See below for I&R/A news and updates.
Issue Brief Published on I&R/A Technology
ADvancing States is pleased to publish findings from the Aging and Disability 2023 Information and Referral/Assistance (I&R/A) National Survey. ADvancing States’ National Information and Referral Support Center, in partnership with the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL), conducted this comprehensive survey to assess the landscape of I&R/A programs serving older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers. Findings from the survey highlight trends and developments in the provision of I&R/A services.
The third issue brief in the series, Technology Supports Connection: Findings from the Information and Referral/Assistance National Survey, explores the use of technology in several key areas including service delivery modalities, telephony systems, the resource database, information systems/software, taxonomy, and social media. In I&R/A practice, technology supports connection, enabling individuals to engage with I&R/A specialists to receive the help and referrals that they need. Technology has long been an important underpinning of many I&R/A programs – helping to ensure that individuals have access to unbiased information according to their communication preferences. At the same time, the pace of technology developments varies across the I&R/A network. Access the issue brief to learn more about technology use and trends.
Click here to access the issue brief.
ADvancing States Launches an Updated Introductory Course on Elder Abuse
In partnership with the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA), ADvancing States is pleased to announce the release of a fully updated training course on An Introduction to Elder Abuse. This course is available on ADvancing States IQ, our online learning system. This course provides participants with an overview of the issue of elder abuse. The course materials define, distinguish, and explain the significance and impact of elder abuse, as well as offer strategies to respond to possible scenarios. The course is designed for individuals in the fields of aging and disabilities who may encounter elder abuse or vulnerable adult abuse situations. Key topics covered in this course include elder abuse, aging and ageism, risk and protective factors, impacts and consequences, and responses and resources.
We encourage you to complement this course with the IQ course on An Introduction to Adult Protective Services. In this course, participants will gain an understanding of APS, the history of these services, and the standard APS practice model.
To access these training courses, visit ADvancing States IQ and see our course category Preventing Abuse and Exploitation. Please note that ADvancing States has launched single sign-on for IQ and for my.ADvancingStates, our new Association Management System. Whether you are an existing or new IQ user, you will need to have a my.ADvancingStates profile set-up in order to access IQ courses. Visit my.ADvancingStates to log in to your account, reset your password, or create an account.
Issue Brief Addresses I&R/A Quality Assurance
ADvancing States is pleased to publish findings from the Aging and Disability 2023 Information and Referral/Assistance (I&R/A) National Survey. ADvancing States’ National Information and Referral Support Center, in partnership with the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL), conducted this comprehensive survey to assess the current landscape of I&R/A programs serving older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers. Findings from the survey highlight trends and developments in the provision of I&R/A services.
The second issue brief in the series, Did You Receive the Help You Needed? Quality Assurance and Training Drive Practice: Findings from the National Survey of Aging and Disability I&R/A Agencies, explores several dimensions of quality assurance and training, including I&R/A standards, quality assurance and improvement, outcome measures, staff training, and staff certification. The survey results demonstrate that agencies use a variety of means to ensure the quality of services provided. Quality assurance and training strengthen I&R/A service delivery and support effective services and outcomes.
Click here to access the issue brief.
Support Center Publishes Issue Brief on I&R/A Service Delivery
ADvancing States has published findings from the Aging and Disability 2023 Information and Referral/Assistance (I&R/A) National Survey. ADvancing States’ National Information and Referral Support Center, in partnership with the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL), conducted this comprehensive survey to assess the current landscape of I&R/A programs serving older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers. Findings from the survey highlight trends and developments in the provision of I&R/A services. Survey findings will be published in a series of issue briefs focusing on service delivery, quality assurance, technology, and partnerships.
The first issue brief in the series, Service Delivery in the Aftermath of a Pandemic: Findings from the Information and Referral/Assistance National Survey, shares survey findings on job responsibilities, work settings, and workforce issues; community needs including service requests and unmet needs; and the collection and use of demographic information. This look at I&R/A service delivery provides a window into community needs and the valuable role of I&R/A professionals in helping individuals access community resource information.
Click here to access the issue brief.
Updated Training Course Available on Adult Protective Services
ADvancing States is pleased to announce the release of an updated training course on An Introduction to Adult Protective Services. This training course can be found on ADvancing States IQ, our online learning center. As identified in our recent national survey of I&R/A programs, training on APS is prioritized by many programs.
This course highlights the core pillars of the APS program. Participants will gain an understanding of APS, the history of these services, and the standard APS practice model. States have played a key role in shaping APS programs. This course will help participants identify state structures for APS programs as well as understand the federal role in supporting the programs. Participants will also learn about training, technical assistance, and other resources for APS programs. Through the course, participants will gain insight into the importance of public awareness of adult maltreatment and the value of person-centeredness in supporting individuals at-risk of and experiencing abuse.
To access the training course, see the Preventing Abuse and Exploitation course category on ADvancing States IQ. This course is offered at no cost.
Training Course Available on the Needs of People Living with Alzheimer's
ADvancing States’ I&R Support Center is pleased to announce the release of a new training course on ADvancing States IQ, our online learning center. This course, Identifying and Understanding the Needs of People Living with Dementia and Their Caregivers, was developed in partnership with the Alzheimer's Association.
This course will further participants’ understanding of Alzheimer’s and other dementias and what differentiates these conditions from typical aging. Participants will learn communication strategies to provide phone support to someone living with early-stage dementia. The course describes the impact that dementia can have on caregivers in order to prepare community resource professionals for empathetic phone interactions. Participants will strengthen their knowledge of resources to assist individuals and caregivers through learning about the role of the Alzheimer’s Association® and the support that it offers to those affected by Alzheimer's and other dementia.
To access the training course at no cost, see the Consumer Access to Services course category on ADvancing States IQ.
Monthly Technical Assistance Webinars
Click here to view recent I&R technical assistance webinars coordinated by the National I&R Support Center.