Source: Administration for Community Living
For many older adults and people with disabilities, the key to remaining independent can be something as simple as a home-delivered meal, a ramp for their homes, or a few hours of respite for a family caregiver. Unfortunately, an often disjointed maze of eligibility criteria, forms, programs, and agencies can prevent even the most determined individuals from obtaining these critical supports. The Administration for Community Living (ACL) has been helping states streamline their processes and implement systems that make it easier for people to learn about—and access—the services they need.
In these “No Wrong Door” systems, multiple state and community agencies coordinate to ensure that regardless of which agency people contact for help, they can access information and one-on-one counseling about the options available across all the agencies and in their communities. The goal is to enable people to make informed decisions based on the full range of available services. The No Wrong Door systems also provide assistance in accessing services, including help in completing applications for various public and private programs.
Last week, ACL awarded nearly $5 million in grants to 13 states to further develop these “No Wrong Door” systems. [Read more…]