ACL is pleased to announce eight new grantees in the Lifespan Respite Care Program for FY 2023. Seven of the awards are cooperative agreements totaling $2,699,847. These awards are for a four-year project period to states under the State Program Enhancement Grants. The recipients are Arizona, Idaho, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Washington. Through the awards, these states will expand and enhance equitable respite services to caregivers across all age groups, disabilities, and chronic conditions; improve coordination and dissemination of service delivery between various state programs; and reduce the difficulties consumers experience with accessing and navigating respite programs and services.
ACL is also awarding an additional cooperative agreement, totaling $235,000, for a three-year project period to one state under the Grants to New States and States Re-Establishing Their Core Respite Infrastructures. The recipient of this award is the state of Delaware. Through this award, the state will reestablish and reinvigorate its Lifespan Respite Care program, with the aim of improving the delivery and quality of respite services available to caregivers across age and disability spectrums.
Lifespan Respite Care programs are coordinated state systems of accessible, community-based respite care services for family caregivers of children and adults across all age groups, disabilities, and chronic conditions. The goals of the program include improving equitable access to, and quality of, respite care services to all family caregivers, thereby reducing family caregiver burden when supporting individuals across the lifespan. Such programs reduce duplication of effort and assist in the development of respite care infrastructures at the state and local levels. With the release of the 2022 National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers, these awarded grantees will look for opportunities to build up, innovate, and enhance their respite systems of care.
For questions about the grant awards or the Lifespan Respite Care Program, contact Emily.Anozie@acl.hhs.gov.