On March 27, 2020, the President signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The Act, which provides $2.2 trillion in total, directs $955 million to Administration for Community Living (ACL) programs. These funds will go to existing grantees in the aging and disability networks, including State Units on Aging and Centers for Independent Living, as well as to Tribes and tribal organizations. The $955 million includes:
- $200M for Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) under Title III-B of the Older Americans Act (OAA);
- $480M for nutrition programs under Title III-C of the OAA;
- $100M for the National Family Caregiver Support Program under Title III-E of the OAA;
- $20M for the Ombudsman Program under Title VII of the OAA; and
- $50M for Aging and Disability Resource Centers.
In addition to the funding, the CARES Act also includes many provisions that will benefit people with disabilities, older adults and the aging and disability networks, including:- the ability for direct care workers who provide services under Medicaid waivers to accompany people with disabilities as they enter hospitals to continue to provide services that are not provided by the hospital, and
- extending funding for the Money Follows the Person demonstration program through November 30, 2020, among other provisions.
Plus, the CARES Act expands telehealth options and explicitly includes nonprofits in the provisions for small business loans. Learn more at: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/748