OCTOBER 30, 2000 - Director Kathleen Wilbur announced today that there is a 7.5 percent increase in the number of facilities applying this year for $10 million in nursing homes grants the Michigan Department of Consumer & Industry Services offers to improve the quality of life and long-term care for nursing home residents.

CIS received applications from 387 facilities, which represents over 90 percent of the state’s facilities that are eligible for the FY2001 grants. The facilities selected to receive grants will be announced in November.

"We noticed a significant increase in the number of applications with 27 more facilities applying this year for the grants than in FY2000. The increase is the result of our outreach and education efforts, which included simplifying the application process, hosting 3 training sessions for potential applicants, posting the application and instructions on the CIS’ website, and extending the application deadline," Wilbur said. "We are very pleased not only with the overwhelming response, but most importantly with the caliber of the applications we have received."

Wilbur said grant applications for the Innovative Projects category, aimed at improving the quality of care of residents, was the most popular of the three categories for the nursing home grants with nearly 600 project ideas submitted by 359 of the applicants. Several of the applicants are seeking grant monies for physical plant improvements/equipment purchases, outdoor construction, resident activities, special beds, vehicles for resident transportation, special needs units or therapy, and computer systems or programs.

Wilbur added, "Not surprisingly, we have once again received several applications addressing staff retention and development issues in today’s competitive job market." The other categories facilities applied for are:

*Activities to Implement the Eden Alternative - Activities to enliven a nursing home environment and eliminate unnecessary medical therapies with the goal of transforming the home into a habitat for human beings rather than an institution for the frail and elderly.

*Activities to Obtain the Michigan Quality Leadership Award (MQLA) –– A four level award process, beginning with the Lighthouse Award, which emphasizes leadership; strategic planning; focus on patients; other customers and markets; information and analysis; staff focus; process management and organizational performance results.

The $10 million in FY2001 grants will be distributed by a formula that is based on the number of successful applications and total number of licensed beds. Nursing homes receiving grants must use the funds for designated projects by Sept. 30, 2001.

Read more Michigan Department of Consumer & Industry Services press releases.