Subd. 1. Program established.

The commissioners of health and human services shall establish a long-term care grant program that demonstrates best practices and innovation for long-term care service delivery and housing. The grants must fund demonstrations that create new means and models for serving the elderly or demonstrate creativity in service provision through the scope of their program or service.

Subd. 2. Eligibility.

Grants may only be made to those who provide direct service or housing to the elderly within the state. Grants may only be made for projects that show innovations and measurable improvement in resident care, quality of life, use of technology, or customer satisfaction.

Subd. 3. Awarding of grants.

1. (a) Applications for grants must be made to the commissioners on forms prescribed by the commissioners.

2. (b) The commissioners shall review applications and award grants based on the following criteria:

   1. (1) improvement in direct care to residents;
   2. (2) increase in efficiency through the use of technology;
   3. (3) increase in quality of care through the use of technology;
   4. (4) increase in the access and delivery of service;
   5. (5) enhancement of nursing staff training;
   6. (6) the effectiveness of the project as a demonstration; and
   7. (7) the immediate transferability of the project to scale.
3. (c) In reviewing applications and awarding grants, the commissioners shall consult with long-term care providers, consumers of long-term care, long-term care researchers, and staff of other state agencies.
4. (d) Grants for eligible projects may not exceed $100,000.