Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $18.3 Million in Grants for Respite Initiatives
BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll administration recently awarded $18.3 million to organizations and communities across Massachusetts to create or enhance services that provide short-term relief to family members or primary caregivers of individuals with complex needs.
The 42 awardees demonstrated innovative strategies to deliver person-centered respite care in new or enhanced ways. The funded proposals will support caregivers with reprieve as they care for individuals with chronic or other health conditions, disabilities, or functional limitations.
Funding may also support addressing workforce needs of home- and community-based service providers and ensuring improved access to services that are sensitive to diversity and inclusivity. Award amounts range from $40,000 to $1.2 million.
“So many people in our state act as primary caregivers for others every single day,” Secretary of Health and Human Services Kate Walsh said. “It is important to provide these caregivers with the opportunity to rest, while still ensuring continuity and high-level quality of care that is both culturally and linguistically appropriate to those who rely on them.”
Grant funding comes from Medicaid Home and Community Based Services under the American Rescue Plan Act. In 2021, Massachusetts created a plan to use the federal funding for enhancing, expanding, and strengthening home- and community-based services as well as behavioral-health services.
Recipients include: AgeSpan Inc., Mystic Valley Elder Services Inc., Opportunities for Inclusion, Federation for Children with Special Needs, Home for Little Wanderers Inc., LUK Crisis Center Inc., Advocates Inc., People Inc., Tri-Valley Inc., town of Dennis, Grow Associates Inc., Mental Health Assoc., Alzheimer’s Family Caregiver Support, Martha’s Vineyard Center for Living, the Arc of Greater Plymouth, town of Bourne, Seven Hills Family Services Inc., Premier Home Healthcare of Massachusetts, Incompass Human Services, Riverside Community Care Inc., East Point ADHC LLC, South Shore Support Services Inc., Lynn ADHC LLC, the Arc of Bristol County, Senior Care Inc., Southwest Boston Senior Services, Metrocare LLC, Boss Lady Sister LLC, Childrens Hospital Corp., Cooley Dickinson Hospital Inc., Archangels, town of Burlington, Bay Cove Human Services Inc., Lifepath Inc., Charles River Assoc., city of New Bedford, Toward Independent Living & Learning, Northeast Arc Inc., WestMass ElderCare Inc., Emissary Health Inc., Magnifique Health, and House of Possibilities Inc.