As the U.S. population ages, we must take a comprehensive approach to supporting the mental and behavioral health of older adults. There is a significant need to increase the competence and practical skills of the aging and disability services network to engage adults with behavioral health conditions in evidence-based community programs. More coordination and access among local aging and mental health services providers are also needed.
For two decades, the Administration on Aging (AoA) has provided community-based grants and research projects that have generated new knowledge and strategies to support older adults with physical and cognitive challenges. However, few AoA-funded projects have specifically focused on older adults with mental and behavioral health needs.
The AoA is funding an organization to work with community-based organizations and aging and disability service providers to increase the involvement of older adults with behavioral health needs in community-based, evidence-based programs, according to the Older Americans Act (OAA) Title III-D and/or the Administration for Community Living (ACL) definition of evidence-based programs.
The project should specifically target older adults with one or more behavioral health conditions and/or older adults with a behavioral health condition and one or more chronic diseases. While your project must serve this target population broadly and nationwide, portions of your project may focus on some of our populations of special interest:
• Older adults with one or more behavioral health conditions experiencing homelessness
• Older adults with one or more behavioral health conditions living in rural areas
• Older adults with heightened risk of suicidal ideation and attempts
• Caregivers of older adults with one or more behavioral health conditions
This project has three outcomes:
• Environmental scans and needs assessments of:
◦ Barriers that prevent adults with behavioral health conditions from participating in evidence-based programs
◦ Best practices to involve them in evidence-based programs
• Development, implementation, and dissemination of a training program for professionals in the aging and disability services network
• Resources and technical assistance materials shared with aging service network professionals serving older adults with behavioral health conditions and their caregivers
Application due May 31, 2024
Only these types of organizations may apply:
• Public, state-controlled, and private institutions of higher education
• Independent school districts
• Community-based organizations
• Faith-based organizations
• State, county, city, township, and special district governments
• Nonprofits with a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS
• Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) and tribal organizations
• Public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities