The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is soliciting grant proposals from organizations seeking to prevent abuse, neglect, and exploitation of vulnerable adults — a population that includes elderly residents and adults with disabilities who depend on others for care.
MDHHS put out the call for proposals as of early June 2026. The department hasn’t publicly disclosed the total funding pool, specific eligibility requirements, or a submission deadline in the available reporting.
Background
Vulnerable adult abuse is a persistent problem across Michigan. State law defines a vulnerable adult as someone 18 or older whose ability to protect themselves is impaired — whether by age, physical limitation, or developmental disability. Abuse can range from physical harm and financial exploitation to abandonment and neglect by caregivers.
MDHHS administers programs under the Adult Protective Services umbrella, which investigates reports of abuse and connects victims with services. Grant-funded programs have historically supplemented that work by supporting community outreach, caregiver training, and victim advocacy at the local level.
Whether the current solicitation targets specific regions of the state, specific types of organizations, or specific forms of abuse isn’t clear from the available reporting. MDHHS hasn’t announced which entities are eligible to apply or what project types the department is prioritizing this cycle.
Organizations interested in applying would need to contact MDHHS directly — the department’s website lists current grant opportunities through its Grants and Contracts division. Full proposal requirements, scoring criteria, and deadlines had not been publicly detailed as of the June 9 report.
Reporting by The Alpena News (thealpenanews.com), published June 9, 2026. Read the original report.
