Introduction

The Alzheimer's Disease Demonstration Grant Program was established by Congress in 1992. The program, which is managed by the U.S. Administration on Aging (AoA), fosters the development of innovative models of care for persons with Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers. The program is also designed to improve responsiveness of the home and community based care system to persons with dementia including underserved minority, rural and low-income persons.

Our position

The Alzheimer's Association urges Congress to appropriate $25 million for the Alzheimer Matching Grant Program to develop and replicate innovative models of service for Alzheimer families in underserved areas, particularly minority and rural communities, in all 50 states.

What we are doing

Through our partnership with the Administration on Aging (AoA), we are developing innovative model programs in states and communities to extend Alzheimer programs and family support services to underserved minority populations and rural communities.

The Alzheimer's Disease Demonstration Grant Program has fostered collaborations between Alzheimer's Association chapters and state aging and mental health agencies, public health departments, private foundations, universities, physicians and managed care organizations, as well as a variety of local community service providers.

In 2002, Alzheimer's Disease Demonstration Grants were awarded to 33 states. States receive a federal share of approximately $220,000 to $350,000 per year for three years.

In fiscal year 2003, the Demonstration Grant Program received an additional $2 million, bringing total funding to approximately $13.5 million.

As a result of the new funds, AoA announced a grant competition for states in 2003. States currently funded by the program will not be eligible and preference will be given to states not funded in previous years. A request for proposals and grant announcement will be published in the Federal Register in late spring and on the AoA website at www.aoa.gov.

The House and Senate Labor/HHS/Education Appropriations bill will determine future funding for the program.