Description
The Legal Assistance Enhancement Program (LAEP) is a grant program administered by the Administration for Community Living (ACL) to support innovative projects that expand or improve the delivery of legal assistance to older adults with social or economic needs. The program aims to address community legal needs through targeted legal interventions, ultimately protecting older adults from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Applicants must propose a pilot project that collaborates with the state's Legal Assistance Developer (LAD) and focuses on one of the Older Americans Act priority legal issue areas, such as income, healthcare, long-term care, or housing. The project must include a meaningful collaboration plan, a project evaluation plan, and a commitment to uphold the assurances in the Older Americans Act.
• Key priorities of the program include improving health, connecting people to services, and protecting rights and preventing abuse.
• The program requires a cost-sharing commitment of at least 25% of the project's total cost.
• Applicants must demonstrate their capacity to implement the project, evaluate its success, and replicate it in other areas of the state.
• The program encourages innovative and impactful solutions to community needs, with a focus on older adults with social or economic needs.