HHS_2021_ACL_AOA_INNU_0084.pdf

Administration for Community Living

Administration on Aging

Innovations in Nutrition Programs and Services - Community Research

HHS-2021-ACL-AOA-INNU-0084

05/24/2021

Table of Contents Executive Summary

Additional Overview Content/Executive Summary

I. Funding Opportunity Description

II. Award Information

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

3. Responsiveness and Screening Criteria

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Address to Request Application Package

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

Letter of Intent

Project Narrative

Summary/Abstract

Problem Statement

Goals and Objectives

Proposed Intervention and Approach

Outcomes

Project Management and Organizational Capacity

Evaluation

Dissemination

Budget Narrative/Justification

Work Plan

Letters of Commitment from Key Participating Organizations and Agencies

3. Submission Dates and Times

4. Intergovernmental Review

5. Funding Restrictions

6. Other Submission Requirements

V. Application Review Information

1. Criteria

2. Review and Selection Process

3. Anticipated Announcement Award Date

VI. Award Administration Information

1. Award Notices

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

3. Reporting

4. FFATA and FSRS Reporting

VII. Agency Contacts

VIII. Other Information

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

Appendix

Instructions for Completing Required Forms

Budget Narrative/Justification- Sample Format

Instructions for Completing the Project Summary/ Abstract

ACL Center:

Administration on Aging Funding Opportunity Title:

Innovations in Nutrition Programs and Services - Community Research Funding Opportunity Number:

HHS-2021-ACL-AOA-INNU-0084

Primary CFDA Number:

93.045 Due Date for Letter of Intent:

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

05/24/2021 Date for Informational Conference Call:

04/14/2021 Applications that fail to meet the application due date will not be reviewed and will receive no further consideration. You are strongly encouraged to submit your application a minimum of 3-5 days prior to the application closing date. Do not wait until the last day in the event you encounter technical difficulties, either on your end or, with https://www.grants.gov. Grants.gov can take up to 48 hours to notify you of a successful submission.

Executive Summary Additional Overview Content/Executive Summary Through this funding opportunity, the Administration on Aging (AoA), part of the Administration for Community Living (ACL), plans to award approximately 5 cooperative agreements to domestic public or private non-profit entities for a 36 month project period, pending the availability of funding.

https://www.grants.gov/

This funding opportunity provides for competitive grants to be awarded under the Older Americans Act (OAA) Title III authority to develop and implement evidence-based practices for enhancing senior nutrition programs.

An innovation funded through this announcement must:

Test and validate new programs or practices developed during COVID-19 that have shown some level of effectiveness and have strong potential for replication by the aging services network and sustainability using OAA Title IIIC-1 funding.

These cooperative agreements have an anticipated start date of September 1, 2021.

An informational conference call will be held on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 from 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm EST. The dial-in information is below:

Toll Free Number: 888-982-7409

Passcode: 6111685

A recording will be available approximately one hour after the call concludes at the following number:

Toll Free Playback Number: 888-293-8913

I. Funding Opportunity Description Background Overview of the Senior Nutrition Program (SNP) The Older Americans Act (OAA), administered by the Administration for Community Living, (ACL) provides funding to support a wide array of home and community-based services (HCBS) within a long-term services and support system. The purpose of these services is to maximize the independence, well-being and health of older adults and allow them to live at home for as long as possible. The OAA Senior Nutrition Program (SNP) helps older Americans remain healthy and independent in their communities by providing meals and related services in a variety of community settings (including congregate facilities, such as senior centers) and via home-delivery to older adults. ACL funds services in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and five territories through a network of 622 area agencies on aging and more than 7,000 local nutrition service providers through Title III [1]. Services are provided to adults age 60 and older and spouses of any age in Title III programs. The OAA creates an option for programs to offer meals to limited, additional populations; further eligibility criteria are determined by states and local entities. [1] In addition to the Title III program in states and territories, the OAA funds nutrition services for American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians. Native American Nutrition and Supportive Services, Title VI, provides grants to over 276 eligible tribal organizations to promote the delivery of Nutrition and Home and Community-Based Supportive Services to Native elders through Title VI [2] In Title VI programs, the tribal organization determines eligibility age.

The purposes of the SNP are to: a) reduce hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition, b) promote socialization, and c) promote health and well-being by delaying the onset of adverse health conditions and assisting individuals in gaining access to nutrition and other disease prevention and health promotion services that delay the onset of health conditions resulting from poor nutritional health or sedentary behavior. Services target older adults who are low-income, minority, rural, those with limited English proficiency and those at risk for institutionalization.

The SNP includes congregate and home-delivered meals, nutrition screening, assessment, counseling and education, as well as opportunities to increase human connection. Meals are required to meet the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans as well as the Dietary Reference Intakes. OAA programming is person-centered and provides a mix of services to meet the widely differing needs of a diverse population of older adults.[3] These services help older adults maintain their physical, mental and social health and manage nutrition-related diseases such as heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes.[4] SNP participants benefit from information on healthy aging and access to additional HCBS services such as transportation, benefits counseling, physical activity programs, and evidence-based workshops (eg, chronic disease self-management, falls prevention, etc). Additional purposes of OAA services, including nutrition services, focus on addressing the social determinants of health, which are defined in Healthy People 2030 as "the conditions in the environments in which people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age that affect a wide range of health, functioning, and quality-of-life outcomes and risks." Social determinants of health include access to healthy food, food security, social connectedness and availability of community-based nutrition programs. [5]

It is critical that ACL work with the aging services network to validate and/or test new models especially in light of COVID-19 to modernize services to ensure that nutrition services are achieving their intended outcomes, and that every dollar is spent effectively to ensure the sustainability of these services. Translating the knowledge generated by this research into evidence-based models for delivering the SNP and programs at the community level is essential to ensuring the continued efficacy and efficiency of the nutrition programs. Applicants should reference previously funded ACL Innovation in Nutrition projects to prevent duplication of efforts [6].

Coronavirus Impacts Due to the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the SNP has experienced significant transformations in service types and delivery methods as well as surge in numbers of persons served by the program. Stay-at-home orders, illness and heightened vulnerability of older adults to the virus– along with the closing of many workplaces, senior centers and meal sites – has and continues to greatly impact the SNP eligible population as well as the SNP workforce (including volunteers), resources (food, protective equipment, etc), services (groceries, grab-and-go meals, etc) and operations (delivery frequency, virtual programming, data collection, etc). Guidelines and information regarding these changes, as well as funding and financial requirements, are fully detailed at the ACL website. [7,8] COVID-19 has shifted service delivery almost exclusively to home delivered meals. ACL is therefore interested in applications which propose potentially successful approaches of transitioning to and sustaining congregate meal programs and provision of nutrition education for this funding announcement.

Purpose and Goals of this Announcement:

The purpose of this funding opportunity is to verify the effectiveness of SNP innovative programs or practices implemented during COVID-19 that positively impact participants. Project goals and outcomes must relate to the OAA SNP intents (specifically: a) reduce hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition, b) promote socialization, and c) promote health and well-being by delaying the onset of adverse health conditions, through the provision of meals and associated nutrition services to vulnerable older adults who are in greatest social and economic need.).

Proposed projects must have strong potential for replication by the aging services network and sustainability using OAA Title IIIC-1 funding.

Applications should include approaches for measuring the effectiveness of innovative programs or practices that support transitioning to and sustaining congregate meal programs and delivering impactful nutrition education. Examples of potential program ideas are listed below (not an exclusive list, offered for context):

• Virtual congregate meal sites which target former congregate participants and offer health promotion, nutrition education and social connections.

• New types of congregate meal sites like drive-in movie venues, restaurants, small buddy programs, food trucks and yoga in the park.

• Phone, TV, computer or hybrid (part virtual, part in-person) models to provide social connections, health and well-being programming and nutrition education during meal times.

• SNP meals and nutrition services combined with USDA collaborations for additional food, SNAP benefits and interactive nutrition education to enhance participant health, reduce food insecurity, and offer socialization opportunities.

• Providing socially-distant SNP services such as volunteer meal buddies, intergenerational activities including telephone connections, combining food trucks with physical activity or other Title III and Title VI HCBS services, etc. including in areas with limited internet, rural or frontier areas.

• Collaboration with Universities, Extension offices or Tribal Colleges, Indian Health Services, libraries, local businesses, restaurants and YMCAs to sustainably enhance SNP operations, meals, nutrition education and services.

• Development of a holistic service package with virtual/socially distant HCBS services including grab-and-go person-centered meals via fee-for-service private pay, virtual evidence-based health promotion workshops and volunteer/peer phone social connection networks.

Innovations must align with health equity approaches [9] and the OAA by targeting services to underserved older adults with greatest social and economic need, to permit such individuals to remain in home and community-based settings. The at-risk population should include older adults who formerly participated in the congregate nutrition program and other community-based programs, whose activity levels, access to healthy food, as well as opportunities to connect socially with others, grocery shop, obtain medical care, and exercise may have declined or changed significantly during COVID-19. These individuals, who previously were vigorous and independent, may have experienced declines in nutritional health, food security, physical capabilities, mental health and social connection.

Applicants’ proposals must focus on creating partnerships between Universities, Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), or other research organizations in collaboration with aging services network organizations to test innovative programs or practices for the SNP. Testing and evaluating efforts should focus on enhancing the quality, effectiveness and sustainability of older adult nutrition programs services, in times of emergencies but also sustainable during non-emergency situations.

Note: An applicant should consult ACL programmatic evaluations of the SNP [10], the National Survey of OAA Participants [10], relevant national datasets [11,12] and the Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR) [13] when preparing its application.

Projects funded through this announcement must:

Focus on measuring the effectiveness of innovative Title III programs and practices implemented since the start of COVID-19. Applicants should ask themselves the question, "Is this program or practice truly innovative and has it improved service recipient outcomes?" when conceptualizing ideas.

A separate announcement (HHS-2021-ACL-AOA-INNU-0074) invites Innovations in Nutrition Services and Program applications with a focus on Statewide Research projects.

[1] Administration for Community Living. Nutrition Services. https://acl.gov/programs/health-wellness/nutrition-services [2] Administration for Community Living, Services for Native Americans, https://acl.gov/programs/services-native-americans-oaa-title-vi [3] Administration for Community Living, Program Evaluations and Reports, https://acl.gov/programs/program-evaluations-and-reports# [4] Administration for Community Living, Aging and Disability Networks, https://acl.gov/programs/aging-and-disability-networks [5] Department of Health and Human Services Office of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention. (2021) Healthy People 2030, Social Determinants of Health.

https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/social-determinants-health [6] Administration for Community Living, Innovations in Nutrition Programs and Services, https://acl.gov/programs/nutrition/innovations-nutrition-programs-and-services-0 [7] Administration for Community Living, Coronavirus 2019, https://acl.gov/COVID-19 [8] Administration for Community Living, Programs, Survival Guide: Navigating COVID-19 Guidance for Those Administering Title IIIC Programs. https://acl.gov/programs/survival-guide-navigating-covid-19-guidance-those-administering-title-iiic-programs [9] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Health Equity.

https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/healthequity/index.htm [10] Administration for Community Living, Program Areas, Health, Wellness and Nutrition, Nutrition Services (Programmatic Evaluation). https://acl.gov/programs/health-wellness/nutrition-services [11] Administration for Community Living, AGing, Independence, and Disability (AGID) Data Portal, Aging and Disability Data Files. https://agid.acl.gov/DataFiles/ [12] US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Research, Datasets.

https://www.ars.usda.gov/research/datasets/ [13] Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research, https://www.openicpsr.org/openicpsr/

Statutory Authority Department of Defense and Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act and the Older Americans Act section 411.

https://acl.gov/programs/health-wellness/nutrition-services https://acl.gov/programs/health-wellness/nutrition-services https://acl.gov/programs/services-native-americans-oaa-title-vi https://acl.gov/programs/program-evaluations-and-reports https://acl.gov/programs/aging-and-disability-networks https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/social-determinants-health https://acl.gov/programs/nutrition/innovations-nutrition-programs-and-services-0 https://acl.gov/COVID-19 https://acl.gov/programs/survival-guide-navigating-covid-19-guidance-those-administering-title-iiic-programs https://acl.gov/programs/survival-guide-navigating-covid-19-guidance-those-administering-title-iiic-programs https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/healthequity/index.htm https://acl.gov/programs/health-wellness/nutrition-services https://acl.gov/programs/health-wellness/nutrition-services https://agid.acl.gov/DataFiles/ https://www.ars.usda.gov/research/datasets/ https://www.openicpsr.org/openicpsr/

II. Award Information Funding Instrument Type:

CA (Cooperative Agreement) Estimated Total Funding:

$ 1,500,000 Expected Number of Awards:

Award Ceiling:

$ 300,000 Per Budget Period

Award Floor:

$ 300,000 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' Through this funding opportunity, the Administration on Aging (AoA), part of the Administration for Community Living (ACL), plans to award approximately 5 cooperative agreements to domestic public or private non-profit entities for a 36 month project period, pending the availability of funding.

Under this competition, AoA/ACL will award cooperative agreements in the amount of $300,000 for each of the three 12-month budget periods, subject to availability of funds. This award is competitive, and applications will be evaluated in part on applicants’ stated plan of action and their demonstrated capacity to effectively and expeditiously begin implementing their grant activities within sixty days of their grant award. As provided by the terms of the Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreement Act of 1977 (P.L. 95-224), this funding opportunity announcement will result in a cooperative agreement which 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 grant award.

The grantee agrees to execute the responsibilities outlined below:

1. Participate in technical assistance related calls at least monthly, or at such other times as are agreed upon, to improve the effectiveness of the activities carried out under this Agreement.

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

3. Collaborate with ACL in the planning and finalization of the evaluation plan.

4. Collaborate with ACL in the execution of the work plan and in understanding the programmatic and budgetary issues of the project. Based on these discussions and emerging issues in the field, if necessary, the grantee will revise the project work plan and/or budget detailing expectations for major activities and products.

5. Commit to sending at least one project representative to two nutrition and/or aging-relevant conferences a year. The identification of the conferences will be mutually agreed upon by the

ACL project officer and the Project Director.

6. Participate in any national evaluations of the program(s) they have proposed.

7. Commit to sending 1-2 project staff to a yearly Innovations in Nutrition grantee convening.

Attendance is expected annually for the duration of your grant activities (including any no-cost extension period, if applicable). As part of that commitment, include funds in your budgets for each budget year for 1-2 people to attend the convening (assume Washington, D.C. per diem amount).

8. Participate in dissemination related activities such as webinars and conference sessions as requested by the ACL project officer (minimum once annually).

9. Commit to developing a "how to guide" as advised by the ACL project officer for potential aging services network replication of this project type.

10. Include the following disclaimer on all products produced using this grant funding: “This project was supported, in part by grant number 90XX####, from the Administration for Community Living, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201.

Grantees undertaking projects with government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official ACL policy.”

The AoA project officer agrees to execute the responsibilities outlined below:

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

2. Provide technical advice and assistance in conjunction with the National Resource Center on Nutrition and Aging to the grantee regarding project activities related to the fulfillment of the goals and objectives of this grant.

3. Communicate with the grantee principle investigator at least once monthly, or at such other times as are agreed upon, to improve the effectiveness of the activities carried under this Agreement.

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

III. Eligibility Information

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

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

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

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

Under this cooperative agreement, ACL/AoA 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. 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. Volunteered time and use of facilities to hold meetings or conduct project activities may be considered in-kind (third party) donations. Examples of non-Federal cash match includes budgetary funds provided from the applicant agency’s budget for costs associated with the AoA Applications with a match greater than the minimum required will not receive additional consideration under the review. Match is not one of the responsiveness criteria as noted in Section III, 3 Application Screening Criteria.

3. Responsiveness and Screening Criteria Application Responsiveness Criteria Applications that fail to meet the responsiveness criteria described below will 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.

http://www.grants.gov/

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

3. The Project Narrative must not exceed 20 pages. Project Narratives that exceed 20 pages will have the additional pages removed and only the first 20 pages of the Project Narrative will be provided to the merit reviewers for funding consideration. NOTE: The Project Work Plan, Letters of Commitment, and Vitae of Key Project Personnel are not counted as part of the Project Narrative for purposes of the 20-page limit.

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

For example, you will be required to provide an https://www.grants.gov submission error notification and/or tracking number in order to substantiate missing the application deadline.

IV. Application and Submission Information

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

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

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

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

Eastern Time.

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

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

SAM Quick Guide for Grantees at:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ms. Judy Simon Administration on Aging (AoA) 202.795.7381 judy.simon@acl.hhs.gov

2. Content and Form of Application Submission Letter of Intent Number Of Days from Publication 35

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

Applicants are requested to submit a letter of intent to apply for this funding opportunity to assist ACL in planning for the merit review process. The purpose of the letter of intent is to allow our staff to estimate the number of independent reviewers needed for the review. The letter can merely note the organization name and intent to apply, and does not require a detailed project description. Letters of intent should be sent via email to:

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Community Living Administration on Aging (AoA) Ms. Judy Simon judy.simon@acl.hhs.gov

Project Narrative The Project Narrative is one of the most important components of the application. 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.

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. 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 Plan, Letters of Commitment, Organizational Chart and Vitae of Key Project Personnel are not counted as part of the Project Narrative for purposes of the 20-page limit, but all of the other sections in the list below are included in the limit.

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

Abstract Problem Statement mailto:judy.simon@acl.hhs.gov mailto:judy.simon@acl.hhs.gov

Goal(s) and Objective(s) Proposed Innovation and Approach Outcomes Project Management and Organizational Capability Evaluation Dissemination

Summary/Abstract This section should include a two paragraph description, not to exceed one page, of the proposed innovation, including: goal(s), objectives, outcomes, and products to be developed.

Detailed instructions for completing the summary/abstract are included in the “Instructions for Completing the Project Summary/Abstract" in the Appendix.

Problem Statement This section should describe, in both quantitative and qualitative terms, the nature and scope of the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery issue the proposed innovation is designed to address. This section should include how the project will potentially affect older adults and have strong potential for replication by the aging services network and sustainability using OAA Title IIIC-1 funding.

Goals and Objectives This section should consist of a description of the project’s goal(s) and major objectives, and how they will be accomplished. Unless the project involves multiple, complex innovations, we recommend you have only one overall goal.

Proposed Intervention and Approach This section should clearly describe the following:

Contains a clear and concise description of the Title IIIC-1 and nutrition education program or practice innovation implemented during COVID-19 and how it affected participant outcomes.

Describes how the project idea distinctly addresses the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery issues described in the “Problem Statement” and includes the rationale and justification for proposing the particular innovation.

Indicates a specific approach for program or practice development and implementation.

States how the program or practice has strong potential for replication by the aging services network and sustainability using OAA Title IIIC-1 funding.

Includes specific components and ideas that make this application innovative and amenable for broad implementation throughout the aging services network.

Describes how the project tests and validates the effectiveness of new programs or practices developed during COVID-19 that have shown some level of effectiveness.

Socialization approaches should enhance the opportunity for human connection.

Explains how the proposed innovation enhances health equity and targets services to underserved older adults with greatest economic need, to permit such individuals to remain in home and community-based settings, as indicated in the OAA.

Outlines the approaches for continuing to measure the policy impact, including any unintended consequences at the either the individual service recipient or service provider level, over the course of the grant and beyond.

Includes any major barriers that were encountered during COVID-19 and how the project will be able to overcome those barriers.

States the role and makeup of any strategic partnerships which are planned to accomplish the innovation, including other organizations, supporters, and/or consumer groups?

Indicate a partnership between a University, Tribal College and University (TCU), or other research organization, in collaboration with an aging services network organization(s)

Include an Institutional Research Board (IRB) approval process and plan of action, including which entity will be responsible for submitting the IRB for approval and the timeframe.

Outcomes This section of the project narrative must:

Clearly identify the measurable outcome(s) that will result from the project. (NOTE:

ACL will not fund any project that does not include measurable outcomes).

Indicate that Title IIIC-1 and nutrition education outcomes are related the OAA intents (specifically: 1) reduce hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition, 2) promote socialization (socialization approaches increase opportunities for human connection), and 3) promote health and well-being by delaying the onset of adverse health conditions, through the provision of meals and associated nutrition services to vulnerable older adults who are in greatest social and economic need.).

Describe how the project’s findings will benefit the aging and nutrition network at large, and not produce results counterproductive to the mission of the OAA.

Discuss plans for how the research results will be published in multiple peer-reviewed journals and be consistent with ACL’s Public Access Plan (see details in Reporting section)

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

Each application should include an organizational capability statement and vitae for key project personnel; key personnel and other key staff should have appropriate training and experience in disciplines required to conduct all proposed activities.

The organizational capability statement should describe how the applicant agency (or the particular division of a larger agency which will have responsibility for this project) is organized, the nature and scope of its work and/or the capabilities it possesses. It should also include the organization’s capability to sustain some or all project activities after federal financial assistance has ended.

This description should cover capabilities of the applicant agency not included in the program narrative, such as any current or previous relevant experience and/or the record of the project team in preparing cogent and useful reports, publications, and other products. If appropriate, include an organization chart showing the relationship of the project to the current organization. The application should indicate how the applicant encourages applications for employment from persons who are members of groups that have traditionally been underrepresented based on race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability.

Please attach short vitae for key project staff only. Also include information about any contractual organization(s) that will have a significant role(s) in implementing project and achieving project goals.

Evaluation This section should describe the specific method(s), techniques and tools that will be used to: 1) determine whether the identified program or practice innovation achieved its anticipated outcome(s), and 2) document the “lessons learned” – both positive and negative - that will be useful to people interested in replicating the program or practice, if it proves successful.

Applicants must commit to incorporating at least one evaluation measure from each category listed below to show the benefit of the policy innovation. The following are examples of measures to use, which are considered approved by ACL; should an applicant wish to use other measures, the application must explain and demonstrate the validity of those measures and why they are justified. The applicant must indicate whether an ACL-approved measure is selected, and if not, the rationale for and validity of the respective selected alternative measures should be included in the narrative.

CATEGORY I: NUTRITION (food insecurity, hunger, malnutrition) Select at least one evaluation measure from this category.

ACL Evaluation Measures

A. National Survey of Older Americans Act Participants:

https://agid.acl.gov/CustomTables/NPS/Year/

B. ACL SNP Evaluation measures: Evaluation of the Title III-C Elderly Nutrition Services Program at https://acl.gov/programs/program-evaluations-and-reports#

Food security status

A. Six question food security screening: Gundersen, C., Engelhard, E., Crumbaugh, A., & Seligman, H. (2017). Brief assessment of food insecurity accurately identifies high-risk US adults. Public Health Nutrition, 20(8), 1367-1371. doi:10.1017/S1368980017000180

B. Two question food security screening: Lee, J., Johnson, M., Brown, A., Nord, M., Food Security of Older Adults Requesting Older Americans Act Nutrition Program in Georgia https://agid.acl.gov/CustomTables/NPS/Year/ https://acl.gov/programs/program-evaluations-and-reports

Can Be Validly Measured Using a Short Form of the U.S. Household Food Security Survey Module, The Journal of Nutrition, Volume 141, Issue 7, July 2011, Pages 1362– 1368, https://doi-org.ezproxyhhs.nihlibrary.nih.gov/10.3945/jn.111.139378

Dietary Assessment:

A. National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Dietary Assessment Primer https://dietassessmentprimer.cancer.gov/

B. Healthy Eating Index 2015: Susan M. Krebs-Smith, Tusa, Rebecca E. Pannucci, Amy F.

et al, Update of the Healthy Eating Index: HEI-2015, Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Volume 118, Issue 9, 2018, Pages 1591-1602, ISSN 2212-2672, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2018.05.021.

Malnutrition

A. Determinants for Malnutrition: Volkert D, Kiesswetter E, Cederholm T, et al.

Development of a Model on Determinants of Malnutrition in Aged Persons: A MaNuEL Project. Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine. January 2019.

doi:10.1177/2333721419858438

B. Malnutrition Screening Tools, Malnutrition Assessment and Interventions for Community-Living Older Adults: Dwyer, J.T., Gahche, J.J., Weiler, M. et al. Screening Community-Living Older Adults for Protein Energy Malnutrition and Frailty: Update and Next Steps. Journal of Community Health, Volume 45, Pages 640–660, 2020. https://doi-org.ezproxyhhs.nihlibrary.nih.gov/10.1007/s10900-019-00739-1

CATEGORY 2: ENHANCING SOCIALIZATION (socialization approaches increase opportunities for human connection) Select at least one evaluation measure from this category.

ACL Evaluation Measures

A. National Survey of Older Americans Act Participants:

https://agid.acl.gov/CustomTables/NPS/Year/

B. ACL SNP Evaluation measures: Evaluation of the Title III-C Elderly Nutrition Services Program at https://acl.gov/programs/program-evaluations-and-reports#

Social Isolation and Loneliness

A. Social/Role Activities Limitations. Self-Management Resource Center, https://www.selfmanagementresource.com/docs/pdfs/English_-_social-role_activities_limitations.pdf

B. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2020. Social isolation and loneliness in older adults: Opportunities for the health care system. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/25663.

C. Campaign to End Loneliness, Measuring Your Impact on Loneliness in Later Life (UK).

https://www.campaigntoendloneliness.org/wp-content/uploads/Loneliness-Measurement- Guidance1.pdf

D. Repository of Positive Psychological Well-Being Scales, Lee Kum Sheung Center for Health and Happiness, Harvard School of Public Health.

https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/health-happiness/repository-of-positive-psychological-well-being-scales/ https://dietassessmentprimer.cancer.gov/ https://agid.acl.gov/CustomTables/NPS/Year/ https://acl.gov/programs/program-evaluations-and-reports https://www.selfmanagementresource.com/docs/pdfs/English_-_social-role_activities_limitations.pdf https://www.selfmanagementresource.com/docs/pdfs/English_-_social-role_activities_limitations.pdf https://doi.org/10.17226/25663 https://www.campaigntoendloneliness.org/wp-content/uploads/Loneliness-Measurement-Guidance1.pdf https://www.campaigntoendloneliness.org/wp-content/uploads/Loneliness-Measurement-Guidance1.pdf https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/health-happiness/repository-of-positive-psychological-well-being-scales/ https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/health-happiness/repository-of-positive-psychological-well-being-scales/

CATEGORY 3: PROMOTING HEALTH AND WELL-BEING Select at least one evaluation measure from this category.

ACL Evaluation Measures

A. National Survey of Older Americans Act Participants:

https://agid.acl.gov/CustomTables/NPS/Year/

B. ACL SNP Evaluation measures: Evaluation of the Title III-C Elderly Nutrition Services Program at https://acl.gov/programs/program-evaluations-and-reports#

Population-based Measures

A. Healthy People 2030 Objectives, Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives

B. National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) Measures and Technical Resources, https://www.ncqa.org/hedis/measures/

C. An Environmental Scan of Integrated Approaches for Defining and Measuring Total Population Health by the Clinical Care System, the Government Public Health System and Stakeholder Organizations, National Quality Forum, June 2012.

https://www.qualityforum.org/Publications/2012/06/An_Environmental_Scan_of_Integra ted_Approaches_for_Defining_and_Measuring_Total_Population_Health.aspx

D. Kottke TE, Gallagher JM, Rauri S, et al. New Summary Measures of Population Health and Well-Being for Implementation by Health Plans and Accountable Care Organizations. Prev Chronic Dis 2016;13:160224.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5888/pcd13.160224external icon

Measures of Individuals’ Health and Well-Being:

A. Self-Rated Health: Self-Management Resource Center, https://www.selfmanagementresource.com/docs/pdfs/generalhealth.pdf

B. National Health Interview Survey, Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis/index.htm

C. Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) Questionnaires, Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://www.cdc.gov/brfss/questionnaires/index.htm

D. Kroenke, K, Spitzer, RL, Williams, JB, The PHQ-9: Validity of a Brief Depression Severity Measure, Journal of General Internal Medicine. 2001 Sep; 16(9): 606– 613.doi: 10.1046/j.1525-1497.2001.016009606.x

E. Utilization of the PHQ-9 to Monitor Depression Symptoms for Adolescents and Adults, Department of Health and Human Services, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, AHRQ Publication No. 20-0002 December 2019, https://www.ahrq.gov/sites/default/files/wysiwyg/pqmp/measures/chronic/chipra- 245-fullreport.pdf

F. Repository of Positive Psychological Well-Being Scales, Lee Kum Sheung Center for Health and Happiness, Harvard School of Public Health.

https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/health-happiness/repository-of-positive-psychological-well-being-scales/ https://agid.acl.gov/CustomTables/NPS/Year/ https://acl.gov/programs/program-evaluations-and-reports https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives https://www.ncqa.org/hedis/measures/ https://www.qualityforum.org/Publications/2012/06/An_Environmental_Scan_of_Integrated_Approaches_for_Defining_and_Measuring_Total_Population_Health.aspx https://www.qualityforum.org/Publications/2012/06/An_Environmental_Scan_of_Integrated_Approaches_for_Defining_and_Measuring_Total_Population_Health.aspx http://dx.doi.org/10.5888/pcd13.160224 https://www.selfmanagementresource.com/docs/pdfs/generalhealth.pdf…