The Administrators will distribute funds to foster the development and scaling of innovative volunteer nonmedical assistance programs which support older adults, adults with disabilities, and their family caregivers to maintain independence in the community.
$1.5 Million in funding will be offered specifically to programs that screen and train volunteer chaperones to accompany older adults and adults with disabilities age 18 and older in need to and from non-emergency medical appointments and outpatient procedures. The remaining funds will be awarded to programs offering other forms of nonmedical volunteer assistance.
All programs must incorporate one or more of the following focus areas in its nonmedical volunteer assistance local program:
Leverages the opportunities and principles within the 2022 National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers.
Supports grandparent and kinship-led households.
Utilizes off the shelf materials such as products, components, or resources that are readily available for purchase and immediate use, without the need for custom development, modification, or special ordering.
Utilizes college students and interns as volunteers for intergenerational connections.
Expands remote, virtual, and low-tech program implementation opportunities;
Utilizes volunteers for program administration and operation as opportunities for professional skills building.
Increases access to respite programs for all caregivers.
