Alzheimer's Disease Programs Initiative (ADPI) - Developing Dementia-Capable Community Health Worker Programs in the National Aging Network

The Alzheimer's Disease Programs Initiative (ADPI) - Developing Dementia-Capable Community Health Worker Programs in the National Aging Network is a new funding opportunity released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Administration on Aging (AoA). This initiative aims to expand and support a dementia-capable workforce within the National Aging Network by deploying trained Community Health Workers (CHWs) to provide home- and community-based services for people living with dementia and their caregivers. This funding initiative addresses the critical need to build workforce capacity, particularly in underserved and rural areas that experience high barriers to care. The goal is to support a person-centered service delivery model and enhance dementia care quality and access nationwide. Through this opportunity, ACL plans to award up to twelve cooperative agreements of $700,000 to $750,000 each for a fully funded 36-month project period. Eligible applicants include Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) and any State designated as a single planning and service area under section 305(a)(1)(E) of Title III in the Older Americans Act. Projects are required to use dementia-specific Evidence-Based or Evidence-Informed Interventions (EBI/EII) that are proven effective and can be implemented by CHWs. The funding must prioritize the delivery of direct services—at least 25% of the annual budget in Year 1, increasing to 45% by Year 3. Projects must also address workforce development by incorporating CHW training in core competencies, dementia screening protocols, and EBI/EII delivery. Applicants are required to provide a 25% cost share (non-federal match), and no project partner may receive more than 20% of total federal funds. The initiative prohibits pass-through funding structures. Projects will begin with a planning phase (approximately 6 months, capped at 15% of the total award), followed by full implementation pending ACL approval of work and evaluation plans. CHWs will act in various roles including care extenders, health navigators, peer coaches, and community educators, and will engage directly with individuals, caregivers, and health systems to identify barriers to care and improve service outcomes. Key submission requirements include a completed application package submitted through Grants.gov, a project narrative not exceeding 20 pages, a work and evaluation plan, CHW training documentation, a budget justification, and letters of commitment from participating entities including a third-party evaluator. The application must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. ET on July 30, 2025. An optional informational call is scheduled for July 9, 2025. Applications not meeting responsiveness criteria (including matching funds and inclusion of an eligible EBI/EII) will not be reviewed. Grantees must participate in technical assistance provided by the National Alzheimer’s and Dementia Resource Center (NADRC) and submit reports as required by ACL, including a final implementation manual and evaluation report. Products developed through the grant must remain in the public domain and may be published on the NADRC website. The anticipated start date for funded projects is September 1, 2025. Contact for programmatic questions is Kari Benson (aoa.oaa@acl.hhs.gov, 202-401-4634), and for grants management, Rasheed Williams (same number).

Include only one goal unless multiple complex interventions are used. Clarify how CHWs will be trained and integrated. Make sure to justify direct service percentages and demonstrate EBI/EII compliance. Ensure application is complete and adheres to formatting rules.