ADULT FOSTER CARE: A REVENUE-GENERATING OPPORTUNITY FOR RURAL COMMUNITIES

THIS PHASE I SBIR PROPOSAL WILL INVESTIGATE THE FEASIBILITY OF ADULT FOSTER CARE AS A REVENUE-GENERATING OPPORTUNITY FOR RURAL COMMUNITIES. THE PROPOSED OBJECTIVES INCLUDE: 1) DETERMINING INDIVIDUAL STATE REGULATIONS IN THE NORTHEAST REGARDING CAREGIVER TRAINING, BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS, NUMBER OF CARERECEIVERS PER HOUSEHOLD, AND SOURCES AND AMOUNTS OF PAYMENT TO CAREGIVERS; 2) ASSESSING COST OF ADULT FOSTER CARE FOR RURAL NORTHEASTERN CAREGIVERS IN ORDER TO DETERMINE ECONONMIC FEASIBILITY; 3) ASSESSING NORTHEASTERN RURAL CAREGIVERS' SATISFACTION WITH EXISTING TRAINING METHODS AND MATERIALS; 4) DEVELOPING AND PILO-TESTING A MODEL TRAINING MANUAL TO TARGET COMMUNITIES; 5) PRODUCING AN INFORMATION PAMPHLET ON ADULT FOSTER CARE AND ITS INCOME-GENERATING POTENTIAL, AND DISTRIBUTING IT TO RURAL NORTHEASTERN COMMUNITIES VIA THE COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SYSTEM; 6) IDENTIFYING THE ELDERLY IN NEED OF CARE IN SELECTED RURAL AREAS AND THE SURROUNDING URBAN AREAS, AND LINKING THESE PERSONS WITH CAREGIVERS IN RURAL AREAS.