HHS Announces New Grants to Support Family Caregivers

On October 2, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Tommy Thompson, announced that $6 million in grants has been awarded to 34 projects focused on developing innovative approaches for helping families and informal caregivers of the elderly. According to Thompson, "Caregiving is a daunting task which exacts a heavy emotional, physical and financial toll. These innovative grants will help us learn the best ways to relieve families of some of this burden."

The grants will enable the Administration on Aging to assess the effectiveness of the caregiving services established via the National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP). Established earlier this year, NFCSP offers families access to information, respite care, counseling, training, and supplemental services designed to help them meet caregiving challenges.

Grant recipients include state and area agencies on aging, nonprofit community service providers, colleges and universities, and national organizations with proven expertise in aging and caregiving. The five priority areas are

  • systems development
  • service components
  • links to special populations and communities
  • field demonstrations that develop and test new approaches for supporting caregivers
  • national projects that enhance the development of caregiver programs

For a complete list of the grant recipients, visit www.aoa.gov/pressroom/pr2001/innovativecare.html. For more information on AFCSP, call 202-619-0011.

From "HHS Announces New Grants to Support Family Caregivers" at www.homhealthprovider.com.