The Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative encourages stakeholders and communities to consider the following funding opportunities that support inclusive age- and dementia friendly communities:
MHAC’s partners at MassMobility are promoting a range of grant opportunities listed below:
- Apply by June 17 for MassDOT’s annual Helping Hand Mini Grant for transportation providers in rural and small urban areas.
- Applications are also due June 17 for the Massachusetts Community Health and Healthy Aging Funds, whose Healthy Aging fund includes a focus on transportation.
- Apply by June 24 for MassDOT’s annual Community Transit Grant Program. Councils on Aging, non-profits, transit authorities, municipalities, and some taxis can apply for funding for vehicles, mobility management projects, or operating expenses to expand mobility for older adults and people with disabilities. For inspiration, check out this recent report on creative examples of how organizations have used this funding in the past. New applicants should contact Jenna Henning before applying.
- Apply by July 8 for Taxi and Livery Operating Support Grants from MassDevelopment. This program was previously administered by MAPC.
- Applications are also due July 8 for the Community Care Corps for local models in which volunteers provide nonmedical assistance to family caregivers, older adults, or adults with disabilities in order to maintain their independence.
- Apply by July 15 for a Community Mobility Design Challenge 2022 grant from the National Center for Mobility Management. These grants will support communities in researching and creating innovative mobility solutions for community members who face transportation barriers in advancing their personal well-being. Learn more on a June 23 webinar.
Other grant opportunities:
The Executive Office of Elder Affairs received three American Rescue Plan Act Grants from the U.S. Administration for Community Living (ACL) to expand the public health workforce to better address the challenges associated with COVID-19.
To help advance these efforts, ACL has created the Expanding the Public Health Workforce Program, which aims to increase the number of public health professionals within the human service and aging network to address the unique needs of older adults and people with disabilities through the support of wages and benefits for these professionals. Professionals supported through this program may provide a wide range of public health services and supports, including the provision of culturally affirmative and linguistically accessible information, access assistance for vaccines and boosters, transition and diversion from high-risk congregate settings to community living, the provision of and connection to health and wellness programs, activities that address social isolation and social determinants of health, provision of education and outreach to ensure access to health insurance and benefits, and other activities that support the public health and wellbeing of older adults and people with disabilities.