AoA Offers Grants for Nursing Home Diversion Programs

The U.S. Administration on Aging (AoA) has opened bidding to states for the Nursing Home Diversion Modernization Grant program, under which the agency will provide grants to approximately 12 states to target community-based services to individuals at risk for institutional placement.

Funding for the program is authorized by Title IV of the Older Americans Act, as amended by the Older American Act Amendments of 2006, P.L. 109-365, with the goal being to help State Units on Aging “modernize their existing efforts to help individuals who are not eligible for Medicaid to avoid nursing home placement.”  The program will “complement” the Money Follows the Person initiatives, which serve Medicaid-eligible individuals seeking to return to the community from institutions.  Individuals who will receive services under the AoA grants will be offered the choice to self-direct their care in similar fashion to the manner in which Medicaid-eligible individuals in state cash and counseling programs are. 
State applications for grants are due by August 24, 2007.  The maximum award will be $500,000, and states are required to fund 25% of their projected costs.  Selected states will receive their entire grant award by September 30, 2007.         
For more information, see the AoA’s website, or call Gene Coffey in NSCLC’s D.C. office.