Family and friends of seniors and veterans are often called upon to do the essential but difficult work of providing unpaid care for a loved one as they age or encounter complex health challenges. While caregiving relationships can be supportive and mutually beneficial, they can also be stressful, demanding, and cause adverse economic, physical, and emotional effects.
A new funding opportunity is available from the Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy (VSHSL) to fund programs that recognize caregivers’ unique strengths and responsibilities and support them through community building and respite programs that enable long-term, sustainable caregiving.
Funding for Caregiver Community Building and Caregiver Respite
Family and other unpaid caregivers play a foundational role in the care of seniors and veterans with complex health needs and disabling conditions. The VSHSL defines “caregiver” as a family member or friend who supports an older adult or veteran but is not provided payment for providing those services. Government benefits or financial assistance provided directly to a person for being a caregiver are not considered pay within this definition. The Caregiver Community Building and Caregiver Respite strategies fund programs that recognize caregivers’ unique strengths and burdens, help combat isolation among caregivers and offer opportunities for community building and respite services that are necessary for caregiving to be sustainable long-term.
Funded programs will decrease isolation and stress, promote community and belonging, and increase access to services for caregivers of seniors and veterans so they can sustain their vital role as caregivers and relationship with their loved ones.
Caregiver Community Building refers to programs, services, or access to services that allow caregivers to feel and be part of a community.
Caregiver Respite refers to a break a caregiver gets from caregiving to focus on self-care such as having a temporary paid caregiver to take the unpaid caregiver’s place, supports that allow the caregiver a break from caregiving tasks, or programming in a group day-care setting.
The goal of these strategies is to increase supportive social connection and reduce stress for unpaid caregivers, ultimately improving quality of life for both caregivers and the individuals for whom they provide care.
Application details
Available funding: Up to $1,238,500 in VSHSL funds
Investment period: August 1, 2021 – December 31, 2023 (subject to change)
Questions: Contact Nikki Nguyen at nnguyen@kingcounty.gov
Applications due: June 23, 2021 by 5 pm
Join us for more information
Bidders Conference:
May 27, 2021 | 10:00 – 11:30 am
Join by Zoom:
Meeting ID: 954 8002 3201
Registration here: https://kingcounty.zoom.us/j/95480023201
The Bidders Conference session will be recorded and posted at kingcounty.gov/VSHSL-Funding.
For more information and to apply visit: https://www.zoomgrants.com/zgf/VSHSL_Caregiver_Supports_RFP
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