Supporting Aging Caregivers of Adults with Developmental Disabilities (DD)

To fund one grantee up to $250,000 per year for up to 5 years ($1,250,000 total, subject to availability of funding) to support an innovative and scalable model to help people with developmental disabilities and their aging caregivers to plan for long-term residential stability, safety, and well-being when their caregivers are no longer able to provide support. The CDD will seek proposals which focus on supporting an innovative and scalable model to help people with developmental disabilities and their aging caregivers to plan for long-term residential stability, safety, and well-being when caregivers are no longer able to provide support. This should be done by developing actionable, person-centered solutions that reduce crisis placements and improve stability for people with DD. Proposals should focus on supporting families through education, direct support, planning and other opportunities. The prospective grantee should also identify strategies to convene key stakeholders to collaborate on solutions, with a focus on scaling and sustaining the work. While proposals will be encouraged to prioritize caregivers over the age of 60 who support individuals with more complex needs, they should also aim to be inclusive of all families and family members who could benefit. The prospective grantee would be expected to develop a project which integrates: 1. housing stability and innovative living arrangements, 2. financial and benefits planning, 3. preparation for future support and caregiving, 4. legal considerations and decision-making, 5. health care considerations, and 6. crisis prevention Recognizing that navigating complex systems can be challenging for families, proposals should explore the development of enhanced support roles, such as future planning navigators, specialized coordinators, or enhanced brokerage models, that can help families turn plans into actionable steps. Housing solutions should be a primary focus, exploring a variety of options including certified residential opportunities, aging in place, shared living arrangements, paid neighbors and natural supports, and other community-based solutions. While the prospective grantee will be encouraged to explore all housing options available to families, the approach to planning should be person-centered and explore both the benefits and risks of each housing model. The prospective grantee should work within the framework of the Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Settings Rule, and consider safeguards and legal review to mitigate risk for the person with DD. 5 Education and capacity building should also be key components of this work, with a focus on long-term planning and financial and benefits literacy. Efforts should be directed not only toward caregivers, but also toward the full circle of support for the person with DD, including siblings, extended family members and other trusted supporters who may play a future role in care and decision-making. Training opportunities should also engage professionals who support long-term planning, such as care managers, brokers, fiscal intermediaries, attorneys, and health care providers. Training topics should align with the key components of future planning outlined above, including financial and benefits training, legal decision-making, preparation for future caregiving roles, use of self-direction, and coordination of health and behavioral support. The initiative should also encourage the integration of technology and health-related support into future planning efforts. This may include the use of digital tools to organize and communicate plans, as well as models that better address the increasing medical and behavioral complexities experienced by aging individuals with DD. Proposals that incorporate coordination beyond traditional service roles, particularly for people with co-occurring conditions or intensive support needs will be encouraged. Additionally, this initiative should place a strong emphasis on crisis prevention and proactive planning. Proposals should look to develop frameworks for proactive planning, clear transition timelines, and triggers that allow action before a crisis may occur, reducing the risk of emergency placements. Business enterprises awarded an identical or substantially similar procurement contract within the past five years: None