LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES

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Increase HCCBG Funding

1. Adult Protective Services (APS). Pass statutory changes recommended by the Adult Protective Services Improvement Design Team and provide state funding to support needed capacity to protect all vulnerable older and disabled adults across the state.
    

2. Senior Centers. Create and fund robust senior centers for all counties in the state, to ensure socialization and well-being, to provide information and education, to perform triage in providing appropriate assistance services, and to prevent debilitating isolation.
    

3. Home & Community Care Block Grant. Create policies that rebalance the system of in-home services versus institutional care, including budget appropriations to ensure continuity of home- and community-based annual services and supports to address the rising number of older adults.
    

4. Older Adult Housing. Alleviate the severe housing shortage by supporting the availability of safe, affordable, and accessible housing for older adults and help older adults age in place in their homes. 
    

5. New Community-Based Services Program. Establish a funding stream of at least 2 million dollars to be administered by the Division of Aging, outside of the constraints of the Home and Community Care Block Grant Program, that supports services allowing recipients 60+ to live in their homes safely as long as possible.
    

6. Long Term Care Ombudsman Program. Strengthen the state’s Long Term Care Ombudsman Program by addressing staffing concerns associated with paid ombudsman positions and defining roles and responsibilities of the Community Advisory Committee volunteers.
    

7. Healthcare Workforce Crisis. Address the critical shortage of healthcare workers by addressing the healthcare workforce crisis through expanded financial incentives and support for individuals pursuing careers in healthcare.
    

8. Nursing Home Staffing Standards. Strengthen nursing home staffing standards by adopting a state required minimum staffing standard at least equal to the current federal regulatory standard of 3.48 hours per resident per day.

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