CBOs to Raise Awareness of Urgent Maternal Warning Signs in Pregnant and Postpartum People

The Maryland Department of Aging's Aging-In-Place Program offers competitive grant funding to support older adults in living safely, independently, and comfortably in their own homes and communities. This program aligns with the Department's commitment to ensuring that Marylanders, regardless of age, income, or ability, can maintain their identity and independence in familiar environments. The core mission is to promote the well-being of older adults by preserving familiarity, providing mental stimulation, reducing emotional stress associated with transitions, and offering the opportunity to live in a supported community, such as a Senior Village. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are older adults in Maryland, with a particular focus on those in historically underserved communities. These include Black, Latino, Indigenous and Native American persons, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, other persons of color, members of religious minorities, LGBTQ+ persons, individuals with disabilities, those in rural areas, and those affected by persistent poverty or inequality. The impact goals are to delay cognitive decline, improve quality of life, maintain emotional well-being, and enhance access to resources and supportive services for these populations. The program prioritizes projects that incorporate volunteers in the planning and delivery of services, serve historically underserved communities, propose multi-sector or multigenerational collaboration, establish new Senior Villages or expand existing ones into marginalized communities, and foster partnerships between Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) and Senior Villages. These strategic priorities aim to enhance capacity, extend reach, improve effectiveness, and achieve better outcomes for older adults across the state. The theory of change suggests that by supporting these initiatives, the Department can create more robust community-based support systems, directly leading to improved independence, health, and social engagement for older Marylanders. Expected outcomes include increased access to in-home personal care, education on maintaining community living, psychological, economic, or functional assistance, greater awareness of and equitable access to resources, improved supportive services and care coordination, reduced social isolation, affordable transportation options, and assistance with home modifications. Measurable results will likely involve tracking the number of individuals served, the types of services provided, the establishment and expansion of Senior Villages, and indicators of improved quality of life and independence among participants. The total funding available for this grant cycle is $100,000, with grants running from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025.