Title III – Grants for State and Community Programs on Aging |
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The Amendments address the Title III (except E) funding formula, principles of Choices for Independence, Nutrition Services Incentive Program (NSIP), mental health services, targeting of older individuals with limited English proficiency, planning for baby boomers, use of volunteers in direct service provision, and disaster preparedness planning in Title III.
Principles of Choices for Independence are embedded throughout Title III:
- Consumer Empowerment
- Aging & Disability Resource Centers
- Community Living Incentives
- Flexible Options and More Choices for High-Risk Individuals
- Healthy Lifestyles
- Evidence-Based Disease Prevention Interventions
Section 304, Allotment- Federal Share
Interstate Funding Formula (Sec. 304(a)(3)(D))
- The provisions for allotting funds under title III are updated with a 2006 hold harmless year. The guaranteed growth provision, i.e., “No state shall receive less than 20% of the percentage increase above the FY 2000 allotments for all states,” is changed to FY 2006 and incrementally phased out as follows: “not less than 20% decreases to 15% in 2008, 10% in 2009, 5% in 2010, and is eliminated in 2011.
Section 305, Organization (Sec. 305(a))
- Revision of planning and service areas designation by adding consideration of “older individuals with limited English proficiency”;
- Revision of targeting of services by adding “older individuals with limited English proficiency”; and
- Promotion by State agency of long-term care system reflective of the principles of Choices for Independence.
Section 306, Area Plans ( Sec. 306(a))
- Targeting of “older individuals with limited English proficiency” and “older individuals at risk of institutional placement” are added to needs assessment;
- Addition of mental health services to the “access” category of priority services;
- Targeting of “older individuals with limited English proficiency” and “older individuals at risk of institutional placement” are added to services provision;
- Use of trained volunteers in providing direct services;
- Addition of caregivers, service providers and representatives of the business community to area agency advisory council;
- Coordination of mental health services and screening;
- Facilitation by area agency of long-term care system development reflective of the principles of Choices for Independence;
- Development and coordination of emergency preparedness plans; and
- Conduct of special planning for baby boomers.
Section 307, State Plans (Sec. 307(a))
- Emphasis of “older individuals with limited English proficiency” in periodic evaluations of activities under the state plan;
- Addition of “older individuals with limited English proficiency” to identification of targeted groups and methods to serve provision;
- Addition of “older individuals with limited English proficiency” to outreach targeting;
- Provision of services consistent with consumer directed care;
- Conduct of special planning for baby boomers; and
- Coordination and development of long-range emergency preparedness plans.
Section 311 Nutrition Services Incentive Program (NSIP) (Sec. 311)
The Nutrition Services Incentive Program (NSIP) provides supplemental funding for congregate and home delivered meals served under Titles III and VI.
The Older Americans Reauthorization Technical Corrections Act permits states and tribes to use part of their NSIP allocation to access commodities directly from the United States Department of Agriculture using procedures developed by the Food Distribution Division.
Section 315 Consumer Contributions ( Sec. 315(b))
- Solicitation of voluntary contributions added for participants at 185% or more of federal poverty level based on self-declaration of income;
- Non-supplantation provision added to voluntary contributions section; and
- “Older individuals with limited English proficiency added to targeting of cost sharing plan requirements and evaluation provisions.
PART B - Supportive Services and Senior Centers
Section 321 Supportive Services and Senior Centers Program Authorized(Sec. 321(a))
- Assistive devices added to allowable services;
- Coordination of mental health services added to allowable services; and
- Life-long learning programs, including distance learning added to allowable services.
PART C – Nutrition Service
Section 330. Purposes (Sec. 330)
- Purpose of the OAA nutrition service program outlined
Subpart 1—Congregate Nutrition Services
Section 331 Program Authorized (Sec. 331)
- Nutrition counseling, as appropriate, added to congregate meal services.
Subpart 2—Home Delivered Nutrition Services
Section 336 Program Authorized (Sec. 336)
- Nutrition education, counseling and other services, as appropriate, added to home delivered meal services.
Section 337 Criteria (Sec. 337)
- Minimum criteria for quality and efficiency added to home delivered meals.
Subpart 3—General Provisions
Section 339 Nutrition ( Sec. 339)
- Compliance with most recent “Dietary Guidelines for Americans” added; and
- Medical education information and brochures to home-delivered meals clients encouraged.
STUDY OF NUTRITION PROJECTS (Study of Nutrition Projects)
- Authorization to conduct an evidence-based study of the nutrition projects is added.
SENSE OF CONGRESS (Sense of Congress)
- “Sense of Congress” added to encourage consideration of single daily mineral and multivitamin supplements in nutrition programs.
PART D – Disease Prevention Health Promotion Services
Section 361 Program Authorized(Sec. 361)
Air Quality
- Consultation with qualified experts added to provide information on improving air quality in buildings where older people congregate.
PART E – National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP) III-E
The Amendments broaden the population of caregivers to be served, and establish priorities. The use of volunteers to provide services to caregivers is encouraged. Authorization for National Innovation Programs is moved to Title IV, with funding authorization moved to Section 303. Definition of family caregiver is moved to Section 302.
Section 302 Definitions (title III) (Sec. 302(a)(3))
- “Family caregiver” definition revised to include caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease.
Section 372 Definitions (NFCSP) (Sec. 372)
- “Child” definition revised to include “an individual with a disability”; and (statute Sec. 372(a)(1))
- “Grandparent or relative caregiver” definition revised to include those 55 years of age or older caring for a child to whom they are related by blood, marriage or adoption. (statute Sec. 372(a)(2))
- Caregivers of older individuals with Alzheimer’s disease; and
- Grandparents or relative caregivers caring for children with severe disabilities.
Section 373 Program Authorized (Sec. 373)
- Expansion of caregiver training areas; and
- Caregivers who are older individuals with greatest social need;
- Older individuals with greatest economic need (with particular attention to low-income older individuals); and
- Older individuals providing care to individuals with severe disabilities, including children with severe disabilities.
- Coordination with the Corporation for National and Community Service regarding volunteers for caregiver programs; and
- Expansion of State reporting.
Section 411 Program Authorized (Sec. 411(a)(11))
National Innovation Programs (NFCSP)
- Program authority moved to Title IV; and
- Funding authority moved to Sec. 303 and capped at 1% of III-E allotment (allowed but not mandated).
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