11] Qato DM, Alexander GC, Conti RM, Johnson M, Schumm P, Lindau ST. Use of prescription and over-the-counter medications and dietary supplements among older adults in the United States. JAMA. 2008 Dec 24; 300(24): 2867-2878. doi: 10.1001/jama.2008.892

[12] Grant BF, Chou SP, Saha TD, et al. Prevalence of 12‐month alcohol use, high‐risk drinking, and DSM‐IV alcohol use disorder in the United States, 2001‐2002 to 2012‐2013: Results from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions. JAMA Psychiat. 2017;

74(9): 911‐923.

[13] Han B, Moore A, Ferris R, Palamar J. Binge drinking among older adults in the United States, 2015-2017. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 2019 July 31; 67(10).

https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.16071

[14] White A, Castle I, Hingson R, Powell P. Using death certificates to explore changes in alcohol‐related mortality in the United States, 1999 to 2017. Alcoholism Clinical and Experimental Research. 2020 January 7; 44(1): 178-187. https://doi.org/10.1111/acer.14239

[15] Grant BF, Chou SP, Saha TD, et al. Prevalence of 12‐month alcohol use, high‐risk drinking, and DSM‐IV alcohol use disorder in the United States, 2001‐2002 to 2012‐2013: Results from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions. JAMA Psychiat. 2017;

https://acl.gov/sites/default/files/programs/2018-06/ACL%20Opioid%20Fact%20sheet%20-%20June%202018.pdf https://acl.gov/sites/default/files/programs/2018-06/ACL%20Opioid%20Fact%20sheet%20-%20June%202018.pdf https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/report_2792/ShortReport-2792.html https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/report_2792/ShortReport-2792.html https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.16071 https://doi.org/10.1111/acer.14239

74(9): 911‐923.

[16] Grant BF, Chou SP, Saha TD, et al. Prevalence of 12‐month alcohol use, high‐risk drinking, and DSM‐IV alcohol use disorder in the United States, 2001‐2002 to 2012‐2013: Results from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions. JAMA Psychiat. 2017;

74(9): 911‐923.

[17] Pillemer,K; Burnes, D; Riffin, C; & Lachs, M. (2016). “Elder Abuse: Global Situation, Risk Factors, and Prevention Strategies”, The Gerontologist, Volume 56, Issue Suppl_2, Pages S194– S205. Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnw004

[18] National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services. (July 2016). Policy Brief: “Families in Crisis: The Human Service Implications of Rural Opioid Misuse.” Retrieved from: https://www.hrsa.gov/advisorycommittees/rural/publications/opioidabuse.pdf

[19] Retrieved from:

https://www.grandfamilies.org/Portals/0/State%20Fact%20Sheets/Grandfamilies-Fact-Sheet- United-States.pdf

[20] Retrieved from: https://dl2.pushbulletusercontent.com/Wh3lYAOmq4NrLDws2PdKX3njn YmKi3Fx/17InLovin gArms%28Infographic%29-Grandfamilies.pdf

Statutory Authority Title XX of the Social Security Act, Subtitle B, the Elder Justice Act of 2009, Section 2042, and Sections 411 and 751 of the Older Americans Act, as amended.

II. Award Information Funding Instrument Type:

CA (Cooperative Agreement) Estimated Total Funding:

$6,000,000 Expected Number of Awards:

Award Ceiling:

$1,000,000 Per Budget Period

Award Floor:

$300,000 Per Budget Period

Length of Project Period:

24-month project period with two 12-month budget periods https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnw004 https://www.hrsa.gov/advisorycommittees/rural/publications/opioidabuse.pdf https://www.grandfamilies.org/Portals/0/State%20Fact%20Sheets/Grandfamilies-Fact-Sheet-United-States.pdf https://www.grandfamilies.org/Portals/0/State%20Fact%20Sheets/Grandfamilies-Fact-Sheet-United-States.pdf https://dl2.pushbulletusercontent.com/Wh3lYAOmq4NrLDws2PdKX3njnYmKi3Fx/17-InLovingArms%28Infographic%29-Grandfamilies.pdf https://dl2.pushbulletusercontent.com/Wh3lYAOmq4NrLDws2PdKX3njnYmKi3Fx/17-InLovingArms%28Infographic%29-Grandfamilies.pdf https://dl2.pushbulletusercontent.com/Wh3lYAOmq4NrLDws2PdKX3njnYmKi3Fx/17-InLovingArms%28Infographic%29-Grandfamilies.pdf

Additional Information on Project Periods and Explanation of 'Other' For FFY 2022, ACL will make funding available through competitive grants to states to address any of the dimensions and challenges of the impact of the opioid crisis and other substance abuse issues on Adult Protective Services programs identified in the "Background" section. ACL expects to make up to twenty (20) awards, ranging from a floor of $300,000 to a ceiling of $1,000,000 per budget period. This funding will cover a 2-year (or, 24 month) project period with two 12-month budget periods. Applications for continuation funding beyond the initial year will be reviewed on a non-competitive basis, subject to the availability of funds, contingent on satisfactory progress of the grantee, and a determination by ACL that continued funding will be in the best interest of the government.

Final award decisions will be made by the ACL Administrator and will be based on recommendations of the review panel (See Section V), reviews for programmatic and grants management compliance, geographic distribution, and the reasonableness of the estimated cost considering the available funding and anticipated results.

This funding opportunity announcement is for a new cooperative agreement. As provided by the terms of the Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreement Act of 1977 (P.L. 95-224), this Cooperative Agreement provides for the substantial involvement and collaboration of ACL in activities that the recipient organization will carry out in accordance with the provisions of the approved grant award.

By accepting an award under this funding opportunity announcement, the grantee agrees to execute the responsibilities outlined below:

1. Fulfill all requirements of the grant initiative as outlined in this program announcement, as well as carry out project activities as reviewed, approved, and awarded.

2. Collaborate with the Administration for Community Living (ACL) in the execution of the work plan, and collaborate with ACL in understanding the programmatic and budgetary issues of the project. Based on these negotiations and emerging issues in the field, if necessary, the grantee will revise the project work plan and/or budget detailing expectations for major activities and products during the grant period.

3. Evaluate the impact of project activities, and provide recommendations to ACL on ways to enhance the program. Include progress and information/data on the project’s outcomes in semi-annual reports, and at other times as agreed upon by the grantee and ACL.

4. Meet with the ACL project officer at least once each month, or at such other times as are agreed upon, to improve the effectiveness of the activities carried out under this Agreement.

5. Create products and/or materials under this award that are accurate, objective, unbiased, and of high professional quality, and that do not violate federal, departmental, or agency grant rules. Before publicly disseminating materials developed under this grant, grantee will provide the ACL project officer a copy of the final product in order for the ACL project officer to have at least 15 business days to ensure the product meets the requirements set forth in the program announcement and cooperative agreement.

6. Submit to the ACL project officer a final, clean copy of all data developed or supported with these grant funds, in the format in which it was developed or produced, as provided for in the HHS Grants Policy Statement and referenced in the Notice of Award. The HHS

Grants Policy Statement defines “data” as: “recorded information, regardless of the form or media on which it may be recorded, and includes writings, films, sound recordings, pictorial reproductions, drawings, designs or other graphic representations, procedural manuals, forms, diagrams, work flow charts, equipment descriptions, data files, data processing or computer programs (software), statistical records, and other research data” (HHS Grants Policy Statement, Part II, “Rights in Data”, page II-69).

7. Include the following disclaimer on all products produced using grant funding, including those produced by sub-awards: "This [project/publication/program/website, etc.] [is/was] supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $XX with XX percentage funded by ACL/HHS and $XX amount and XX percentage funded by non-government source(s). The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by ACL/HHS, or the U.S.

Government.”

The ACL project officer will execute the responsibilities outlined below:

1. Perform the day-to-day federal responsibilities of managing a grant initiative and will work with the grantee to ensure that the minimum requirements for the grant are met.

2. Work cooperatively with the grantee to clarify the programmatic and budgetary issues to be addressed by the grantee project, and, as necessary, negotiate with grantee to achieve a mutually agreed upon solution to any needs identified by the grantee or ACL.

3. Assist the grantee project leadership in understanding the policy concerns and/or priorities of ACL, and the Department of Health and Human Services by conducting periodic briefings and by carrying out ongoing consultations. ACL will also share information with the grantee about other federally sponsored projects and activities relevant to the interests of the grantee and their activities.

4. Provide technical assistance to grantee via regular conference calls, email correspondence, webinars, and annual grantee meetings, as well as by ensuring technical assistance for grantee is available from the National APS Technical Assistance Resource Center (APS TARC).

5. Provide technical advice on grantee work products to ensure they are accurate, objective, unbiased, and of high professional quality, and that they do not violate federal, departmental, or agency grant rules. Before publicly disseminating materials developed under this grant, grantee will provide the ACL project officer a copy of the final product, and within 15 business days, the ACL project officer will provide guidance and feedback on whether the product meets the requirements set forth in the program announcement and this cooperative agreement.

6. Provide consultation to the grantee in identifying emerging issues and modifying work plan as necessary.

7. Meet with the grantee project director at least once each month, or at such other times as are agreed upon, to improve the effectiveness of the activities carried out under this Agreement.

Upon execution of this cooperative agreement, requests to modify or amend it or the work plan may be made by ACL or the awardee at any time. Modifications and/or amendments of the Cooperative Agreement or work plan shall be effective upon the mutual agreement of both parties, except where ACL is authorized under the Terms and Conditions of award, 45 CFR Part 75, or other applicable regulation or statute to make unilateral amendments. When an award is issued the cooperative agreement terms and conditions from the program announcement are incorporated by reference.

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants For FY 2022 the below guidance is provided to advance the Administration’s policy, as stated in E.O. 13985, to “pursue a comprehensive approach to advancing equity for all, including people of color and others who have been historically underserved, marginalized, and adversely affected by persistent poverty and inequality.” This guidance is intended to begin to address inequities in HHS programs, processes, and policies that may serve as barriers to equal opportunity. By advancing equity in our NOFOs, we can “create opportunities for the improvement of communities that have been historically underserved, which benefits everyone.”

Domestic public or private non-profit entities including state and local governments, Indian tribal governments and organizations (American Indian/Alaskan Native/Native American), faith-based organizations, community-based organizations, hospitals, and institutions of higher education.

Foreign entities are not eligible to compete for, or receive, awards made under this announcement. Individuals are not eligible to compete for, or receive, awards made under this announcement.

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.

Under this ACL program, ACL will fund no more than 75% of the project’s total cost, which means the applicant must cover at least 25% of the project’s total cost with non-federal resources. In other words, for every three (3) dollars received in federal funding, the applicant must contribute at least one (1) dollar in non-federal resources toward the project’s total cost.

This “three-to-one” ratio is reflected in the formula included under Item 18 in the “Instructions for Completing Requested Forms.” You can use this formula to calculate your minimum required match. A common error applicants make is to match 25% of the federal share, rather than 25% of the project’s total cost. The statutory authority to require a match can be found in Section 431(a) of the Older Americans Act.

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. Examples of non-federal cash match includes budgetary funds provided from the applicant agency’s budget for costs associated with the project. ACL encourages you to not exceed the minimum match requirement. Applications with a match greater than the minimum required will not receive additional consideration under the review.

Match is not one of the responsiveness criteria as noted in Section III, 3 Application Screening Criteria.

3. Responsiveness and Screening Criteria Application Responsiveness Criteria Applications that fail to meet the responsiveness criteria described below will be administratively eliminated and will not be reviewed. Applications will be deemed to have met the initial responsiveness criteria by demonstrating all of the following:

1. Demonstrated knowledge of APS systems;

2. Demonstrated knowledge of outcomes research;

3. Demonstrated capacity and experience to design, plan, and execute projects that contribute to the scientific literature; and

4. Identified a project director who has demonstrated expertise in criteria 1-3 above.

5. The application includes a plan to collect and include data from opioid and other substance abuse-related cases served through this grant in the state APS program’s Case Component data submission to NAMRS.

6. Letters of Commitment are included, as required per Section IV.2 “Letters of Commitment from Key Participating Organizations and Agencies”;

7. CVs/Resumes are included for each person identified as "key personnel";

8. Application includes a budget, as required, covering all 2 years (24 months) of the project;

9. Application includes a work plan, as required, covering all 2 years (24 months) of the project.

Application Screening Criteria

All applications will be screened to assure a level playing field for all applicants. Applications that fail to meet the three (3) 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 https://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 20 pages. Project Narratives that exceed 20 pages will have the additional pages removed and only the first 20 pages of the Project Narrative will be provided to the merit reviewers for funding consideration. [NOTE: The Project Work Plan, Letters of Commitment, and Vitae of Key Project Personnel are not counted as part of the Project Narrative for purposes of the 20- page limit.]

Unsuccessful submissions will require authenticated verification from https://www.grants.gov indicating system problems existed at the time of your submission. For example, you will be required to provide an https://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 UEI 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 http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.acl.gov/grants/applying-grants http://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html https://www.grants.gov/ mailto:support@grants.gov https://www.grants.gov/ 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 UEI number in each application or plan to submit to the OPDIV.

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

The Federal Government will transition from the DUNS Number to the New Unique Entity Identifier. By April of 2022, the federal government will stop using the DUNS number to uniquely identify entities. At that point, entities doing business with the federal government will use a Unique Entity Identifier (SAM) created in SAM.gov. It is entered on the SF-424. It is a unique, nine-digit identification number, which provides unique identifiers of single business entities.

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

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

Administration on Aging/Office of Elder Justice and Adult Protective Services Elizabeth Petruy Phone Number: (202) 260-0868 E-mail: elizabeth.petruy@acl.hhs.gov

2. Content and Form of Application Submission Letter of Intent Due Date for Letter Of Intent 04/04/2022

04/04/2022 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:

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Community Living c/o Elizabeth Petruy Administration on Aging/Office of Elder Justice and Adult Protective Services E-mail: elizabeth.petruy@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 pages; 20 pages is the maximum length allowed. Project Narratives that exceed 20 pages will have the additional pages removed and only the first 20 pages of the Project Narrative will be provided to the merit reviewers for funding consideration.

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 this funding opportunity. The Project Narrative should provide a clear and concise description of your project. The components of the Project Narrative counted as part of the 20-page limit include:

https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ mailto:elizabeth.petruy@acl.hhs.gov mailto:elizabeth.petruy@acl.hhs.gov

Project Relevance & Current Need Approach Special Target Populations and Organizations Outcomes Evaluation Organizational Capacity Project Deliverables and Dissemination

The components of the Project Narrative that are required but NOT counted as part of the 20-page limit include:

Project Abstract Bibliography/Works Cited Budget Narrative/Justification Project Work Plan Logic Model Vitae of Key Personnel Letters of Commitment

Project Abstract This section will not count towards the 20-page limit.

This section should include a brief (265 words maximum) description of the proposed project, including: goal(s), objectives, outcomes, and products to be developed. Detailed instructions for completing the summary/abstract are included in the “Instructions for Completing the Project Summary/Abstract.

Project Relevance and Current Need This section should describe, in both quantitative and qualitative terms, the nature and scope of the problem or issue the proposed intervention is designed to address. Strong applications will demonstrate that the proposed project is justified in terms of the most recent, relevant, and available information, evidence-based practices, and/or new and cutting-edge research.

For this funding opportunity, applicants should detail how the project will address the current challenges to your state APS system's capacity/ability to serve/handle opioid and other substance abuse-related cases, as well as how the current home-and community-based systems could better maximize positive outcomes for APS clients impacted by substance abuse and the opioid epidemic. Applications should discuss the data, research, evidence, or body of knowledge selected to frame your project. Applicants may also cite prior experience with other grants or activities that have informed the development of this application.

It is recommended that applicants focus their problem statement on the specific aspects of the programmatic and policy considerations as it pertains to their proposed activities, rather than providing a broad or sweeping historical overview that is not directly related to the proposed interventions and activities.

Approach This section should include the following:

Goals & Objectives Applications should describe their proposed project’s goal(s) and major objectives, particularly in relation to the overarching goals and objectives ACL has for the Elder Justice Innovation Grants as described in this funding opportunity.

Proposed projects must have at least one (1) project objective. In Section I.3 (Funding Opportunity Description), ACL identifies a minimum of two (2) objectives for this funding opportunity:

1. Improvements in the capacity of APS to serve and assist clients impacted by the opioid crisis and other forms of substance abuse, and;

2. Improvements in the state's ability to document and report to the National Adult Maltreatment Reporting System (NAMRS) case, client, and perpetrator data for opioid and substance abuse-related APS cases.

Applications are free to propose more than the two (2) objectives listed by ACL; however, application scores will not be based on, nor correspond to, the number of objectives proposed.

Proposed Intervention Applications should provide a clear and concise description of the activities proposed to meet the goals and objectives of this funding opportunity (i.e., how they will be achieved). Applications should explain the rationale for using a particular approach or intervention (i.e., why they were chosen). There should be a clear connection between identified system gaps/needs in “Project Relevance and Current Need” and the proposed activities. Further, this section should identify any major barriers that are anticipated, and how the project will be able to overcome those barriers.

Special Target Populations and Organizations Applicants should describe whether, and if so, how, the proposed intervention will target hard-to-reach populations, including limited-English speaking populations, those of greatest economic need, and/or those of greatest social need. Additionally, the application should identify what stakeholder groups will be involved and/or targeted to ensure success of the project. Be sure to describe the role and makeup of any strategic partnerships that will be critical for successfully implementing the intervention, including other organizations, supporters, and/or consumer groups. Applicants should document how they will reflect ACL’s commitment to advancing equity, racial justice, and equal opportunity, including ensuring that people from underrepresented and underserved communities are at the table to inform the work in the execution of their grant activities.

Outcomes Applications will be scored on the nature of the proposed outcomes and the clarity with which the applicant describes how the outcomes will be measured/evaluated, as explained below, and not on the quantity/number of outcomes cited.

Outcomes This section of the project narrative must identify the measurable outcomes that will result from the project.