Family Caregiving Grants

HFA Announces Children and Adolescent Grief Grants

Hospice Foundation of America is now accepting applications for its new funding program in support of children’s grief camps and other bereavement services. Applicants must be non-profit hospices or other bereavement organizations whose programs are available to the entire community in which they are located. Hospice Foundation of America will offer grants up to $5000 for program-related expenses (including but not limited to purchase of equipment or materials, publications, or other curriculum-related materials.) Priority will be given to programs who offer innovative programs for both children and adolescents, as well as programs that focus on outreach to diverse populations.

To be considered for funding, please submit the following information in a one-page letter:

Primary contact: Name, address, phone # and email
A snapshot of your organization, including:
Mission statement
Number of professional staff and Volunteers
Geographic region served by your programs ; and
Programming provided to children, adolescents and their families
A brief description of how funds from HFA would be used
Proof of 501 (c ) 3 status
Letters should be submitted via email to grants@hospicefoundation.org Letters must be received by November 15. Selected organizations will be invited to submit a full proposal.

AAGP Images of Aging Communications Award

The American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry will recognize an author or media professional for his or her compassionate, informative coverage of mental health issues facing the elderly and their families and caregivers. As older Americans are the fastest-growing segment of the population, and mental illness that is not a normal part of aging affects one in five individuals age 55 and older, it is imperative that more resources be devoted to understanding, treating, diagnosing and preventing late-life mental illnesses. The media and writers' role in helping to bring these issues to the forefront is vital.

AWARD CRITERIA:

The association will consider articles published in a general-audience newspaper, magazine or online publication; novels, stories, poetry and essays; and radio and television programs.
In addition to thoughtful discussion of late-life mental health, preference will be given to written works or programs that address the role of the geriatric psychiatrist.
Preference will also be given to material with the greatest reach, i.e., national versus regional.
Material will be judged on educational value and scientific accuracy.
Material published/produced between November 16, 2007 and November 15, 2008, is eligible.

NOMINATION PROCESS:
Submission deadline: December 1, 2008.
Please submit a letter to the association describing the importance of the particular piece submitted and the audience it reached, along with a copy of the item being nominated (CD of radio program or DVD of television program).
The winner will be notified by January 14, 2009, and will be recognized at the 2009 AAGP Annual Meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii, and presented the award. In addition, the winner will receive $500 as well as complimentary registration and travel to the meeting.

American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry

7910 Woodmont Ave
Suite 1050
Bethesda, MD 20814-3004
301-654-7850
f 301-654-4137
main@aagponline.org

The Brookdale Relatives as Parents Program (RAPP)
Local Initiative – Year 2009

Guidelines
2009 RAPP Local and Regional Request for Proposals (RFP)
Introduction
The Brookdale Relatives as Parents Program (RAPP) aims to develop or expand services for
grandparents or other relatives who have taken on the responsibility of surrogate parenting when the
biological parents are unable to do so. Up to thirty local and regional programs will be selected
through this Request For Proposal (RFP) process from within the United States. Each selected
organization will receive a mini-grant of $10,000 over a two-year period ($6,000 and $4,000
respectively), contingent on progress made during year one and potential for continuity in the future.
On-going technical assistance will also be provided.
The deadline for the completed proposals is Thursday, December 4, 2008. Selected applicants will
be notified in April and are required to attend an Orientation and Training Conference to be held
May 1-3, 2009 in Denver, Colorado.
Goals of the Relatives as Parents Programs
• supportive services to relative caregivers and the children they are raising, with emphasis on
relative caregiving families that are not in the formal foster care system;
• start new or expand current services in response to caregiver and family needs;
• Services and assistance to relative caregivers and the children in their care must include regular
ongoing support, educational or social groups and at least two of the following:
- benefits and legal guidance - educational seminars
- individual and/or family counseling - health care services
- childcare - housing assistance
- children’s services - group recreational activities
- transportation assistance - services to special populations
- services with local schools - other programmatic initiatives
- mental health services
• establish collaboration with community organizations and other service systems such as family
services, child care, aging, education, legal, health care, mental health and extension services;
• initiate programs that have assurance of continuity beyond the two year grant period; and
• create replicable models of cost-effective, quality services across the region
General Guidelines for Local and Regional Sponsors
• The sponsoring organization must have a 501(c)(3) or equivalent tax-exempt status.
• The proposal should reflect responsiveness to all of the goals listed above.
• The sponsor must show linkages to other community agencies. Letters of support from
collaborating agencies should be included in the appendix of the proposal and reflect the kinds
of supportive services and activities they will contribute to this project.
• The sponsor must assign a senior staff member who will have overall administrative and
supervisory responsibility for the Program, and should also designate a person to serve as RAPP
Coordinator to manage the day-to-day operations.
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• The proposal must include a clear statement of how direct services will be provided to meet the
needs of relative caregiver families. It will not be sufficient to simply refer the
grandparents/relatives elsewhere for assistance.
• The seed grant must be matched 100%, either in-kind or in cash before the initiation of the
program. The source of matching financial support may be the sponsor, other community
agencies or public/private funds.
• The sponsor is responsible for the appropriate management of the seed grant and must comply
with the reporting requirements of the Foundation.
• Evidence of the ability to continue the program beyond the seed grant period should be included
in the project proposal.
• Applicants may apply for either the local or regional initiatives.

The Brookdale Foundation Group
The Brookdale Foundation The Glendale Foundation Ramapo Trust
950 Third Avenue, 19th Floor
New York, NY 10022

For the last year and a half of Spencer’s life, over 8 months were spent in the hospital. Through the generosity of friends, relatives and strangers, Spencer’s parents received snacks, books, cards, and meals to help during a very stressful situation. During Fall 2001 at Glennon, the Kults became friends with other families that were coping with extended hospital stays: one teenager waited over 3 months for a heart transplant and another family was dealing with an extended pleural effusion. If Chris and Tina were exposed to several families at one small Midwest hospital, just imagine the hundreds of other families around the country experiencing extended or far from home hospital stays, and the financial difficulties they have to face.

With Spencer’s passing, The Kults and the Congenital Heart Information Network wanted to honor his memory in some way that would help other families who might be faced with financial difficulties. In an effort to reach out to these families, C.H.I.N. is now pleased to announce the creation of Spencer’s Fund, a family assistance program that will help families with financial expenses incurred during extended or far from home clinic appointments and hospital stays. Spencer’s Fund will provide groceries, meals, travel subsidies, lodging assistance, and utility payments to families in need.

The Spencer Kult Memorial Family Assistance Fund (Spencer’s Fund) is available to all members of C.H.I.N.

Who is eligible to make a request?
Spencer’s Fund will honor requests from members directly, requests from members on behalf of other members, and requests from friends and families on behalf of members. We encourage local members to make requests for families experiencing difficult hospitalizations on their behalf. We have all made incredible connections in our "global waiting room" and Spencer’s Fund would like to reach out and help during those stressful times.

Requests can be made at any time by emailing SpencersFund@tchin.org or via fax at 314-416-0449. C.H.I.N. membership will be verified before a gift request from Spencer’s Fund is fulfilled.

Advocacy Skills for Family Caregivers

Do you provide a moderate or high level of care for an adult family member with brain injury?

The Oregon Center for Applied Sciences (ORCAS) is developing a new program to teach family members providing moderate or high levels of care for an adult family member with brain injury how to advocate for their loved one with a brain injury.

You can receive up to $100 to help develop and evaluate the program. This project takes place through June of 2009 and is funded by the National Institutes of Health and is in collaboration with the Brain Injury Association of America. There are no sales or mailing lists involved. All information is confidential. To see if you qualify:

Sign-up online: http://study.braininjurypartners.com or
Sign-up by calling toll-free: 1-866-730-3211

For questions about the study you can also email ORCAS at: braininjurypartners@orcasinc.com

Alzheimer's Foundation of America Family Respite Care Grant

AFA’s Family Respite Care Grant helps alleviate the cost of respite care for families caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia. Funds may be used for in-home care, adult day programs or other types of respite.

Individuals may only apply for this grant through one of AFA’s participating nonprofit member organizations, and AFA will only accept applications mailed from that member organization’s office. Applicants must meet specific requirements.

This grant is offered in the spring and fall of each year; for consideration, applications must be postmarked by:

Spring cycle – May 1

Fall cycle – November 1

The amount of each of these grants may change each year. Therefore, it is best to check with AFA for the most up-to-date information prior to applying. However, as a baseline, in 2007:

AFA awarded Family Respite Care Grants of $1,000 each to dozens of families in need of financial assistance for respite care and other care services.

You may contact AFA at 866-232-8484

Alzheimer's Foundation of America
322 8th Ave., 7th Fl.
New York, NY 10001