Bridging and Aging Disability Network

Location: District of Columbia

Description: The District of Columbia modified its intake form for the Aging Systems entry by including questions that ask, “are you caring for someone else and are they an adult with disabilities?” If the answer to this question is ‘Yes,’ individuals are also automatically referred to the Developmental Disabilities System to ensure that the individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) also receive necessary services in addition to their caregivers.  This promising practice is an example of a simple implementation that supports the bridging between aging and disabled populations. Modifying intake forms can result in more referrals across aging and disability service systems, where individuals often fall through cracks based on eligibility.   

For More information:
https://ddc.dc.gov/

Location: Hawai’i

Description: Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs) serve as single points of entry into the long-term services and supports (LTSS) system for older adults, people with disabilities, veterans, and family caregivers. Some states refer to ADRCs as “No Wrong Door” systems. ADRCs provide unbiased, reliable information and counseling to individuals with all levels of income. Since 2003, support for ADRCs/No Wrong Door Systems has been provided through various opportunities funded by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Administration on Aging (AoA), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and Veterans Health Administration (VHA). However, federal funding has not been consistent. States rely on state funding to support systems and functioning of ADRCs/No Wrong Door Systems varies from state to state. While aging and disability partnerships have improved, disability advocates in many states have expressed concerns that ADRCs do not serve the disability communities well, particularly the intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) population. Through the ACL funded Bridging Aging and Disabilities Community of Practice, the Hawaii DD Council developed a partnership with the Hawaii ADRC. They reviewed ADRC resources and found gaps in information and resources for individuals with I/DD and their families. They worked together to develop and add a list of relevant resources such as agency providers, advocacy groups (i.e., Hawai’i Disability Rights Center), and community supports. Additionally, the Hawai’i ADRC worked to further expand its outreach by designing and distributing fridge magnets with a logo created by a self-advocate, which advertised “Kapuna and Disability Resources.” The fridge magnets were distributed at community events and fairs. 

For More Information: 

https://www.hawaiiadrc.org/

Location: Iowa

Description:

Easterseals Iowa, with support from the federally-funded State Assistive Technology (AT) Program at the Center for Disabilities and Development at the University of Iowa, developed a free online training program called “Digital Access for All.” The online course consists of six modules that cover a wide range of topics to ensure that the digital information provided is accessible and understandable to everyone.

Through the Bridging Aging and Disability CoP, this work was expanded to include a module on “Clear Language.’’ The module provides guidelines and examples of developing content that uses plain language so it is understandable to as wide an audience as possible, including individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Clear Language module provides tips such as using shorter sentences and paragraphs, giving definitions of complex terms, avoiding the use of jargon and abbreviations, and providing examples to help individuals understand.

Through the State Alliance Team, this training course was shared with aging and disability agencies and networks to improve accessibility of digital information and resources.

For More information:

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (Executive Officer, Julie Bergeson)

julie.bergeson@hhs.iowa.gov

https://training.iowaat.org/courses/digital-access-for-everyone/

Location: Multiple states, including Connecticut

Description:

Across the country, many states are developing what are known as “Multisector Plans for Aging.” A Multisector Plan for Aging is a multi-year planning process that convenes stakeholders across different sectors to develop a plan to meet the needs of older adults and a rapidly growing aging population. Stakeholders include local and state governments, providers, advocacy organizations, philanthropy, the business sector, and other private entities. Plans are typically long-range and are designed to promote such goals as health aging, independent living, and social engagement, while also addressing issues related to healthcare, housing, transportation, and other social determinants of health.

At least 22 states have developed or are in the process of developing Multisector Plans on Aging. States use a variety of names for these plans (e.g., master plans, strategic plans, and aging-well plans), but all have the same broad goals. Some initiatives have developed as a result of legislation within states. As states consider Multisector Plans on Aging, they must include the disability community to ensure policies and initiatives are not siloed and also address the needs of individuals aging with disabilities.

Connecticut is in the process of developing a Multisector Plan on Aging. Through the Bridging Aging and Disability Community of Practice, the Connecticut Developmental Disabilities Council and State Alliance Team came together to ensure the voices and needs of individuals with IDD and other disabilities were included in the process of developing the framework for their Multisector Plan on Aging. The Connecticut DD Council is a funder and partner in the Connecticut Age Well Collaborative, which is leading this multisector plan initiative.

For More information:

https://multisectorplanforaging.org 

Location: California

Description:

The California Department of Developmental Services (DDS) serves more than 400,000 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Services are coordinated and delivered through a network of 21 Regional Centers across the state. To help ensure individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities live in the least restrictive setting appropriate to their needs. DDS designed the Community Placement Plan (CPP) and Community Resource Development Plan (CRDP) for regional centers to enhance the capacity of the community service delivery system and to reduce the reliance on the use of developmental centers and other restrictive living environments.

The CPP and CRDP provide funding to the regional centers for the development of a variety of resources, including, but not limited to, residential development, transportation, day services, and mental health and crisis services, within individuals’ communities. DDS sets priorities for the CPP and CRPD projects to incentivize Regional Centers to focus on areas of need. Through the Bridging Aging and Disability Community of Practice, the California state team worked with DDS to set priorities for Fiscal Year 2024-25 that include a focus on meeting individual and community needs of aging individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

For More information:

California’s Community Placement and Resource Developmental Plan

Location: District of Columbia

Description: The District of Columbia established legislation for Supported Decision Making (SDM) as an alternative to guardianship. When guardians or parents, who sometimes serve as legal guardians to adult children over age 18, are no longer able to provide care, adults with IDD are at risk of having a court-appointed guardian with no personal relationship or knowledge of the individual’s needs or preferences. With the passage of the District of Columbia Disability Services Reform Act, individuals with disabilities identify supporters for key areas in their lives (e.g., health care decisions, purchases, moves), and include them in the decision-making process. Supporters help the individual gather information and assist them through the decision-making process. 

For More information:
https://dds.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/dds/publication/attachments/DSRAA%20CIDCRRA%201-10-2018%20Plain%20Language%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf 

https://dds.dc.gov/page/dds-decision-making-rights-people-disabilities 

Location: New Mexico

Description:

New Mexico developed a campaign called My Life, My Decisions, funded by the state legislature, to provide resources on alternatives to guardianship. The campaign aims to present information and resources on alternatives to guardianship, as well as on-site legal services by partnering with public disability rights lawyers. At these full-day workshops, information is provided on topics such as Supported Decision Making, Power of Attorney, Future Planning, and navigating services, where once participants engage with materials they find relevant to their lives, they are then able to easily access relevant legal services to execute such strategies. These legal clinic resources include assistance with tools such as powers of attorney, advance directives, and supported decision-making agreements.  Spanish and ASL interpreters are provided at all events to enhance language access. Through the Bridging Aging and Disability Community of Practice, deeper relationships have formed with the aging network, which also sees a shared need for these resources and assistance. The Aging and Long Term Services Department hosts an annual aging conference where the My Life, My Decision campaign was presented, fostering more collaboration. New Mexico also recently passed a bill to have all Medicaid services under one agency (Health Care Authority), coordinated at the state leadership level, which will likely foster additional opportunities for bridging.

For More information:
New Mexico Developmental Disabilities Council (Alice Liu McCoy, Executive Director), aliceliu.mccoy@ddc.nm.gov