Lifespan Respite National Technical Assistance and Resource Center - 0056

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the Administration for Community Living, is forecasting the release of a cooperative agreement opportunity titled Lifespan Respite National Technical Assistance and Resource Center. This funding initiative is rooted in statutory authority provided by the Lifespan Respite Care Act, originally authorized by Congress in 2006 under Title XXIX of the Public Health Service Act and reauthorized through the Lifespan Respite Care Reauthorization Act of 2020. Its purpose is to strengthen national capacity for supporting respite services by maintaining essential data resources, offering training and technical assistance, and providing outreach to the public. The opportunity is designed to fund one grantee for a three-year project period. The grantee will be responsible for operating a National Lifespan Respite Resource Center, with specific functions that include maintaining a comprehensive national database on lifespan respite care, delivering training and technical assistance to state, community, and nonprofit respite care programs, and managing public-facing information, referral, and educational activities related to respite care. This work is intended to strengthen the infrastructure of respite care services and ensure that providers and families have access to necessary supports. The forecast indicates that this cooperative agreement will provide total program funding of $420,000, with an award ceiling of $420,000 and an award floor of $350,000. Only one award is expected. Because the program requires cost sharing or matching, applicants should be prepared to demonstrate how they will meet this condition, although the specific required percentage or amount of match is not identified in the notice and will require verification from the final funding announcement. Eligibility for this award is limited to public or private nonprofit entities. Foreign entities are not eligible. Faith-based and community organizations may apply if they otherwise meet the statutory requirements. This restriction reflects the legislative foundation of the Lifespan Respite Care Program, which places emphasis on nonprofit and public entities as stewards of national capacity for respite care programs. The anticipated timeline for this opportunity begins with an estimated post date of March 1, 2026, followed by an application due date of April 30, 2026. Awards are expected to be made by September 1, 2026, which is also the projected project start date. Since this opportunity is currently in forecast status, applicants should monitor the Administration for Community Living grants website for release of the official Notice of Funding Opportunity. Applicants with questions may contact the grant officer listed in the forecast notice. The designated contact for this program is Emily Anozie, who may be reached by phone at 202-795-7347. No email contact is provided in the notice. Additional details, including the full notice and submission package once released, will be available through Grants.gov and the ACL open opportunities website.