Foa_Content_of_HHS-2025-ACL-AOA-ADPI-0027 (1).pdf

Administration for Community Living

Administration on Aging

Alzheimer's Disease Programs Initiative - Dementia Capability in Indian Country

HHS-2025-ACL-AOA-ADPI-0027

08/25/2025

Table of Contents Executive Summary

Additional Overview Content/Executive Summary

Additional Application Elements

Informational Call

I. Funding Opportunity Description

Funding Opportunity Requirements

GENERAL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS/COMPONENTS

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

Project Management

Evaluation

Dissemination

Organizational Capacity Statement

Budget Narrative/Justification

Budget Narrative/Justification

Letters of Commitment from Key Participating Organizations and Agencies

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

4. Submission Dates and Times

WILL INSERT INFORMATIONAL CALL INFO HERE WHEN CLOSE TO PUBLICATION

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

APPENDIX

Definitions

AoA-Sponsored Resource Centers

Application Submission Checklist

Dementia Capability in Indian Country 2025

Activities Matrix

ACL Center:

Administration on Aging Funding Opportunity Title:

Alzheimer's Disease Programs Initiative - Dementia Capability in Indian Country Funding Opportunity Number:

HHS-2025-ACL-AOA-ADPI-0027

Primary CFDA Number:

93.470 Due Date for Letter of Intent:

08/09/2025

Due Date for Applications:

08/25/2025 Date for Informational Conference Call:

08/06/2025 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 goal of this Alzheimer’s Disease Programs Initiative (ADPI) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is to expand capacity to deliver dementia-capable home and community-based services (HCBS) in Indian Country. The Dementia Capability in Indian Country program is intended to support federally recognized tribes, tribal organizations and/or consortiums representing federally recognized tribes in these activities. The dementia-capable systems resulting from activities under this program are expected to provide high quality, strengths-based, person-centered services and supports that help people living with dementia and their caregivers remain independent and safe in their communities.

It is expected that supports, services and education delivered through funded applications will show positive outcomes for both people living with dementia (PLWD) and caregivers. All funded applications will include a third-party evaluation to show program impact/outcomes in the community and support sustainability beyond federal funding. Examples of program outcomes for both PLWD and caregivers from previously funded programs in Indian Country include, increased knowledge of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD), improved quality of life, risk reduction, and decreased stigma, as well as earlier diagnosis and delayed placement in long term care facilities. Programs funded through this NOFO are expected to achieve impact outcomes like the examples provided.

There are two application options in this single NOFO:

Option A: Grants to Tribes and Tribal Entities that are NEW to the ADPI program, and Option B: Grants to Tribes and Tribal Entities that have previously received ADPI grants and intend to expand on previously funded work.

Both Option A or Option B grants may only be used to support new dementia specific training, supports and services. If applicants propose to expand an existing training, support or service, a clear description must be included in the application narrative. No funds may be used to sustain existing dementia training, supports and services or to replace services funded through other federal or non-federal resources.

Applicants for the Dementia in Indian Country program are those that are presently responsible for providing home and community services in tribal communities (i.e. tribes, tribal organizations and/or consortiums representing federally recognized tribes). Applicants for Option A will propose to expand existing service systems to offer and provide dementia-capable services to Tribal Elders and their caregivers. Applicants for Option B will propose the ways to https://www.grants.gov/ build upon on their previously funded ADPI program and continue to expand their ability to deliver dementia-capable services. All applications will demonstrate tribal leadership support and the authority to conduct the activities proposed in their application.

Applications will propose a three-year (36 month) program that includes dementia-capable supports and services for people living with dementia and their caregivers as well as dementia education and training opportunities. Eligible applicants will engage dementia experts and community and government stakeholders to design and deliver proposed programs. Successful applications will include annual project milestones goals in their work plans. Progress toward and achievement of stated goals will inform funding continuation beyond the first year.

Additional Application Elements Highlights of additional program requirements are noted below with further information outlined in the full Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) description:

• Delivery of a minimum of one dementia-specific evidence-based or evidence informed intervention during the grant period. ACL's definitions of evidence-based and evidence informed interventions are provided in the Appendix of this NOFO;

• Inclusion of a robust, third-party, program evaluation, which includes anticipated program outcomes and measures to demonstrate program impact on people living with dementia and their caregivers;

• Partnership with AoA Older Americans Act Title VI Program;

• 10% cost sharing/match;

• Dedication of a percentage of TOTAL (Federal AND Match) grant funds to direct services as defined in the announcement (Year 1: 25%, Year 2: 35%, Year 3: 45%);

• Phased program implementation;

• Inclusion of proposed program milestones in the work plans for each year;

• No single program partner may receive more than 20% of funding (Note: pass-through projects are not-allowable)

• Participation by grantee and partners in an initial and then annual Dementia Capability

Assessment;

• Program deliverables, resources and tools developed with grant funding will not be proprietary in nature. They will be delivered to ACL at the end of the grant period and will remain in the public domain and be posted on the website of ACL's National Alzheimer's and Dementia Resource Center for the benefit of the broader stakeholder community.

• Compliance with ACL ADPI program data collection requirements, and

• Participation in technical assistance opportunities.

Emailed Letters of Intent are requested (but not required) to be submitted 5 days after the NOFO posting date.

Informational Call ACL will host an informational conference call in relation to this NOFO; the call will be recorded and made available to the public immediately following the call.

The call will be recorded and made available to the public immediately following the call.

Wednesday, July 9, 2025 from 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm eastern time

The dial-in information is below:

Toll Free Number: 888-469-1602 Passcode: 9776468

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

Toll Free Instant Replay Number: 866-378-0632 Instant Replay will be available through August 8, 2025

I. Funding Opportunity Description The National Institute on Aging defines dementia, a major cause of impairment among older adults, as the loss of cognitive functioning, thinking, remembering, and reasoning and behavioral abilities, to the extent that it interferes with a person’s daily life and activities.[1] Dementia is an umbrella term for many different types of cognitive impairment. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia; vascular dementia is the second most common. Estimates of the percentage of older persons with dementia vary, but it increases with age. Impairment, from dementia, has different stages. The mildest stage is when it is just beginning to affect a person’s functioning. Eventually, the most severe stage is when the person must depend completely on others to support their basic activities of daily living.

Research shows that American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) people experience some of the highest risk of developing dementia. [2] Age is the most common risk factor for dementia. As the number of Native Americans reaching older ages continues to increase, it is expected that there will be more tribal elders with dementia. Other risk factors for dementia include, but are not limited to, diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease, all of which are common in AI/AN communities. [3] There are 574 federally recognized and sovereign American Indian tribes, nations, pueblos, bands and Alaska Native villages in the United States, each with unique cultures, traditions and languages. Some tribes do not have a term that translates to dementia. [4] The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that the number of AI/AN 65 and older living with dementia will grow to five times its current size by 2060. [5] Tribes would benefit from culturally competent, dementia-specific supports, services and educational resources to support tribal elders and their caregivers.

Alzheimer's disease is responsible, at least in part, for an estimated 60 percent of cases of dementia. The CDC reports that one in six AI/ANs aged 45 and older has reported difficulties in memory or thinking which could be a sign of future dementia risk. [6] A number of conditions may cause dementia-like symptoms, including dehydration, malnutrition, hearing loss, and depression. Medication mismanagement can also result in the appearance of dementia. People with dementia and their caregivers use a broad range of home and community-based services (HCBS) available from public and private sector providers. It is very important to identify and treat these conditions correctly and also provide appropriate referrals to dementia-capable supports, services and education for people living with dementia and their family caregivers.

Given the impact of the dementia on people and communities, the HCBS systems that wish to be dementia-capable should consider adopting key aspects of a dementia-capable HCBS model. A dementia-capable HCBS system should:

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

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

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

4. Educate service providers to identify possible dementia and understand the symptoms and appropriate supportive services.

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

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

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

Information on how HCBS providers can become dementia-capable, to increase their ability to help people with dementia and their caregivers can be found in ACL’s paper entitled Dementia Capable States and Communities: Lessons Learned from Administration on Aging Grantees.

Dementia-capable services within a HCBS system builds on existing programs from both private and public sectors. Public sector partners/programs include, but are not limited to, tribes or tribal organizations including their Title VI programs, Area Agencies on Aging, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

The ADPI is not intended as a program funding "research"; in fact, “research” projects will not be funded. The program is designed to pilot much-needed dementia-capable HCBS programs to communities, evaluate program outcomes and use program outcome data to secure support to sustain successful initiatives beyond the Federal program period. The ADPI grant program is intended to advance non-clinical, social models of HCBS in support of people living with dementia and their caregivers.

1. National Institute on Aging. What Is Dementia? Symptoms, Types, and Diagnosis.

Accessed April 8, 2025 at https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimers-and-dementia/whatdementia-symptoms-types-and-diagnosis .

2. National Institute on Aging. Can I Prevent Dementia? Accessed April 8, 2025 at https://www.alzheimers.gov/life-with-dementia/can-i-prevent-dementia

3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Healthy Brain Initiative: Road Map for American Indian and Alaska Native Peoples. Accessed April 10, 2025 at Healthy Brain Initiative: Road Map for American Indian and Alaska Native Peoples | Alzheimer's Disease Program | CDC.

4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Healthy Brain Initiative: Road Map for American Indian and Alaska Native Peoples. Accessed April 10, 2025 at Healthy Brain Initiative: Road Map for American Indian and Alaska Native Peoples | Alzheimer's Disease Program | CDC.

https://nadrc.acl.gov/details?search1=93 https://nadrc.acl.gov/details?search1=93 https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimers-and-dementia/what-dementia-symptoms-types-and-diagnosis https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimers-and-dementia/what-dementia-symptoms-types-and-diagnosis https://www.alzheimers.gov/life-with-dementia/can-i-prevent-dementia https://www.cdc.gov/aging-programs/php/nhbi/aian-peoples-road-map.html https://www.cdc.gov/aging-programs/php/nhbi/aian-peoples-road-map.html https://www.cdc.gov/aging-programs/php/nhbi/aian-peoples-road-map.html https://www.cdc.gov/aging-programs/php/nhbi/aian-peoples-road-map.html https://www.cdc.gov/aging-programs/php/nhbi/aian-peoples-road-map.html

5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Healthy Brain Initiative: Road Map for American Indian and Alaska Native Peoples. Accessed April 10, 2025 at Healthy Brain Initiative: Road Map for American Indian and Alaska Native Peoples | Alzheimer's Disease Program | CDC.

6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Healthy Brain Initiative: Road Map for American Indian and Alaska Native Peoples. Accessed April 10, 2025 at Healthy Brain Initiative: Road Map for American Indian and Alaska Native Peoples | Alzheimer's Disease Program | CDC.

Funding Opportunity Requirements

GENERAL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS/COMPONENTS

All applicants to this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) are subject to the General program items listed below and must consider and include all of them in the development of their application, work, and evaluation plans.

Phased Implementation Successful applicants will propose a phased approach to their projects. A description of the phases follows:

Planning Phase: The period during which the grantee, ACL and the National Alzheimer’s and Dementia Resource Center (NADRC) Teams work together to finalize the Work and Evaluation Plans, to ensure they align with the ACL program intent. The resulting plans are the ACL approved roadmaps for grantee goals, objectives, and milestone targets. During the planning phase, and before entering the implementation phase, all grantees and their partners will complete ACL's Dementia-Capability Assessment Tool to establish a baseline for program evaluation activities. Grantees will work with the NADRC staff to provide the assessment to their partners. The NADRC will collect and analyze the results and deliver them to the grantee.

The assessment activity is not expected to be part of the required 3rd party evaluation activities.

Applicants are to propose a Planning Phase of not less than 6 months from the grant award.

During this planning phase, grantees will have access to 15% of Year One grant funding to complete the work and evaluation plans. The remaining 85% of funding will be available when the planning phase is complete. ACL will be actively involved during the Planning Phase to ensure that all ACL program objectives outlined in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) are addressed in the final plans. To conclude the Planning Phase the grantee must have received ACL’s approval of their work and evaluation plans and uploaded those plans, and the related budget, into the reporting system. The grantee and all relevant partners will have completed the initial Dementia-Capability Assessment Tool and participated in a “Planning Phase Exit Conference”.

Implementation Phase: The period during which grantees implement their approved work and evaluation plans to accomplish their goals, objectives, and milestone targets. All grantees and their partners will complete annual Dementia Capability Assessments, each fall, over the course of the grant period.

Milestone Model The three-year grant program uses a program milestones model to show program progress.

https://www.cdc.gov/aging-programs/php/nhbi/aian-peoples-road-map.html https://www.cdc.gov/aging-programs/php/nhbi/aian-peoples-road-map.html https://www.cdc.gov/aging-programs/php/nhbi/aian-peoples-road-map.html https://www.cdc.gov/aging-programs/php/nhbi/aian-peoples-road-map.html

Milestones are the points in the project where targeted project outcomes are occurring and signaling program progress. Each program work plan will include at least one milestone for each budget year and include the steps toward achieving those milestones. In addition to the availability of funding, progress in achieving milestone targets will be included in the considerations for funding program continuation years.

Examples of program milestones include:

Year 1 (Focus on Capacity Building):

• Complete Planning Phase of Grant

• Develop or adapt existing dementia training and education program to create culturally competent program designed to build awareness of dementia in Indian Country;

• Train home and community-based service providers, family caregivers and community members in dementia.

Year 2 (Focus on Intervention Implementation):

• Modify evidence-based or evidenced informed (EB/EI) intervention for delivery with cultural competence;

• Train staff in culturally competent EB/EI intervention delivery;

• Recruit and enroll participants in intervention and deliver intervention, collecting evaluation data to demonstrate impact.

Year 3 (Focus on Program Sustainability):

• Use data collected and related impact analysis to support sustainability and secure leadership buy-in for future resources to sustain successful programs;

• Implement program sustainability plan to sustain successful programs after federal funding ends.

Delivery of Evidence-Based/Evidence-Informed (EB/EI) Intervention:

All applicants must identify, by name, and describe the dementia-specific, evidence-based or evidence-informed intervention proposed for the grant. This would include how it fits into their proposed overall program and the people who will benefit from its delivery. The chosen intervention must fit the definitions outlined below.

Evidence-based programs or interventions: These are interventions that have been tested through randomized controlled trials and are: 1) effective at improving, maintaining, or slowing the decline in the health or functional status of older people or family caregivers; 2) suitable for deployment through community-based human services organizations and involve non-clinical workers and/or volunteers in the delivery of the intervention; 3) the research results have been published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal; and 4) the intervention has been translated into practice and is ready for distribution through community-based human services organizations.

Evidence-informed interventions: These are interventions that have substantive research evidence that demonstrates an ability to improve, maintain, or slow the decline in the health and functional status of older people or family caregivers. For the purposes of this announcement, an evidence-informed intervention is one that has: 1) been tested by at least one quasi-experimental design with a comparison group, with at least 50 participants; OR 2) is an adaptation or translation of a single evidence-based intervention.

An example of an evidence-based dementia-specific intervention that can be delivered, with fidelity, in Tribal communities is the Virtual Dementia Tour, an experiential training to increase dementia awareness/knowledge and reduce stigma. Evidence-based dementia-specific interventions adapted for cultural competency are considered evidence-informed. Examples of culturally competent evidence-informed dementia-specific interventions would include REACH Community, which was modified to create REACH into Indian Country and SAVVY Caregiver in Indian Country.

Examples of dementia-specific evidence-based and evidence-informed interventions implemented through ACL state and community grant programs can be found in ACL's NADRC's paper entitled Grantee-Implemented Evidence-Based and Evidence-Informed Interventions. Best Programs for Caregiving, a free online database of proven dementia programs for family caregivers, is another excellent resource for identifying dementia-specific evidence based interventions. ACL's National Alzheimer's and Dementia Resource Center (NADRC) created a resource to support the selection of dementia-specific EB/EI interventions to meet applicants needs: Choosing an Evidence-Based or Evidence-Informed Intervention:

Considerations to Inform Decision-Making.

Evidence-based and evidence-informed interventions implemented through the program should demonstrate impact/outcomes for persons living with dementia and their caregivers. Applicants must identify in the project narrative and in the project evaluation plan the intended, measurable outcomes (i.e. increased knowledge, improved quality of life, reduced stigma, etc.) of the proposed dementia-specific intervention, as well as providing estimates of persons served by each programmatic component. ACL's NADRC created a resource to support program evaluation: Evaluating Dementia Services and Supports: Instrument Resource List that could provide assistance in identifying desired measurable outcomes of program activities. The list is simply resources used in previously funded grants, grantees may work with their evaluators to create new tools to evaluate the impact of their work. All program activities identified as “direct services” are required to be included in the program evaluation.

Direct Service Requirement All successful applicants are required to dedicate a portion of the total program budget to providing direct services to people living with dementia and caregivers. All funded projects will dedicate the following percentage of the total program budget to direct services: Year 1: 25%, Year 2: 35%, Year 3: 45%.

Direct services come in many forms, in addition to training and education other direct services include, but are not limited to, respite care (i.e. home health aide and companion services). A definition of direct service is provided in the NOFO Appendix. Program activities identified as “direct service” and expected to support the requirement must be evaluated to demonstrate their impact on the people who receive the service. Budget narratives included in the application must clearly indicate where direct service funding is located, to ensure intent to meet the requirement.

Data Collection Grantees are required to collect information on services provided under the authority of existing or future approved data collections.

https://nadrc.acl.gov/details?search1=20221214043701 https://nadrc.acl.gov/details?search1=20221214043701 https://bpc.caregiver.org/ https://nadrc.acl.gov/details?search1=20210126080816 https://nadrc.acl.gov/details?search1=20210126080816 https://nadrc.acl.gov/details?search1=70

Evaluation All successful grant applications MUST include a plan for a robust, third-party evaluation of the services provided with grant funding. A “third-party” is one that is not engaged in proposed program activities beyond development and implementation of the program's evaluation plan and reports. Individuals or organizations involved in the development or implementation of any component of the proposed program would not qualify as "third party" evaluator.

At the beginning of funded projects, grantees and their partners will conduct a baseline assessment of the dementia-capability of their existing systems. The NADRC developed the Dementia Capability Assessment Tool to measure the dementia capability of grantees and their partners. Grantees will work with the NADRC staff to deliver the assessment tool to their partners. The assessment helps to refine program goals, objectives and milestones, as well as monitoring and reporting. The baseline information provides a basis to track program progress toward greater dementia-capability. The NADRC analyzes results and delivers them to the grantee. Grantees and their partners will agree to conduct assessments each year of program funding.

Applications are scored on the inclusion of a robust, third-party, evaluation plan which demonstrates the impact of each of the direct services and supports implemented with grant funding. Evaluations should, at a minimum, demonstrate the impact of program services and goal achievement. Over the grant period, it is expected that each grantee will evaluate outcomes tied to numerous grant funded services and supports for people living with dementia and caregivers.

Applicants should include in their evaluation plans impact outcome goals and the associated measures for all direct services. The outcomes must be designed to demonstrate their impact on the target audience (persons living with dementia, caregivers, community members, etc.). ACL will NOT fund any project that does not include measurable outcomes.

The impact outcomes proposed in the evaluation plan must align with the activities proposed for implementation with grant funding (work plan). Potential project impact outcomes are informed by the proposed grant activities and may include, but are not limited to, increased knowledge, improved quality of life (for people living with dementia/caregivers), dementia risk reduction, decreased stigma, early diagnosis and delayed placement in long-term care facilities. To demonstrate the overall ADPI funding impact on people living with dementia, all proposed projects must include at least one project component through which they will measure the support/service’s impact on the quality of life of persons living with dementia.

More information on evaluation expectations is in Section V of this NOFO.

Technical Assistance All grantees are required to participate in technical assistance activities to support program development, management and integration. This includes, but is not limited to, participation in regularly scheduled technical assistance conference calls, webinars, as well as group and one-on-one technical assistance opportunities initiated by ACL staff, resource center staff or the grantees.

Statutory Authority Older Americans Act/Title IV: Sec. 411

II. Award Information https://nadrc.acl.gov/details?search1=117

Funding Instrument Type:

CA (Cooperative Agreement) Estimated Total Funding:

$2,000,000 Expected Number of Awards:

Award Ceiling:

$300,000 Per Budget Period

Award Floor:

$200,000 Per Budget Period

Length of Project Period:

36-month project period with three 12-month budget periods Additional Information on Project Periods and Explanation of 'Other' The projects will be 36-month awards with three 12-month budget periods. Funded three-year programs will be designed in single year increments with well-defined required milestones.

Continuation funding for each year is contingent upon both the achievement of annual program milestones and the availability of Federal funding.

Option A (NEW): Award Ceiling: $250,000/Floor $200,000 per Budget Period

Option B (Expansion): Award Ceiling: $300,000/Floor $250,000 per Budget Period

Awards made are subject to terms provided for in the Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreement Act of 1977 (P.L. 95-224). The cooperative agreement provides for the substantial involvement and collaboration of ACL/AoA in activities that the recipient organization will carry out in accordance with the provisions of the approved award.

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 program announcement are incorporated by reference unless ACL/AOA is authorized under the Terms and Conditions of award, 45 CFR Part 75, or other applicable regulation or statute to make unilateral amendments.

The grantee agrees to execute the responsibilities outlined below:

1. Fulfill all requirements of the grant initiative as outlined in this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), as well as carry out project activities as reviewed, approved, and awarded;

2. Communicate with the ACL/AoA Project Officer and/or the assigned technical assistance liaison regularly to support the activities carried out as part of this Agreement;

3. Conduct a baseline assessment of project dementia-capability (grantee and all appropriate partners) and annual reassessments each fall through the duration of the project;

4. Produce and submit to the ACL/AoA Project Officer, at the conclusion of the project, a program report/manual (including and tools, resources developed with grant funding) and an independent evaluation report describing how the project was conducted and goals, program outcomes that were achieved, as well as program components sustained beyond the program funding period. The report would also include ways in which barriers to goal achievement were addressed. Reminder: Nothing developed with grant funding is proprietary, final versions of all grant developed tools/resources will be open source and delivered to ACL, in their original format (ppx, Word, etc, not PDF versions) to be made available to the broader stakeholder community on ACL's NADRC website;

5. Cooperate with any Federal evaluation efforts and comply with the timeline, content and format of all required data collection and reporting requirements (see Section VI-3 for more detail). Submit to the ACL/AoA 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” (p. II-69, Footnote 18);

6. Participate in program technical assistance activities as organized by the ACL/AoA Project Officer and the technical assistance team; and

7. Include the following disclaimer on all products produced using this grant 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.

The ACL/AoA Project Officer agrees to execute the responsibilities outlined below:

1. Perform the day-to-day Federal responsibilities of managing a grant initiative and work with the grantee to ensure that grant requirements are met;

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

3. Assist the grantee project leadership in understanding the strategic goals and objectives, policy perspectives, and priorities of AoA, ACL, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; and about other federally-sponsored projects and activities relevant to activities funded under this announcement;

4. Provide technical advice to the grantee on the tasks related to achieving the goals and objectives of this grant;

5. Attend and participate in major project events as appropriate; and

6. Communicate with the grantee project director regularly to improve the effectiveness of the activities carried out under this Agreement.

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants This is a Limited Competition Notice of Funding Opportunity. Eligible applicant are Tribes, Tribal Organizations and/or consortiums representing federally recognized Tribes.

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

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

The Federal match required for the Dementia Capability in Indian Country program is 10% (cash and/or in-kind). All applicants are required to comply with the 10% match requirement outlined in Notice of Funding Opportunity.

There are two types of match: 1) non-Federal cash and 2) non-Federal in-kind. In general, costs borne by the applicant and cash contributions of any and all third parties involved in the project, including sub-grantees, contractors and consultants, are considered matching funds.

Volunteered time and use of facilities to hold meetings or conduct project activities may be considered in-kind (third-party) donations.

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

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

ACL discourages applicant agencies exceeding the minimum match requirement.

Applications with a match greater than the minimum required will not receive more favorable 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

All applications will go through an initial programmatic screening to verify that the applicant meets the minimum responsiveness criteria. Applications will be reviewed to establish responsiveness to the following criteria.

All applications will go through an initial programmatic screening to verify that the applicant meets the NOFO criteria. Those applicants that do not meet the minimum responsiveness criteria outlined below will be "screened out" and will not be forwarded for panel review.

The responsive project applicant:

1. Is an eligible Tribe, Tribal Organization and/or consortiums representing federally recognized Tribes;

2. Demonstrates existing responsibility for and active provision of home and community-based services and supports in the tribal community proposed for dementia service delivery;

3. Include a signed resolution(s) permitting the tribe/tribal organization to apply for the ADPI Dementia-Capability in Indian Country funding opportunity. If the organization is applying as a consortium, a signed letter from organization leadership authorizing consortium application is required.

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

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

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

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

3. The Project Narrative must not exceed 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 http://www.grants.gov indicating system problems existed at the time of your submission. For example, you will be required to provide an http://www.grants.gov submission error notification and/or tracking number in order to substantiate missing the application deadline.

IV. Application and Submission Information

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

http://www.grants.gov http://www.grants.gov http://www.grants.gov https://www.grants.gov/ 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 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:

SAM.GOV Quick Start Guide for Financial Assistance Registrations.

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.

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/ http://www.sam.gov/ https://www.fsd.gov/sys_attachment.do?sys_id=54e0016fdb3bbd90a8cb4a3913961934

• The Federal Government will transition from the DUNS Number to the New Unique Entity Identifier. As of April of 2022, the federal government stopped 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.

• You must submit all documents electronically, including all information included on the SF424 and all necessary assurances and certifications. In accordance with the Federal Government’s efforts to reduce reporting burden for recipients of federal financial assistance, the general certification and representation requirements contained in the Standard Form 424B (SF-424B) – Assurances – Non-Construction Programs, and the Standard Form 424D (SF-424D) – Assurances – Construction Programs, have been standardized federal-wide. Effective January 1, 2020, the updated common certification and representation requirements will be stored and maintained within SAM.

Organizations or individuals applying for federal financial assistance as of January 1, 2020, must validate the federally required common certifications and representations annually through SAM located at SAM.gov.

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

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

Kari Benson

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Aging

Administration for Community Living/Administration on Aging

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

Email address: aoa.oaa@acl.hhs.gov

Please include the Notice of Funding Opportunity number in the subject line of email communications.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

Letter of Intent Number of Days from Publication 15

08/09/2025 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:

https://www.grants.gov https://www.grants.gov https://www.grants.gov mailto:aoa.oaa@acl.hhs.gov

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

The deadline for submission of the letter of intent is 15 days after the publication of the FOA.

Letters of intent should be sent to:

Kari Benson, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living at aoa.oaa@acl.hhs.gov

Please include the Notice of Funding Opportunity number in the subject line of Letter of Intent email communications.

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 15 to 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 Work and Evaluation Plans, Letters of Commitment, and Vitae/resumes of Key Personnel are submitted as attachments and are not counted as part of the Project Narrative for purposes of the 20-page limit, but all other sections noted below are included in the limit.

The sample components of the Project Narrative counted as part of the 20 page limit include:

• Summary/Abstract

• Problem Statement

• Goal(s) and Objective(s)

• Proposed Intervention

• Special Target Populations and Organizations

• Outcomes

• Project Management

• Evaluation

• Dissemination

• Organizational Capability

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

mailto:aoa.oaa@acl.hhs.gov

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

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

Problem Statements must include descriptions of:

• The impact of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) on the community and population that you serve;

• The trainings and services presently available to address ADRD in the community you serve, if any;

• The existing dementia-capability of the home and community-based service system within which you operate and how it relates to the target population;

• Describe existing service gaps that the applicant will address…