Contract Period: October 1, 2015 - September 30, 2016
The goal of Central Massachusetts Agency on Aging (CMAA) is to address the most critical needs of elders throughout the region. Generally, preference will be given to applicants who are locally-based providers, collaborative proposals and to those that intend to serve the entire planning and service area.
Title III-B – Supportive Services
Access for Elders
a. Outreach and Interpretation programs targeting one or more of the following groups: minority and/or non-English speaking populations, rural, low-income, Native Americans, LGBT, elders with disabilities or Alzheimer’s and related dementias and their caregivers. Proposals should address areas and/or populations that are demonstrably without services, or are underserved.
b. Medical Transportation in areas where significant unmet need is clearly demonstrated. Proposals should include service to residents in more than one community whose residents would otherwise not have access to medical transportation and/or escorted transportation where necessary to access health care.
Crisis Intervention
Short term intensive counseling or problem solving assistance to help seniors deal with crisis situations
Emergency Home Repair
Repair and maintenance services for elders within the entire CMAA service area who are at risk from health and safety hazards or at risk of being homeless. Grant funds will be limited to providing the skilled labor required to make needed repairs and modifications with the expectation that homeowners or other resources will provide any required materials. CMAA wishes to contract for home repair services in:
- Central and southern regions of the PSA
- Northern region of the PSA.
Legal Services (mandated)/Guardianship
Includes help in obtaining or restoring public benefits, guardianship services, resolving housing problems or other appropriate concerns.
Long Term Ombudsman (mandated)
Volunteers and stipended staff serving nursing home residents by investigating and resolving complaints made by the residents, or on their behalf.
III-C – Nutrition Services.Regional congregate and home delivered meal services. Projects must meet federal regulations governing Nutrition Programs.
III-D – Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Services
Programs must be evidence-based and may focus on the prevention and mitigation of the effects of chronic disease (including osteoporosis, hypertension, obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease), depression, alcohol and substance abuse, as well as smoking cessation, weight loss and control, stress management, falls prevention, physical activity and improved nutrition.
Due to the upcoming change in the OAA definition of evidence-based, the program designs of IIID applicants must meet the current “highest-level” criteria, including ALL of the following specific requirements:
- Demonstrated through evaluation to be effective for improving the health and wellbeing or reducing disease, disability and/or injury among older adults; and
- Proven effective with older adult population, using Experimental or Quasi-Experimental Design; and
- Research results published in a peer-review journal; and
- Fully translated in one or more community site(s); and
- Includes developed dissemination products that are available to the public.
How to Determine if a Program Meets the Definition
There are two ways to determine if a program meets the definition (and therefore also meets our current highest-level criteria); either one is acceptable.
- Document whether the program meets each of the 5 bullet points. If it does, then it can be supported with Title IIID funds.
- Check to see whether the program is considered to be “evidence-based” by any operating division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). If it is, then it can be supported with Title IIID funds.
SAMHSA: Learning Modules, a non-researcher’s guide to evidence-based program implementation and evaluation. Readiness for Dissemination, criteria for assessing an evidence-based program.
All grants that are awarded are subject to the following:
- The terms of the contract with Central Massachusetts Agency on Aging.
- Submission of monthly reports.
- Submission of a copy of the annual independent audit.
- On-site visits or other monitoring activities by CMAA staff.
- Submission of evidence showing appropriate liability insurance coverage.
- Provision of client data in conformance with the requirements of the National Aging Program Information System (NAPIS).
- A requirement that the total budget for any Title III program include a 15% non-federal in-kind/cash match.
- Performance of CORI checks (Criminal Offender Record Information) for volunteers and program staff where required.
- Submission of weather emergency/disaster plan.
- Submit monthly reports documenting program activities.
- Cooperate with periodic fiscal and programmatic monitoring. This includes making financial and client records available to the representatives of the Agency on Aging for these purposes.
- Have copies of affirmative action plans, personnel policies and client grievance procedures available for review by Agency on Aging staff.
- Develop and implement an appropriate client donation policy. The nature of this policy is to be determined in consultation with Agency on Aging staff.
- To develop and implement an annual internal evaluation or client satisfaction survey. The methodology to be employed in such required evaluations must meet with the approval of CMAA. In addition, upon completion, the results are to be provided to CMAA.
- Any organization which receives $25,000 or more in Title III funding must submit to CMAA the results of an independent audit in conformance with OMB Circular A-133 no later than thirteen (13) months after the close of the Provider's fiscal year.
- All grantees will be required to report program statistics in a format compatible with the requirements of the NAPIS reporting system currently under development by EOEA. This may necessitate changes in agency record-keeping procedures or in agency computer capacity.
CRITERIA FOR SELECTION:
- In addition to the general RFP guidelines, selection criteria include, but are not limited to:
- The applicant documents the need for the proposed program.
- Demonstration that the program is an appropriate and cost-effective means of addressing the identified needs.
- Clear description of program activities and the degree to which they are innovative and linked to specific outcomes.
- The key people are capable of carrying out the program as described.
- The evaluation plan is clearly outlined and provides appropriate measurement of the program outcomes.
- The proposal indicates awareness of and coordination with other agencies/services.
- The proposed program is financially feasible and the organization is financially viable.
- The applicant conforms with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards.
- Collaborative programs are encouraged (attach copies of any interagency agreements).
LETTER OF INTENT
Applicants interested in applying for Title III funding must submit a letter of intent describing the intended program, how it addresses one or more of the funding priorities and how it conforms to the terms of this RFP (see attached instructions). The letter of intent must be received at the CMAA office by 3:00 PM, Monday, March 30, 2015.
Title III Bidder’s Meeting
An informational Title III Bidder’s Meeting will be held
3:00 PM, Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Central Massachusetts Agency on Aging
360 West Boylston Street
West Boylston MA 01583
All interested parties are encouraged to attend.
Letter of Intent
The Letter of Intent should be no more than 2-3 pages, and address the following:
- Purpose of the program
- Which of the priorities does the program address?
- Estimate the amount of Title III funding you will be seeking.
- Estimate the TOTAL amount of funding needed to run the program.
- What other funding sources will be providing money to run the program?
- How is the program intended to operate?
- What service area/towns do you expect to serve?
- A brief demonstration of the need for the targeted service(s).
N.B. IIID proposals should identify how they will meet evidence-based requirements.
Need can be demonstrated by reference to CMAA, local or existing program data** that shows an increase in demand or a high level of continuing demand for the service(s) the program intends to provide.
** appropriate data might include program service statistics, CMAA needs assessment data, data collected in specific local service areas, and other relevant sources.
All applicant letters of intent must be received at:
Should you have further questions, please contact John Belding, Director of Planning.
All applicant letters of intent must be received at:
Central Massachusetts Agency on Aging
360 West Boylston Street
West Boylston MA 01583
no later than:
3:00 PM, Monday, March 30, 2015.
Should you have further questions, please contact John Belding, Director of Planning.
