MDHHS seeks grant proposals to prevent vulnerable adult abuse

LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) State Unit on Aging in the Bureau of Aging, Community Living and Supports is seeking proposals to provide services to prevent elder and vulnerable adult abuse.

Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, private and public entities, local health departments, federally recognized tribes, a group of federally recognized Michigan tribes or Urban Indian Health Clinic programs and universities that provide prevention services to older adult populations at risk of abuse.

MDHHS works to ensure individuals at risk of elder or vulnerable adult abuse have access to preventive services by implementing evidence-based tools and continuous quality improvement systems to enhance laws and regulations that protect vulnerable populations.

Applications must include proposals that fall within one or more of seven defined areas:

• Mediation: Develop programs or processes to support older adults' choices and decisions. Create mutually acceptable solutions to disputes, preserving independence and choice.

• Hoarding: Develop programs and/or processes that work with multidisciplinary partners to address the health, safety and stigma related to hoarding, and that result in long-term viable solutions.

• Safe housing: Identify and develop systems or solutions to assist elder abuse survivors and/or elderly individuals in potential abuse situations transition to sustainable long-term housing.

• Forensic accounting: Improve the prevention and prosecution of financial exploitation.

• Elder death review team: Develop or expand elder death review teams to work with medical examiners to identify gaps in justice for elder abuse, neglect and exploitation victims, and develop and implement actionable solutions.

• Investigative team: Develop or expand investigative teams to work with law enforcement, prosecutors and adult protective services to identify gaps in justice for elder abuse, neglect and exploitation victims, and develop and implement actionable solutions.

• Education: Develop or expand programs to educate and empower older and vulnerable adults to understand and identify financial fraud/scams. Michigan seniors reported $170 million in elder fraud losses to the FBI in 2025, with 5,731 victims ages 60 and older.

Priority will be given to applicants that ensure the plan equitably addresses the needs of all of Michigan's older adults, especially those with the greatest economic and social needs. This includes older adults of various races and ethnicities, veterans, the LGBTQ+ community, adults with disabilities, older adults living with HIV/AIDS, Native Americans, refugees, those living in rural communities and those with limited English proficiency or who speak English as a second language.

An effective plan will include how the agency's proposal will combat ageism and enhance the prevention of, detection of or response to elder abuse through prevention and support, mitigating financial exploitation or addressing systemic barriers. Projects should support approaches that remove barriers and inequities using evidence-based programs that reduce disparities, address social isolation, improve health outcomes and demonstrate collaborations and partnerships. Program deliverables may include tools, guides or other materials that identify risks and gaps to address an unmet need. Proposals should include measurable outcomes and demonstrate an ability to fully expend the grant award.

The award period is Oct. 1, 2026, through Sept. 30, 2027. MDHHS expects to award approximately $600,000 to up to six applicants, with a minimum award of $50,000 and a maximum award of $150,000 per applicant.

Grant applications must be submitted electronically through the EGrAMS program by 3 p.m., Wednesday, July 1. Project director requests for access to the applications are due by 5 p.m., Thursday, June 25.

A pre-application conference to discuss this funding opportunity and to provide instruction on using the EGrAMS system will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, June 12, and will last approximately 90 minutes. The webinar can be accessed at https://bit.ly/4uVcnzQ. A recording of the webinar will be posted on the EGrAMS system after the conference concludes.

For more information or to apply, visit the EGrAMS website and click the "About EGrAMS" link on the left panel to access the "Competitive Application Instructions" training manual. The complete Request for Proposal document can be accessed on the EGrAMS website in the "Current Grants" section by clicking the "Health and Aging Services Administration" link and accessing the "PRVNT-2027" grant program.

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