Aging and Disability Resource Center

This report describes the FY 2002 and FY 2003 Grantees’ challenges and progress using information provided by the Grantees during the reporting period October 1, 2003 to September 30, 2004. The report describes grant activities in four major LTC systems areas: Access to Long-Term Care Services and Supports, Services, Supports, and Housing, Administrative and Monitoring Infrastructure and Long-Term Care Service and Support Workforce

On August 18, 2005 CMS Administrator Mark B. McClellan, and Administration on Aging Assistant Secretary Josefina Carbonell announced $15 million in grants to 19 states to create a single source of information and assistance for families navigating the often confusing array of long-term care services. Part of the New Freedom Initiative, the ADRC grants are jointly administered by CMS and HHS’ Administration on Aging. A complete list of grantees and award amounts are included in the press release.

States seek to streamline access to HCBS in order to expedite and simplify the experience of consumers seeking services so that they receive the services they need in community settings, preventing or delaying the need for institutional care. The design of the Washington long-term support system for older adults and people with physical disabilities provides examples for other states interested in simplifying or expediting access to long-term supports.

ADRC grants are infrastructure grants aimed at creating new or formalizing existing relationships among state and local agencies and public partners; collaboration among these entities is critical for ADRC development. This briefing paper will offer ideas and strategies for building a collaborative environment and building effective partnerships.

As Florida creates new Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) initiatives, the state has developed a number of Memorandums of Understandings (MOUs). A copy of the state, regional and local level agreements is attached. The purpose of the Memorandum of Agreement is to set forth the roles and responsibilities of each party in the development, implementation, operation and evaluation of the ADRC.

The ADRC in La Cross County, Wisconsin, is using this advertisement to inform the community about the ADRC program. Their Resource Center provides information and assistance by telephone 24 hours per day, including weekends and holidays.

The Minnesota ADRC utilizes the following two screening tools to assess the long term care needs of individuals and persons with developmental disabilities. Questions include general information, an assessment section, history and professional conclusions.

MinnesotaHelp.com is the state ADRC information network and they have shared a number of resources offering information on their Information and Assistance Datebase. Included in this posting are three presentations: a. An overview of the database b. the ADRC role c. Consumer use of resources. The technology business case summaries the impact of the database system. The technology project management document details the roles and responsibilities of individuals who operate the resources.

This fact sheet offers guidance on Short-Term Case Management (STCM) using both the vision offered by AoA and CMS and the experience in Wisconsin which has operated an ADRC for six years. STCM is an integral part of an ADRC - to offer consumers information about and access to long-term supports and services in order to minimize confusion, enhance individual choice, and support informed decision-making. This fact sheet describes STCM as a philosophy of relationship development with individuals.

Older people living in rural areas face unique challenges, not only in accessing benefits and services, but also in gathering information about programs that can help them. This brief tackles the issue of information and assistance (I&A) in rural areas by profiling an area agency on aging that has successfully established an I&A program designed to meet the needs of rural elders. We offer tips from the agency’s experience and insight from experts in the field.