HHS – Older Americans Act Title VI Native American Programs (2019)

By NLADA on October 22, 2019 • ( 0 )

Applications Due: December 18, 2019.

This opportunity promotes nutrition, supportive, and caregiver services to American Indians, Alaskan Natives, and Native Hawaiians. Legal aid organizations that provide legal assistance to older Native Americans are eligible to apply.

About the Older Americans Act (OAA)

The OAA was enacted in 1965 and today is a “major vehicle for the organization and delivery of social and nutrition services” to older adults (defined as older than 55). The OAA is overseen by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The OAA funds nutrition programs, in-home services, transportation, legal services, elder abuse prevention, and caregiver support. The OAA has seven Titles. Title VI provides grants to tribal organizations.

Express Language for Legal Aid: Yes! Section 321 of the OAA identifies legal assistance as supportive services. Legal aid is eligible to subgrant, but not be the lead applicant.

From ACL’s Title VI resource manual: “If you elect to provide legal services, it shall substantially comply with the requirements in §1321 71 and legal services providers shall comply fully with the requirements in §1321 71(c) through 1321 71(k).” You can access in §1321 71 at this link.

According to the ACL, of the 20,000 service providers that receive OAA funding, approximately 1,000 are legal services providers who provide almost 1 million hours of legal assistance each year to older adults. Legal assistance can address a wide range of issues, including:

Public benefits (including Medicaid, Medicare, veterans benefits, SSI and SSDI);
Advance directives;
Guardianship;
Housing options, including housing programs;
Foreclosure and evictions;
Elder rights protections; and
Elder abuse (includes financial, fraud, physical, sexual, etc.).

Grant information

Funding Title: Funding for Older Americans Act Title VI Native American Programs

Agency Name: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Administration for Community Living

Funding Opportunity Number: HHS-2020-ACL-TITLEVI-2001

Funding Instrument Type: Grant

Target Population: Older Native Americans

Expected Number of Awards: 280

Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: There is no matching funds requirement for Title VI.

Estimated Total Program Funding: $42 million

Award Ceiling: $1,505,000

Award Floor: $17,920

How to Apply: Application materials are available at this link

Current Closing Date for Applications: by December 18, 2019

Eligible Applicants: Indian tribal, public, and non-profit organizations representing federally recognized Tribes, Alaskan Villages, and Native Hawaiians. Legal aid organizations can subgrant, but cannot represent the tribe on the grant application.