Prevent Elder and Vulnerable Adult Abuse, Exploitation, Neglect Grant Program

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), through its Bureau of Aging, Community Living, and Supports, is offering a competitive grant opportunity titled Prevent Elder and Vulnerable Adult Abuse, Exploitation, Neglect Today. This program is designed to strengthen statewide efforts to protect older adults and vulnerable populations from abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation. MDHHS serves as the state’s primary agency responsible for aging services and works in coordination with state and federal partners to ensure safety, dignity, and equitable access to services for Michigan residents. The initiative reflects broader state priorities to enhance protective systems, improve service delivery, and address systemic gaps affecting vulnerable populations. The purpose of this grant program is to ensure that individuals at risk of elder or vulnerable adult abuse have access to preventive services through the implementation of evidence-based tools and continuous quality improvement systems. The program seeks to enhance laws, regulations, and service systems that protect vulnerable populations while promoting early intervention and prevention strategies. Applicants must propose projects aligned with one or more of seven defined focus areas, including mediation, hoarding interventions, safe housing solutions, forensic accounting to address financial exploitation, elder death review teams, investigative team expansion, and educational programming related to fraud and scam prevention. Funding is intended to support new or expanded programs that incorporate evidence-based practices and demonstrate measurable outcomes. Allowable activities include the development of tools, guides, systems improvements, and collaborative service models that identify risks and address unmet needs. Projects must demonstrate the ability to reduce disparities, improve health outcomes, and address social isolation. Certain costs are unallowable, including food and expenses already supported by other funding sources. All materials developed under the grant become the property of MDHHS, and funded projects must comply with reporting and performance requirements outlined in the grant agreement. Eligibility for this opportunity is broad and includes 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, public and private entities, local health departments, federally recognized tribes and tribal groups, Urban Indian Health Clinic programs, and universities that provide prevention services to older adults. Applicants must demonstrate capacity, relevant experience, and the ability to serve populations with the greatest social and economic needs, including diverse racial and ethnic groups, individuals with disabilities, rural populations, and those with limited English proficiency. Applications from current State of Michigan employees are not eligible. The application process requires submission through the EGrAMS electronic system. Applicants must register, create a user profile, and submit a Project Director Request to gain access to the application. A complete application, including a 12-month budget, must be submitted by the stated deadline, and all validation errors must be resolved prior to submission. A pre-application conference is offered to provide guidance on the system and application requirements. Questions must be submitted by a specified deadline, and responses are shared publicly to ensure fairness in the competitive process. Applications are evaluated through a structured scoring process totaling 100 points, with a minimum score of 75 required for funding consideration. Evaluation criteria include the project synopsis, program implementation plan, organizational experience, work plan, and budget. Reviewers assess factors such as feasibility, alignment with program goals, measurable outcomes, collaboration, and sustainability beyond the grant period. MDHHS reserves discretion in award decisions and may consider financial stability, past performance, and overall value. The total funding available for this program is approximately 600,000 dollars, with individual awards ranging from 50,000 to 150,000 dollars. MDHHS anticipates awarding approximately five grants. The performance period runs from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027, with the possibility of continuation funding through September 30, 2028 based on performance and funding availability. Key deadlines include a pre-application conference on June 12, 2026, a Project Director Request deadline of June 25, 2026, and a final application submission deadline of July 1, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Award notifications are expected by August 26, 2026.

Focus on measurable outcomes and evidence-based approaches; clearly align proposal with one of the seven priority areas; demonstrate equity and inclusion strategies; show strong collaboration and sustainability planning