American Rescue Plan Act: Social Connection
Grants available to improve social connection
Our two grant programs will help fight loneliness and make communities more livable for older adults and people with disabilities.
Social isolation and loneliness grants will be awarded to various public and private organizations to create new ways to help people feel more connected and less isolated. These efforts aim to improve services at home and in the community so that older adults don't have to move into long-term care facilities too soon. Learn more about social isolation and loneliness:
- Action Guide for Building Socially Connected Communities
- CDC: Social Connectedness
- Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging
View the full list of resources in the grant application materials.
Livable communities grants will support solutions for people to connect, get around, or stay engaged with greater ease, which can reduce the risk of serious health issues. By making these changes, the goal is to make places where older people live better so they can stay independent and involved in their communities longer, avoiding the need for expensive care or moving away from home. Learn more about livable communities:
Apply now
Social isolation and loneliness grants: View the public notice and download application materials
Livable communities grants: View the public notice and download application materials
Timeline
Update
Due to the large response to the RFA process, the application review period will be extended. Applicants will be notified as soon as possible. We appreciate your patience.
Applications due: April 15, 2024, 4 p.m. Central time
Email the application with all required documents and attachments, to helen.sampson@dhs.wisconsin.gov. Applications received after the deadline will be deemed non-responsive and will be rejected.
Application review period: April 16–22, 2024
Notification of awards: April 30, 2024
Contract period: Through March 31, 2025
Application information session
View the presentation (PDF) held on April 4, 2024
Watch the webinar recording.
View the full list of resources in the grant application materials.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, there are two separate grant applications:
- Social Isolation and Loneliness grant
- Livable Communities grant
Yes, you can apply for both grants. The requirements for both grants are aligned but they are separate applications.
There is a $100,000 cap for each grant application awarded.
DHS will reimburse actual expenses using a system called GEARS.
No. The funding must be for coalition building or enhancement and for a project that is intended to improve Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS) either directly or by delay or diversion. Projects may serve other populations in addition to serving Medicaid HCBS.
Yes. Any capital expense (over $5,000 lasting longer than a year) must be relevant to Medicaid HCBS.
Yes. Eligible applicants include public and private organizations that have demonstrated capacity to engage community partners. We encourage organizations that have experience or knowledge about the unique social needs of older adults and people with disabilities to apply.
You can view the public notice and download application materials by going to the 'Apply Now' section at the top of this webpage.
Coalition work is the foundation of these grants. A coalition is a group of people who have joined together for a common purpose. We would expect some level of organization and coordination among members. The RFA states, at a minimum, grant recipients will be expected to:
- Develop or enhance a local coalition of partners to address issues associated with social isolation and loneliness among older adults and people with disabilities in the service area.
- Involve a range of partners who reflect the diversity of the community served.
- Identify the community service area's unmet needs and current capacity to respond to those needs.
- Gather data elements, report on outcomes, and share experiences and lessons learned with DHS, other coalitions, and interested groups.
- Plan for the sustainability of coalition efforts after the grant ends.
Applications will be scored by an evaluation committee and ranked according to the numerical scores received. Applicants who will be seeking funds for a coalition only will be eligible for a total of 75 points. Those who will also be asking for funding for a community project will be eligible for a total of 100 points. All applications will be ranked based on a percentage of points achieved (for example, 65 out of 75 points equates to a ranking percentage of 87%.) Eligible points per section are identified in the application. Sections and points are as follows:
- Cover Letter—0 points
- Project Description (Coalition Work)—maximum 20-45 points
- Community Project (Optional)—25 points
- Sustainability—maximum 10 points
- Community Partners—maximum 15 points
- Project Workplan—maximum 15 points
- Budget and Budget Narrative—maximum 15 points