PROGRAM INSTRUCTION

AoA-PI-14 - 01

TO: State Agencies on Aging Administering Plans under Title III of the 

Older Americans Act of 1965, as amended

SUBJECT: Guidance on the Development and Submission of State Plans, 

Amendments and Intrastate Funding Formulas

LEGAL REFERENCES: Sections 305, 306, 307, 308, 373, and 705, of the Older Americans 

Act of 1965, As Amended

The purpose of this Program Instruction (PI) is to provide States with guidelines for use in 

developing and submitting FY 2015 State Plans and amendments including intrastate funding 

formula (IFF) requirements.

Resources available to assist States in the development and writing of their State Plan include:

• Your Administration for Community Living (ACL) Regional Support Center

• The TASC Planning Zone – a national aging services planning model at 

http://www.nasuad.org/tasc/tasc_index.html. As of October 2012, the TASC Planning 

Zone project ended. Resources on the site may still be helpful; however, they may not be 

the most current.

The PI contains the following:

I. STATE PLAN PURPOSE AND FOCUS AREAS

A. Older Americans Act (OAA) Core Programs

B. ACL/AoA Discretionary Grants

C. Participant-Directed/Person-Centered Planning

D. Elder Justice

II. STATE PLAN CONTENT

A. Signed Verification of Intent Page from State Governor or designee

B. Narrative

C. Intrastate Funding Formula

D. Attachments

III. STATE PLAN/AMENDMENT SUBMISSION AND APPROVAL

IV. ATTACHMENTS: (to this Program Instruction)

I. STATE PLAN PURPOSE AND FOCUS AREAS

The State Plan serves multiple purposes: 

• Documenting the tangible outcomes planned and achieved as a result of state long-term 

care reform efforts.
• Translating activities, data, and outcomes into proven best practices, which can be used 

to leverage additional funding. 

• Providing a Blueprint that spells out the coordination and advocacy activities the state 

will undertake to meet the needs of older adults, including integrating health and social 

services delivery systems.

• Building Capacity for long-term care efforts in the state.

States should succinctly incorporate into the State Plan as many of their activities related to 

aging as possible, regardless of funding source, while keeping in mind the maximum length of 

30 pages for the plan narrative. The plan should serve as a valuable tool for planning/tracking all 

efforts on behalf of older adults.

Focus Areas for FY 2015 State Plans

State plans must include measurable objectives that address all of the focus areas, A-D, below. 

In developing objectives, consider the role these areas serve in optimizing the state’s long-term 

services and supports system (LTSS) for older adults and their caregivers. 

Data and other resources for developing measurable objectives/performance measures are 

available on the “Resource Links” section of the TASC Planning Zone.

A. Older Americans Act (OAA) Core Programs - OAA core programs are encompassed in 

Titles III (Supportive Services, Nutrition, Disease Prevention/Health Promotion and Caregiver 

Programs), VI (Native American Programs), and VII (Elder Rights Programs), and serve as the 

foundation of the national aging services network. Describe plans to: coordinate Title III 

programs with Title VI Native American programs; strengthen or expand Title III & VII 

services; increase the business acumen of aging network partners; work towards the integration 

of health care and social services systems; and integrate core programs with ACL discretionary 

programs addressed in Focus Area B below.

Specific resources to assist states in maximizing coordination and planning efforts in Core 

programs are available on the “Resource Links” section TASC Planning Zone:

B. ACL Discretionary Grants – For each of the following ACL Discretionary Grant programs 

received by your state, develop measurable objectives that include integration of these programs 

with OAA core programs above (Focus Area A): Alzheimer’s Disease Supportive Services 

Program (ADSSP); Evidence-Based Disease and Disability Prevention Programs; Senior 

Medicare Patrol (SMP) and programs that support community living. 

Note: For ADRC Discretionary grants, list your 1) Projected Objectives, 2) Partners, and 3) 

Budget leading to the statewide expansion of ADRCs and full integration with OAA core 

programs. 

Specific resources to assist states in developing objectives for respective ACL discretionary 

grants are available at links below as well as on the “Resource Links” section of the TASC 

Planning Zone.

2
Community Living (ADRCs, Community Living Program, Alzheimer’s Disease Supportive 

Services Program)

http://www.adrc-tae.org/tiki-index.php?page=HomePage

Evidence Based Disease Prevention Programs 

http://www.healthyagingprograms.org/content.asp?sectionid=32

States should also describe how they are or will take advantage of opportunities through the 

Affordable Care Act, e.g., Money Follows the Person Program, Balancing Incentives Program, 

Community-Based Care Transition Program, etc. Are there new activities taking place as a 

result of this funding? Have new partnerships formed? Include information about existing or 

new plans in this area.

C. Participant-Directed/Person-Centered Planning – Making fundamental changes in state 

policies and programs which support consumer control and choice is recognized as a critical

focus for State Plans. OAA Title VII programs and services are designed to support this effort, 

and opportunities also exist for maximizing consumer control and choice in Title III and VI 

programs. Describe your planned efforts (measurable objectives) to support participantdirected/person-centered planning for older adults and their caregivers across the spectrum of 

long term care services, including home, community and institutional settings.

Specific resources to assist states with building consumer choice and control into aging programs 

are available at the link below as well as on the “Resource Links” section of the TASC Planning 

Zone.

National Resource Center for Participant Directed Services

http://www.bc.edu/schools/gssw/nrcpds/

D. Elder Justice - As part of their leadership role in coordinating programs and services for the 

protection of vulnerable adults under Title VII,1

 States should describe their activities to 

prevent, detect, assess, intervene, and/or investigate elder abuse, neglect, and financial 

exploitation. Describe planned efforts (with measurable objectives) to support and enhance 

multi-disciplinary responses to elder abuse, neglect and exploitation involving adult protective 

services, LTC ombudsman programs, legal assistance programs, law enforcement, health care 

professionals, financial institutions, and other essential partners across the state.

Specific resources to assist states in supporting multi-disciplinary responses to elder abuse are 

available at the links below, as well as, on the “Resource Links” section of the TASC Planning 

Zone.

LTC Ombudsman:

www.ltcombudsman.org

Elder Rights

http://www.nasuad.org/tasc/elder_rights_program.html

1 Adapted from Section 721(d) of the OAA

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II. STATE PLAN CONTENT

The State plan is made up of:

A. Signed Verification of Intent Page from State Governor or designee;

B. Narrative;

C. Intrastate Funding Formula; and

D. Attachments. 

In order to facilitate a timely review of the plan, please provide an index and page numbers.

A. Signed Verification of Intent Page from State Governor or Designee;

The state plan must be signed by the Governor or the individual (designee) to whom the 

Governor has granted signature authority. Such authority should be obtained in writing from the 

Governor’s office and be on file should ACL need to verify the designation.

B. Narrative:

The narrative portion of the State Plan should be comprised of no more than 30 pages. In order to 

stay within this maximum, the State may wish to submit lengthy survey information, 

demographics, etc., as separate attachments to the plan. The narrative should clearly address the 

following areas:

1. Executive Summary (approximately 3 pages) - The executive summary should stand 

alone in summarizing the state’s planned efforts on behalf of older individuals. A 

well written summary can aid the state in educating the public, lawmakers, and other 

agencies, and can assist in securing additional resources.

2. Context – The context sets the stage for the State Plan and describes the issues to be 

addressed in the rest of the document. A summary of needs assessment activities 

undertaken by the state, as well as the findings of such activities, should be included 

here. Further, the findings should correspond to the outlined goals and objectives in 

“3” below.

Indicate how your state solicited input for development or the plan, e.g., public 

hearings, website, etc.

3. Goals and Objectives – Goals are visionary statements that describe the strategic 

direction in which the state is moving while objectives are the attainable, specific, and 

measurable steps the State will take to achieve its goals. One or more objectives 

should be included for each of the 4 focus areas on Pages 2 & 3 of this PI. 

4. Strategies – Strategies outline how the goals and objectives will be achieved. Indicate 

whether your state will implement cost sharing during the plan period, and if so, how 

you will meet the statutory requirements outlined in OAA Sec. 315(a). List possible 

barriers and how the State plans to address them.

5. Outcomes and Performance Measures related to Focus Areas – Outcomes document 

the benefit older individuals should derive from the state plan goals, objectives and 

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strategies. Such measures are encouraged either as measureable objectives outlined 

in “3” above, or in addition to objectives.

6. Quality Management – Quality management of service programs encompasses three 

functions: data collection to assess ongoing program implementation, remediation of 

problem areas, and continuous improvement. Describe any quality management

activities that will be undertaken during the plan period, e.g., implementation of the 

HCBS Quality Framework. (http://www.nasuad.org/hcbs/article/home-andcommunity-based-services-supports-quality-indicator-database-website-and )

Specific resources are available for each of the above sections on “The Plan” drop down menu of 

the TASC Planning Zone at http://www.nasuad.org/tasc/tasc_index.html.

C. Intrastate Funding Formula:

Each new State plan submittal must include a copy of the current intrastate funding formula 

(IFF) and the resulting funding allocation to the planning and service areas. Any revisions to the 

IFF must be clearly indicated and take into consideration the statutory requirements listed in 

Attachment C, Intrastate Funding Formula Requirements. Any change to IFF factors or weights 

requires approval by the Assistant Secretary. Revisions that do not coincide with a new State 

plan submittal must be submitted as a State plan amendment. Attachment C to this PI, Intrastate 

Funding Formula (IFF) Requirements, is a guide to the development of new or revised IFFs and 

is provided for information purposes.

D. Attachments (to the State Plan document):

The number and type of state plan attachments will vary from state to state; however, every state 

plan must include Attachment A from this PI, State Plan Assurances and Activities, as well as,

Attachment B, Information Requirements. Other attachments to the plan could include 

demographic data, needs analysis, special initiatives, etc. In order to facilitate review of

intrastate funding formulas (IFFs), please include your State IFF as a separate and labeled 

attachment to the plan.

III. STATE PLAN/AMENDMENT SUBMISSION AND APPROVAL

A State Agency on Aging may elect to develop a new State Plan for a two, three or four-year 

period. A State with a current two or three-year plan may request an extension, or may amend its 

current plan if needed; however, at the end of a four-year plan, the State must develop a new 

Plan. There is no statutory authority to extend a Plan beyond a four-year period.

The deadline for submission of new State Plans, extensions, and plan amendments to the 

appropriate Regional Support Center is July 1, 2014, or at least 90 days prior to the end date of 

the current plan. States should seek technical assistance from their ACL Regional Support 

Center throughout State Plan development, and may want to submit at least one draft prior to

submission of the final plan to ensure a complete and satisfactory submission. This will allow 

problems to be addressed before signatures of State officials are obtained.

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While most State Plan amendments are submitted during the timeframe for new plans, 

amendments may be submitted anytime they are needed to keep the plan current, and/or to 

incorporate significant changes desired by the State. States may submit two different types of 

State plan amendments to their respective Regional Support Centers:

• An amendment for Assistant Secretary (ASA) approval is submitted when a State 

proposes either of the following:

o Changes to the intrastate funding formula; or

o Major changes in objectives such as initiating or deleting an objective related to 

funding a particular service/initiative, e.g., starting/stopping a transportation 

program, starting/stopping an ADRC or similar long term care reform project.

• An amendment for update purposes i.e., to keep the plan current, is submitted when a 

State undertakes any of the following:

o Changes to planning and service areas (PSAs) and/or the designation of area 

agencies on aging (AAAs); 

o Changes to the State agency on aging structure; or

o Any other significant change to the plan not listed above. 

States should contact their Regional Support Center for assistance with submission of both types 

of amendments.

State Plans/Amendments are submitted electronically via email to the appropriate Regional 

Support Center of the Administration for Community Living (ACL). The Verification of Intent 

with original signatures of approving officials may be scanned into or attached to the plan

document. The Regional Support Center will review State Plans/Amendments and send 

recommendations to the Assistant Secretary regarding approval. Certain amendments will be 

transmitted by the Regional Support Center to the Central Office of ACL for update purposes 

only.

IV. ATTACHMENTS: (to this Program Instruction)

Attachment A – State Plan Assurances and Required Activities includes all statutory 

assurances and activities related to the development/implementation of State plans, and must be 

reviewed, signed and included in the State plan. In addition, documentation of how the State 

will address each assurance must be maintained at the State and made available for review by 

ACL, as appropriate.

Attachment B – Information Requirements includes all specific information requirements 

related to development/implementation of the State plan. The State responses to these 

requirements must be listed within the Attachment and submitted with the State plan.

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Attachment C -- Intrastate Funding Formula (IFF) Requirements is a guide to the 

development of new or revised IFFs and is provided for informational purposes. This attachment 

does not need to be included in the State plan/amendment submittal.

EFFECTIVE DATE: Immediately

INQUIRIES TO: Regional Administrators on Aging

ACL Support Centers

________________________________

Kathy Greenlee

Assistant Secretary for Aging

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FY 2015 State Plan Guidance

Attachment A

STATE PLAN ASSURANCES AND REQUIRED ACTIVITIES

Older Americans Act, As Amended in 2006

By signing this document, the authorized official commits the State Agency on Aging to 

performing all listed assurances and activities as stipulated in the Older Americans Act, as 

amended in 2006.

ASSURANCES

Sec. 305(a) - (c), ORGANIZATION

(a)(2)(A) The State agency shall, except as provided in subsection (b)(5), designate for each 

such area (planning and service area) after consideration of the views offered by the unit or 

units of general purpose local government in such area, a public or private nonprofit agency or 

organization as the area agency on aging for such area. 

(a)(2)(B) The State agency shall provide assurances, satisfactory to the Assistant Secretary, that 

the State agency will take into account, in connection with matters of general policy arising in 

the development and administration of the State plan for any fiscal year, the views of recipients 

of supportive services or nutrition services, or individuals using multipurpose senior centers 

provided under such plan. 

(a)(2)(E) The State agency shall provide assurance that preference will be given to providing 

services to older individuals with greatest economic need and older individuals with greatest 

social need, (with particular attention to low-income older individuals, including low-income 

minority older individuals, older individuals with limited English proficiency, and older 

individuals residing in rural areas) and include proposed methods of carrying out the preference 

in the State plan;

(a)(2)(F) The State agency shall provide assurances that the State agency will require use of 

outreach efforts described in section 307(a)(16). 

(a)(2)(G)(ii) The State agency shall provide an assurance that the State agency will undertake 

specific program development, advocacy, and outreach efforts focused on the needs of 

low-income minority older individuals and older individuals residing in rural areas.

(c)(5) In the case of a State specified in subsection (b)(5), the State agency and area agencies 

shall provide assurance, determined adequate by the State agency, that the area agency on aging 

will have the ability to develop an area plan and to carry out, directly or through contractual or 

other arrangements, a program in accordance with the plan within the planning and service area.
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States must assure that the following assurances (Section 306) will be met by its designated 

area agencies on agencies, or by the State in the case of single planning and service area 

states.

Sec. 306(a), AREA PLANS

(2) Each area agency on aging shall provide assurances that an adequate proportion, as required 

under section 307(a)(2), of the amount allotted for part B to the planning and service area will be 

expended for the delivery of each of the following categories of services-

(A) services associated with access to services (transportation, health services (including 

mental health services), outreach, information and assistance (which may include 

information and assistance to consumers on availability of services under part B and how to 

receive benefits under and participate in publicly supported programs for which the 

consumer may be eligible), and case management services);

(B) in-home services, including supportive services for families of older individuals who are 

victims of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders with neurological and organic brain 

dysfunction; and

(C) legal assistance; 

and assurances that the area agency on aging will report annually to the State agency in 

detail the amount of funds expended for each such category during the fiscal year most 

recently concluded. 

(4)(A)(i)(I) provide assurances that the area agency on aging will—

(aa) set specific objectives, consistent with State policy, for providing services to older 

individuals with greatest economic need, older individuals with greatest social need, and older 

individuals at risk for institutional placement;

(bb) include specific objectives for providing services to low-income minority older 

individuals, older individuals with limited English proficiency, and older individuals residing 

in rural areas; and

(II) include proposed methods to achieve the objectives described in items (aa) and (bb) of 

subclause (I);

(ii) provide assurances that the area agency on aging will include in each agreement made 

with a provider of any service under this title, a requirement that such provider will—

(I) specify how the provider intends to satisfy the service needs of low-income minority 

individuals, older individuals with limited English proficiency, and older individuals residing 

in rural areas in the area served by the provider;

(II) to the maximum extent feasible, provide services to low-income minority individuals, 

older individuals with limited English proficiency, and older individuals residing in rural areas 

in accordance with their need for such services; and

(III) meet specific objectives established by the area agency on aging, for providing services to 

low-income minority individuals, older individuals with limited English proficiency, and older 

individuals residing in rural areas within the planning and service area; and

(4)(A)(iii) With respect to the fiscal year preceding the fiscal year for which such plan is 

prepared, each area agency on aging shall--

(I) identify the number of low-income minority older individuals and older individuals

residing in rural areas in the planning and service area;
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(II) describe the methods used to satisfy the service needs of such minority older 

individuals; and

(III) provide information on the extent to which the area agency on aging met the 

objectives described in clause (a)(4)(A)(i). 

(4)(B)(i) Each area agency on aging shall provide assurances that the area agency on aging 

will use outreach efforts that will identify individuals eligible for assistance under this Act, 

with special emphasis on--

(I) older individuals residing in rural areas;

(II) older individuals with greatest economic need (with particular attention to low-income 

minority individuals and older individuals residing in rural areas);

(III) older individuals with greatest social need (with particular attention to low-income minority 

individuals and older individuals residing in rural areas);

(IV) older individuals with severe disabilities;

(V) older individuals with limited English proficiency; 

(VI) older individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders with neurological and 

organic brain dysfunction (and the caretakers of such individuals); and

(VII) older individuals at risk for institutional placement; and

(4)(C) Each area agency on agency shall provide assurance that the area agency on aging will 

ensure that each activity undertaken by the agency, including planning, advocacy, and systems 

development, will include a focus on the needs of low-income minority older individuals and 

older individuals residing in rural areas. 

(5) Each area agency on aging shall provide assurances that the area agency on aging will 

coordinate planning, identification, assessment of needs, and provision of services for older 

individuals with disabilities, with particular attention to individuals with severe disabilities, and 

individuals at risk for institutional placement, with agencies that develop or provide services for 

individuals with disabilities. 

(6)(F) Each area agency will:

in coordination with the State agency and with the State agency responsible for mental health 

services, increase public awareness of mental health disorders, remove barriers to diagnosis and 

treatment, and coordinate mental health services (including mental health screenings) provided 

with funds expended by the area agency on aging with mental health services provided by 

community health centers and by other public agencies and nonprofit private organizations;

(9) Each area agency on aging shall provide assurances that the area agency on aging, in 

carrying out the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman program under section 307(a)(9), will 

expend not less than the total amount of funds appropriated under this Act and expended by the 

agency in fiscal year 2000 in carrying out such a program under this title. 

(11) Each area agency on aging shall provide information and assurances concerning services 

to older individuals who are Native Americans (referred to in this paragraph as "older Native 

Americans"), including-

(A) information concerning whether there is a significant population of older Native Americans 

in the planning and service area and if so, an assurance that the area agency on aging will 
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pursue activities, including outreach, to increase access of those older Native Americans to 

programs and benefits provided under this title; 

(B) an assurance that the area agency on aging will, to the maximum extent practicable, 

coordinate the services the agency provides under this title with services provided under title 

VI; and 

(C) an assurance that the area agency on aging will make services under the area plan available, 

to the same extent as such services are available to older individuals within the planning and 

service area, to older Native Americans. 

(13)(A) Each area agency on aging shall provide assurances that the area agency on aging will 

maintain the integrity and public purpose of services provided, and service providers, under this 

title in all contractual and commercial relationships. 

(13)(B) Each area agency on aging shall provide assurances that the area agency on aging 

will disclose to the Assistant Secretary and the State agency--

(i) the identity of each nongovernmental entity with which such agency has a contract or 

commercial relationship relating to providing any service to older individuals; and

(ii) the nature of such contract or such relationship. 

(13)(C) Each area agency on aging shall provide assurances that the area agency will 

demonstrate that a loss or diminution in the quantity or quality of the services provided, or to 

be provided, under this title by such agency has not resulted and will not result from such 

non-governmental contracts or such commercial relationships. 

(13)(D) Each area agency on aging shall provide assurances that the area agency will 

demonstrate that the quantity or quality of the services to be provided under this title by such 

agency will be enhanced as a result of such non-governmental contracts or commercial 

relationships. 

(13)(E) Each area agency on aging shall provide assurances that the area agency will, on the 

request of the Assistant Secretary or the State, for the purpose of monitoring compliance with 

this Act (including conducting an audit), disclose all sources and expenditures of funds such 

agency receives or expends to provide services to older individuals. 

(14) Each area agency on aging shall provide assurances that funds received under this title 

will not be used to pay any part of a cost (including an administrative cost) incurred by the area 

agency on aging to carry out a contract or commercial relationship that is not carried out to 

implement this title. 

(15) provide assurances that funds received under this title will be used-

(A) to provide benefits and services to older individuals, giving priority to older 

individuals identified in paragraph (4)(A)(i); and

(B) in compliance with the assurances specified in paragraph (13) and the limitations 

specified in section 212;

(17)Each Area Plan will include information detailing how the Area Agency will coordinate 

activities and develop long-range emergency preparedness plans with local and State emergency 
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response agencies, relief organizations, local and State governments and other institutions that 

have responsibility for disaster relief service delivery.

Sec. 307, STATE PLANS

(7)(A) The plan shall provide satisfactory assurance that such fiscal control and fund 

accounting procedures will be adopted as may be necessary to assure proper disbursement 

of, and accounting for, Federal funds paid under this title to the State, including any such 

funds paid to the recipients of a grant or contract. 

(7)(B) The plan shall provide assurances that--

(i) no individual (appointed or otherwise) involved in the designation of the State agency or an 

area agency on aging, or in the designation of the head of any subdivision of the State agency or 

of an area agency on aging, is subject to a conflict of interest prohibited under this Act;

(ii) no officer, employee, or other representative of the State agency or an area agency on 

aging is subject to a conflict of interest prohibited under this Act; and 

(iii) mechanisms are in place to identify and remove conflicts of interest prohibited under this 

Act.

(9) The plan shall provide assurances that the State agency will carry out, through the Office 

of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, a State Long-Term Care Ombudsman program in 

accordance with section 712 and this title, and will expend for such purpose an amount that is 

not less than an amount expended by the State agency with funds received under this title for 

fiscal year 2000, and an amount that is not less than the amount expended by the State agency 

with funds received under title VII for fiscal year 2000. 

(10) The plan shall provide assurance that the special needs of older individuals residing in 

rural areas will be taken into consideration and shall describe how those needs have been met 

and describe how funds have been allocated to meet those needs. 

(11)(A) The plan shall provide assurances that area agencies on aging will--

(i) enter into contracts with providers of legal assistance which can demonstrate the experience 

or capacity to deliver legal assistance; 

(ii) include in any such contract provisions to assure that any recipient of funds under division 

(A) will be subject to specific restrictions and regulations promulgated under the Legal 

Services Corporation Act (other than restrictions and regulations governing eligibility for legal 

assistance under such Act and governing membership of local governing boards) as determined 

appropriate by the Assistant Secretary; and 

(iii) attempt to involve the private bar in legal assistance activities authorized under this title, 

including groups within the private bar furnishing services to older individuals on a pro bono 

and reduced fee basis. 

(11)(B) The plan contains assurances that no legal assistance will be furnished unless the 

grantee administers a program designed to provide legal assistance to older individuals with 

social or economic need and has agreed, if the grantee is not a Legal Services Corporation 

project grantee, to coordinate its services with existing Legal Services Corporation projects in 
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the planning and service area in order to concentrate the use of funds provided under this title 

on individuals with the greatest such need; and the area agency on aging makes a finding, 

after assessment, pursuant to standards for service promulgated by the Assistant Secretary, 

that any grantee selected is the entity best able to provide the particular services. 

(11)(D) The plan contains assurances, to the extent practicable, that legal assistance furnished 

under the plan will be in addition to any legal assistance for older individuals being furnished 

with funds from sources other than this Act and that reasonable efforts will be made to maintain 

existing levels of legal assistance for older individuals; 

(11)(E) The plan contains assurances that area agencies on aging will give priority to legal 

assistance related to income, health care, long-term care, nutrition, housing, utilities, 

protective services, defense of guardianship, abuse, neglect, and age discrimination.

(12) The plan shall provide, whenever the State desires to provide for a fiscal year for services 

for the prevention of abuse of older individuals, the plan contains assurances that any area 

agency on aging carrying out such services will conduct a program consistent with relevant State 

law and coordinated with existing State adult protective service activities for--

(A) public education to identify and prevent abuse of older individuals; 

(B) receipt of reports of abuse of older individuals; 

(C) active participation of older individuals participating in programs under this Act through 

outreach, conferences, and referral of such individuals to other social service agencies or sources 

of assistance where appropriate and consented to by the parties to be referred; and 

(D) referral of complaints to law enforcement or public protective service agencies where 

appropriate. 

(13) The plan shall provide assurances that each State will assign personnel (one of whom shall 

be known as a legal assistance developer) to provide State leadership in developing legal 

assistance programs for older individuals throughout the State. 

(15) The plan shall provide assurances that, if a substantial number of the older individuals 

residing in any planning and service area in the State are of limited English-speaking ability, 

then the State will require the area agency on aging for each such planning and service area—

(A) to utilize in the delivery of outreach services under section 306(a)(2)(A), the services of 

workers who are fluent in the language spoken by a predominant number of such older 

individuals who are of limited English-speaking ability; and 

(B) to designate an individual employed by the area agency on aging, or available to such 

area agency on aging on a full-time basis, whose responsibilities will include--

(i) taking such action as may be appropriate to assure that counseling assistance is made 

available to such older individuals who are of limited English-speaking ability in order to assist 

such older individuals in participating in programs and receiving assistance under this Act; and 

(ii) providing guidance to individuals engaged in the delivery of supportive services under the 

area plan involved to enable such individuals to be aware of cultural sensitivities and to take 

into account effectively linguistic and cultural differences.

(16) The plan shall provide assurances that the State agency will require outreach efforts that 

will—
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(A) identify individuals eligible for assistance under this Act, with special emphasis on—

(i) older individuals residing in rural areas;

(ii) older individuals with greatest economic need (with particular attention to low-income older 

individuals, including low-income minority older individuals, older individuals with limited 

English proficiency, and older individuals residing in rural areas;

(iii) older individuals with greatest social need (with particular attention to low-income older 

individuals, including low-income minority older individuals, older individuals with limited 

English proficiency, and older individuals residing in rural areas;

(iv) older individuals with severe disabilities;

(v) older individuals with limited English-speaking ability; and

(vi) older individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders with neurological and 

organic brain dysfunction (and the caretakers of such individuals); and

(B) inform the older individuals referred to in clauses (i) through (vi) of subparagraph (A), and 

the caretakers of such individuals, of the availability of such assistance.

(17) The plan shall provide, with respect to the needs of older individuals with severe 

disabilities, assurances that the State will coordinate planning, identification, assessment of 

needs, and service for older individuals with disabilities with particular attention to individuals 

with severe disabilities with the State agencies with primary responsibility for individuals with 

disabilities, including severe disabilities, to enhance services and develop collaborative 

programs, where appropriate, to meet the needs of older individuals with disabilities. 

(18) The plan shall provide assurances that area agencies on aging will conduct efforts to 

facilitate the coordination of community-based, long-term care services, pursuant to section 

306(a)(7), for older individuals who--

(A) reside at home and are at risk of institutionalization because of limitations on their ability to 

function independently; 

(B) are patients in hospitals and are at risk of prolonged institutionalization; or 

(C) are patients in long-term care facilities, but who can return to their homes if 

community-based services are provided to them. 

(19) The plan shall include the assurances and description required by section 705(a).

(20) The plan shall provide assurances that special efforts will be made to provide 

technical assistance to minority providers of services. 

(21) The plan shall

(A) provide an assurance that the State agency will coordinate programs under this title and 

programs under title VI, if applicable; and 

(B) provide an assurance that the State agency will pursue activities to increase access by 

older individuals who are Native Americans to all aging programs and benefits provided by 

the agency, including programs and benefits provided under this title, if applicable, and 

specify the ways in which the State agency intends to implement the activities.

(22) If case management services are offered to provide access to supportive services, the 

plan shall provide that the State agency shall ensure compliance with the requirements 

specified in section 306(a)(8).
15

(23) The plan shall provide assurances that demonstrable efforts will be made--

(A) to coordinate services provided under this Act with other State services that benefit older 

individuals; and 

(B) to provide multigenerational activities, such as opportunities for older individuals to serve 

as mentors or advisers in child care, youth day care, educational assistance, at-risk youth 

intervention, juvenile delinquency treatment, and family support programs.

(24) The plan shall provide assurances that the State will coordinate public services within 

the State to assist older individuals to obtain transportation services associated with access 

to services provided under this title, to services under title VI, to comprehensive counseling 

services, and to legal assistance. 

(25) The plan shall include assurances that the State has in effect a mechanism to provide for 

quality in the provision of in-home services under this title. 

(26) The plan shall provide assurances that funds received under this title will not be used to 

pay any part of a cost (including an administrative cost) incurred by the State agency or an area 

agency on aging to carry out a contract or commercial relationship that is not carried out to 

implement this title. 

(27) The plan shall provide assurances that area agencies on aging will provide, to the extent 

feasible, for the furnishing of services under this Act, consistent with self-directed care.

Sec. 308, PLANNING, COORDINATION, EVALUATION, AND 

ADMINISTRATION OF STATE PLANS

(b)(3)(E) No application by a State under subparagraph (b)(3)(A) shall be approved unless it 

contains assurances that no amounts received by the State under this paragraph will be used to 

hire any individual to fill a job opening created by the action of the State in laying off or 

terminating the employment of any regular employee not supported under this Act in 

anticipation of filling the vacancy so created by hiring an employee to be supported through use 

of amounts received under this paragraph. 

Sec. 705, ADDITIONAL STATE PLAN REQUIREMENTS (as numbered in 

statute)

(1) The State plan shall provide an assurance that the State, in carrying out any chapter of 

this subtitle for which the State receives funding under this subtitle, will establish programs in

accordance with the requirements of the chapter and this chapter.

(2) The State plan shall provide an assurance that the State will hold public hearings, and use 

other means, to obtain the views of older individuals, area agencies on aging, recipients of

grants under title VI, and other interested persons and entities regarding programs carried out 

under this subtitle.
16

(3) The State plan shall provide an assurance that the State, in consultation with area agencies 

on aging, will identify and prioritize statewide activities aimed at ensuring that older 

individuals have access to, and assistance in securing and maintaining, benefits and rights.

(4) The State plan shall provide an assurance that the State will use funds made available 

under this subtitle for a chapter in addition to, and will not supplant, any funds that are 

expended under any Federal or State law in existence on the day before the date of the 

enactment of this subtitle, to carry out each of the vulnerable elder rights protection activities 

described in the chapter.

(5) The State plan shall provide an assurance that the State will place no restrictions, other 

than the requirements referred to in clauses (i) through (iv) of section 712(a)(5)(C), on the 

eligibility of entities for designation as local Ombudsman entities under section 712(a)(5).

(6) The State plan shall provide an assurance that, with respect to programs for the 

prevention of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation under chapter 3—

(A) in carrying out such programs the State agency will conduct a program of services 

consistent with relevant State law and coordinated with existing State adult protective 

service activities for--

 (i) public education to identify and prevent elder abuse;

 (ii) receipt of reports of elder abuse;

 (iii) active participation of older individuals participating in programs under this Act 

through outreach, conferences, and referral of such individuals to other social service 

agencies or sources of assistance if appropriate and if the individuals to be referred consent; 

and

 (iv) referral of complaints to law enforcement or public protective service agencies if 

appropriate;

(B) the State will not permit involuntary or coerced participation in the program of services 

described in subparagraph (A) by alleged victims, abusers, or their households; and

(C) all information gathered in the course of receiving reports and making referrals shall 

remain confidential except--

(i) if all parties to such complaint consent in writing to the release of such information;

(ii) if the release of such information is to a law enforcement agency, public protective 

service agency, licensing or certification agency, ombudsman program, or protection or 

advocacy system; or

 (iii) upon court order
17

FY 2015 State Plan Guidance

Attachment A (Continued)

REQUIRED ACTIVITIES 

Sec. 307(a) STATE PLANS

(1)(A)The State Agency requires each area agency on aging designated under section 

305(a)(2)(A) to develop and submit to the State agency for approval, in accordance with a 

uniform format developed by the State agency, an area plan meeting the requirements of section 

306; and

(B) The State plan is based on such area plans.

Note: THIS SUBSECTION OF STATUTE DOES NOT REQUIRE THAT AREA PLANS BE 

DEVELOPED PRIOR TO STATE PLANS AND/OR THAT STATE PLANS DEVELOP AS A 

COMPILATION OF AREA PLANS.

(2) The State agency:

(A) evaluates, using uniform procedures described in section 202(a)(26), the need for supportive 

services (including legal assistance pursuant to 307(a)(11), information and assistance, and 

transportation services), nutrition services, and multipurpose senior centers within the State;

(B) has developed a standardized process to determine the extent to which public or private 

programs and resources (including Department of Labor Senior Community Service 

Employment Program participants, and programs and services of voluntary organizations) have 

the capacity and actually meet such need; 

(4) The plan shall provide that the State agency will conduct periodic evaluations of, and public 

hearings on, activities and projects carried out in the State under this title and title VII, including 

evaluations of the effectiveness of services provided to individuals with greatest economic need, 

greatest social need, or disabilities (with particular attention to low-income minority older 

individuals, older individuals with limited English proficiency, and older individuals residing in 

rural areas). Note: “Periodic” (defined in 45CFR Part 1321.3) means, at a minimum, once each 

fiscal year.

(5) The State agency:

(A) affords an opportunity for a public hearing upon request, in accordance with published 

procedures, to any area agency on aging submitting a plan under this title, to any provider of (or 

applicant to provide) services;

(B) issues guidelines applicable to grievance procedures required by section 306(a)(10); and

(C) affords an opportunity for a public hearing, upon request, by an area agency on aging, by a 

provider of (or applicant to provide) services, or by any recipient of services under this title 

regarding any waiver request, including those under Section 316.
18

(6) The State agency will make such reports, in such form, and containing such information, as 

the Assistant Secretary may require, and comply with such requirements as the Assistant 

Secretary may impose to insure the correctness of such reports. 

(8)(A) No supportive services, nutrition services, or in-home services are directly provided by 

the State agency or an area agency on aging in the State, unless, in the judgment of the State 

agency--

(i) provision of such services by the State agency or the area agency on aging is necessary to 

assure an adequate supply of such services;

(ii) such services are directly related to such State agency's or area agency on aging's 

administrative functions; or

(iii) such services can be provided more economically, and with comparable quality, by such 

State agency or area agency on aging.

___________________________________________ ____________________

Signature and Title of Authorized Official Date
19

FY 2015 State Plan Guidance

Attachment B

INFORMATION REQUIREMENTS

States must provide all applicable information following each OAA citation listed below. The 

completed attachment must be included with your State Plan submission.

Section 305(a)(2)(E) 

Describe the mechanism(s) for assuring that preference will be given to providing services to 

older individuals with greatest economic need and older individuals with greatest social need, 

(with particular attention to low-income older individuals, including low-income minority older 

individuals, older individuals with limited English proficiency, and older individuals residing in 

rural areas) and include proposed methods of carrying out the preference in the State plan;

Section 306(a)(17)

Describe the mechanism(s) for assuring that each Area Plan will include information detailing 

how the Area Agency will coordinate activities and develop long-range emergency preparedness 

plans with local and State emergency response agencies, relief organizations, local and State 

governments and other institutions that have responsibility for disaster relief service delivery.

Section 307(a)(2)

The plan shall provide that the State agency will:

(C) Specify a minimum proportion of the funds received by each area agency on aging in the 

State to carry out part B that will be expended (in the absence of a waiver under sections 306 

(c) or 316) by such area agency on aging to provide each of the categories of services specified 

in section 306(a)(2) (Note: those categories are access, in-home, and legal assistance). Provide 

specific minimum proportion determined for each category of service.

Section (307(a)(3)

The plan shall:

(B) with respect to services for older individuals residing in rural areas:

(i) provide assurances the State agency will spend for each fiscal year of the plan, not less than 

the amount expended for such services for fiscal year 2000.

(ii) identify, for each fiscal year to which the plan applies, the projected costs of providing such

services (including the cost of providing access to such services).

(iii) describe the methods used to meet the needs for such services in the fiscal year preceding 

the first year to which such plan applies.
20

Section 307(a)(10) 

The plan shall provide assurance that the special needs of older individuals residing in rural areas 

are taken into consideration and shall describe how those needs have been met and describe how 

funds have been allocated to meet those needs.

Section 307(a)(14)

(14) The plan shall, with respect to the fiscal year preceding the fiscal year for which such plan 

is prepared—

(A) identify the number of low-income minority older individuals in the State, including the 

number of low income minority older individuals with limited English proficiency; and

(B) describe the methods used to satisfy the service needs of the low-income minority older 

individuals described in subparagraph (A), including the plan to meet the needs of low-income 

minority older individuals with limited English proficiency.

Section 307(a)(21)

The plan shall:

(B) provide an assurance that the State agency will pursue activities to increase access by older 

individuals who are Native Americans to all aging programs and benefits provided by the 

agency, including programs and benefits provided under this title (title III), if applicable, and 

specify the ways in which the State agency intends to implement the activities .

Section 307(a)(29)

The plan shall include information detailing how the State will coordinate activities, and develop 

long-range emergency preparedness plans, with area agencies on aging, local emergency 

response agencies, relief organizations, local governments, State agencies responsible for 

emergency preparedness, and any other institutions that have responsibility for disaster relief 

service delivery.

Section 307(a)(30)

The plan shall include information describing the involvement of the head of the State agency in 

the development, revision, and implementation of emergency preparedness plans, including the 

State Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan.

Section 705(a)(7) 

In order to be eligible to receive an allotment under this subtitle, a State shall include in the State 

plan submitted under section 307:

(7) a description of the manner in which the State agency will carry out this title in accordance 

with the assurances described in paragraphs (1) through (6). 

(Note: Paragraphs (1) of through (6) of this section are listed below)

In order to be eligible to receive an allotment under this subtitle, a State shall include in the 

State plan submitted under section 307:
21

(1) an assurance that the State, in carrying out any chapter of this subtitle for which the State 

receives funding under this subtitle, will establish programs in accordance with the requirements 

of the chapter and this chapter;

(2) an assurance that the State will hold public hearings, and use other means, to obtain the 

views of older individuals, area agencies on aging, recipients of grants under title VI, and other 

interested persons and entities regarding programs carried out under this subtitle;

(3) an assurance that the State, in consultation with area agencies on aging, will identify and 

prioritize statewide activities aimed at ensuring that older individuals have access to, and 

assistance in securing and maintaining, benefits and rights;

(4) an assurance that the State will use funds made available under this subtitle for a chapter in 

addition to, and will not supplant, any funds that are expended under any Federal or State law in 

existence on the day before the date of the enactment of this subtitle, to carry out each of the 

vulnerable elder rights protection activities described in the chapter;

(5) an assurance that the State will place no restrictions, other than the requirements referred to 

in clauses (i) through (iv) of section 712(a)(5)(C), on the eligibility of entities for designation as 

local Ombudsman entities under section 712(a)(5); 

(6) an assurance that, with respect to programs for the prevention of elder abuse, neglect, and 

exploitation under chapter 3--

(A) in carrying out such programs the State agency will conduct a program of services consistent 

with relevant State law and coordinated with existing State adult protective service activities for:

(i) public education to identify and prevent elder abuse;

(ii) receipt of reports of elder abuse;

 (iii) active participation of older individuals participating in programs under this Act through 

outreach, conferences, and referral of such individuals to other social service agencies or 

sources of assistance if appropriate and if the individuals to be referred consent; and

 (iv) referral of complaints to law enforcement or public protective service agencies if 

appropriate;

 (B) the State will not permit involuntary or coerced participation in the program of services 

described in subparagraph (A) by alleged victims, abusers, or their households; and

 (C) all information gathered in the course of receiving reports and making referrals shall 

remain confidential except--

 (i) if all parties to such complaint consent in writing to the release of such information;

 (ii) if the release of such information is to a law enforcement agency, public protective service 

agency, licensing or certification agency, ombudsman program, or protection or advocacy 

system; or

 (iii) upon court order
22

FY 2015 State Plan Guidance

Attachment C

INTRASTATE (IFF) FUNDING FORMULA REQUIREMENTS

Each State IFF submittal must demonstrate that the requirements in Sections 305(a)(2)(C) 

have been met:

OAA, Sec. 305(a)(2)

“States shall,

(C) in consultation with area agencies, in accordance with guidelines issued by the 

Assistant Secretary, and using the best available data, develop and publish for review 

and comment a formula for distribution within the State of funds received under this title 

that takes into account--

 (i) the geographical distribution of older individuals in the State; and

 (ii) the distribution among planning and service areas of older individuals with greatest 

economic need and older individuals with greatest social need, with particular attention 

to low-income minority older individuals.”

• For purposes of the IFF, “best available data” is the most recent census data (year 2010). 

More recent data of equivalent quality available in the State may be considered. 

• As required by Section 305(d) of the OAA, the IFF revision request includes: a 

descriptive Statement; a numerical Statement; and a list of the data used (by planning and 

service area). 

• The request also includes information on how the proposed formula will affect funding to 

each planning and service area. 

• States may use a base amount in their IFFs to ensure viable funding across the entire 

state.