HARRISBURG, Pa. — Yesterday the Department of Human Services and Department of Health officials launched the Pennsylvania’s Long-Term Care Grant program, a new grant opportunity available to state-licensed nursing facilities.

The goal of Pennsylvania’s Long-Term Care Grant program is to facilitate the use of federally imposed civil money penalty funds for activities that support, protect and benefit residents living in nursing facilities.

The departments will work jointly to select projects that enhance the quality of life and care for residents of Pennsylvania nursing care facilities. Grants will be awarded up to the maximum amount of $50,000 per project.

The grants will provide funds for one-time-only, time-limited projects of no more than 24 months designed to achieve specific outcomes that benefit nursing facility residents.

Grant funds will come from fines imposed by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Department of Human Services as recommended by the Department of Health when long-term care facilities are in violation of CMS conditions of participation.

All licensed nursing facilities in the state are eligible to apply for these grants.

Additional information as well as the grant application, can be found by visiting www.health.pa.gov.