DLTC Memo Series
2010-12
STATE OF WISCONSIN
Department of Health Services
Division of Long Term Care
DLTC Numbered Memo Series 2010-12 / ACTION
Date: November 24, 2010
Index Title: Elder Abuse Direct Service Funds for Calendar Year 2011
Supersedes 2009-13
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: Susan Crowley
Administrator
Subject: Elder Abuse Direct Service Funds for Calendar Year 2011
Document Summary
This memo provides information on the availability of elder abuse
direct service funding for CY 2011, 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 to their obligation to complete
by March 1, 2012 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 by December 14, 2010 their intent to secure their
allocation.
Lead Elder Abuse Agency Formula Allocations
Counties will have the same level of funding in 2011 as in 2010. This
funding represents a one-percent (1%) reduction from the 2009 funding
level, see Attachment A (PDF,
17 KB). However, the multi county area agency on
aging is authorized to reallocate funding from counties that have under
spent more than $5000 in elder abuse direct service funds two years in a
row (2009 and 2010). Redistribution of CY 2011 funds will be at the
discretion of the Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources (GWAAR), but
may include awarding funds to counties which express an interest in
receiving additional funds. Therefore, counties (other than those counties
that have a pattern of underspending), which are willing to accept an
amount greater than the amount that is listed on Attachment A and have the
capacity to expand elder abuse services beyond their allocation, should
notify the GWAAR of their willingness to accept additional funds when
making their initial request. However, counties interested in requesting
increased funding in CY 2011 must recognize that additional funds may not
be available in CY 2012 if other counties expend their full allocation in
CY 2011.
A county must notify its area agency on aging NO LATER THAN DECEMBER
14, 2010 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, 2011. See Attachment B (MS
Word, 39 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 14, 2010 it will be assumed that the agency is unable to use
the funds. A county choosing to decline funds for CY 2011 will continue to
be eligible for its full allocation in subsequent years, unless the county
shows a pattern of under-spending.
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. 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 2011.
- Submission to the Department of Health Services elder abuse
reporting data for calendar year 2011 via the Wisconsin Incident
Tracking System (WITS). To gain access to the reporting system, go to
the WITS
webpage and follow the 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 14, 2010. If
unsatisfactory performance is identified, funding to counties that are not
fulfilling performance expectations may be adjusted in CY 2012.
A list of allowable elder abuse direct service expenses is attached [see
Attachment C (PDF,
23 KB)]. 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 2012.
Reporting
By March 1, 2012 counties must complete a 2011 Elder Abuse Direct
Service Expenditures Report. Completion of the Expenditures Report
will be via an online survey. You will receive information and
instructions on how to complete the survey in January 2012.
Also by March 1, 2012 counties must submit to the Department of Health
Services elder abuse reporting data for 2011 by using the web-based data
system titled "Wisconsin Incident Tracking System." To gain
access to the system, go to the WITS
webpage 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 14, 2009. See Attachment B for contact
information.
REGIONAL OFFICE CONTACT:
Area Coordinators: Adult & Children's Long Term Care/Disability
Services, Adult Protective Services Area
Coordinator Contact List (PDF, 115 KB)
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 or 608-261-5990
Jane.Raymond@Wisconsin.gov
MEMO WEB SITE: http://dhs.wisconsin.gov/dsl_info/NumberedMemos/NMemos_index.htm
Attachments:
A - 2011 Elder Abuse Direct Service Funds Allocation Chart (PDF,
17 KB)
B - 2011 Elder Abuse Direct Service Funds Application Form
(MS Word, 39 KB)
C - List of Allowable Elder Abuse Direct Services Expenses (PDF,
23 KB)
cc: County/Tribal Aging Unit Directors
County Departments of Developmental Disabilities Directors
Bureau Directors/Section Chiefs
Tribal Chairpersons/Human Services Facilitators
PDF: The free Acrobat Reader® software is needed to view
and print portable document format (PDF) files. Learn
more.
|
