DDES Memo Series
2005-16
ACTION MEMO
September 16, 2005
To:
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/Tribal Aging Unit Directors
Lead Elder Abuse Agency Contacts
From:
Sinikka Santala
Administrator
Re: Elder
Abuse Direct Service Funds for CY 2005
DOCUMENT SUMMARY
This memo provides information on the availability of elder abuse
direct service funding for CY 2006, 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, 2007 a report on their annual elder abuse direct
service expenditures, provides information on competitive grants for
domestic violence in later life programming and requests counties to
respond to their area agency on aging by November 4, 2005 of their intent
to secure their allocation.
This memo provides information on the availability of elder abuse
direct service funding for CY 2006. In CY 2006 a total of $2,050,000 will
be allocated by formula to lead elder abuse agencies to continue provision
of services to victims of elder abuse, neglect and exploitation.
Additionally, $75,000 will be made available through a competitive process
to provide programming for victims of domestic violence in later life. No
match is required for these funds.
Lead Elder Abuse Agency Formula Allocations
Counties will receive in 2006 the same funding level as they received
in 2005. 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 (2003 and 2004). Redistribution of
CY 2006 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 2006 must recognize that
additional funds may not be available in CY 2007 if other counties expend
their full allocation in CY2006.
A county must notify its area agency on aging NO LATER THAN NOVEMBER
4, 2005 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, 2006. 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 November 4, 2005 it will be
assumed that the agency is unable to use the funds. A county choosing to
decline funds for CY 2006 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.
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 Interdisciplinary Team (I-Team)
throughout CY 2006. (See Attachment C,
letter h for a description of an I-Team.)
- Evidence of ongoing collaboration with both local domestic abuse
programs and sexual assault service provider agencies (SASPs) to
ensure comprehensive services for victims of domestic violence in
later life and elder sexual assault.
- Submission of CY 2006 elder abuse reporting data via the
newly-designed web-based form instituted by the Department of Health
and Family Services (prior to 2006, data collected through DHFS Form
#PSL-441).
To ensure compliance by lead elder abuse agencies regarding reporting
of 2006 elder abuse data electronically, the Department's Bureau of Aging
and Disability Resources will issue a memo explaining how the system will
operate, including detailed instructions about how to access, complete,
and submit the form. The memo will be issued by December 2005.
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 three 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 November 4, 2005. If
unsatisfactory performance is identified, funding to counties that are not
fulfilling performance expectations may be adjusted in CY 2007.
A list of allowable elder abuse direct service expenses is attached
(see Attachment C). Definitions are provided
for each direct service listed. 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 individual identified 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 2007.
Reporting
By March 1, 2007 counties must complete the "Elder Abuse Direct
Service Expenditures Reporting Form" [DDE-2568
(8/2004)] (See Attachment D) and send to both BADR and the area agency on
aging responsible for your elder abuse direct services county contract.
The inclusion of this form as an attachment alerts counties to information
they will need to report on for CY 2006. For ease of completion, the form
has been made available on the web at the following site: http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/forms/ddes/dde2568.doc
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 Disability and Elder Services (DDES)
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 two-year grants (i.e., calendar years 2006
and 2007). The maximum award amount per applicant agency will be $15,000
per year for the two-year period. Second year awards will be based on
satisfactory performance and availability of funds. To achieve geographic
distribution of funds under this RFP, the RFP is designed to fund at least
one project meeting requirements in each of the five DHFS regions
of the state. Programs awarded funds during calendar years 2002 through
2005 are not eligible to apply for funding under this solicitation. To
demonstrate a partnership between elder abuse and domestic abuse agencies,
a letter of support from the lead 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 DDES 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
mid-October 2005. 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 November 1, 2005. [See Attachment
E for the mailing address of the area agency responsible for your
county.]
REGIONAL OFFICE CONTACT:
Area Agency on Aging (See Attachment E) or
Human Services Area Coordinators, OSF
CENTRAL OFFICE CONTACT:
Jane Raymond
Bureau of Aging and Disability Resources
Division of Disability and Elder Services
1 W. Wilson Street, Room 450
P. O. Box 7851
Madison, WI 53707-7851
(608) 266-2568
email: raymoja@dhfs.state.wi.us
MEMO WEB SITE:
http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/partners/local.htm
Attachments
cc:
County Departments of Developmental Disabilities Directors
Bureau Directors/Section Chiefs
Tribal Chairpersons/Human Services Facilitators
Domestic Abuse Program Directors
Sexual Assault Service Provider Agency Directors
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