Alzheimer’s Disease Programs Initiative (ADPI) – Dementia Capable Community Health Worker Programs
Can you apply?
This grant is for organizations seeking to develop and implement dementia-capable community health worker programs that serve individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. Eligible applicants typically include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, public health departments, community health centers, Area Agencies on Aging, and other community-based organizations with experience serving older adults or health education. The program supports workforce development, training, and deployment of community health workers across the United States. Funded programs must demonstrate capacity to recruit and train health workers in dementia care competencies and serve as models for scaling dementia-capable workforce initiatives in their communities.
⚖️ Cost sharing / matching required — applicants must contribute their own funds.
Key dates
- Apr 29, 2026 Applications open
- Jun 30, 2026 Application deadline in 15 days
- Aug 25, 2026 Award announced
- Sep 1, 2026 Project start
Program description
Through the Alzheimers Disease Program Initiative (ADPI), ACL seeks to enhance workforce capacity in the National Aging Network with the inclusion of dementia-capable Community Health Workers (CHWs). CHWs work to improve conditions for health in communities with the highest rates of disease, disability, and death. ADPI supports dementia-capable home and community-based services for people living with dementia and their caregivers. As a result of this initiative, ACL seeks to strengthen relationships with rural and underserved communities and address barriers to care for people living with dementia and their caregivers.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- SF-424 Supplement (if required by HHS)
- Project narrative describing program design, goals, and dementia care curriculum
- Budget and detailed budget justification
- Letters of support from partner organizations and employers
- Organizational capacity documentation (staff resumes, organizational chart, past performance history)
- Evaluation plan with specific, measurable outcomes
- Letters of commitment from health systems or agencies planning to employ trained workers
- Data on community need for dementia-capable workforce
- Plan for sustainability and scalability beyond grant period
Program contact
- 👤 Kari Benson
- 📧 AoA.OAA@acl.hhs.gov
- 📞 202-401-4634
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.470 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$6,167,855
-
$2,128,231
-
$1,837,721
-
$1,000,000
-
$1,000,000
-
$1,000,000
-
$1,000,000
-
$1,000,000
-
$1,000,000
-
$1,000,000
Top States by Funding
- CA 14 awards $13.4M
- IL 8 awards $13.0M
- AZ 7 awards $6.4M
- OH 6 awards $5.5M
- TX 5 awards $4.7M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.470). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $31,500,000 | |
| 2025 | $31,500,000 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
Typically 501(c)(3) nonprofits, public health departments, community health centers, Area Agencies on Aging, and other community-based organizations with demonstrated experience in health education or aging services are eligible. Check the specific NOFO for your organization type.
What activities does this funding support?
The grant supports developing and implementing community health worker programs focused on dementia care, including recruiting, training, and deploying workers; creating training curricula; and establishing sustainable service models.
Are there matching fund requirements?
Many HHS grants require cost-sharing or matching funds. Review the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for specific cost-sharing requirements for this grant cycle.
How competitive is this funding?
As a federal program from ACL, this is typically moderately to highly competitive. Strong applications demonstrate clear community need, organizational capacity, and evidence-based program design with measurable outcomes.
What is the typical funding range?
Federal grants for workforce development programs typically range from $100,000 to $500,000+ annually, though exact amounts vary by funding year. Consult the NOFO for this grant cycle's specific amounts.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Clearly articulate the community problem: provide data on dementia prevalence, health disparities, and workforce gaps in your service area. Use epidemiological data to justify the need for dementia-capable workers.
- Demonstrate evidence-based program design: reference established dementia care competency frameworks and show how your training curriculum aligns with national standards or evidence-based models.
- Highlight sustainability and scalability: explain how the program will continue beyond the grant period and how your model could be replicated or scaled in other communities.
- Build strong partnerships: include letters of support from health systems, Area Agencies on Aging, community organizations, and employers who will hire or support trained health workers.
- Include clear metrics and evaluation: propose specific, measurable outcomes (e.g., number of workers trained, client outcomes, health system adoption) with a realistic evaluation plan.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications commonly fail when they lack sufficient community data demonstrating need or when they describe generic health worker training without specific dementia care competencies. Another frequent issue is underestimating the resources needed for curriculum development, trainer certification, or sustainability planning—reviewers want to see realistic budgets and clear pathways to ongoing funding or institutional adoption.
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