Lifespan Respite Care Program: Special Projects to Strengthen Program Development, Implementation and Sustainability

With the formation of the Family Caregiving Advisory Council and the forthcoming National Strategy, an anticipated focus on improving access to respite, workforce issues, and the role of natural supports will be a likely focus of attention nationwide. Thus, the special projects carried out under this funding opporutnity will be expected to concentrate on expanded Technical Assistance projects that focus on strengthening lifespan respite program development, implementation and sustainability (capacity building) with respect to the following: Develop, test and scale a respite workforce recruitment, training and retention program to better meet the respite needs of families, particularly in light of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the workforce; Develop and field test a state-based framework and roadmap for respite system planning and development, which ties to the forthcoming National Caregiving Strategy, currently under development; and Strengthen and test enhancedapproaches to help caregivers and families develop or strengthen their own natural support systems to include respite and other supports. OPTIONAL: Other areas of expanded TA and capacity building to improve state-based respite capacities, as identified by applicants and their partners. ACL/AoA plans to award one (1) Cooperative Agreement to engage in the above activities. Applicants will be required to demonstrate considerable knowledge and expertise in the field of respite, family caregiver support and respite program development and implementation across the age, disease, and disability spectrum. The successful application will reflect a collaborative approach among a consortium of organizations that approach the work in a well-defined partnership, with one entity acting as the fiduciary and programmatic lead. Finally, the successful applicant will be expected to demonstrate the ability to collaborate and partner with multiple organizations and entities at the Federal, state and local levels in order to support overall project objectives.