9 First of all, let me mention that one of AOA's eight goals for 1991 relates to this situation. The goal statement, which is a major program direction for the agency, identifies the area of Targeting Strategic Resource Allocation and directs the agency to: "Develop and implement new strategies for more effectively targeting resources and programs on the needs of the most vulnerable older persons, with special emphasis on low- I have moved to develop a strong dialogue with the aging network in developing and implementing these new strategies in order to insure an effective and cooperative relationship between all members of the network. One example of this dialogue can be found in the Roundtable which I convened on July 13, 1989, to consider ways to increase the participation of older minorities in programs funded under Title III of the Older Americans Act. Participants in the Roundtable included representatives of a number of organizations knowledgeable in the matter of problems relating to targeting. 10 Excellent suggestions stemming from that dialogue led to our publishing several Program Instructions in subsequent months, which we believe have provided a useful framework for the network. The provision of technical assistance services and oversight functions at the Administration on Aging are carried out in a number of ways through our central and regional offices. The issuance of information memoranda and program instructions is one form of technical assistance and program oversight. Examples of recent technical assistance provided to State and Area Agencies include information memoranda on: A Profile of Older Americans; State agency cost-sharing experiences with non-Older Americans Act funds, an Inspector General Report; Preventive Services Covered by Medicare; a joint AoA/SSA/HCFA public information pamphlet. We continue, as well, to provide program guidance and oversight through the issuance of Program Instructions on such subjects as: reiterating the targeting responsibilities of State and Area Agencies; clarifying policy requirements concerning the use of funds appropriated for 11 elder abuse and for the long-term ombudsman program; establishing policies governing State responsibilities to protect federal reversionary interests in multipurpose senior centers. In addition to these written forms of technical assistance and program guidance, central and regional office staff provide ongoing technical assistance and oversight to individual State Agencies on Aging by: responding to requests for assistance, review and approval of state plans, review and comment on intra-State funding formulas, resolution of audit findings, and on-site visits within the available travel funds. Finally, the Administration on Aging provides significant discretionary resources to offer technical assistance to State and Area Agencies on Aging, and Title VI grantees. Funds awarded for national aging organizations, including those with minority orientation, resource centers and specific training awards are ways in which AoA provides technical assistance to the aging network. 12 On November 21, 1989 AoA issued a Program Instruction (Number 90-01) calling for increased commitment to target services to those older individuals who are in greatest economic or social need, with particular attention to low-income minority older persons and intra-State formulas. In addition, a follow-up Program Instruction to State and Area Agencies on Aging was issued in March, 1990 to remind them of their statutory responsibilities to assure that Native American elders receive the services to which they are entitled under Title III of the Older Americans Act. In that connection, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Yvonne Jackson as Associate Commissioner of the Administration on Aging's Office of American Indians, Alaskan Natives and Native Hawaiian Programs. As you know, the 1987 Amendments to the Older Americans Act called for the establishment of this new Office within the Administration on Aging dedicated to ensure that older American Indians, Alaskan Natives, and Native Hawaiians receive the benefits and services to which they are entitled and that these benefits 13 are provided in a manner which safeguards their dignity and selfrespect. Dr. Jackson, who is a member of the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma, comes to us with a wealth of experience and knowledge. Prior to this appointment she was the Chief of the Nutrition and Dietetics Section, and Acting Chief of the Allied Health Branch of the Indian Health Service, DHHS. In recent months the intra-State funding formula, used by State Agencies on Aging for distributing Title III funds within the State, has emerged as an increasingly important factor in assuring equitable availability of funds for services to low-income minority elderly. A report issued by the General Accounting Office in 1990 (GAO/HRD-90-85) indicated that while 44 out of 45 States with intra State formulas included one or more economic need factors and thirty-eight contained a social need factor to direct Title III funds to minorities -- only seven states had a specific combined factor targeting to elderly low-income minorities. |