Opportunity Information: Apply for HHS 2021 ACL AOA EESC 0075
The National Information and Referral Support Center grant opportunity is a federal cooperative agreement run by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living (ACL), through the Administration on Aging (AoA). Its purpose is to fund one national-level organization to operate and continue the Support Center, a long-standing resource that has been active since 1991. The Center exists to strengthen the quality, consistency, and professionalism of Information and Referral/Assistance (I&R/A) services across the aging and disability networks. In practical terms, the funded Center serves as a hub that helps state and local agencies, tribal organizations, and community-based providers improve how they connect older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers to services and supports.
The opportunity is grounded in the reality that I&R/A is not a side activity but a foundational service in the Older Americans Act (OAA) network, required since 1973. State Agencies on Aging and Area Agencies on Aging must ensure I&R is available in sufficient numbers so older adults across a state or region can access help. The scale is large: the aging network includes more than 2,400 I&R providers, handling roughly 11.9 million contacts each year. The work also extends beyond aging services. Since 2003, the Support Center has broadened its reach to include disability-focused partners, reflecting the growth of “No Wrong Door” approaches to long-term services and supports (LTSS) and the central role of information and referral in Centers for Independent Living nationwide.
A major emphasis of the Support Center is workforce development and standard-setting in the I&R/A field. Over time, it helped expand specialized credentials with the Alliance of Information and Referral Systems (AIRS), including the earlier aging-focused certification and the newer aging/disability credential now called the Community Resource Specialist - Aging/Disabilities (CRS-A/D). Under this grant, the Center is expected to continue offering training and clear guidance for agencies and individual professionals seeking CRS-A/D credentialing, reinforcing consistent skills and practices across the country.
The rationale for continued investment is tied to changing consumer needs and rising complexity. People seeking help are often trying to make decisions across multiple systems at once, including healthcare, housing, transportation, caregiving, and other LTSS options, and they frequently experience these systems as confusing and fragmented. The COVID-19 public health emergency further highlighted how essential timely, accurate, and informed information is during crises. At the same time, demographics and equity concerns are front and center: programs must respond to a more diverse older adult population and improve racial and ethnic equity in access to services. Technology is another driver. Modern I&R/A is no longer limited to phone calls; consumers increasingly expect support through web tools, chat, web conferencing, smartphones, and even virtual assistants. The opportunity explicitly points to the need for innovative technology investments, including tools like APIs, to improve access and efficiency and to better link state and local resource information.
The funded applicant is expected to propose a national strategy for training and technical assistance that responds to what the field actually needs right now. A first-order task is to examine and document the current state of aging and disability I&R/A programs and systems, using that assessment to set priorities for training and technical assistance. From there, the Center must deliver a blend of in-person and virtual learning and provide hands-on technical assistance. Each project year includes coordinating one national, in-person symposium focused on both foundational and emerging issues in aging, disability, and I&R. The symposium may be held alongside another major gathering such as the AIRS I&R Training and Education Conference. Beyond that, the Center should pursue additional teaching opportunities at national and regional conferences and significantly expand virtual training through multiple formats like online courses, webinars, and podcasts to reach more professionals cost-effectively.
Ongoing technical assistance and consultation is another required pillar. The Center must build a technical assistance strategy that supports agencies across both the aging and disability networks on core I&R/A functions and related operational challenges. To support this role as a national hub, the Center must also develop and maintain a modern, “state-of-the-art” website that functions as a comprehensive, practical repository for tools, guidance, and learning materials. The website is also where the Center will collect, document, and promote best practices and model approaches, with special attention to three priority themes: using technology effectively to connect resources and improve service delivery; improving emergency preparedness and continuity (including pandemics and natural disasters); and strengthening programs to ensure racial and ethnic equity in access to aging and disability services.
Coordination and field leadership are built into the expectations. The Center is meant to represent the interests of aging and disability I&R/A with national organizations and federal partners, and it is specifically directed to work with AIRS on shared priorities that advance professionalism in I&R/A systems. It should also collaborate with other ACL resource centers and ACL-funded grantees (examples named include the State Health Insurance Assistance Program resource center, the Long-Term Care Ombudsman resource center, and the Alzheimer’s Call Center) so that I&R/A practices align with and support related national efforts. Another explicit coordination duty is engagement with the Eldercare Locator: the Center should serve on the Eldercare Locator Advisory Committee, help promote the service, and provide training support to its staff as needed.
Finally, the grant requires a formal advisory structure. The Support Center must convene an Advisory Committee, in consultation with ACL, to help guide the Center’s direction and keep its work connected to real-world needs. The committee should include representatives from State and Area Agencies on Aging, Aging and Disability Resource Centers, Centers for Independent Living, and other relevant organizations, with the goal of improving I&R/A service quality, strengthening service delivery systems, and increasing the professionalism of the I&R/A workforce.
Key grant details include that this is a discretionary funding opportunity (CFDA 93.048) using a cooperative agreement mechanism, meaning ACL is likely to have substantial involvement and collaboration during the project. The opportunity anticipated a single award (Expected Awards: 1) with an award ceiling of $225,000, under the income security and social services activity category. The funding opportunity number is HHS-2021-ACL-AOA-EESC-0075, created March 25, 2021, with an original closing date of May 24, 2021, and eligibility described broadly as “Others” with additional eligibility details provided in the full notice.Apply for HHS 2021 ACL AOA EESC 0075
- The Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living in the income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "National Information & Referral Support Center" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.048.
- This funding opportunity was created on Mar 25, 2021.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 24, 2021. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $225,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): National Information and Referral Support Center Grant
What is the National Information and Referral Support Center grant opportunity?
It is a federal grant opportunity structured as a cooperative agreement to fund one national-level organization to operate and continue the National Information and Referral Support Center, a long-standing national resource that has been active since 1991.
Which federal agency administers this opportunity?
The opportunity is run by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Community Living (ACL), through the Administration on Aging (AoA).
What is the purpose of the Support Center?
The Support Center exists to strengthen the quality, consistency, and professionalism of Information and Referral/Assistance (I&R/A) services across the aging and disability networks, helping organizations improve how they connect older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers to services and supports.
How many organizations will be funded under this opportunity?
The opportunity anticipates a single award (Expected Awards: 1) to one national-level organization.
What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling is $225,000.
What is the funding mechanism and what does it imply?
The mechanism is a cooperative agreement. This typically indicates substantial federal involvement and collaboration during the project, and the notice states ACL is likely to have substantial involvement.
What is the CFDA number associated with this grant?
The CFDA number is 93.048.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is HHS-2021-ACL-AOA-EESC-0075.
When was this opportunity created and when did it close?
It was created on March 25, 2021, with an original closing date of May 24, 2021.
What activity category is this opportunity listed under?
The activity category is income security and social services.
Why is Information and Referral/Assistance (I&R/A) considered important in this program?
I&R/A is described as a foundational service in the Older Americans Act (OAA) network and has been required since 1973. State Agencies on Aging and Area Agencies on Aging must ensure I&R is available in sufficient numbers so older adults can access help across a state or region.
How large is the I&R/A field described in the opportunity?
The aging network includes more than 2,400 I&R providers handling roughly 11.9 million contacts each year.
Does the Support Center focus only on aging services?
No. While rooted in the aging network, the Support Center broadened its reach in 2003 to include disability-focused partners, reflecting the growth of No Wrong Door approaches to long-term services and supports (LTSS) and the role of information and referral in Centers for Independent Living.
Who does the Support Center primarily serve or support?
The Center serves as a national hub supporting state and local agencies, tribal organizations, and community-based providers that connect older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers to services and supports.
What are the major focus areas for the Support Center under this grant?
Key emphases include workforce development, training and technical assistance, standard-setting and credential support, technology-enabled I&R/A improvements, emergency preparedness and continuity, and efforts to strengthen racial and ethnic equity in access to services.
What is expected regarding training and technical assistance (T&TA)?
The funded applicant is expected to propose a national strategy for training and technical assistance that reflects current field needs. A first step is to examine and document the current state of aging and disability I&R/A programs and systems, then use that assessment to set priorities for training and technical assistance.
What types of training formats are expected?
The Center is expected to deliver a blend of in-person and virtual learning and to significantly expand virtual training using formats such as online courses, webinars, and podcasts.
Is there a required national in-person event?
Yes. Each project year includes coordinating one national, in-person symposium focused on both foundational and emerging issues in aging, disability, and I&R. The symposium may be held alongside another major gathering such as the AIRS I&R Training and Education Conference.
Is the Support Center expected to provide technical assistance beyond training events?
Yes. Ongoing technical assistance and consultation is a required pillar. The Center must build a technical assistance strategy that supports agencies across aging and disability networks on core I&R/A functions and related operational challenges.
What are the website requirements for the Support Center?
The Center must develop and maintain a modern, state-of-the-art website that serves as a comprehensive and practical repository for tools, guidance, and learning materials, and also collects, documents, and promotes best practices and model approaches.
What priority themes must be emphasized in best practices and model approaches?
The website and related work should pay special attention to three themes: (1) using technology effectively to connect resources and improve service delivery, (2) improving emergency preparedness and continuity including pandemics and natural disasters, and (3) strengthening programs to ensure racial and ethnic equity in access to aging and disability services.
What does the opportunity say about technology and innovation in I&R/A?
It highlights that modern I&R/A is no longer limited to phone calls and that consumers increasingly expect support through web tools, chat, web conferencing, smartphones, and even virtual assistants. It explicitly points to innovative technology investments, including tools like APIs, to improve access and efficiency and to better link state and local resource information.
How does the grant address emergencies such as pandemics or natural disasters?
Emergency preparedness and continuity is identified as a priority theme for best practices and model approaches, reflecting lessons underscored during the COVID-19 public health emergency about the importance of timely, accurate information during crises.
How does the opportunity address equity?
The opportunity notes demographic change and equity concerns and calls for strengthening programs to improve racial and ethnic equity in access to aging and disability services. Equity is also listed as one of the three priority themes for best practices promoted by the Center.
What role does AIRS play in the grant expectations?
The Center is specifically directed to work with the Alliance of Information and Referral Systems (AIRS) on shared priorities that advance professionalism in I&R/A systems, including credentialing-related support.
Which credential is specifically referenced, and what is the Center expected to do about it?
The opportunity references the Community Resource Specialist - Aging/Disabilities (CRS-A/D) credential. Under this grant, the Center is expected to continue offering training and clear guidance for agencies and individual professionals seeking CRS-A/D credentialing to reinforce consistent skills and practices nationwide.
What other ACL-related collaborations are expected?
The Center should collaborate with other ACL resource centers and ACL-funded grantees so I&R/A practices align with related national efforts. Examples named include the State Health Insurance Assistance Program resource center, the Long-Term Care Ombudsman resource center, and the Alzheimer's Call Center.
What is the Support Center expected to do with the Eldercare Locator?
The Center should engage with the Eldercare Locator by serving on the Eldercare Locator Advisory Committee, helping promote the service, and providing training support to its staff as needed.
Is an advisory committee required for the Support Center?
Yes. The grant requires the Support Center to convene an Advisory Committee, in consultation with ACL, to guide direction and keep the work connected to real-world needs.
Who should be represented on the Advisory Committee?
The committee should include representatives from State and Area Agencies on Aging, Aging and Disability Resource Centers, Centers for Independent Living, and other relevant organizations.
What outcomes is the Advisory Committee intended to support?
The stated goals include improving I&R/A service quality, strengthening service delivery systems, and increasing the professionalism of the I&R/A workforce.
What eligibility information is provided in the summary?
Eligibility is described broadly as "Others," with additional eligibility details provided in the full notice.
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