Funding Available to Revitalize Adult Day Services in Ohio

Ohio Department of Aging (ODA) Director Ursel J. McElroy announced today that $6 million in grant funding is committed toward helping to revitalize adult day services throughout Ohio. All qualified organizations seeking to become adult day services providers, as well as existing adult day services providers seeking to expand their services, are eligible to apply for the available grant fund offered by the Ohio Office of Budget and Management (OBM) at the direction of ODA.

Interested organizations can click here to connect to the application portal. The application deadline is February 2, 2024. Successful applicants will be eligible to spend their funding in multiple areas, and also eligible for technical assistance support provided by LeadingAge Ohio in collaboration with the ODA. More information about the Adult Day Revitalization Initiative is available on the ODA website.

The funding serves a threefold purpose: Encourage new providers to join and previous providers to return to the adult day services industry; support existing providers in expanding service capabilities for long-term sustainability; and enhance recruitment and retention of employees dedicated to adult day services. This revitalization effort also creates job opportunities in the healthcare and support industries to help stimulate local economies.

An ODA press release states that restoring adult day services will this valuable care option available to more Ohioans. Services commonly provided by these locations can include recreational and educational programming, meals, health monitoring, skilled therapy, and transportation. Adult Day services are beneficial in increasing social engagement, improved overall physical and mental health, early detection of health issues, family support, caregiver respite, and more. The services also help older adults to remain in their own homes and communities, thereby being more cost-effective than institutional long-term care settings.

Funding for this revitalization effort originated in House Bill 45 of the 134th General Assembly and was later amended via House Bill 33 of the 135th General Assembly. Signed by Gov. Mike DeWine, H.B. 45 allocated federal ARPA funding for numerous purposes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including adult day services.