Priority Impact Quality of Life Grants
2020 2nd Cycle High Impact Priority Quality of Life Grants
14 Grants totaling $477,644
Able South Carolina (CIL)
Columbia, SC 29210
$50,000 – Employment
Paving the Path for Workforce Inclusion
This High Impact Priority grant supports employment services and supports, including individualized services, peer support groups, and referral to other supports, to individuals living with paralysis in Richland and Greenville Counties in South Carolina.
ALS Association Golden West Chapter
Agoura Hills, CA 91376
$30,000 – Respite/Caregiving
ALS Respite Care: Improving Quality of Life and Caring for the Caregiver
This High Impact Priority grant provides respite care for 40 families who live with the challenges of ALS every day in 31 counties in California and the state of Hawaii.
Center for People With Disabilities
Boulder, CO 80301
Nursing Home Transitions for People with Paralysis
This High Impact Priority Grant supports a program that assists people living with paralysis in accessing appropriate housing and transitioning into their own homes.
EOD Warrior Foundation
Niceville, FL 32578
$15,000 – Respite/Caregiving
Volunteer Supported Non-Medical Respite & Socialization Program
This High Impact Priority grant supports the development of a volunteer training program to assist and increase socialization of paralyzed, mobility challenged, and wounded veterans and provide non-medial respite care for their families. In 2021, the Foundation hopes to train 100 volunteers, assisting 50-100 families.
George Mark Children’s House
San Leandro, CA 94578
$27,655 – Respite/Caregiving
Psychosocial Services for Respite Clients with Paralysis
This High Impact Priority grant provides respite care for parents of 50-60 children with paralysis with complex physical and medical needs and 175 family members. Families are ethnically and linguistically diverse, reflecting the demographics of the San Francisco Bay Area, and over half are low to very low income.
Handi-Wheels Transportation
Fargo, ND 58102
$30,000 – Transportation
Handi-Wheels Transportation Wheelchair Accessible Van
This High Impact Priority grant supports a wheelchair accessible van to provide crucial transportation service to people living with paralysis to access medical care and participate in other activities so vital to people’s overall well-being and self-sufficiency.
Hope Network
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
$50,000 – Employment
Hope Network’s Vocational Services Return to Work Program for Individuals with Spinal Cord Injuries
This High Impact Priority grant supports the Hope Network Return to Work program which focuses on creating competitive employment opportunities. This involves a thorough assessment of the person’s strengths, barriers, and interests; resume development; individualized job search; employer development; interview coaching; job matching; benefit counseling; identification of various challenges; and follow-up for a year to resolve any issues that arise. The program also includes evaluation services, situational assessments, and rehabilitation counseling. Hope Network will also launch an SCI Return to Work Advisory Panel consisting of a project coordinator, at least one individual with a SCI, several local employers, and at least one rehabilitation clinician.
IndependenceFirst (CIL)
Milwaukee, WI 53204
$40,000 – Nursing Home Transition
Developing a Virtual Transition Program for Sustainable Community Living
This High Impact Priority grant supports IndependenceFirst to develop and implement a virtual transition approach and increase coordination of support resources to empower independent living for individuals living with paralysis. Program participants will have the choice to utilize Independence First’s Independent Living Skills training, access to a Benefits Specialist, Assistive Technology Specialist, Personal Attendant Services, Peer Support through virtual support groups, and access to a low-interest loan for assistive technology.
On My Own, Inc
Nevada, MO 64772
$50,000 – Employment
On My Own, INC Supported Employment Program
This High Impact Priority grant supports a new employment program with integrated supported employment services to help people living with paralysis and other cross-disabilities to obtain and maintain competitive employment, build a career, and become a valued member of the workforce. Integrated employment services are provided in a community setting. Ongoing supports may be included as an integrated employment service if they are needed for the individual to maintain their job. The individual’s preferences, interests, and capacities drive the choice of the job and career.
RAMP – Regional Access & Mobilization Project (CIL)
Rockford, IL 61107
$24,989 – Employment
RAMP Employment Services
This High Impact Priority grant provides employment services including resume development, master application development, interview skills training, career exploration, soft/Essential skills training, transportation training, job seeking skills training, job shadow/volunteer opportunities, job placement, job retention services, and benefit planning assistance/referral to people living with paralysis.
Resource Center for Independent Living, Inc. (CIL)
Utica, NY 13501
Preparing for an Emergency: Ensuring Central New Yorkers With Paralysis Are Ready for Anything
This High Impact Priority grant supports the creation of an emergency preparedness online resource center and working group that will help members of the community living with paralysis and their caregivers plan and prepare for disasters. The online resource center will be a repository of information targeted toward individuals with paralysis and the emergencies most likely to occur in the Mohawk Valley region of New York.
Special Kids Special Families
Colorado Springs, CO 80916
$30,000 – Respite/Caregiving
Circle of Support Respite Program
This High Impact Priority grant supports a program to address the respite care needs of adults living with paralysis and other developmental and behavioral needs with in-home respite care designed to improve the wellbeing of clients and caregivers. This respite care will decrease the isolation that is a perpetual issue for individuals with mobility limitations and those at high medical risk; a problem that has been greatly exacerbated by the pandemic. Respite will also relieve caregivers, allowing them to engage in self-care that is often challenging when caring for someone who requires high levels of assistance with daily living.
The ALS Association of Georgia
Atlanta, GA 30328
$30,000 – Transportation
The Paul B. Williams ALS Transportation Program of The ALS Association of Georgia
This High Impact Priority grant supports a program to address the transportation needs of individuals who have been diagnosed with ALS providing them access to quality care and the ability to attend family, cultural and spiritual events that positively impact the quality of life.
The ALS Association, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Chapter
St. Paul, MN 3596
$30,000 – Respite/Caregiving
The Jack Norton Family Respite Program
This High Impact Priority grant supports the Jack Norton Family Respite Program to provide rest and relief to dedicated caregivers of people living with ALS. The Respite Program is a vital support to the caregiver dynamic and directly affects the quality of life in the home of a person living with ALS. Caregiver burnout can result in physical and emotional strain, which decrease the quality of life of a person living with ALS and increase risks of injury for all people involved in care. This program, the only of its kind serving the ALS population, operates on a year-round basis across a service area, which includes all of Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota.
2019 2nd Cycle High Impact Priority Quality of Life Grants
17 Grants Totaling $520,000
Grants are funded through a cooperative agreement with the Administration for Community Living (ACL) (Cooperative Agreement Number 90PRRC0002-01-01)
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association – NY (Greater New York Chapter)
New York, NY 10004-3873
$30,000 – Transportation
The Greater New York Patient Transportation Expansion Project
This High Impact Priority grant will support a transportation program that offers rides at no cost to ALS patients traveling to clinic appointments throughout all of NYC, Long Island and Queens, the Hudson Valley, and Northern & Central New Jersey. Due to the fast and ongoing progression of the disease, people with ALS often find it difficult to leave the home and travel, as they require specialized assistance and accessible modes of transport. These services are provided to patients who otherwise would not have the means for safe and dignified transportation.
Barrow Neurological Foundation
Phoenix, AZ 85013-4414
$30,000 – Transportation
Transportation Assistance Fund for the Barrow Neuro-Rehabilitation Center
This High Impact Priority grant will provide reliable transportation to and from outpatient appointments for individuals living with paralysis. Transportation is also provided for community outings and opportunities where patients, as part of their rehabilitative journey can take that first trip to the bank, the grocery store or support group by utilizing the ride share or medical transport company under the safety net of Barrow, before they need to do so on their own.
Center for Independent Living of Broward
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33319-5805
$40,000 – Nursing Home Transition
Nursing Home Transition Program for People with Paralysis
This High Impact Priority grant will expand the Center’s Nursing Home Transition Program to help people with paralysis and other cross-disabilities move from institutional settings to independent living. Funds provide installation of smart technology of up to ten apartments allowing more individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) to transition to independent living. The Center currently leases several multi-bedroom apartments renovated to accommodate those with limited mobility or who use wheelchairs. Smart Home Technology will ensure the health, welfare and safety of the participant enabling them to function with greater independence and prevent institutionalization.
Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin Foundation
Milwaukee, WI 53214-1599
$30,000 – Respite/Caregiving
Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin Community-based Volunteer Respite Care Program
This High Impact Priority grant will support a respite care program that proves 8-10 community-based respite events annually. The events are free to families and offered in locations (school, church, or university) throughout the Milwaukee area. Events offer inclusive, age- and developmentally-appropriate activities, including arts and crafts projects, interactive games, sports, bingo, face painting, music, and entertainment. Volunteer nursing staff meets the medical and toileting needs of those attending respite events. Funds will support expansion of program reach to serve more families, including those on wait lists.
Communities Actively Living Independent & Free (CALIF) (CIL)
Los Angeles, CA 90014-3921
$40,000 – Nursing Home Transition
Transition, with Peer Counseling on Waivers & Rescue
This High Impact Priority grant will 1) transition four people living with paralysis from nursing homes and/or skilled nursing facilities, to their own homes through a thoughtful case management process. 2) Provide Independent Living Skills and Peer Counseling to the tranisitioning recipients and ensure the skills they need to efficiently manage and use their network of contacts and resources to keep them progressing after their treatment. 3) Conduct a study on the use of waivers for home care. 4) Ensure inclusion of People with Disabilities, Especially those with Spinal Cord Injuries, in Disaster Preparedness Planning.
Eden I&R
Hayward, CA 94541-5004
$30,000 – Disaster Preparedness
Disaster Preparedness Project
This High Impact Priority grant enables Eden I&R to expand upon free Disaster Preparedness trainings for individuals living with paralysis and their families. During the 12-month grant period, EIR anticipates serving at least 100 people with paralysis and at least 150 family members and caregivers at trainings specifically targeting individuals living with paralysis. Additionally, EIR plans to distribute emergency preparedness materials to 7,500 individuals at events and meetings targeting populations with access and functional needs (AFN). Trainings will be conducted throughout Alameda County, CA and topics will include personal preparedness, agency preparedness, Planned Safety Power Shutoffs, active shooter/workplace violence, and many more.
Headwaters Regional Development Commission
Bemidji, MN 56619-0906
$5,000 – Transportation
Hubbard County Medical Transportation Shuttle
This High Impact Priority grant will support a non-emergency medical shuttle. The service operates twice a week from Park Rapids (pop. 4,000) using a 15-passenger bus which includes accommodations for two wheelchairs. The shuttle will stop at any requested medical facility in Fargo such as the VA Hosptial, Sanford Rehabilitation Hospital, and Sanford Brain & Spine Clinic.
Lifespan Respite Washington, PAVE
Tacoma, WA 98465-1900
$30,000 – Respite/Caregiving
Lifespan Respite Voucher Grant Program
This High Impact Priority grant will provide respite vouchers for unpaid, unserved family caregivers who provide 40 or more hours of direct care, monitoring, and/or supervision. This will benefit caregivers by reducing isolation and increasing positive self-care, normalizing newfound roles and reducing associated stigma. It will help caregivers maintain their own health and wellbeing–a side benefit to the individual who has a disability who might otherwise lose the ability to remain in place in their home settings and gain more access to community supports.
Linking Employment, Abilities and Potential (LEAP) (CIL)
Cleveland, OH 44113-3412
$40,000 – Nursing Home Transition
Welcome Home Transition Services
This High Impact Priority grant will provide nursing home transition services to approximately 35 individuals with neurological conditions living in NorthEast Ohio including but not limited to spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, stroke, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, ALS, etc. Services include transition planning and coordination, discharge planning participation, as well as follow-up within first 90 days to evaluate consumer’s adjustment to transition and determine additional needs and supports.
Miracle Flights for Kids
Las Vegas, NV 89119-2120
$30,000 – Transportation
Medical Flight Support
This High Impact Priority grant will support the Medical Flight Program which provides free commercial air transportation to individuals who are battling rare medical disorders and would otherwise lack access to specialized medical care. Funds will be used for about 75 life-saving flights for individuals with paralysis causing conditions and their families.
Mission to Assist and Provide for Seniors (MAPS Charities)
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423-2717
$25,000 – Respite/Caregiving
Transportation and Respite Caregiving Project
This High Impact Priority grant will expand MAPS Charities services by building out a model that combines client transportation with respite care for underserved seniors with paralysis. MAPS will engage professional caregivers through licensed agencies that are equipped to provide transportation for fragile seniors with mobility challenges. These caregivers will also be available to provide supplemental support including prescription pick-ups, meal preparation, and other services as needed.
Movimiento para el Alcance de Vida Independiente
Hato Rey, PR 00928-5277
$30,000 – Disaster Preparedness
Emergency Preparedness for People with Disabilities
This High Impact Priority grant will offer an extensive training program and educational tool specifically designed for the safe and effective handling of people living with paralysis and other disabilities in the mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery efforts before, during and after a disaster or emergency. Workshops will be offered to organizations servicing people with disabilities and general public; one thousand (1,000) individuals with paralysis, mobility issues and disabilities in general, caregivers and members of their families on the effective way to prepare themselves for a disaster or emergency with an educational manual to be provided with the training. A capacity building program will be offered to fifty public and private agencies, community leaders, shelter administrators, elderly homes, organizations and volunteers related to the first response efforts. An average of 500 participants will be educated during these trainings. A “Train the Trainer” Program will be included in order to ensure a cross sector partnership approach that will provide a multiplying effect in the reach to additional areas of Puerto Rico.
Norton Healthcare Foundation
Louisville, KY 40202-1902
$30,000 – Transportation
Norton Healthcare Adapted Driving Education Program
This High Impact Priority grant will offer people living with a neurological condition an adaptive driving program consisting of driving assessments and behind the wheel training to increase each person’s ability to drive safely on the road. Depending on the type of adaptive equipment needed, the person will spend 3-30 hours of specialized training. The goal is to assist up to 18 people per month with driving assessments and behind the wheel training for approximately 216 people participating in the adapted driving program in its first year.
Progressive Workshop of Armstrong County
Kittanning, PA 16201-1311
$30,000 – Transportation
Employment Readiness and Skills Building
This High Impact Priority grant supports the Adult Achievement Center, an adult training program that serves individuals who are interested in being active members of their community and supports adults as they seek to increase their independence in social opportunities and community involvement. Funds will secure a wheelchair accessible van to transport individuals living with paralysis and those who use a wheelchair to and from the Center.
Rehabilitation Hospital Of The Pacific (REHAB) Foundation
Honolulu, HI 96817-2421
$30,000 – Transportation
Transportation Access for Individuals Living with Paralysis and their Caregivers
This High Impact Priority grant will enable REHAB to complete funding toward the purchase of a retrofitted 2020 Toyota Sienna L5 mobility van for its main facility located in Honolulu, Hawaii that will serve the transportation needs of up to 1,320 patients living with paralysis. REHAB will also assist in effecting a smooth transition from the hospital to the home by carefully and purposefully preparing caregivers and doing site inspection visits, training patients and caregivers in a variety of mobility issues.
The Whole Person (CIL)
Kansas City, MO 64111-1913
$40,000 – Nursing Home Transition
Quality of Life Transitions for People Living with Paralysis
This High Impact Priority grant will allow TWP staff to serve Kansas consumers with paralysis as well as Missouri consumers, whether or not they would qualify for Missouri’s federal demonstration grant Money Follows the Person (MFP) program, while providing more flexible, individualized support as they transition from nursing home environments back into their homes or a community-based setting of their choice.
University of Nebraska Foundation
Lincoln, NE 68198
$30,000 – Transportation
Munroe-Meyer Institute Recreation Therapy
This High Impact Priority grant will support a portion of the purchase price for a new, accessible van to povide safe and reliable transportation for people living with paralysis and other cross disabilities to offsite recreational and social activities. Research shows that an increasing number of young adults with intellectual, physical and developmental disabilities suffer from social isolation and depression after graduation. Their evenings are frequently spent alone in their rooms and the confines of family or group homes. Activities such as sporting events, movies, theater productions, outdoor adventures, bowling and participation in a wide variety of clubs that the Institute co-sponsors with Omaha Public Schools and other community organizations — enriches their social lives. This, in turn, elevates their self-concept and reduces isolation and depression.
2019 1st Cycle High Impact Priority Quality of Life Grants
7 Grants Totaling $232,266
Grants are funded through a cooperative agreement with the Administration for Community Living (ACL) (Cooperative Agreement Number 90PRRC0002-01-01)
Ability360
Phoenix, AZ 85034
$40,000 – Nursing Home Transition
Transition from Nursing Home to Community Living
This High Impact Priority Quality of Life grant supports a program that assists nursing home residents’ transition back into their communities by introducing them to Independent Living Philosophy and developing independent living plans that include Independent Living Skills Instruction and resource development in housing, transportation, education, social/recreational activities, self-advocacy skills and family. Grant funds will support the costs of four people living with paralysis transition into independent living.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association – Arizona Chapter
Phoenix, AZ 84004
$30,000 – Transportation
ALS Clinic and Program Transportation
This High Impact Priority Quality of Life grant supports wheelchair accessible transportation for individuals living with ALS. The ALS Arizona Chapter holds 19 multidisciplinary clinics each month, at which patients see a neurologist, respiratory therapist, dietician, social worker, occupational therapist, and physical therapist. Support will enable ALS Arizona to meet the increasing demand for accessible transportation, which averages $300 per round-trip for local distance and can run up to $800 for those living in rural Arizona. Approximately 200 individuals with ALS, their family members, and caregivers will benefit from this transportation service.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association – Pennsylvania (Greater Philadelphia) Chapter
Ambler, PA 19002
$30,000 – Respite/Caregiving
Howard I. Abrams In-Home Care Program of the Patient Care Services Program
This High Impact Priority Quality of Life grant supports a program that offers respite to family members and caregivers of individuals living with ALS by providing up to 12 hours a week of custodial care. The Greater Philadelphia ALS Chapter serves over 1,100 people yearly and covers a broad service area that encompasses eastern and central Pennsylvania, central and southern New Jersey, and all of Delaware. Grant funds will support 1,500 hours of custodial care, improving the quality of life of 250 individuals.
New Horizons, Inc.
Unionville, CT 06085
$30,000 – Transportation
New Horizons – Accessible Transportation to Medical Appointments
This High Impact Priority Quality of Life grant supports a program that supports wheelchair accessible transportation. Programming will expand to include non-emergency medical transportation to New Horizons’ 101 residents as well as disabled community members. Grant funds will support the expansion of the current transportation fleet, increasing the number of accessible vans from 6 to 7. Funding represents 81% of the wheelchair accessible van cost at $37,048.
Rancho Research Institute / Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center
Downey, CA 90242
$48,742 – Employment
Rancho Works Café and Gift Shop: Changing the Image of Disability to Ability, One Job at a Time
This High Impact Priority Quality of Life grant supports an employment program that helps participants with paralysis sharpen their work skills and increase their confidence before transitioning to competitive employment. Grant funds will support the salaries and training of seven program participants, allowing the program to expand from five participants to nine during 2019.
Services for Independent Living
Cleveland, OH 44132
$28,524 – Disaster Response
The ABC’s of Disaster Preparedness for Persons with Disabilities
This High Impact Priority Quality of Life grant supports a program that will provide trainings to individuals with paralysis and social services professionals on how to plan for an emergency, including the development of a personal emergency plan. Trainings will cover emergency response from assembling go-bags, to the basic supplies that should be on hand, developing community resources, natural supports, shelters and identifying communication mechanisms. Over 340 people across the Cuyahoga, Lake and Geauga, Ohio counties will be affected by these trainings.
The Spina Bifida Association of Central Florida
Orlando, FL 32801
$25,000 – Transportation
Adaptive Driving Program
This High Impact Priority Quality of Life grant supports an adaptive driving program for young adults living with Spina Bifida. Grant funds will subsidize the initial assessment of 40 drivers, as well as orientation classes taught by SBACF staff that will provide program participants with program information and resources for vehicle modification. Funding represents 100% of the overall project cost. Approximately 150 people with Spina Bifida, their family members, and caregivers will be served by this grant.
2018 1st Cycle High Impact Priority Quality of Life Grants
18 Grants Totaling $679,922
Grants are funded through a cooperative agreement with the Administration for Community Living (ACL) (Cooperative Agreement Number 90PR3002)
Abilitree
Bend, OR 97702
$50,000 – Employment
Rural Job Development for People with Disabilities
This award is a High Impact Priority QOL Grant for the purpose of supporting individuals living with paralysis and their families. This award will support the expansion of job development services for people with disabilities to areas of rural Central Oregon.
Access to Independence of San Diego, Inc.
San Diego, CA 92108
$40,000 – Nursing Home Transition
Oahu Ho’olilo Project
This award is a High Impact Priority QOL Grant for the purpose of supporting individuals living with paralysis and their families. This award will support the replication of their successful transition program in their Hawaii branch. People living with paralysis who reside in skilled nursing facilites, rehabilitation hospitals and acute-care hospitals will be assisted in transitioning to community-based living.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association – NV (Nevada Chapter)
Las Vegas, NV 89120
$30,000 – Transportation
pALS Transportation Program
This award is a High Impact Priority QOL Grant for the purpose of supporting individuals living with paralysis and their families. This award will allow this organization to provide wheelchair accessible transportation on demand to ALS patients to visit various ALSA health and social services clinics.
Bay Area Center for Independent Living, Inc.
Salisbury, MD 21804
$50,000 – Employment
Paralysis to Placement
This award is a High Impact Priority QOL Grant for the purpose of supporting individuals living with paralysis and their families. This award will help those living with paralysis to find gainful employment thus increasing the sustainability of their community-based living.
Burke Rehabilitation Hospital
White Plains, NY 10605
$30,000 – Respite/Caregiving
Launching a First-of-its-Kind Caregiver Center at Burke Rehabilitation Center
This award is a High Impact Priority QOL Grant for the purpose of supporting individuals living with paralysis and their families. This award will support Burke’s new caregiver center which will provide support, education and programs to help alleviate stress and to plan for and improve a patient’s recovery.
Caregivers Workforce Development Institute
Placitas, NM 87043
$30,000 – Respite/Caregiving
Caregiver Leadership and Coping Skills
This award is a High Impact Priority QOL Grant for the purpose of supporting individuals living with paralysis and their families. This award will support workshops and skills training for caregivers of people with paralysis leading to better care for pe
