DLTC Memo Series 2007-23
To: Listserv
For: Area Administrators/Human Service Area Coordinators
County Departments of Community Programs Directors
County Departments of Human Services Directors
County Departments of Social Services Directors
County Elder Adults-at-Risk (Elder Abuse) Agency Contacts
From: Sinikka Santala, Administrator
Subject: Elder Abuse Direct Service Funds for Calendar Year 2008
Document Summary
This memo provides information on the availability of elder abuse
direct service funding for CY 2008, clarifies that these funds are to be
used for direct services to elder adults at risk age 60 and over,
restricts use of elder abuse direct service funds to provide long term
care services only up to six months duration per individual, prohibits
cost-sharing of services provided through elder abuse funds, identifies
performance expectations, provides information on competitive grants for
domestic violence in later life programming, alerts counties of their
obligation to complete by March 1, 2009 a report on their annual elder
abuse direct service expenditures as well as have entered all county
reports of elder abuse into the Wisconsin Incident Tracking System for
Elder Abuse and requests counties to respond to their area agency on aging
by December 3, 2007 of their intent to secure their allocation.
Lead Elder Abuse Agency Formula Allocations
Counties will receive in 2008 the same funding level as they received
in 2007. However, area agencies on aging are authorized to reallocate
funding from counties that have under spent more than $5000 in elder abuse
direct service funds two years in a row (2005 and 2006). Redistribution of
CY 2008 funds will be at the discretion of each area agency on aging, but
may include awarding funds to counties in the region which express an
interest in receiving additional funds. Therefore, any county (other than
those counties that have a pattern of underspending), which is willing to
accept an amount greater than the amount that is listed on Attachment
A (PDF, 20 KB) and has the capacity to expand elder abuse services
beyond its allocation, should notify its area agency on aging of its
willingness to accept additional funds when making its initial request.
However, counties interested in requesting increased funding in CY 2008
must recognize that additional funds may not be available in CY 2009 if
other counties expend their full allocation in CY 2008.
A county must notify its area agency on aging NO LATER THAN DECEMBER 3,
2007 of its intent to secure its allocation to pay for elder abuse direct
services delivered in its county for the period January 1- December 31,
2008. See Attachment B (PDF,
16 KB) for the application form to be used when requesting
funding. If a lead elder abuse agency fails to notify its area agency on
aging by December 3, 2007 it will be assumed that the agency is unable to
use the funds. A county choosing to decline funds for CY 2008 will
continue to be eligible for its full allocation in subsequent years,
unless the county shows a pattern of underspending.
Elder Abuse Direct Service Dollars and the Community Options Program
(COP)
Elder abuse funding is intended for short term needs to stabilize a
situation and address immediate concerns. This funding is not intended to
be used for supplementing long term care service dollars. Since the intent
of the elder abuse direct service funds are short term (i.e., less than
six months), counties should use elder abuse direct services funds to
provide long term care services only up to six months duration per
individual. Once a county has elected to use elder abuse direct services
funds for an individual's long term support needs, it should develop a
plan for funding that individual with other funds after six months. County
Long Term Support Committees should consider elder abuse victims when
establishing wait list policies.
Elder Abuse Funds and Cost-Sharing
It is recognized that counties have financial constraints and agencies
have been challenged in meeting the needs of all clients requiring
services. To address this concern, some counties have instituted
cost-sharing policies for certain programs/services they provide. While
cost-sharing may be appropriate in some areas it is not allowable to
require cost-sharing in the provision of elder abuse direct services.
Furthermore, a county may not charge for an investigation or response to
an allegation of abuse, neglect or exploitation.
Use of Elder Abuse Funds for Adults at Risk (ages 18 to 59)
Wis. Stat. s.20.435 (7) (dh) explicitly states that the funds are to be
used for direct services for elder adults at risk under Wis. Stat. s.
46.90 (5m). Further, Wis. Stat. s.46.90 (1) (br) defines elder adults at
risk as "…any person age 60 or older…." Therefore, these
funds cannot be used for adults at risk less than sixty (60) years of age.
Performance Expectations
Best practice performance expectations for county elder abuse direct
service funds will be included as part of the award. They are as follows:
- Ongoing operation of an Elder Abuse or Elder
Adults/Adults-at-Risk Interdisciplinary Team (I-Team) throughout CY 2008.
- Submission to the Department of Health and Family Services elder
abuse reporting data for calendar year 2008 via the Wisconsin Incident
Tracking System (WITS). To gain access to the reporting system, go to this
web page http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/aps/index.htm
and follow directions
provided under "Wisconsin Incident Tracking System for Reporting
Agencies."
How to Apply for Funds
The area agency on aging (AAA) will release funding to the county upon
receipt of a brief plan (two-page maximum) from the county describing how
it will demonstrate that the above two performance expectations will be
met. The plan is to be submitted along with the budget application form (Attachment
B) and therefore is due to the AAA on December 3, 2007. If
unsatisfactory performance is identified, funding to counties that are not
fulfilling performance expectations may be adjusted in CY 2009.
A list of allowable elder abuse direct service expenses is attached
(see Attachment C). Staff costs, except for staff costs associated with
the provision of direct services to an individual identified as a victim
of abuse, neglect and/or exploitation and/or preventive services
associated with an elder adult at risk of abuse, neglect and/or
exploitation, are NOT ALLOWABLE. Note when determining if services to
address self-neglect are allowable under this funding source, the
definition for self-neglect [Wis. Stats. § 46.90 (1) (g)], includes a
threshold of significant danger, i.e., a significant danger to the elder
must be present. Consistent with statutory language in Wis. Stats. §
46.90 (5m), administrative overhead and indirect costs ARE NOT ALLOWABLE
activities under this funding source. Also, there is no provision to carry
funds forward into CY 2009.
Reporting
By March 1, 2009 counties must complete the "Elder Abuse Direct
Service Expenditures Reporting Form" [DSL-2568] and send to both
Bureau of Aging and Disability Resources and the area agency on aging
responsible for your elder abuse direct services county contract. For ease
of completion, the form will be made available on the web starting March
1, 2008 at the following site: http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/forms1/ddes/dde2568.pdf
or for Word fillable, go to this site: http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/forms1/ddes/dde2568.doc
Also by March 1, 2009 counties must submit to the Department of Health
and Family Services elder abuse reporting data for 2008 by using the
web-based data system titled "Wisconsin Incident Tracking
System." To gain access to the system, go to this web page http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/aps/index.htm
and follow directions as listed.
Competitive Grants for Domestic Violence in Later Life Programming
To further efforts in providing domestic violence in later life
programming, a Request for Proposal (RFP) to domestic abuse programs will
be issued jointly by the Division of Long Term Care (DLTC) and the
Division of Children and Family Services (DCFS), Bureau of Programs and
Policies (BPP). A total of $75,000 per year will be available statewide
for three-year grants (i.e., calendar years 2008, 2009 and 2010). The
maximum award amount per applicant agency will be $25,000 per year for the
three-year period. Second and third year awards will be based on
satisfactory performance and availability of funds. To demonstrate a
partnership between the elder abuse (county elder adults-at-risk agency)
and domestic abuse agencies, a letter of support from the elder abuse
agency acknowledging the agency's full cooperation and willingness to
collaborate must be included in the grant application submitted to the
state by the domestic abuse program.
Staff from DLTS and DCFS will be responsible for monitoring the
performance of and providing technical assistance to selected agencies.
DCFS will distribute a Request for Proposal package no later than December
3, 2007. Further information may be obtained from either Jane Raymond or
Sharon Lewandowski at (608) 266-0700 or lewansm@dhfs.state.wi.us.
ACTION SUMMARY: Return Attachment B (along with your county's brief
plan stating how you will meet performance expectations) to your area
agency on aging by December 3, 2007. [See Attachment D for the mailing
address of the area agency responsible for your county.]
REGIONAL OFFICE CONTACT: Area Agency on Aging (See Attachment
D) or
Human Services Area Coordinators, Division of Enterprise Services
CENTRAL OFFICE CONTACT:
Jane A. Raymond
Bureau of Aging and Disability
Resources
Division of Long Term Care
1 W. Wilson Street, Room 450
Madison,
WI 53702
(608) 266-2568
Email: raymoja@dhfs.state.wi.us
MEMO WEB SITE: http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/dsl_info/
Attachments:
Attachment A - 2008 Elder Abuse Allocation (PDF,
19 KB)
Attachment B - CY 2008 Elder Abuse Direct Services Formula Allocation
Request (PDF, 16 KB)
Attachment C - List of Allowable Elder Abuse Direct
Service Expenses (PDF, 20 KB)
Attachment D - Area Agency on Aging (PDF, 20 KB)
cc: County/Tribal Aging Unit Directors
County Departments of
Developmental Disabilities Directors
Bureau Directors/Section Chiefs
Tribal Chairpersons/Human Services Facilitators
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