In April, a new organization was created within HHS called “Administration for Community Living” (ACL) to focus on the resources needed for older Americans and people with disabilities. By combining the HHS Administration on Aging, Administration on Developmental Disabilities, and the Office on Disability into a new entity is going to help coordinate community living policy across the Federal government.
On May 31st, Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced a new $25 million funding opportunity to help states strengthen and expand their ability to help seniors and people with disabilities access home and community-based long term services and support. Over the next one to three years, the funding will support Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRC) in nearly every state.
The ADRC program has been established through a partnership between the Administration for Community Living, CMS, and the Veterans Health Administration. The VHA is going to provide $27 million over three years to ADRC-funded states for services specifically geared to veterans.
The funding to help the eight states will mean that the states will need to compete for the funds. The funding going to the states will help create single entry point models, provide one-on-one counseling, streamline the intake, and eligibility determination processes for consumers accessing long term services, and support other programs.
In addition to accelerating activities in eight states, funding will also be provided by ACL next year to 40 states to support their current ADRC programs. This will help the states develop a sustainable infrastructure critical to ensuring ongoing coordinated access to services.
The major components of the HHS ACL includes the Office of the Administrator, Administration on Aging, Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Center for Disability and Aging Policy, and the Center for Management and Budget.
For more information on state funding opportunities, go to www.hhs.gov/acl.
