State Plan Guidance (SPG)

Overview Training

State Plan on Aging

Brian Altman and Chris Mitchell

ACL/AoA, Washington, DC

September 27, 2021
Overview

3-5 ACL Mission and Vision and New SPG Highlights

10-18

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20-26

27-31

State Plan Due Date - Every State and Territory 

2020 Reauthorization, Biden-Harris Administration Priorities 

and the New SPG 

State Plan Content

State Plan Key Topic Areas and Attachments to the State 

Plan

6-9

State Plan Resources, Timeline, Questions and Answers, 

Upcoming Trainings and Presenters’ Contact Info 

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Our Mission

Maximize the 

independence, well-being, and health 

of older adults, 

people with disabilities across the lifespan, 

and their families and caregivers.

3
Our Vision

For all people, regardless of age and 

disability, to live with dignity, make their own 

choices, and participate fully in society. 

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Highlights

• New State Plan Guidance applies to any 

new state plan taking effect on or after 

October 1, 2022.

• Incorporates key changes from the 2020 

reauthorization of the OAA.

• Includes Biden-Harris priorities that shape 

ACL’s work.

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State Plans Due to ACL on 

July 1, 2022

• Arizona 

• Arkansas 

• District of Columbia 

• Indiana 

• Minnesota 

• Mississippi 

• North Dakota 

• Ohio 

• Oklahoma 

• Texas 

• Vermont 

• Washington 

• Wisconsin 

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State Plans Due to ACL on 

July 1, 2023

• Alaska 

• American Samoa 

• Colorado 

• Connecticut

• Georgia 

• Guam 

• Hawaii 

• Louisiana 

• Michigan 

• Missouri

• Montana

• Nebraska 

• New Hampshire 

• New York 

• North Carolina 

• Northern Marianas

• Oregon

• Rhode Island 

• Utah

• Virginia

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State Plans Due to ACL on 

July 1, 2024

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• Alabama

• Delaware 

• Idaho

• Illinois

• Maine

• Nevada

• Pennsylvania
State Plans Due to ACL on 

July 1, 2025

• California

• Florida 

• Iowa 

• Kansas 

• Kentucky

• Maryland

• Massachusetts 

• New Jersey 

• New Mexico

• Puerto Rico

• South Carolina

• South Dakota

• Tennessee 

• West Virginia 

• Wyoming

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2020 OAA Reauthorization 

and the SPG

• Social Isolation

• Caregiving

• Nutrition - Malnutrition

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Social Isolation

• Requires taking a closer 

look at the negative 

health effects 

associated with social 

isolation

• Focus on screening for 

social isolation

• Title III-B adds 

supportive services that 

reduce social isolation

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Caregiving

• New term – caregiver 

assessment

• Caregivers can care 

for individuals of any 

age with Alzheimer’s

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Nutrition - Malnutrition

• Reducing malnutrition

• States and AAAs 

should reduce 

administrative burdens 

so that resources are 

where they are 

needed the most

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Biden-Harris Administration 

Priorities and the New SPG

• COVID-19 Recovery

• Advancing Equity

• Expanding Access to HCBS

• Building a Caregiving Infrastructure

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COVID-19

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• Significant Disruptions

• Significant Flexibilities

• Supplemental Funding

• Increased Needs of Older Adults
Advancing Equity

• Broad approach 

• Black, Latino, and Indigenous and Native American 

persons, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, 

and other persons of color; members of religious 

minorities; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and 

queer persons; persons with disabilities; and 

persons who live in rural areas 

• individuals with limited English proficiency 

• at risk of institutionalization 

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Expanding Access to HCBS

• How is the state:

– building HCBS capacity? 

– improving HCBS program quality through 

innovation, partnerships with other state and 

local agencies, community-based 

organizations (both within and outside the 

aging network)?

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Building a Caregiver 

Infrastructure

• Build off the key findings from the RAISE 

Family Caregiving Advisory Council and 

other national efforts. 

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State Plan Content

• Signed Verification of Intent

• Narrative

• Executive Summary

• Context

• Quality Management

• Goals, Objectives, Strategies and Outcomes

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State Plan Key Topic Areas

• OAA Core Programs Topic Area

• COVID-19 Topic Area

• Equity Topic Area

• Expanding Access to HCBS Topic Area

• Caregiving Topic Area

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Attachments to the State Plan

• Attachment A – State Plan Assurances

• Attachment B – Information Requirements

• Attachment C – IFF Requirements

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State Plan Resources

• ACL National Resource Centers:

https://acl.gov/node/2884

– SAGE Aging Network Planning Tools: 

https://www.lgbtagingcenter.org/resources/resources.cfm?s=36

• ADvancing States Tools for Planning:

http://www.advancingstates.org/state-technical-assistance/tools-planning

• ACL Regional Support Center:

https://acl.gov/about-acl/regional-offices

• State Plan Guidance

https://acl.gov/sites/default/files/about-acl/2021-

08/State%20Plan%20Guidance_Plans%20Due%20Oct%202022%20-

%20ACL%20SUA%20Directors%20Letter%20%2301-2021.pdf

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State Plan Development 

Sample Timeline

OctDec

Step 1 

Gather Info

Plan for and conduct 

public 

hearings/public 

comment period and 

needs assessment 

to inform state plan.

JanApr

Step 2 

Draft

Draft state plan using 

information obtained in 

step one and state plan 

guidance. Communicate 

with RA about statespecific timeline and 

utilize other state plan 

resources.

AprMay

Step 3 

Share Drafts and 

Refine

Begin sharing drafts 

of your state plan 

with your RA (if you 

have not done so 

already). RAs will 

provide feedback 

and technical 

assistance.

June

Step 4 

Finalize and 

Obtain Signatures 

Incorporate 

feedback from RA, 

finalize and obtain 

signatures from state 

officials including the 

governor (if you 

have not done so 

already).

July

Step 5 

Submit to ACL

Submit final state 

plan to RA no 

later than July 1st.

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Questions and Answers

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Upcoming Trainings

• Please join us for additional trainings 

related to State Plan Guidance

– Funding Formula Development and Revision 

on October 20th at 3:00pm EST

– Developing Performance Measures with Clear 

Outcomes on November 15th at 2:00pm EST

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Presenters’ Contact Info

Brian Altman

brian.altman@acl.hhs.gov

Chris Mitchell

chris.mitchell@acl.hhs.gov

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