§ 3032k. Community innovations for aging in place
(a)
Definitions
In this section:
(1)
Eligible entity
The term “eligible entity”—
(A)
means a nonprofit health or social service organization, a community-based nonprofit organization, an area agency on aging or other local government agency, a tribal organization, or another entity that—
(2)
Naturally Occurring Retirement Community
The term “Naturally Occurring Retirement Community” means a community with a concentrated population of older individuals, which may include a residential building, a housing complex, an area (including a rural area) of single family residences, or a neighborhood composed of age-integrated housing—
(b)
Grants
(1)
In general
The Assistant Secretary shall make grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible entities to develop and carry out model aging in place projects. The projects shall promote aging in place for older individuals (including such individuals who reside in Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities), in order to sustain the independence of older individuals. A recipient of a grant under this subsection shall identify innovative strategies for providing, and linking older individuals to programs and services that provide, comprehensive and coordinated health and social services to sustain the quality of life of older individuals and support aging in place.
(c)
Applications
(1)
In general
To be eligible to receive a grant under subsection (b) for a project, an entity shall submit an application to the Assistant Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Assistant Secretary may require.
(2)
Contents
The application shall include—
(A)
a detailed description of the entity’s experience in providing services to older individuals in age-integrated settings;
(B)
a definition of the contiguous service area and a description of the project area in which the older individuals reside or carry out activities to sustain their well-being;
(C)
the results of a needs assessment that identifies—
(D)
a plan for the development and implementation of an innovative model for service coordination and delivery within the project area;
(E)
a description of how the plan described in subparagraph (D) will enhance existing services described in subparagraph (C)(i) and support the goal of this section to promote aging in place;
(F)
a description of proposed actions by the entity to prevent the duplication of services funded under a provision of this chapter, other than this section, and a description of how the entity will cooperate, and coordinate planning and services (including any formal agreements), with agencies and organizations that provide publicly supported services for older individuals in the project area, including the State agency and area agencies on aging with planning and service areas in the project area;
(G)
an assurance that the entity will seek to establish cooperative relationships with interested local entities, including private agencies and businesses that provide health and social services, housing entities, community development organizations, philanthropic organizations, foundations, and other non-Federal entities;
(H)
a description of the entity’s protocol for referral of residents who may require long-term care services, including coordination with local agencies, including area agencies on aging and Aging and Disability Resource Centers that serve as single points of entry to public services;
(I)
a description of how the entity will offer opportunities for older individuals to be involved in the governance, oversight, and operation of the project;
(d)
Use of funds
(1)
In general
An eligible entity that receives a grant under subsection (b) shall use the funds made available through the grant to—
(2)
Coordination
An eligible entity receiving a grant under subsection (b) for a project shall coordinate activities with organizations providing services funded under subchapter III to support such services for or facilitate the delivery of such services to eligible older individuals served by the project.
(3)
Preference
In carrying out an aging in place project, an eligible entity shall, to the extent practicable, serve a community of low-income individuals and operate or locate the project and services in or in close proximity to a location where a large concentration of older individuals has aged in place and resided, such as a Naturally Occurring Retirement Community.
(e)
Competitive grants for technical assistance
(1)
Grants
The Assistant Secretary shall (or shall make a grant, on a competitive basis, to an eligible nonprofit organization, to enable the organization to)—
(2)
Eligible organization
To be eligible to receive a grant under this subsection, an organization shall be a nonprofit organization (including a partnership of nonprofit organizations), that—
(3)
Application
To be eligible to receive a grant under this subsection, an organization (including a partnership of nonprofit organizations) shall submit an application to the Assistant Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Assistant Secretary may require, including an assurance that the organization will submit to the Assistant Secretary such evaluations and reports as the Assistant Secretary may require.
(f)
Report
The Assistant Secretary shall annually prepare and submit a report to Congress that shall include—