Foa_Content_of_HHS-2023-ACL-AOA-LRLI-0014.pdf

Administration for Community Living

Administration on Aging

Lifespan Respite Care Program: State Program Enhancement Grants

HHS-2023-ACL-AOA-LRLI-0014

05/15/2023

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. 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:

Lifespan Respite Care Program: State Program Enhancement Grants Funding Opportunity Number:

HHS-2023-ACL-AOA-LRLI-0014

Primary CFDA Number:

93.072 Due Date for Letter of Intent:

Date will be generated on synopsis publication Due Date for Applications:

05/15/2023 Date for Informational Conference Call:

03/21/2023 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 https://www.grants.gov/

The U.S. Administration for Community Living (ACL) is providing this competitive notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) to eligible state agencies for the purpose of implementing the requirements of the Lifespan Respite Care Act of 2006, as amended (The Act) – (P.L. 116-324).

The goal of the program is to enhance state systems and capacities to deliver respite care and related services to family caregivers of children and adults across all age groups, disabilities, and chronic conditions.

With this NOFO, ACL is seeking applications from eligible entities, as defined in statute, who desire to continue program development, implementation, enhancement, and sustainability activities. ACL will make funds available to eligible states with no active grant who have had at least one grant in the past, or those with no more than one currently active grant, with no more than one year remaining in their project.

ACL will fund up to approximately fifteen (15) cooperative agreements, with a federal funding level of up to $400,000 each year for 4-years, for a potential maximum funding of up to approximately $1,600,000 over the course of the 4-year project period.

It is ACL’s expectation that by providing annual funding over the four-year project, state program enhancement grantees will build on advancements made under previous Lifespan Respite Care Program grants and focus on strengthening the components of their Lifespan Respite Care System. Furthermore, it is ACL’s expectation that, using the four components that comprise the 2022 National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers (the Strategy) as a roadmap or guide, applicants will incorporate to the greatest extent possible, the approaches outlined in the Strategy, as applicable, for enhancing their State Lifespan Respite Systems of care.

Eligible state agencies funded under this announcement shall use grant funds to advance the provision of respite services through their statewide Lifespan Respite Care system as outlined in The Act. Additionally, funded applicants will continue to build collaborations and partnerships across the state; expand options for volunteers; ensure adequate respite provider training is offered; identify gaps in current services and conduct outreach to reduce those gaps; and continue to, or increase efforts to, target underserved populations across the lifespan.

By statute, awards may only be made to the eligible state agency that:

Administers the State’s program under the Older Americans Act of 1965; or Administer the State’s program under title XIX of the Social Security Act; or Is designated by the Governor of such State to administer the State’s programs under this title.

Additionally, the state agency must work in concert with the state’s aging and disability resource center (ADRC)/No-Wrong Door (NWD) system and with a statewide public or private respite care coalition or organization. Grantees should commit to working with other state and community-based agencies in the development and administration of the program while demonstrating an understanding of respite care and family caregiver issues across all age groups, disabilities, and chronic conditions, improving equitable access to respite services, and ensure meaningful involvement of family members, family caregivers, and care recipients in the design and implementation of the program. Only one (1) application per State will be funded.

Once funded, grantees will be expected to build on advancements made under previous Lifespan Respite Care Program grants and focus on https://acl.gov/CaregiverStrategy enhancing and strengthening the components of their Lifespan Respite Care System, improving equitable access, consistency, quality, sustainability; and reducing duplication in respite service d elivery. Grantees will also be expected to describe the progress that has been made to date, and then identify opportunities to enhance their lifespan respite system of care, within the construct of The Act. Special focus should be on enhancing and expanding the availability and provision of respite and related supports to family caregivers across the lifespan. Applicants are expected to propose systems-level, programmatic-level AND consumer-level outcomes, and describe how these outcomes will be measured and tracked.

Applicants should be aware that this is expected to be a highly competitive opportunity. Limited funds are available to support applicants’ proposed projects. Therefore, only those applications deemed to show the greatest likelihood of making measurable advances in enhancing and/or expanding a statewide system of respite care that builds the capacity of their long-term care system to respond to the comprehensive needs of their state will be selected for funding.

Date for Informational Conference Call: MARCH 21, 2023 at 2PM ET

Conference Call Phone Number: 888-469-3013

Participant Pass Code: 8677596#

I. Funding Opportunity Description

Purpose

The U.S. Administration for Community Living (ACL) is providing this competitive grant opportunity to assist eligible state agencies with the implementation of the requirements of the Lifespan Respite Care Act of 2006, as amended (The Act). The goal of the program is to improve access to, and quality of, respite care services to all family caregivers, thereby reducing family caregiver demands when supporting these individuals. The Act requires grantees to work with the ADRC/NWD systems, which empower individuals to make informed decisions, exercise control over their long-term care needs, and achieve their personal goals and preferences. Additionally, grantees must collaborate with state respite organizations and/or coalitions to enhance and expand the availability of lifespan respite services.

Successful applicants will be required to enhance or expand state and local coordinated Lifespan Respite Care systems to serve family caregivers regardless of the age, disability, or chronic condition of the care recipient. Grantees will also be required to develop and provide new and emergency respite services; train and recruit respite workers, including volunteers; and assist caregivers in gaining access to respite care services that meet the needs of both the caregiver and care recipient.

All programs must from the outset, address the respite needs of all populations regardless of the age and/or disability/chronic condition of the care recipient population. No phase-in or preference for specific age groups, disability categories, or populations will be permitted.

Background

Lifespan Respite Care Defined

The Lifespan Respite Care Act, as amended (the Act) defines lifespan respite care as “a coordinated system of accessible, community-based respite care services for family caregivers of children or adults with special needs.” Such a system brings together Federal, state and local resources and funding streams to help support, expand and streamline the delivery of planned and emergency respite services, while also providing for the recruitment and training of respite workers and caregiver training and empowerment. Respite can strengthen family systems while protecting the health and well-being of both the caregiver and the care recipient and is a key component of community-based long-term services and supports (LTSS). All proposed project activities should seek to improve the delivery and quality of respite services available to families across age and disability spectrums, by establishing coordinated lifespan respite systems.

Additionally, Lifespan Respite Care programs should strive for equitable access to services for family caregivers and care recipients and address the factors that can hinder such access, including but not limited to: age, race, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, cognitive ability, language, ethnic origin, employment status, housing situation, education level, and individuals transitioning back to the community from facilities, including those needing medical and/or behavioral health care (e.g., substance use disorder and mental health treatment) services to manage chronic conditions or support needs. Additional information may be reviewed in the Project Narrative: Special Target Populations and Organizations.

The Lifespan Respite Care Act, as amended: An Overview

First passed by Congress in 2006 and reauthorized in 2020, the Act is intended to accomplish several objectives:

Respite is often in short supply or inaccessible, the Act seeks to expand and enhance respite services within states;

State respite programs are often funded through a variety of sources, the Act is designed to improve coordination and dissemination of service delivery between various funding streams and programs;

Navigating multiple respite programs can be difficult, the Act seeks to streamline caregiver access to programs and filling service gaps; and

By expanding and enhancing respite services, and improving coordination and access, the Act is designed to improve the overall quality and equity of available respite services.

The Evolving Respite Environment

Lifespan Respite Programs have been in existence in states since the 1990s. Since the passage of the Act in 2006, states have made considerable progress towards building sustainable programs capable of meeting the respite care needs of families and family caregivers across the lifespan. In recent years, a number of pivotal events have helped shape the current environment in which Lifespan Respite Programs exist, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the passage of the Recognize Assist, Include, Support and Engage (RAISE) Family Caregivers Act of 2017 and the Supporting Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (SGRG) Act of 2018 and the release of the 2022 National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers (the Strategy), have highlighted the importance of cultural and linguistic competence and the growing crisis of the direct care workforce.

As the nation further emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic, respite programs continue to evolve to meet changing needs and circumstances of caregivers and care recipients of all communities, across all age groups. Additionally, state coalitions have had to look to other https://acl.gov/sites/default/files/about-acl/2018-10/PLAW-115publ119%20-%20RAISE.pdf https://acl.gov/sites/default/files/about-acl/2018-10/BILLS-115s1091enr%20-%20SGRG.pdf forms, or means, of service delivery, such as allowing the reimbursement of family or friends for respite services or the provision of virtual support groups, outreach, and even, respite care.

The passage of the RAISE Act and the formation and work of the Family Caregiving Advisory Council (FCAC), shined a spotlight on respite in its Initial Report to Congress noting the importance of increasing awareness of respite and that it can mean different things for different family caregivers. For example, the report noted that what constitutes “respite” for the spouse of an older adult living with dementia (typically an adult day program) differs significantly from what the parent of a child with autism who also has educational needs would view as an equivalent form of respite."[1]

Similarly, from the Advisory Council to Support Grandparents Raising Grandchildren’s (SGRG) Initial Report to Congress, we know that “the round-the-clock nature of caring for children, especially young children and children with disabilities or exposure to trauma, [kin and grandparent caregivers] need a variety of formal and informal respite options."[2]

The respective reports of both advisory councils included a similar recommendation: Increase the availability of high-quality, setting-appropriate, and caregiver-defined respite to give caregivers a healthy and meaningful break from their responsibilities.”

In light of the recent release of the 2022 National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers (the Strategy), there is an opportunity for states to re-think their respite systems of care and use the Strategy as a roadmap for program planning and execution. The Strategy represents the first time a broad cross-section of the federal government has collaborated with the private sector on a response to the longstanding national need for a comprehensive system of family caregiver support, including respite services. Applicants are encouraged to review the latest policy brief from the ARCH National Respite Network and Resource Center entitled The Role of Respite in the National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers and incorporate the ideas and approaches it contains where appropriate.

Applicants to this NOFO are encouraged to become familiar with the relevant components and actions contained in the Strategy. For example, under Outcome 3.2: Family caregivers can obtain respite services that meet their unique needs, it states, “High-quality respite is one of the most requested needs of caregivers, but gaps in the availability and affordability of access are significant."[3] Applicants should consider this outcome as they develop their proposals.

As greater emphasis is placed on ensuring that programs and services are culturally and linguistically competent, it is ACL’s intention that programs funded in response to this announcement place an emphasis on providing equitable services that address the needs of diverse populations. Applicants should discuss how they will promote equity through service access and flexibility that will allow caregivers and care recipients to be provided services that are grounded in cultural awareness and competency. The fourth component of the Strategy entitled “First Principles: Cross-Cutting Considerations for Family Caregiver Support” includes essential practices to support each of the four core principles discussed that applicants may want to consider incorporating into their proposed plan, where appropriate.

In many cases, the provision of respite services requires the availability of a well-trained, well-compensated and quality workforce. Long-standing workforce shortages have reached crisis levels. Given the existent challenges to recruiting and retaining paid and unpaid (volunteer) respite care providers, in 2022, ACL launched the National Center to Strengthen the Direct Care https://acl.gov/programs/support-caregivers/raise-family-caregiving-advisory-council https://acl.gov/programs/support-caregivers/raise-family-caregiving-advisory-council https://acl.gov/RAISE/report file://AOAFS01/common/AoA_OSCS/Lifespan%20Respite%20Program/FOAs/FY%202023/acl.gov/sgrg https://acl.gov/SGRG/report file://AOAFS01/common/AoA_OSCS/Lifespan%20Respite%20Program/FOAs/FY%202023/acl.gov/caregiverstrategy https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Farchrespite.org%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F02%2FPolicy-to-Practice-Brief-2.pdf&data=05%7C01%7CGreg.Link%40acl.hhs.gov%7C1b5ace52497d4a9968b208db1a99e533%7Cd58addea50534a808499ba4d944910df%7C0%7C0%7C638133020652466288%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=qU9x44dAyZ6vcRYa94MxSPkRtI%2Bap9CfG2v5bQJ%2FVnI%3D&reserved=0 https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Farchrespite.org%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F02%2FPolicy-to-Practice-Brief-2.pdf&data=05%7C01%7CGreg.Link%40acl.hhs.gov%7C1b5ace52497d4a9968b208db1a99e533%7Cd58addea50534a808499ba4d944910df%7C0%7C0%7C638133020652466288%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=qU9x44dAyZ6vcRYa94MxSPkRtI%2Bap9CfG2v5bQJ%2FVnI%3D&reserved=0 https://acl.gov/sites/default/files/RAISE_SGRG/NatlStrategyFamCaregivers_FirstPrinciples.pdf https://acl.gov/programs/direct-care-workforce

Workforce to support recruitment, retention, and professional development of workers who provide home and community-based services and help to address issues of recruitment and retention of direct care workers. The TA Center will offer access to a wide array of best practices, trainings, and technical assistance to help stakeholders strengthen the direct care workforce. Applicants to this announcement are encouraged to leverage the work of this and other efforts in addressing respite workforce needs in their states.

Program Priority Areas

The strongest applications will be those that are grounded in the Principles and Actions outlined in the Strategy. Applicants should fully describe the approaches they will use for advancing their State Lifespan Respite Systems in each following program priority areas:

1. Direct service provision, incorporating the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic where appropriate;

2. Continued systems development;

3. Strengthened collaborations and partnerships;

4. Paid and volunteer respite provider training;

5. Identification and reduction of gaps in current services; and

6. Targeting underserved and underrepresented populations across the lifespan, with particular emphasis on addressing those most impacted by COVID-19.

1. Direct service provision, incorporating the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic where appropriate

The Lifespan Respite Care Act stipulates the provision of five required and three optional services. Application narratives should clearly and completely describe the State agency’s plan for further developing and delivering each of the required and, where appropriate, optional services in a way that considers the available evidence, emerging strategies, and promising practices in the field of respite to expand capacities and deliver direct services.

For more information on emerging, model, or promising practices in the field of respite and family caregiver support, applicants should review information available on the ARCH National Respite Network and Resource Center website at https://archrespite.org/ta-center-for-respite/.

Based on the knowledge and understanding of the state's current respite environment, applicants are required to provide detailed plans for how respite services funded under this opportunity will be delivered over the entire length of the project. Proposals must provide sufficient detail to describe how funds will be allocated across all eligible population groups; how funds will flow to service recipients; the service delivery model and/or payment mechanism

(s) that will be used; and how the investment in respite services will inform policy development and strategies to increase access to respite services beyond the life of the grant.

States should determine the proportion of their requested funds that will be used for developing a Lifespan Respite System and the proportion of requested funds that will be used for direct service provision over https://acl.gov/programs/direct-care-workforce https://acl.gov/sites/default/files/RAISE_SGRG/NatlStrategyFamCaregivers_FirstPrinciples.pdf https://acl.gov/sites/default/files/RAISE_SGRG/NatlStrategyFamCaregivers_ActionsSCO.pdf https://archrespite.org/ta-center-for-respite/ the entire 4-year project period. Applicants should propose to both further develop their Lifespan Respite Care System and fill gaps in respite service provision.

As we continue to emerge from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, applicants should view this as an opportunity to continue to adapt their respite programs to be responsive to, or test new means of, providing services in multiple environments, based on lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. As such, applicants are encouraged, but not required, to consider other forms, or means, of service delivery, such as allowing the reimbursement of family or friends for respite services or the provision of virtual support groups, outreach, and even, respite care to meet current needs as well as prepare for the ongoing provision of respite services in case of future emergencies or disaster situations. Applicants are encouraged to review and consider the recommendations in the resource developed by ACL’s Lifespan Respite Technical Assistance and Resource Center titled, “Providing and Receiving Respite Care Safely During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Voluntary National Guidelines for Respite Care Agencies, Providers, Family Caregivers, and Respite Care Recipients.

2. Enhanced systems development

Applicants should describe in detail their objectives for systemically advancing existing lifespan respite care services statewide, with a focus on the following areas:

1. Capacity building of respite care providers (both paid and unpaid);

2. Leveraging of resources across various funding streams and partners to sustain and expand available respite care services;

3. Implementation of key administrative functions (including logistical, information technol ogy, communications, operational, and service coordination activities); and

4. Ongoing monitoring and quality assurance of respite care service provision.

Through this funding announcement, ACL expects to realize tangible, measurable, and sustainable advancements in state capacities to provide respite and related services to family caregivers across the age and disability spectrum. Applications will be evaluated, in part, on the extent to which a plan for the project's sustainability beyond the period of federal funding is articulated and appears feasible. Applicants are encouraged to consider and propose a range of potential approaches for ensuring the sustainability of project efforts once Federal funding has ended. Tools and resources for the sustainability of Lifespan RespiteProgra ms are available on the ARCH National Respite Network and Resource Centers’Sustainability Tools web page.

3. Strengthened collaborations and partnerships

Among those states eligible to apply for funding, there exists a great deal of variability with respect to stakeholder c apacities, engagement, and active collaboration. Partnership, collaboration, and stakeholder involvement are critical underpinning s of a successful statewide Lifespan Respite Care Program. Whether these partnerships are facilitated by the state agency, the statewide respite coalition/organization, the state aging, and disability resource center or through collaborative efforts of multiple stakeholders, having the https://archrespite.org/national-respite-guidelines-for-covid-19 https://archrespite.org/national-respite-guidelines-for-covid-19 https://archrespite.org/national-respite-guidelines-for-covid-19 https://archrespite.org/ta-center-for-respite/sustainability-tools/ https://archrespite.org/ta-center-for-respite/sustainability-tools/ broadest possible array of stakeholders involved is essential for ensuring the needs of family caregivers.

Applicants funded under this funding opportunity must propose approaches for expanding collaboration and partnerships with relevant stakeholders to ensure th e program reaches the broadest population of eligible service recipients possible. Potential stakeholders include:

a. Entities of state and local government that administer and deliver human services programs designed to meet the respite care needs of family caregivers;

b. State and local chapters of organizations and entities representing individuals with special needs from across the dis ease and disability spectrum and for whom respite is an essential component of their ongoing support in a community setting;

c. Any other public, private, or not-for-profit entities that are providing respite care services or other supports to caregivers focused on special or targeted populations th at may not be otherwise captured in or involved with the state’s existing respite care coalition; and

d. Any additional federally funded, local, or state program that may provide supports or resources that can be leverag ed to further support the expansion of lifespan respite care services.

Applications will be scored, in part, on the extent to which the proposed use of funds will advance the State’s capacity to leverage public and private partnerships to deliver and increase access to respite services and achieve desired outcomes. This may also include investing in the training and ongoing development of both new and existing respite care professionals (paid and unpaid).

IMPORTANT! A Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) regarding the joint responsibility for the development of the state’s lifespan respite program between the eligible State agency and the public or private nonprofit statewide respite coalition or organization must be in place at the time of application and submitted with the application. Applicants are encouraged to embed flexibility within the MOA so that all parties to the Agreement can modify scope, tasks or partnerships as the need arises.

A copy of such memorandum must be included as part of ALL application packages.

4. Paid and volunteer respite workforce training

Applicants should describe the extent to which their proposed projects will work to expand or strengthen the respite care workforce, whether paid or volunteer, including recruitment, training, and oversight with particular emphasis on cultural competence and quality in service delivery. In this regard, applicants should describe how the quality and safety of any respite care services provided will be monitored, including methods to ensure that respite care workers and volunteers are appropriately screened and possess the necessary skills to care for the needs of the care recipient in the absence of the family caregiver.

5. Identification and reduction of gaps in current services

Applicants are expected to demonstrate knowledge in their current system of respite services and provide details that inform how the current system of respite services forms the foundation for their statewide systems of lifespan respite care services, including how such services are targeted and delivered. Based on the applicant’s description of the current statewide respite care system, applicants should then identify and explain known gaps in the provision of respite services and propose how those gaps in respite services will be addressed should the applicant receive federal funding as a result of their application to this funding announcement.

6. Targeting underserved populations, across the lifespan, with particular emphasis on addressing those most impacted by COVID-19

Applicants should continue to address equity among populations across the lifespan, particularly given what we know about the disproportionate impact the coronavirus had on many traditionally underserved and underrepresented populations. Underserved and underrepresented populations are defined as those in greatest economic and social need, who are further isolated from services and supports by their race, ethnicity, cultural background, sexual orientation/gender identity, geographic location, and/or limited English speaking proficiency. Describe any underserved population(s) to be served by your proposed program as defined by Executive Order On Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government, dated January 20, 2021. Applicants are expected to explain current efforts, and results, under their current lifespan respite system of care to serve underserved populations across the lifespan. Based on this description, applicants should then explain how they propose to target and increase services to traditionally underserved populations that are identified in their local communities.

Additional Application Elements and Considerations

In addition to the “Program Priorities Areas” described above, and the required narrative elements described in “Section IV. Project Narrative” section of this NOFO, applicants should clearly and concisely address the following in their applications:

Programmatic Performance and Outcomes Measurement

Performance is an important component of a fully functioning Lifespan Respite Care System. This includes programmatic performance outcomes (including associated cost/benefits) with particular attention to consumer-level information regarding service delivery and impact on consumers. Applicant goals should identify relevant consumer-based, programmatic, and systems-level outcomes the state would like to measure and proposed approaches.

Awardees under this funding opportunity will work with ACL to implement the data collection and reporting requirements, under Section 2904 of the Lifespan Respite Reauthorization Act of 2020. Pending OMB approval, and in concordance with the Reauthorization, Respite Care Program grantees beginning in 2024 will provide ACL and the field of respite care with critical information on the numbers of family caregivers served by the program as well as advancements being made by grantees in the development of state Lifespan Respite systems.

Specifically, the tool will collect information related to respite care services delivered, caregiver demographics, care recipient demographics, respite training, and lifespan respite program https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/20/executive-order-advancing-racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-government/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/20/executive-order-advancing-racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-government/ https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hr8906/BILLS-116hr8906enr.pdf https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hr8906/BILLS-116hr8906enr.pdf systems and providers. Ultimately, this reporting will assist ACL’s Office of Supportive and Caregiver Services to assess the performance of the Lifespan Respite Program grantees in improving the delivery and quality of respite services for family caregivers of children and adults of all ages with special needs. As such, grantees under this program should expect federal reporting requirements to change over the course of the project and will be expected to comply with those changes when they are implemented.

Applicants should describe how they plan to count and record the experiences of the people being served with these funds as well as the impact of a statewide lifespan respite care system on consumers, their families, and employers. Successful applicants will describe how such data would be collected and presented and do so in concert with current efforts across existing respite programs/funding streams. Applicants may identify consumer-level outcome measure (or measures) of their choosing or draw upon the ARCH National Respite Network and Resource Center’s "MeasuringSystems Change and Consumer Outcomes:

Recommendations for Developing Performance Metrics for State Lifespan Respite Programs" document to assist in the conceptualization, development, and implementation of useful performance metrics, such as caregiver or system change outcomes.

Applicants are encouraged to review the document and consider this information when designing their application for this announcement.

Products

Over the history of the program, grantees have done much to advance Lifespan Respite Care Programs at the state and local levels.

As such, grantee experiences are looked at with interest by other states seeking guidance and direction as they embark on the development of similar programs into the foreseeable future. To more easily facilitate the replication of programs and approaches by other states and to eliminate the need to “reinvent the wheel,” grantees will be asked to submit to ACL and the ACL Lifespan Respite Technical Assistance Center, key products that can serve as resource guides for future Lifespan Respite Care Program development, enhancement, and expansion. Copies of all final products are to be submitted to ACL at the conclusion of the grant.

Participation in Technical Assistance Efforts

Grantees will be expected to participate in technical assistance activities as they pertain to Lifespan Respite Care Program and System development, management, and integration. This includes, but is not limited to, participation in regularly scheduled conference calls, webcasts and one-on-one Technical opportunities initiated by the ACL Project Officer, the Lifespan Respite Program Technical Assistance Resource Center, or as requested by the grantee and stakeholder themselves.

State Project Directors are strongly encouraged to budget resources for travel to and participation in the National Respite Conference, convened annually by ARCH, the Lifespan Respite Technical Assistance and Resource Center. This conference provides participants with the opportunity to learn about the https://archrespite.org/library/measuring-systems-change-and-consumer-outcomes/ latest trends in respite program development and the opportunity to network and share best practices associated with Lifespan Respite Care Program implementation and Lifespan Respite Care System development

Grants/Subcontracts

Grantees may carry out the required activities described above directly or by sub-grant to, or contract with, public or private entities. Due to the nature of this program, the State Project Director must maintain an active role in managing and leading all aspects of the state’s lifespan respite project. Applicants who propose conduit or pass-through funding for another agency to lead the project will not be considered for funding.

Applicants under this funding announcement should clearly describe, if necessary, their processes for sub-granting or sub-contracting specific activities under this funding announcement. Additionally, for those activities undertaken by partner organizations, whether through sub-grants or sub-contracts, applicants should clearly describe how they will provide oversight of all sub-activities to ensure continuity across project areas. Finally, applicants should describe how the State Project Director, along with the stakeholder groups, will guide the design and implementation of the stat ewide lifespan respite care system.

Endnotes

[1] Administration for Community Living (ACL). (2021, September 22). Retrieved March 6, 2023, from ACL.gov: RAISE Family Caregivers Act Initial Report to Congress; page 86

[2] Administration for Community Living (ACL). (2021, November 16). Retrieved March 6, 2023, from ACL.gov: Supporting Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (SGRG) Act Initial Report to Congress; page 49

[3] Administration for Community Living (ACL). (2022, September 21, 2022). Retrieved March 6, 2023, from ACL.gov: 2022 National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers; page 56

Statutory Authority The statutory authority for this program the Lifespan Respite Care Act of 2006 (42 U.S.C 201), as amended.

II. Award Information

Funding Instrument Type:

CA (Cooperative Agreement) Estimated Total Funding:

$5,455,581 Expected Number of Awards:

Award Ceiling:

$400,000 Per Budget Period https://acl.gov/sites/default/files/RAISE-InitialReportToCongress2021_Final.pdf https://acl.gov/sites/default/files/RAISE_SGRG/SGRG-InitialReportToCongress_2021-11-16.pdf https://acl.gov/sites/default/files/RAISE_SGRG/SGRG-InitialReportToCongress_2021-11-16.pdf

Award Floor:

$200,000 Per Budget Period

Length of Project Period:

48-month project period with four 12-month budget periods Additional Information on Project Periods and Explanation of 'Other' ACL recognizes the considerable need for respite services across the country. These grants will be funded annually for 4 years, for a 48-month project period, with four 12-month budget periods. In an effort to ensure robust, expanding lifespan respite programs, ACL expects applicants to request a minimum of $200,000 in federal funding to ensure projects are of sufficient scope and viability to further bridge gaps in existing services.

The amount of Federal funds available for this funding opportunity and the total number of awards issued will depend on the amount of Lifespan Respite Care Program funds remaining after awards are made through the new FY 2023 Lifespan Respite Care Program: Grants to New States and States Re-Establishing Their Core Respite Infrastructures (HHS-2023-ACL-AOA-

LRLR-0017).

Based on the availability of funding, ACL plans to fund approximately fifteen (15) grants under this funding announcement, with a federal funding level of approximately $200,000 to $400,000 per award for a 48-month project period with four 12-month budget periods, pending the availability of federal funds. Not all states who apply for funding will receive grants. Actual award amounts will vary based on the availability of federal funds. States without a current, active grant, followed by states with only one active grant, will be given priority consideration when funding decisions are made.

Funding decisions are at the discretion of the Administrator for ACL. Only those applications ran king the highest in a third-party review will be recommended for funding by the ACL Program Officer.

Successful applicants may be asked to revise their proposals based on smaller-than-requested awards. Eligible state agencies funded under this announcement shall use grant funds solely on lifespan respite care service provision and systemic advancement as outlined in The Act. Funds made available under this announcement shall be used to supplement and must not supplant other Federal, State, and local funds available for respite care services.

This is a new Cooperative Agreement. Once a Cooperative Agreement is in place, requests to modify or amend it or the work plan may be made by ACL/AoA or the awardee at any time as long as it stays within the original confines of the proposed project description. Major changes may affect the integrity of the competitive review process. Modifications and/or amendments of the Cooperative Agreement or work plan shall be effective upon the execution of an award notice. When an award is issued the Cooperative Agreement terms and conditions from the funding opportunity announcement (FOA) are incorporated by reference unless ACL is authorized under the Terms and Conditions of award, 45 CFR Part 75, or other applicable regulation or statute to make unilateral amendments.

The terms and conditions of this Cooperative Agreement includes the following terms:

The ACL/AoA project officer shall carry out the following activities for the Cooperative Agreement:

Collaborate with the grantee in the finalization, execution, and modification of the work plan;

Perform the day-to-day federal responsibilities of managing grants and will work with the grantee to ensure that the minimum requirements of the grant are met;

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

Assist the grantee project leadership in understanding the policy concerns and/or priorities of ACL, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the federal government by conducing periodic briefings and carrying out ongoing consultations.

ACL/AoA will also share information with the grantee about other federally sponsored projects and activities that are relevant to the interest of the grantee and grantee activities.

The grantee shall execute the activities as noted above and the responsibilities of the Cooperative Agreement listed below:

Collaborate with ACL/AoA in the finalization, execution and modification of the work plan;

Fulfill all the requirements of the grant initiative as outlined in this funding opportunity announcement (FOA), as well as carry out project activities as reviewed, approved, and awarded;

Communicate with the ACL/AoA project officer regularly to improve the effectiveness of the activities carried out under this Agreement;

Meet with the ACL/AoA Project Officer, at least semi-annually, or at such other times as are agreed upon by either party to improve the effectiveness of the activities carried out under this Agreement;

Submit the required semi-annual and final progress reports;

Participate in technical assistance efforts as provided by the Lifespan Respite Technical

Assistance and Resource Center (TARC);

Begin using the new semi-annual reporting and data collection tools as required in

Section 2904 of the Act, at such time they are approved for use by OMB; and In accordance with the Stevens Amendment, all HHS grant and cooperative agreement recipients are required to acknowledge federal funding when publicly communicating projects or programs funded through HHS federal financial assistance. You must use the following language when issuing statements, press releases, requests for proposals, bid solicitations, and other ACL supported publications and forums describing projects or programs funded in whole with ACL funding:

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.

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

For FY 2023 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.”

Section 2901(4)of Title XXIX - Lifespan Respite Care Act states that eligible entities are state agencies that administer the State's program under the Older Americans Act of 1965, as amended, or administers the State's program under Title XIX of the Social Security Act, or is designated by the Governor of such State to administer the State's program under this title.

ACL will make funds available to eligible states with no active grant who have had at least one grant in the past, or those with no more than one currently active grant, with no more than one year remaining in their project.

NOTE: This Notice of Funding Opportunity is not intended to fund individual projects at a particular site or location.

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.

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 following formula which you can use to calculate the minimum required match.

(Federal Funds Requested) times (Match Percentage) divided by (Inverse Match Percentage)

Here are examples of varying match levels

A common error applicants make is to match 25% of the Federal share, rather than 25% of the project’s total cost.

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.

Section 2902 (f)(3)(A) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C.201 et seq.), as amended, requires that grantees provide at least 25% match (cash or in-kind) of total costs.

Waivers to these match requirements are not allowed.

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. ACL discourages you from exceeding the minimum match requirement. Applications with a match greater than the mini mum required will not receive additional consideration under the review. Match is one of the responsiveness criteria as noted in Section III, 3 Application Disqualification Factors.

3. Responsiveness and Screening Criteria

Application Responsiveness Criteria Applications will be reviewed to establish responsiveness to the following criteria:

1. Is an eligible State Agency, as outlined in Section III (1) of this Notice of Funding Opportunity announcement;

Federal Funds Requested X Match Percentage / Inverse Match Percentage

Minimum Match Requirement

($100,000 X 5%) / (95%) $5,263

($100,000 X 25%) / (75%) $33,333

($100,000 X 35%) / (65%) $53,846

($100,000 X 45%) / (55%) $81,818

2. Did applicant request the minimum award amount (Award Floor) or more to fund their project; AND

3. Has included in the application package an MOU between the Eligible State Agency and the statewide respite coalition/organization.

Applications that fail to meet the above criteria will not be reviewed and will receive no further consideration.

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 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 f ont size of no less than 11-point, preferably Times New Roman or Arial.

3. The Project Narrative must not exceed 30 pages.

4. Project

Narratives that exceed 30 pages will have the additional pages removed and only the firs t 30 pages of the Project Narrative will be provided to the merit reviewers for funding consideration. NOTE: The Project Work Plan, Budget Narratives, Memorandum of Agreement, Letters of Commitment, and Vitae of Key Project Personnel are not counted as part of the Project Narrative for purposes of the 30-page limit.

Unsuccessful submissions will require authenticated verification from https://www.grants.gov indicating system problems existed at the time of your submission.