Update: The due date for applications has been extended to July 13, 2022, 11:59 pm ET
Informational Teleconference for Interested Applicants:
- Date: Tuesday, May 17 at 3:00 - 4:00 pm ET
- Number: 888-942-9712
- Participant passcode: 5313288
Letters of intent (optional) due: 5/31/22
ACL is announcing a new funding opportunity entitled “Strengthening the Direct Care Workforce (DCW): A Technical Assistance and Capacity Building Initiative.” With approximately $1.3 million per year from a combination of the Older Americans Act, Rehabilitation Act, and the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act program funding, this five-year project will result in the establishment of a new National Technical Assistance Center designed to strengthen the direct care workforce that provides home and community-based services (HCBS) to people with disabilities and older adults. This new initiative will become a central hub for state, private, and federal entities involved in the hiring, recruitment, training, and workforce development associated with the delivery of HCBS. This initiative builds off and will advance the collaboration between ACL, the Department of Labor, and other HHS agencies, including the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation.
The current shortage and frequent turnover of direct care workers not only compromises the ability of older adults and people with disabilities to live in the community, but it also compromises their health and safety. The need for DCWs is projected to grow significantly in the next decade as the number of older adults increases and more people with disabilities live in the community instead of in institutional settings. The recruitment, retention, and development of a competent workforce is critical to providing HCBS so that older adults and people with disabilities can live, work, and participate in the community.
Focusing on strategies and practices at the systems and provider levels and with information dissemination and direct technical assistance as a key component of the project, the grantee will partner with a broad range of stakeholders and subject matter experts to broaden our national understanding of the challenges associated with the DCW while supporting cross-systems collaborations to strengthen it. The TA Center will offer access to a curated array of model policies, best practices, training materials, technical assistance, and learning collaboratives.
Please contact Caroline Ryan (dcw@acl.hhs.gov) with questions about this funding opportunity.