We drive policy, program, and systems improvements through grantmaking to help older adults age well in their homes and communities. Our grants explore solutions around the real needs of older adults, focusing primarily on what those historically left out of decision-making say they need.
Planning Grant: Building a Home- and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Impacts Tracker and Information Clearinghouse
Closing the data gap on the impact of cuts as a result of H.R. 1 is critical to understanding the impact on older adults. This planning grant to develop a HCBS Impacts Tracker and Information Clearinghouse will focus on determining how to obtain timely and reliable information about state policy responses to One Big Beautiful Bill Act and their impacts on people who use home and community-based services from multiple sources, including state-based advocates on the ground, national organizations with state-based networks, federal and state Medicaid data sources, and the media.
Planning Grant: Building a Home- and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Impacts Tracker and Information Clearinghouse
Closing the data gap on the impact of cuts as a result of H.R. 1 is critical to understanding the impact on older adults. This planning grant to develop a HCBS Impacts Tracker and Information Clearinghouse will focus on determining how to obtain timely and reliable information about state policy responses to One Big Beautiful Bill Act and their impacts on people who use home and community-based services from multiple sources, including state-based advocates on the ground, national organizations with state-based networks, federal and state Medicaid data sources, and the media.
Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan Education and Support — Phase II
Integrated models of care ensure that older adults have access to and can afford high quality care. With co-funding from the California Health Care Foundation, this project will help promote promising models of integrated care. The Local Health Plans of California (LHPC) Institute will develop a portfolio of Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP) education and technical assistance (TA) offerings to support local plans in preparing for implementation of the Department of Health Care Services’ (DHCS) mandated requirement for all Medi-Cal managed care plans (MCP) to implement and operate D-SNPs by January 2026.
Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan Education and Support — Phase II
Integrated models of care ensure that older adults have access to and can afford high quality care. With co-funding from the California Health Care Foundation, this project will help promote promising models of integrated care. The Local Health Plans of California (LHPC) Institute will develop a portfolio of Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP) education and technical assistance (TA) offerings to support local plans in preparing for implementation of the Department of Health Care Services’ (DHCS) mandated requirement for all Medi-Cal managed care plans (MCP) to implement and operate D-SNPs by January 2026.
Supporting older adults to be at the center of identifying issues and codesigning solutions to independence at home and in the community is a cornerstone of systems changes. With co-funding from the California Health Care Foundation and Metta Fund, four California-based organizations will support “Equity Community Organizing Groups” (ECO Groups). In this second phase of the project, each community will begin to implement solutions that advance health care issues and address the needs in their community, ensuring that older adults are leading the efforts and lived experience is at the center.
Supporting older adults to be at the center of identifying issues and codesigning solutions to independence at home and in the community is a cornerstone of systems changes. With co-funding from the California Health Care Foundation and Metta Fund, four California-based organizations will support “Equity Community Organizing Groups” (ECO Groups). In this second phase of the project, each community will begin to implement solutions that advance health care issues and address the needs in their community, ensuring that older adults are leading the efforts and lived experience is at the center.
Supporting Aging in Place of Choice With Connected Health Technologies and Digitally-enabled Care Delivery: Exploring a TSF-Funded Component
The Aging in Place Initiative—led by the Digital Medicine Society (DiMe) in partnership with the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) through the Connected Health Collaborative Community (CHcc)—is advancing a coordinated, scalable approach to help older adults live safely and independently where they choose. Recognizing that aging in place is not just a healthcare issue but a system design challenge, the Aging in Place Initiative brings together healthcare providers, payors, innovators, and advocates to define the technology, infrastructure, and best practices that make aging in place of choice possible.
Through collaborative research and real-world implementation, the Aging in Place Initiative aims to create a scalable tech stack, identify effective hybrid care models, develop evidence frameworks to drive adoption and reimbursement, and provide tools to support caregivers and care coordination. The goal: to transform aging in place from a hopeful preference into a sustainable, equitable reality for all older adults. This proposal request is to support The SCAN Foundation (TSF) becoming an “impact sponsor” as part of the Aging in Place Initiative. Specifically, the grant will ensure that lived experience data (qualitative and quantitative) – from older adults representing TSF’s priority populations is incorporated into the project.
Supporting Aging in Place of Choice With Connected Health Technologies and Digitally-enabled Care Delivery: Exploring a TSF-Funded Component
The Aging in Place Initiative—led by the Digital Medicine Society (DiMe) in partnership with the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) through the Connected Health Collaborative Community (CHcc)—is advancing a coordinated, scalable approach to help older adults live safely and independently where they choose. Recognizing that aging in place is not just a healthcare issue but a system design challenge, the Aging in Place Initiative brings together healthcare providers, payors, innovators, and advocates to define the technology, infrastructure, and best practices that make aging in place of choice possible.
Through collaborative research and real-world implementation, the Aging in Place Initiative aims to create a scalable tech stack, identify effective hybrid care models, develop evidence frameworks to drive adoption and reimbursement, and provide tools to support caregivers and care coordination. The goal: to transform aging in place from a hopeful preference into a sustainable, equitable reality for all older adults. This proposal request is to support The SCAN Foundation (TSF) becoming an “impact sponsor” as part of the Aging in Place Initiative. Specifically, the grant will ensure that lived experience data (qualitative and quantitative) – from older adults representing TSF’s priority populations is incorporated into the project.
In response to growing Medicaid and LTSS pressures following the passage of H.R. 1, TSF is supporting a LTSS Learning Lab that connects state Medicaid leaders with researchers to share real-time evidence and practical solutions, producing actionable insights and resources to inform state policy decisions.
In response to growing Medicaid and LTSS pressures following the passage of H.R. 1, TSF is supporting a LTSS Learning Lab that connects state Medicaid leaders with researchers to share real-time evidence and practical solutions, producing actionable insights and resources to inform state policy decisions.
The grant with the Public Policy Lab will support five activities connected to The People Say, over a 4-month period (December-March). The activities include: 1) ensure a reliable, high performing The People Say platform that keeps the focus on older adults (by strengthening core operations, we protect the integrity of Year 1 and 2 data and create a stable foundation to recruit partners for a potential Year 3 research phase); 2) elevate participant voices by redesigning the platform to make lived-experience profiles more accessible (this shift moves profiles into the core data stream, allowing users to more easily see and apply the insights of older adults in their work); 3) launch the first user-impact survey to understand how the field is using The People Say (the survey will surface real-world use cases and emerging impact stories we can elevate with funders and policymakers); 4) sustain high-visibility communications to drive adoption and influence (working in conjunction with TSF staff, PPL will continue to push out policy-relevant insights, user education, and participant highlights—expanding the reach and relevance of Year 2 findings); and 5) integrate older adult perspectives across TSF pillars (the grant enables PPL staff to help other projects bring lived experience into workstreams, translating the platform’s value into broader organizational impact).
The grant with the Public Policy Lab will support five activities connected to The People Say, over a 4-month period (December-March). The activities include: 1) ensure a reliable, high performing The People Say platform that keeps the focus on older adults (by strengthening core operations, we protect the integrity of Year 1 and 2 data and create a stable foundation to recruit partners for a potential Year 3 research phase); 2) elevate participant voices by redesigning the platform to make lived-experience profiles more accessible (this shift moves profiles into the core data stream, allowing users to more easily see and apply the insights of older adults in their work); 3) launch the first user-impact survey to understand how the field is using The People Say (the survey will surface real-world use cases and emerging impact stories we can elevate with funders and policymakers); 4) sustain high-visibility communications to drive adoption and influence (working in conjunction with TSF staff, PPL will continue to push out policy-relevant insights, user education, and participant highlights—expanding the reach and relevance of Year 2 findings); and 5) integrate older adult perspectives across TSF pillars (the grant enables PPL staff to help other projects bring lived experience into workstreams, translating the platform’s value into broader organizational impact).
Aging Forward Coalition Los Angeles (AFCLA) – Phase 1 Planning
Regional coalitions in CA are the cornerstone to driving policy and systems change locally and in the state. With co-funding from The Archstone Foundation this project is to determine the feasibility of building a Los Angeles based regional coalition and sustainability plan. This will be accomplished through meetings with stakeholders and people with lived experience.
Aging Forward Coalition Los Angeles (AFCLA) – Phase 1 Planning
Regional coalitions in CA are the cornerstone to driving policy and systems change locally and in the state. With co-funding from The Archstone Foundation this project is to determine the feasibility of building a Los Angeles based regional coalition and sustainability plan. This will be accomplished through meetings with stakeholders and people with lived experience.
Building Demand for Person-Centered Outcome Measures Drive Value-Based Care
Over the past decade, with support from The SCAN Foundation (TSF), The John A. Hartford Foundation (JAHF), and The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) has developed Person-Centered Outcome (PCO) measures to align care delivery with what matters most to older adults. These measures aim to transform health systems to produce better, more equitable, and cost-effective outcomes by centering care around individuals, their families, and communities. The ultimate goal is to include the PCO measures in the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS®), one of the nation’s most widely used health performance tools, covering 235 million enrollees.
However, due to recent changes in CMS funding under NCQA’s Geriatric Measurement Advisory Panel (GMAP) contract, support for advancing these measures through the HEDIS development cycle has been discontinued. This funding gap jeopardizes the PCO measures’ inclusion in the HEDIS Measurement Year 2027. To sustain progress, JAHF has committed an additional $50,000 (on top of its $425,000 investment), and this new request to TSF seeks to augment that support. The requested funds will enable NCQA to finalize development materials, prepare for key committee reviews, and advance the PCO measures through the HEDIS approval process for national adoption.
Building Demand for Person-Centered Outcome Measures Drive Value-Based Care
Over the past decade, with support from The SCAN Foundation (TSF), The John A. Hartford Foundation (JAHF), and The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) has developed Person-Centered Outcome (PCO) measures to align care delivery with what matters most to older adults. These measures aim to transform health systems to produce better, more equitable, and cost-effective outcomes by centering care around individuals, their families, and communities. The ultimate goal is to include the PCO measures in the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS®), one of the nation’s most widely used health performance tools, covering 235 million enrollees.
However, due to recent changes in CMS funding under NCQA’s Geriatric Measurement Advisory Panel (GMAP) contract, support for advancing these measures through the HEDIS development cycle has been discontinued. This funding gap jeopardizes the PCO measures’ inclusion in the HEDIS Measurement Year 2027. To sustain progress, JAHF has committed an additional $50,000 (on top of its $425,000 investment), and this new request to TSF seeks to augment that support. The requested funds will enable NCQA to finalize development materials, prepare for key committee reviews, and advance the PCO measures through the HEDIS approval process for national adoption.
Multisector Plans for Aging (MPA) provide a framework for states to support and prepare for their growing population of older adults. 27 states are either implementing, developing or actively planning for an MPA. This project is assessing the needs of these states as we move into an election year to ensure MPAs do not lose momentum.
Multisector Plans for Aging (MPA) provide a framework for states to support and prepare for their growing population of older adults. 27 states are either implementing, developing or actively planning for an MPA. This project is assessing the needs of these states as we move into an election year to ensure MPAs do not lose momentum.
Supporting older adults to be at the center of identifying issues and codesigning solutions to independence at home and in the community is a cornerstone of systems changes. With co-funding from the California Health Care Foundation and Metta Fund, four California-based organizations will support “Equity Community Organizing Groups” (ECO Groups). In this second phase of the project, each community will begin to implement solutions that advance health care issues and address the needs in their community, ensuring that older adults are leading the efforts and lived experience is at the center.
Supporting older adults to be at the center of identifying issues and codesigning solutions to independence at home and in the community is a cornerstone of systems changes. With co-funding from the California Health Care Foundation and Metta Fund, four California-based organizations will support “Equity Community Organizing Groups” (ECO Groups). In this second phase of the project, each community will begin to implement solutions that advance health care issues and address the needs in their community, ensuring that older adults are leading the efforts and lived experience is at the center.
With co-funding from The John A. Hartford Foundation, Commonwealth Fund, Peterson Health Care, Arnold Ventures, and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Better Care Playbook will continue its efforts to advance promising practices to improve care for adults with complex health and social needs. For health care stakeholders, the content is reliable and evidence-based. This is accomplished through the curating and summarizing new research in the field and disseminating content through briefs, blogs, and webinars.
With co-funding from The John A. Hartford Foundation, Commonwealth Fund, Peterson Health Care, Arnold Ventures, and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Better Care Playbook will continue its efforts to advance promising practices to improve care for adults with complex health and social needs. For health care stakeholders, the content is reliable and evidence-based. This is accomplished through the curating and summarizing new research in the field and disseminating content through briefs, blogs, and webinars.
Supporting States in Preparing for the Long-Term Care Challenge: Lessons from Washington State
State-level advancement of LTC financing policy has long-stalled for a number of reasons, including a lack of knowledge about how best to design, advocate for, and shepherd a program to implementation. During this two-year project, Dr. Veghte will utilize research and stakeholder interviews, drawing upon his experience standing up WA Cares (the only existing state-based LTC financing program), to develop and disseminate six tactical toolkits to assist state efforts to conceptualize, build, and grow support for long-term care programs.
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Total Awarded: $144,920
Award Year: 2025—2027
National
Long-Term Care
Benjamin Veghte, PhD
Supporting States in Preparing for the Long-Term Care Challenge: Lessons from Washington State
State-level advancement of LTC financing policy has long-stalled for a number of reasons, including a lack of knowledge about how best to design, advocate for, and shepherd a program to implementation. During this two-year project, Dr. Veghte will utilize research and stakeholder interviews, drawing upon his experience standing up WA Cares (the only existing state-based LTC financing program), to develop and disseminate six tactical toolkits to assist state efforts to conceptualize, build, and grow support for long-term care programs.
This grant, with co-funding from West Health and Stanley and May Smith Charitable Trust, the Center for Health Care Strategies(CHCS) will continue to support states in a national movement of Multisector Plans for Aging (MPA). This includes 1) continuing to engage and support 20 MPA Learning Collaborative (LC) states, 2) engaging and supporting seven new states that are just beginning to engage in MPAs, and 3) creating a toolkit and in person workshops for states and stakeholders at all phases of MPA development to learn about developing, implementing, refreshing, and measuring progress in MPAs.
This grant, with co-funding from West Health and Stanley and May Smith Charitable Trust, the Center for Health Care Strategies(CHCS) will continue to support states in a national movement of Multisector Plans for Aging (MPA). This includes 1) continuing to engage and support 20 MPA Learning Collaborative (LC) states, 2) engaging and supporting seven new states that are just beginning to engage in MPAs, and 3) creating a toolkit and in person workshops for states and stakeholders at all phases of MPA development to learn about developing, implementing, refreshing, and measuring progress in MPAs.
Advancing Health Equity in AI for Older Adults Using the California Safety Net
The project examines biases in healthcare algorithms deployed in community-based care settings to ensure equitable care for marginalized older adults. Outputs include a geospatial mapping tool that integrates hospital-level data with social determinants of health to visualize healthcare technology disparities across communities.
Advancing Health Equity in AI for Older Adults Using the California Safety Net
The project examines biases in healthcare algorithms deployed in community-based care settings to ensure equitable care for marginalized older adults. Outputs include a geospatial mapping tool that integrates hospital-level data with social determinants of health to visualize healthcare technology disparities across communities.
A Bipartisan Aging and Long-Term Care Agenda: Integrating Care, Improving Affordability, and Elevating Consumers’ Voices
This project will provide policy insights and evidence-based research to better understand 1) how to best move forward on integrated care policy for dually eligible beneficiaries, 2) make long-term care more accessible and affordable for older adults with low or moderate incomes, and 3) amplify the consumer experience of older adults to inform policy reforms. The work will provide promising pathways for bipartisan consensus on reforms that advance a high-functioning health and aging system for all.
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Total Awarded: $225,000
Award Year: 2024—2026
National
Long-Term Care, Medicare Health and Social Supports, Medicare-Medicaid Integration, Multisector Plans for Aging
A Bipartisan Aging and Long-Term Care Agenda: Integrating Care, Improving Affordability, and Elevating Consumers’ Voices
This project will provide policy insights and evidence-based research to better understand 1) how to best move forward on integrated care policy for dually eligible beneficiaries, 2) make long-term care more accessible and affordable for older adults with low or moderate incomes, and 3) amplify the consumer experience of older adults to inform policy reforms. The work will provide promising pathways for bipartisan consensus on reforms that advance a high-functioning health and aging system for all.
