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Responding to the Unexpected: Best Practices During Disasters for Ombudsman Programs |
In our capacity as a sub-grantee to the National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center (NORC), we were pleased to invite SLTCOs to a webinar on May 13, 2021. Regrettably, the past few years have been scarred by various disasters including wildfires, severe winter storms, and COVID-19 pandemic. This webinar was for SLTCOs, to inform thinking and planning around disaster mitigation and management. Attendees heard from leaders from two states on their recent experiences responding to disasters. |
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Older Americans Act: The Foundation of the Aging Services Network |
ADvancing States is incredibly pleased to publish this new primer on the Older Americans Act (OAA) – the seminal piece of legislation that established the “aging services network”. The report discusses the historical development, functions, and governance of the Act, its service programs, populations served, and funding. We hope that you find the report useful and share with your partners across the aging and disability networks. |
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Creating an Accessible Vaccine Experience for People with Disabilities and Older Adults |
A coalition of aging and disability groups, including ADvancing States, partnered to develop a guide to making vaccination sites fully accessible to older adults and people with disabilities. The recommendations included in the guide address significant gaps in accessibility of vaccine administration sites and can go a long way toward increasing vaccination rates in these vulnerable populations. |
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COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout: State Information & Resources |
On January 14, 2021 ADvancing States sent out a call for information about how states are rolling out the COVID-19 vaccine to people receiving home and community-based services and/or Older Americans Act services. Information about logistics plans, schedules, partnerships, and communications strategies were all welcomed. This resource reflects the information states sent in response to the call and will be periodically updated as we receive more information. |
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ADvancing States Releases Issue Brief on Technology Access During COVID-19 |
This issue brief is the second publication from the ADvancing States Aging and Disabilities Technology Workgroup, which was established in 2019 in order to drive improvements in aging and disabilities state agencies’ information technology (IT), facilitate sharing and learning among states, and assist states as they seek to implement and integrate technology that supports holistic person-centered services. |
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Making the Connection: Introducing a Toolkit to Support Telephone Reassurance Programs |
Providing telephone reassurance and check-in calls is one key strategy that is being widely used across the country. Programs are engaging volunteers and pulling in staff to meet the need for an increase in such check-in calls. Recognizing that certain conversation skills can help to build trust and deepen engagement, ADvancing States partnered with Emergency Design Collective to create a Conversation Tips Toolkit designed to support reassurance and check-in programs. |
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Nutrition Initiatives During COVID-19: Findings from State Aging and Disability Agencies |
During the COVID-19 pandemic, health risks and financial burdens for certain at-risk populations can make access to food challenging. This issue brief explores the adjustments that states have made to nutrition programs. The brief highlights examples of opportunities available and changes that states have made to ensure older adults and persons with disabilities have access to food during the pandemic. Data and findings are drawn from the ADvancing States 2020 COVID-19 Membership Survey. |
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De-Mystifying Data: How Medicare Data Can Support Medicaid Agencies |
This issue brief from the MLTSS Institute focuses on aspects of delivering effective care to individuals eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid (dually eligible individuals).The brief provides a primer on the ways that Medicare data can help states better deliver care to dually eligible individuals; it also details information about data sources and other resources available to help obtain and analyze Medicare data. |
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Process and Application Changes to Benefit Enrollment Systems During COVID-19: Findings from State Aging and Disability Agencies |
This issue brief explores adjustments that states have made to processing eligibility and enrollment for benefits access, including changes to application and supporting document requirements. Examples of opportunities and adjustments that states have made to ensure older adults and persons with disabilities have access to critical benefit programs during the pandemic are highlighted. Data and findings are drawn from the ADvancing States 2020 COVID-19 Membership Survey. |
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Home Modification and Repairs for Older Adults: Challenges and Opportunities for State Units on Aging |
This report details the findings from a survey of the 56 state and territorial agencies on aging and disabilities regarding home modifications. The extent to which State Units on Aging contribute to maximizing access to home modification and repair has not been well understood. This report seeks to expand understanding of the role of these state agencies in coordinating access to and providing policy oversight and financing of home modification and repairs. |
