Center for Dementia Respite Innovation (CDRI)

Progam objective

The Alzheimer’s Association has been awarded a $25 million grant from the Administration for Community Living, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, to enhance respite services for people living with dementia and their caregivers nationwide. This grant — the largest ever made to the Association — established the CDRI. 

Over the next five years, the CDRI will award approximately $20 million total (contingent on the availability of federal funds) in competitive grants to local respite care providers with a target of at least 50% awarded to underserved communities. In addition to the grant funding, the CDRI will support grant recipients through online training and technical assistance so respite services are delivered by staff who are knowledgeable (dementia-capable). The CDRI will collect data and study the outcomes of these projects to inform public policy.

Funding and award period

This is a competitive RFA process, and not all applications will receive awards. The number of awardees will be determined based on the applications received and the funding level requests. Please notethat the Steering Committee and the CDRI will thoroughly review budgets to determine their feasibility. Do not inflate budget requests based on the possibility of a reduced funding award.

Start-Up Awards: $50,000-$149,000

Start-up awards allow an organization or provider not already providing dementia-specific respite services to plan and launch a respite program and implement a small innovative program.

Pilot Awards: $150,000-$250,000

Pilot awards allow an existing community-based organization/respite provider to enhance their program by adding innovative components.

Key dates:

• RFA Release Date: March 1, 2024 
• Optional Letter of Intent Due Date: March 21, 2024, 11:59 p.m. ET 
• Application Due Date: June 1, 2024, 11:59 p.m. ET
• Award Notification Date: July 1, 2024
• Participation Period: August 1, 2024 through July 31, 2025, with the opportunity to reapply for a continuation award for an additional year of funding.
• Requirements: Awarded providers or organizations must contribute a match of 25%, including 2.5% in indirect costs. These costs can include time and effort, volunteer hours, supplies and materials.

Eligibility

Local organizations or providers interested in providing dementia-related respite services to underserved communities are encouraged to apply. This may include domestic public or private for-profit or non-profit entities, such as state and local governments, Indian tribal governments and organizations, faith-based organizations, community-based organizations, hospitals and higher education institutions.

Organizations must:
 

• Be domestic public or private non-profit entities including state and local governments, Indian tribal governments and organizations (American Indian/Alaskan Native/Hawaiian Native/Native American), faith-based organizations, community-based organizations, hospitals, and institutions of higher education
• Be licensed or certified and in good standing with the appropriate organization (if applicable based on state requirements).
• Have demonstrated capacity to provide culturally competent dementia-specific respite services, ensuring sensitivity to the diverse and/or underrepresented needs of the communities served.
• Establish and maintain collaborative partnerships with relevant community stakeholders.
• Demonstrate commitment to continuous quality improvement in respite services, with consideration of incorporating technical assistance feedback and implementing best practices.
• Commit to providing accessible respite services, including considerations for individuals with disabilities or other accessibility needs.
• Include innovative approaches and creative solutions to enhance respite services for individuals with dementia and their caregivers.
• Commit to timely and transparent reporting on respite service activities, challenges, and successes.
• Fulfill the matching requirements outlined in the initiative by leveraging cash and in-kind resources.
• Understand program deliverables are not proprietary and deliver all tools, training, resources, and manuals created through this funding to be publicly available, including posting on the ACL National Alzheimer’s and Dementia Resource Center website.

No more than 30% of funding will be awarded to for-profit organizations.

Multiple locations or sites of a national organization can apply for an award as long as each site has its own EIN number. However, no more than three entities of the same franchise or license are eligible to receive awards.

Applicants are required to identify a Lead Staff Member to fully participate in all aspects of this initiative. This position will serve as the point person for the Center. A competitive application will designate a professional who:
 

• Is knowledgeable about dementia respite services (business and practice)
• Has demonstrated leadership experience
• Is an innovative thinker
• Has demonstrated ability to develop programming that is responsive to community needs and includes collaboration with community partnerships
• Skilled in the development and implementation of program plans
• Understands the importance of program evaluation data for continued improvement and sustainability

Allowed expenses

Personal, including:

• Staff salaries and wages associated with respite services.
• Costs related to hiring and training respite staff and/or volunteers.

Administration, including:

• Expenses related to managing and coordinating respite services, such as office supplies and utilities.

Outreach and Engagement, including:

• Costs associated with outreach efforts to raise awareness about respite services, engage with caregivers, and promote community involvement.

Technology, including:

• Expenses related to the use of technology that enhance the delivery of respite services, such as computers, communication tools, software, or specialized equipment for dementia care.

Transportation, including:

• Costs associated with transportation services to facilitate access to respite care for individuals with dementia and their caregivers.

Program Materials and Supplies, including:

• Costs related to procuring program-specific materials and supplies, including those needed for engaging activities, or educational sessions.

Community Engagement Events, including:

• Costs associated with organizing and hosting community engagement events, workshops, or seminars that contribute to the awareness and understanding of dementia-specific respite services.

Marketing and Communication, including:

• Expenses allocated for marketing and communication efforts to promote dementia-specific respite services within the community.

For more information

Learn more about the CDRI and grant application process by watching the CDRI Information and Support Webinar. For additional information, please send queries to cdri@alz.org.
 

Funding disclosure

This project is supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $32,962,453 with 75 percent funded by ACL/HHS and $8,333,333 amount with 25 percent funded by non-government source(s). The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by ACL/HHS, or the U.S. Government.