The Remington Report

HHS expands funding for Aging and Disability Resource Center Programs (ADRCs). ADRCs provide “one-stop shop” sources of information, one-on-one counseling, and streamlined access to programs and services that can enable people to remain in their own homes and communities. HHS expands funding for Aging and Disability Resource Center Programs (ADRCs). ADRCs provide “one-stop shop” sources of information, one-on-one counseling, and streamlined access to programs and services that can enable people to remain in their own homes and communities.

This funding opportunity will expand ADRCs across the country. ADRCs are a collaborative effort of the Administration on Aging (AoA) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Since 2003 AoA and CMS have jointly funded ADRC pilot programs in 45 states and territories. The new funding will build on and expand the existing pilots and ensure that every state can offer this program and its services to their citizens.

The funding availability includes two opportunities:

• AoA-funding opportunity for ADRC development or expansion in up to 50 states over a three-year period. The maximum award for the ADRC opportunity will be $600,000; total funds available are $10 million.

• CMS-award opportunity to programs in California, Hawaii, Maryland and North Carolina to strengthen ADRC partnerships with hospitals so that more people who are being discharged and need post-acute care receive that care at home rather than in a nursing home facility. The award amount per state is $1,167,000.

As part of the “Year of Community Living,” CMS issued an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) to solicit input about possible ways to improve current regulations by removing Federal barriers that stand in the way of states’ ability to design needs-based, person-centered home and community-based waiver programs. This notice also aims to solicit comments on providing additional clarity around the characteristics of home and community-based settings.

Secretary Sebelius also announced the formation of a HHS Coordinating Council to coordinate the department’s “Year of Community Living” Initiative. The Coordinating Council, led by the Office on Disability, will be a working partnership among AoA, CMS, the Office of Civil Rights, the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

“The Year of Community Living gives all of us at HHS an opportunity to better serve those individuals who need ongoing services and support programs like those provided by AoA, CMS and other HHS agencies,” said Henry Claypool, director of the HHS Office on Disability. “We look forward to working closely with everyone who will be helping us improve community living arrangements for Americans living with disabilities.”

ADRCs are designed to reduce the confusion and frustration consumers and their families often experience when trying to find needed information, services, and support. ADRCs serve as visible and trusted sources of information and assistance on the full range of public and private options that are available so people can make informed decisions about their long term support. ADRCs serve as convenient entry points for all publicly supported long term-care programs and support services.

States applying for ADRC grants must involve a variety of agencies, organizations and consumers representing seniors and people with physical, developmental and mental health disabilities in the design and implementation of their ADRC programs. ADRCs also partner with State Health Insurance Counseling Programs to help people with their Medicare benefits.

The ANPRM can be found at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-14559.pdf .

The closing date for the ADRC applications to AoA is Monday, Aug. 3, 2009. The deadline for submission of a letter of intent is Wednesday, July 1, 2009. Letters should be submitted to Joseph Lugo by e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

For more information about AoA and CMS regarding these efforts, visit www.aoa.gov or http://www.cms.hhs.gov/RealChoice/01_Overview.asp#TopOfPage . ADRC information can also be found at www.adrc-tae.org .