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Nursing
Workforce Development
Comprehensive Geriatric Education
Authorizing Legislation: Title VIII of the Public
Health Service (PHS) Act, as amended by the Nurse
Reinvestment Act, 2002, P.L. 107-205, Section 855
of the Public Health Service Act.
FY 2009 Authorization |
Expired |
Allocation Method |
Competitive grant/contract |
Program Description and Accomplishments
The Comprehensive Geriatric Education grant program
prepares nursing personnel to care for the aging population,
the fastest growing group in today’s society.
The program supports grants to develop and implement,
in coordination with programs under Title VII, Section
753a(Geriatric Education Programs), programs and initiatives
to train and educate individuals providing care for
the elderly. Funds are to be used for: (1) providing
training to individuals who will provide geriatric
care for the elderly; (2) develop and disseminate
curricula relating to the treatment of the health
care problems of elderly individuals; (3) train faculty
members in geriatrics; or (4) provide continuing education
to individuals who provide geriatric care. These grants
will prepare nurse aides, licensed practical nurses,
registered professional nurses and nursing faculty
with expertise in the care of the elderly. The program
was authorized in 2002 and implemented in 2003. Schools
of nursing, academic health centers, health care facilities,
partnerships of a school and a health care facility,
partnerships of a program leading to Certified Nursing
Assistant (CNA) certification and a health care facility,
and appropriate public or private entities, including
faith-based and community-based organizations are
eligible to apply for these grants.
It is estimated that by 2030 there will be approximately
70 million individuals aged 65 and older who will
constitute about 20 percent of the total U.S. population.
Americans are living longer, healthier, and more independently
than ever before. Health professionals prepared in
geriatrics are critical in assisting older adults:
to prevent health problems through activities such
as becoming immunized, adopting healthy eating habits,
exercising, and avoiding tobacco use; protect their
health through early detection of chronic health problems;
and implement plans that promote healthy living (Administration
on Aging). The capacity for older adults to receive
quality care may be limited by insufficient numbers
of healthcare providers prepared in geriatrics. The
Comprehensive Geriatric Education Program will prepare
nurses to address the unique health needs of older
Americans and enhance quality care (Congressional
Record – Senate, July 22, 2002).
Nineteen grants were newly awarded in FY 2006. These
grantees received non-competing continuation awards
in FY 2007 and are expected to receive continuation
funding in FY 2008 for their third and final project
period.
Most of the Health Professions Title VII and Title
VIII, PHS Act programs were reviewed as a unit in
2002 using the Program Assessment Rating Tool (PART).
Funding includes costs associated with grant reviews,
processing of grants through the Grants Administration
Tracking and Evaluation System (GATES) and HRSA’s
electronic handbook, and follow-up performance reviews.
Funding History
FY
2004 |
$3,478,000 |
FY
2005 |
$3,450,000 |
FY
2006 |
$3,389,000 |
FY
2007 |
$3,392,000 |
FY
2008 |
$3,333,000 |
Budget Request
The FY 2009 Request of $3,392,000 is an increase
of $59,000 above the FY 2008 Enacted level. The increase
will provide support for an estimated 19 new grant
projects. The total request will be used to provide
advanced practice nurses, registered nurses and certified
nursing assistants with specialized education and
training to care for the unique needs of the elderly.
Over the next 25 years, the population over 65 will
grow at a rate five times that of those under 65,
and those over the age of 85 are in the fastest growing
segment of the population. In FY 2009, it is estimated
that 80 advanced practice nurses, 7,402 registered
nurses and 1,019 certified nursing assistants will
be supported by this program.
# |
Key
Outputs |
FY
2004 Actual |
FY
2005 Actual |
FY
2006 |
FY
2007 |
FY
2008
Enacted |
FY
2009 Est. |
Out-Year
Target |
Target |
Actual |
Target |
Actual |
|
Number
of Geriatric Projects |
17 |
17 |
NA
|
19 |
NA |
19 |
19 |
19 |
NA |
|
Appropriated
Amount ($ Million) |
$3.48
|
$3.45
|
NA |
$3.39
|
|
$3.39
|
$3.33
|
$3.39
|
|
NA – Not Applicable
|