DLTC Memo Series
2008-13
STATE OF WISCONSIN
Department of Health Services DLTC Memo Series 2008-13/Action
Division of Long Term Care Date: October 10, 2008
Index Title: ELDER ABUSE DIRECT SERVICE
FUNDS FOR CY 2009
Supersedes 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 2009
Document Summary
This memo provides information on the availability of elder abuse
direct service funding for CY 2009, 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, alerts counties of their obligation to complete
by March 1, 2010 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 1, 2008 of
their intent to secure their allocation.
Lead Elder Abuse Agency Formula Allocations
Counties will receive in 2009 the same funding level as they received
in 2008. 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 (2006 and 2007). Redistribution of
CY 2009 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 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 2009 must recognize that
additional funds may not be available in CY 2010 if other counties expend
their full allocation in CY 2009.
A county must notify its area agency on aging NO LATER THAN DECEMBER
1, 2008 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, 2009. See Attachment B 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 1, 2008 it
will be assumed that the agency is unable to use the funds. A county
choosing to decline funds for CY 2009 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 is 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. This may include assisting the client or the guardian in pursuing
enrollment in Family Care or waivers where applicable. Non-Family Care
Long Term Support Committees should consider elder abuse victims when
establishing county 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)
The state elder abuse appropriation [WI Stats. § 20.435 (7) (dh)]
explicitly states under WI Stats. § 46.90 (5m) that the funds are to be
used for direct services for elder adults at risk (age 60 and older).
Therefore, the 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 2009.
" Submission to the Department of Health Services elder abuse
reporting data for calendar year 2009 via the Wisconsin Incident Tracking
System (WITS). To gain access to the reporting system, go to this web page
http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/aps/wits/index.htm
and follow directions provided.
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 1, 2008. If
unsatisfactory performance is identified, funding to counties that are not
fulfilling performance expectations may be adjusted in CY 2010.
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 [WI 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 2010.
Reporting
By March 1, 2010 counties must complete the "Elder Abuse Direct
Service Expenditures Reporting Form" [F-22568] and then send it to
both BADR and the area agency on aging responsible for your elder abuse
direct services county contract. For ease of completion, the form is
available on the web at http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/forms1/f2/f22568.pdf
For a Word fillable form, go to http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/forms1/f2/f22568.doc
Also by March 1, 2010 counties must submit to the Department of Health
Services elder abuse reporting data for 2009 by using the web-based data
system titled "Wisconsin Incident Tracking System." To gain
access to the system, go to this web page http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/aps/wits/index.htm
and follow directions as listed.
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 1, 2008. [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, DES/Area Administration
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: Jane.Raymond@Wisconsin.gov
MEMO WEB SITE: http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/dsl_info/NumberedMemos/DLTC/CY2008/index.htm
Return
to Numbered Memos Index
|
