DLTC Numbered Memo 2011-07
STATE OF WISCONSIN
Department of Health Services
Division of Long Term Care
DLTC Numbered Memo Series 2011-07
Date: November 21, 2011
Index Title: Elder Abuse Direct Service Funds for Calendar Year 2012
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: Pris Boroniec
Administrator
Subject: Elder Abuse Direct Service Funds for Calendar Year 2012
Document Summary
This memo provides information on the availability of elder abuse
direct service funding for CY 2012, 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, and alerts counties of their obligation to
complete by March 1, 2013, a report on their annual elder abuse direct
service expenditures, as well as the requirement to enter all county
reports of elder abuse into the Wisconsin Incident Tracking System for
Elder Abuse. Counties must respond by December 14, 2011, of their intent
to secure the county's allocation.
Lead Elder Abuse Agency Formula Allocations
Counties will receive in 2012 a one-percent (1%) reduction from the
2011 funding level, see Attachment A.
However, the multi-county area agency on aging is authorized to reallocate
funding from counties that have under spent more than $5,000 in elder
abuse direct service funds two years in a row (2009 and 2010).
Redistribution of CY 2012 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
under-spending), 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 2012 must recognize that
additional funds may not be available in CY 2013 if other counties expend
their full allocation in CY 2012.
A county must notify its area agency on aging NO LATER THAN DECEMBER
14, 2011, 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, 2012. 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 14, 2011, then it will be assumed that the agency is unable to
use the funds. A county choosing to decline funds for CY 2012 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 Long Term Care Services
Elder abuse funding is intended to meet short term needs in order to
stabilize a person's situation and address immediate concerns. This
funding is not intended to be used to supplement 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 using elder abuse direct
services funds to provide long term care services for up to six months
duration per individual, then the county 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, IRIS or waivers where applicable. Aging and Disability Resource
Centers (ADRCs) and 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 that
county 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 2012.
- Submission to the Department of Health Services elder abuse
reporting data for calendar year 2012 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 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). The plan is due to the AAA on December 14, 2011. If
unsatisfactory performance is identified, funding to counties that are not
fulfilling performance expectations may be adjusted in CY 2013.
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)] requires that a threshold of 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 2013.
Reporting
By March 1, 2013. counties must complete a 2012 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 2013.
Also by March 1, 2013, counties must submit to the Department of Health
Services elder abuse reporting data for 2012 by using the web-based data
system titled "Wisconsin Incident Tracking System." To gain
access to the system, go to this web page http://dhs.wisconsin.gov/aps/wits/index.htm
and follow the directions as listed.
ACTION SUMMARY: Return Attachment B, Form F-00528 (along with your
county's brief plan stating how you will meet performance expectations) to
your area agency on aging by December 14, 2011. See Attachment
B, Form F-00528 for contact information.
REGIONAL OFFICE CONTACT:
Area Coordinators: Adult & Children's Long Term Care/Disability
Services, Adult Protective Services http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/areaadmin/contacts.pdf
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://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/dsl_info/NumberedMemos/NMemos_index.htm
Attachments
A - 2012 Elder Abuse Direct
Service Funds Allocation Chart
B - 2012 Elder
Abuse Direct Service Funds Application Form
(F-00528)
C - List of Allowable Elder Abuse
Direct Services Expenses
cc:
County/Tribal Aging Unit Directors
County Departments of Developmental Disabilities Directors
Bureau Directors/Section Chiefs
Tribal Chairpersons/Human Services Facilitators
Last Revised: February 14, 2012 |
