Senior Wellness Pilot Program Grant

The Senior Wellness Pilot Program Grant, offered by the New Jersey Department of Human Services (DHS), Division of Aging Services (DoAS), is a state-funded initiative designed to combat social isolation among older adults and people with disabilities. As outlined in the Department’s Age-Friendly Blueprint and the 2023 Social Isolation Study, social isolation poses a critical public health concern, particularly for homebound individuals and residents of institutional settings. The program supports the development and enhancement of wellness strategies that facilitate meaningful social connections and community integration. The initiative prioritizes approaches that deliver measurable improvements to the health and wellbeing of isolated populations in New Jersey. The funding opportunity makes available up to $4 million in total, with individual grants capped at $250,000. Applicants must be either nonprofit organizations or governmental entities. The grant period runs from March 1, 2026, through February 28, 2027. Selected grantees are expected to implement initiatives that demonstrate the potential to transform policies, systems, and environments in a sustainable way. The program emphasizes not only service delivery but also data collection and strategic planning, with the goal of informing long-term improvements in care and community health infrastructure. Eligible costs include staff salaries and fringe benefits, training, direct services, stakeholder and strategic planning consultations, translation services, and in-state travel. Importantly, funds may not be used for capital improvements, vehicle purchases, or lobbying activities. Indirect costs are capped at 10% of the requested amount. Awardees will be expected to submit monthly and quarterly reports and must provide a final report within 30 days of the grant period’s close. DHS will issue a $10,000 advance upon execution of the grant, with subsequent disbursements made quarterly. Applicants are required to propose innovative and actionable plans for outreach, communication, and participant engagement. The proposal must outline how the program will identify and support socially isolated individuals, particularly those who are underserved or non-English-speaking. The plan should describe mechanisms for consistent engagement, including partnerships with family members or healthcare providers when appropriate. Applicants are also expected to detail how they will measure participant progress through evidence-based tools or data systems and how those findings will be used for future improvements. The application must include a complete work plan using the template provided (Attachment C), a detailed budget (Annex A), and numerous appendices, including organizational charts, board lists, audits, certifications, and references. Required components also include a narrative addressing recent efforts, outreach plans, data security, and staffing. Applications are due by January 13, 2026, at 3:00 P.M. ET. All materials must be combined into a single PDF and submitted electronically. Applicants must also be in good financial standing and registered with NJSTART (if not a government agency). Proposals will be evaluated on five criteria: Project Focus and Scope (25 points), Project Execution (25 points), Organizational Capacity and Sustainability (20 points), Outreach (10 points), and Budget Justification (20 points). A minimum score of 60 is required to be considered for funding. Final decisions will be based on review scores, geographic equity, innovation, and sustainability. The program is not recurring, and matching funds are not required, though leveraged in-kind support is encouraged.

Include in-person elements for full scoring; show measurable progress every 3 months; highlight work with underserved populations.