The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) has been awarded an $800,000 federal grant to assist seniors and disabled citizens as they seek long term care services, state officials said today.

The Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) grants are part of the New Freedom Initiative, a federal effort designed to help overcome barriers to community living for the elderly and disabled.

"Navigating our system of long term care services statewide can sometimes become a difficult endeavor. This new project will assist thousands of Michigan citizens as they seek long-term care options in our communities," said Janet Olszewski, MDCH Director. "This grant will begin to build a single source of information and assistance for Michigan families in desperate need of guidance when the need for long-term care becomes great."

Michigan was notified of the award on August 18, and was awarded the highest grant amount available in the program, Olszewski said. Michigan was among 19 states to receive a total of $15 million in new federal monies for the initiative.

"The creation of a one-stop informational shop will be a tremendous help to families who – with little time to prepare – need to find effective long-term care for a loved one," said Sharon L. Gire, Director of Michigan’s Office of Services To The Aging. "These grants will help these states integrate their varied long-term support programs into a single, coordinated system that will make it easier for families to get the most effective care for their loved ones, preferably right in their own communities."

Olszewski said the ADRC grants are designed to give states flexibility in the development and administration of their individual programs.

For more information on the Aging and Disability Resource Centers Grant program, go to the AOA web site at http://www.aoa.gov, the CMS web site at www.cms.hhs.gov/newfreedom/default.asp or the Aging and Disability Resource Center Technical Assistance Exchange at www.adrc-tae.org.