For years, eldercare activists have advocated for a Peace Corps-like organization to mobilize volunteers to help older adults age in place. Now the Administration for Community Living (ACL), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is putting seed money into establishing a public-private National Volunteer Care Corps.
The Oasis Institute has been awarded a five-year, $19.7 million grant from the Administration for Community Living (ACL) to launch the program in partnership with the Caregiver Action Network, the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging and Altarum’s Program to Improve Eldercare.
The Care Corps will develop innovative ways for volunteers to help family caregivers, older adults and/or people with disabilities to maintain their independence. Oasis will serve as the administrator of the project, awarding grants to communities nationwide.
“This is a unique opportunity for Oasis to embrace a new role on the national stage as a grant maker for innovative caregiving projects,” said Paul Weiss, president of The Oasis Institute. “As a pioneer in healthy aging for more than 35 years, we recognize caregiving as a challenge that impacts families in ways that can limit quality of life tremendously. We are excited to be partnering with some of the most knowledgeable organizations in this sector to encourage creative approaches that can improve the lives of those who find themselves in the position of providing ongoing care for loved ones.”
Oasis will disseminate an RFP through multiple channels in late 2019, with anticipated grant announcements for the first year of funded pilot programs to be announced in Spring 2020. Programs selected for funding during the five-year grant period will be evaluated, with a menu of best practices to be developed and shared nationally.
“Volunteers have long played a key role in the reach and success of programs and services supported by the aging and disability networks,” said Edwin Walker, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Aging at the Administration for Community Living. “ACL is pleased to have this opportunity to further strengthen the important role of volunteers and looks forward to working with the Oasis Institute and its partners to achieve this goal.”
Published: October 24, 2019