Rural outreach grant program

Part A of title IV of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3032 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following: 423. Rural outreach grant program (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Eligible entity The term eligible entity means— (A) a State; (B) an Indian tribe or tribal organization; or (C) an agency, nonprofit organization, or institution (including an area agency on aging, or a multipurpose senior center, in a rural area) that— (i) focuses on serving the needs of older individuals, LGBTQI individuals, LGBTQI older individuals, or individuals of another protected class; or (ii) focuses on providing sexual health services to all older individuals, including services for older individuals with HIV. (2) Protected class The term protected class means a group of individuals sharing a common characteristic or identity who are legally protected against discrimination. (3) Rural area The term rural area means an area that is not designated by the United States Census Bureau as an urbanized area or urban cluster. (b) Authority for grants The Assistant Secretary, acting through the Director of LGBTQI Inclusion, may make grants to eligible entities to carry out activities described in subsection (d) that are designed— (1) to create a cooperative and lasting partnership between— (A) LGBTQI older individuals, or older individuals of a protected class, residing in rural areas; and (B) the eligible entity receiving the grant; (2) to meet the needs of the individuals described in paragraph (1)(A); and (3) to provide comprehensive sexual health services to all older individuals residing in the rural areas served by the grant. (c) Applications (1) In general An eligible entity seeking a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Assistant Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Assistant Secretary may reasonably require, including the contents described in paragraph (2). (2) Contents An application for a grant under this section shall contain— (A) a description of the proposed activities to be supported by the grant; (B) a description of the size and characteristics of the population in the rural area to be served by such proposed activities; (C) a description of the public and private resources expected to be made available in connection with such activities; (D) a demonstrated intent to partner with local organizations in rural areas in carrying out such activities; (E) evidence in a form acceptable to the Assistant Secretary that such activities will meet urgent needs that are not met by available public and private sources; and (F) such other information or certifications that the Assistant Secretary determines necessary to achieve the purposes described in paragraphs (1) through (3) of subsection (b). (d) Use of funds An eligible entity may use funds made available by a grant under this section to carry out activities that include initiatives that— (1) engage in education and training relating to community outreach to LGBTQI older individuals, or older individuals of a protected class, residing in rural areas; (2) reduce isolation and improve access to care for LGBTQI older individuals, or older individuals of a protected class, residing in rural areas by building relationships between such individuals and the local community; (3) foster relationships between local service providers and LGBTQI older individuals, or older individuals of a protected class, residing in rural areas; (4) improve cultural competency with respect to LGBTQI individuals, and older individuals of a protected class, among organizations and personnel providing services to older individuals residing in rural areas; (5) expand the use of nondiscrimination policies that— (A) prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, or sex characteristics (including intersex traits); and (B) create community spaces that are inclusive to LGBTQI older individuals and older individuals of a protected class; and (6) focus on providing sexual health services to older individuals residing in rural areas, including services for older individuals with HIV. (e) Supplement not supplant As a condition of receiving funds under this section, an eligible entity shall agree to use such funds only to supplement the level of State or local funds that would, in the absence of the receipt of funds under this section, be made available for related LGBTQI services. (f) Standards and guidelines The Assistant Secretary shall establish standards and guidelines for activities supported by grants under this section. Such standards and guidelines shall permit an eligible entity receiving such grant to refine or adapt the standards and guidelines for an individual project if the refinement or adaptation is made necessary by a local circumstance. (g) Coordination with local entities (1) Cooperation An eligible entity that receives a grant under this section shall, in carrying out activities supported by the grant, agree to cooperate and coordinate with— (A) the agencies of the relevant State and local governments responsible for providing services to LGBTQI older individuals, or older individuals of a protected class, in the area served by such activities; and (B) other public and private organizations and agencies providing services to LGBTQI older individuals, or older individuals of a protected class, in such area. (2) Prioritization An eligible entity receiving a grant under this section shall prioritize cooperating and coordinating with public and private organizations and agencies that primarily serve populations of older individuals with the greatest social need. (h) Reports Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Elder Pride Act, and annually thereafter, the Assistant Secretary shall submit to Congress and make available to the public a report that describes the activities carried out under this section during the preceding 2-year period. (i) Authorization of appropriations There is to be authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031..