Coronavirus Relief Funds: Adult Day Service and Senior Center Provider Relief – Nutrition Support

The State of Ohio is distributing Coronavirus Relief Funds (CRF) provided to the state from the US Department of Treasury as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”). The Ohio Department of Aging is accepting applications to support nutrition infrastructure for Adult Day Service Facilities and Senior Centers who were impacted by the increased demand of nutrition services due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These funds will be distributed through the Ohio Office of Budget and Management at the direction of the Ohio Department of Aging. Adult Day Service Facilities and Senior Centers were impacted significantly during the pandemic due to the high degree of susceptibility to COVID-19 and the congregate nature of the nutrition services provided to the public. In immediate response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ohio Senior Centers quickly transitioned congregate meal services to providing home-delivered and grab-and-go style meals to eligible older adults. In Ohio, home-delivered meal services increased by approximately 50% during the pandemic, as more older adults required, and depended on in-home meal assistance. This increase resulted in significant challenges for our food industry supply chains and infrastructure. Nevertheless, Ohio’s aging service providers rose to the challenge to meet local needs. Equipment and supplies to support this quick transition were identified as a need and continues to be a critical component to sustaining the current caseload of meal consumers. Senior Centers and Adult Day Service Facilities provide essential nutrition support to older adults by means of meals and snacks throughout the day, often with limited capacity and infrastructure. Ongoing nutrition support is necessary to assist providers in maintaining nutrition services in situations of COVID-19 outbreaks, such as experienced with the delta variant. This provider relief opportunity will focus on Adult Day Service Facilities’ and Senior Centers’ important priority of supporting nutrition services, including home-delivered meals and congregate (group) meals. Funds may be used to assist with the safe re-opening and operation of meal programs, including costs associated with COVID-19 cleaning and sanitation supplies, personal protective equipment, emergency preparedness procedures and protocols, preparation supplies (temporary sinks, thermometers, etc.), technology solutions, and other expenses. Additionally, funds may be used to support innovative nutrition strategies and programs to increase consumer service. This will help to unite older adults with additional community services to meet social and economic needs that have surfaced during the pandemic, including food access and assistance, nutrition education, health and wellness programs, and social inclusion promotion and support. As the pandemic continues, it is critical to continue responding and resolving unmet nutrition needs of at-risk older Ohioans. This opportunity is just one solution to address such need. Providers of Adult Day Service Facilities and Senior Centers should apply for each separately. Note: All Adult Day Facilities and Senior Centers are eligible to apply, regardless if they received previous awards through the first and second funding opportunities. This provider relief opportunity will focus on Adult Day Service Facilities’ and Senior Centers’ important priority of supporting nutrition services, including home-delivered meals and congregate (group) meals. Funds will be used to assist with the safe re-opening and operation of meal programs, including costs associated with COVID-19 cleaning and sanitation supplies, personal protective equipment, emergency preparedness procedures and protocols, preparation supplies (temporary sinks, thermometers, etc.), technology solutions, and other expenses.