North Carolina Culture Change Coalition
Est. 1996
Resident & Family Councils
PURPOSE: To support advocacy organization in developing and strengthening councils
TYPES OF ACTIVITIES: Assist in developing new, independent family councils, assist resident or family councils in effective advocacy on their family members' behalf, develop materials and training sessions for resident and family councils on state implementation of new federal or state legislation.
FUNDING MAXIMUM: $6,000 per nursing home (one-time funding)
KEY REQUIREMENTS: one-time funding
Consumer Information
PURPOSE: To develop educational materials for residents and families
TYPES OF ACTIVITIES: Create flyers, brochures, web materials about things like psychotropic medication awareness, discharge rights, and advance care planning for the purpose of educating residents/families about their rights
FUNDING MAXIMUM: $6,000 per nursing home (one-time funding)
KEY REQUIREMENTS: materials must directly benefit residents and families in becoming knowledgeable and understanding rights and care processes
Training to Improve Quality of Care
PURPOSE: To provide training in facility improvement initiative in single and multiple nursing homes, joint training of facility staff and surveyors, TA for facilities implementing quality assurance programs, training for resident and/or family councils, LTC ombudsmen, or advocacy organizations and other activities approved by CMS
TYPES OF ACTIVITIES:
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Medical Care - Alzheimer's/Dementia, Wound Care, Pain Management, Medication Management, Oral Health
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Safety & Quality - Patient Safety, Falls Education, Non-Pharmaceutical Solutions
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Care Approach - Trauma-Centered Care, Person-Centered Crae, Cultural Sensitivity, Culture Change
FUNDING MAXIMUM: $6,000 per nursing home, per topic ($18,000 max for 3-year project)
KEY REQUIREMENTS: open to multiple nursing homes; nursing homes apply for multiple topics
Activities to Improve Quality of Life
PURPOSE: Foster social interaction, movement, and reduce loneliness
TYPES OF ACTIVITIES:
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Nature-Based - Horticulture, gardening
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Therapeutic - Music therapy, Pet therapy (including robotic pets), Art therapy
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Physical - Tai Chi, movement games, Nintendo Wii
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Cognitive - Reading, memory interventions, crafting
FUNDING MAXIMUM: $6,000 per nursing home, per topic ($18,000 max for 3-year project)
KEY REQUIREMENTS: prohibited: complex, high-cost technology (VR, AI, or simulation projects); nursing homes apply for multiple topics separately
Mental & Behavioral Health
PURPOSE: To support behavioral health services that address the needs of nursing homes residents
TYPES OF ACTIVITIES: serious mental illness, substance abuse and dementia; training NH staff to recognize and manage behavioral symptoms, education on person-centered approaches to dementia care, and MH first aid training for facility staff
FUNDING MAXIMUM: $6,000 per nursing home, per year
KEY REQUIREMENTS: Innovative projects that deliver high-quality behavioral health services
Workforce Development
PURPOSE: To support facilities in developing and retaining a qualified, stable workforce through training and education
TYPES OF ACTIVITIES: CNA training program, retention initiatives, leadership development, mentorship program for new employees
FUNDING MAXIMUM: $6,000 per nursing home, per year
KEY REQUIREMENTS: The project cope and focus must differ from the Nursing Home Staff Campaign. Please refer to the webpage for more information
Technology Projects
PURPOSE: To enhance nursing home resident quality of care and quality of life, with residents directly interacting with the technology and documented evidence of measurable improvements in resident outcomes.
TYPES OF ACTIVITIES:
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Resident engagement - VR that promotes physical movement, interactive technologies that directly engage residents, technologies that demonstrate measurable resident outcomes, content drive engagement technology
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Staff Development - cognitive and behavioral training for staff, training technologies that improve care delivery
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Educational Resources - e-books for resident use, educational materials that enhance resident experience
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Care Systems (AI Technology) - Technologies with proven resident interaction and outcomes, systems that directly improve resident quality of life
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Equipment - assistive technologies that residents directly use; therapeutic devices with documented benefits
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Upgrades/Enhancements - essential upgrades required for technology to function; modifications that directly benefit residents
FUNDING MAXIMUM: $6,000 per nursing home, per year
KEY REQUIREMENTS:
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Direct resident interaction - residents must actively use or engage with the technology, ensuring that the technology serves those it is intended to benefit rather than just facility operations
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Measurable outcomes - must document improvements in resident quality of care or quality of life, providing concrete proof that technology investment produces tangible benefits
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Functionality focused - only essential components required for technology operation are allowable, preventing unnecessary expenses on features that don't directly contribute to resident care improvements