Images de page
PDF
ePub

14

Subsequently, in November, 1990, I issued policy guidance to the

States relating to this concern in a Program Instruction (Number 9101), urging them to ensure non-discrimination in their funding formulas. AoA's Regional Offices will be watching and following this matter closely and will keep me informed as to how well the Program Instruction is being implemented.

While the intra-State funding formula is a very important means of directing Title III resources toward those parts of the State with larger numbers of older persons in greatest need, the formula is but one method to improve targeting. To be successful, targeting efforts must include a commitment to reaching out to inform older persons in need of the availability of services and assisting them to gain access to the services which they need. There must be a commitment, as well, to locating services in areas which have high concentrations of low income minority older persons. To assure that minority older persons receive appropriate and adequate services, State and Area Agencies on Aging, and service providers must assure that all staff

15

have training in, and are culturally sensitive to the unique needs and

values of minority groups.

In furtherance of our commitment to enhance the participation of older persons with greatest need, particularly low-income minority older persons in older Americans programs, the Administration on Aging for a number of years has made significant investments of discretionary funds. AoA supported a variety of other related activities including a Native Americans Leadership Institute for Title VI project directors, a National Aging Resource Center on Minority Populations which provides training and technical assistance to the aging network on targeting and other issues relating to minority elderly, and a cultural diversity training program -- conducted by one of AoA's funded National Aging Resource Centers on Long Term

[blocks in formation]

to assist in tailoring community based long term care systems

to the needs of minority elderly.

Additional Title IV resources are being utilized to enhance the

quality of the Information and Referral assistance they receive. One

16

such undertaking is a National I&R Initiative which will link older

people and caregivers to the resources, benefits, and services they

need and will enhance the quality of the I&R assistance they receive. The initiative has two complementary components:

The National I&R Support Center will heighten recognition within the aging network of the critical role of I&R in the

service delivery system. The Center will support qualitative improvements in I&R design, management, operations and

staff development.

o The National I&R Locator Service will enhance visibility of I&R services among older people, their caregivers, and the general public. The Locator Service will operate and promote a national 800 number to link consumers to the appropriate State and local I&R service.

Each State Unit on Aging has designated an I&R staff liaison. Similarly, each Area Agency on Aging has been requested to

designate staff to work with the State liaison. Early in the

17

implementation of the initiative, the State liaisons participated, with

the assistance from the I&R Support Center, in a three day planning

intensive.

National I&R Support Center

National Association of State Units on Aging will operate the

Center in collaboration with NAAAA and the Alliance of Information and Referral Systems (AIRS). The I&R Support Center will strengthen the capacity of State aging I&R systems to meet the needs of a growing and increasingly diverse older population.

National I&R Locator Service

National Association of Area Agencies on Aging will operate the Locator Service in collaboration with NASUA and Biospherics, Inc.-which currently operates several national hotlines. The locator

service will establish and promote a national 800 number through which calls can be referred to the appropriate State, sub-State, or local I&R source. The locator service will:

18

establish a national database of State, sub-State, and local I&R

resources;

o phase-in caller access to the 800 service by geographic region;

O promote the 800 number with a broad range of potential

consumers; and

encourage sponsorship of the service among public and private sector organizations.

The Locator Service will begin to operate in Region I on May 1 and, if successful, is expected to be expanded nationwide within two

years.

Likewise, we have focussed considerable resources on improving services for American Indian, Alaskan, and Native Hawaiian elders. Under Title VI, Part A, awards are made to tribal organizations and Alaska villages which represent at least 50 older American Indians or Alaska Natives who are 60 years of age or older, to pay all of the costs to provide supportive services and nutrition services to older

« PrécédentContinuer »