Source: https://www.cga.ct.gov/2012/rpt/2012-R-0246.htm
Timestamp: 2018-03-23 20:39:48
Document Index: 600239628

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 17', '§ 17', '§ 17', '§ 12', '§ 12', '§ 12', '§ 12', '§ 17', '§ 17', '§ 38', '§ 17', '§ 10']

You asked for an update of OLR Report 2011-R-0249, which describes select state programs for the elderly.
The state's principal elderly services programs provide cash assistance, energy assistance, health care, housing, legal assistance, long-term care, nutrition, property tax relief, and transportation. We have included programs where (1) age is one criterion for eligibility or (2) a large proportion of the clients are elderly even though the programs are not aimed solely at that group. Some of these programs are means tested. Some are funded, in part, with federal money.
Under the SSP program, the Department of Social Services (DSS) provides state cash assistance to supplement federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments. (An individual not receiving SSI may still qualify for SSP if his or her monthly Social Security, private pension, or veteran's benefits are low.) DSS bases the amount of a person's state aid on his or her total need. It then compares this amount to the individual's income, and the difference, after deductions are taken, is the SSP benefit. But the program's need standards are frozen at FY 09 levels for FY 12 and FY 13.
To qualify for benefits, an individual must be (1) age 65 or older, (2) blind, or (3) disabled between age 18 and 65, and have monthly gross income of $2,094 or less if living alone. Assets cannot exceed $1,600 for singles and $2,400 for married couples. In general, individuals who transfer assets within 24 months before applying for SSP assistance are presumed to have done so for the program. (For more information, visit http://www.ct.gov/dss/lib/dss/pdfs/state_supplement.pdf.)
The state runs two programs that help low-income households of all ages offset their winter heating bills. The programs are funded mainly by federal block grants and administered by DSS and local community action agencies.
The Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP). This program is available to households with incomes up to 150% of the federal poverty level (FPL) ($28,635 for a three-person household in 2012). In addition, households with incomes between 150% and 200% of the FPL ($38,180 for a three-person household in 2012) can receive CEAP assistance, provided at least one household member is age 60 or older or has a disability. Liquid assets cannot exceed $10,000 for homeowners and $7,000 for renters, unless the excess assets, when added to the household's annual income, still leave the family within the income limits. CEAP-eligible homeowners may also qualify for funding to provide emergency repair or replacement of unsafe or inoperable heating systems.
According to DSS, basic CEAP benefits for homeowners and renters who pay separately for heat currently range from a minimum of $175 up to $255 for vulnerable households and up to $220 for non-vulnerable households. Renters whose heat is included and who pay more than 30% of their gross income toward rent can receive between $10 and $20 of winter heating assistance. Households using “deliverable fuels,” including heating oil, kerosene, and propane, are eligible for a one-time crisis assistance benefit of between $375 and $530. And, depending on available funding, CEAP participants who use up their basic and crisis benefits are eligible for a “safety net” assistance benefit of up to $400. (For more information, visit http://www.ct.gov/dss/cwp/view.asp?A=2353&Q=305194.)
The Contingency Heating Assistance Program (CHAP). This has been available to households whose income is too high for CEAP but less than 60% of the state median income (SMI) ($51,472 for a three-person household in 2012). Although this program is not restricted to the elderly, a household in which at least one member is age 60 or older may receive a higher benefit level. Currently, the basic benefit is $100; households with incomes up to 60% of the SMI may also receive a one-time crisis assistance benefit of $200. (For more information, visit: http://www.ct.gov/dss/cwp/view.asp?a=2353&q=305188.)
CEAP-eligible households may also qualify for the Weatherization Assistance program, also administered by the community action agencies. Priority may be given to low-income families with elderly or disabled individuals and those with children under age six.
In addition, the Weatherization Residential Assistance Partnership (WRAP) helps low-income utility customers with high energy bills reduce their costs through several weatherization measures. WRAP is administered by DSS in partnership with community action agencies and utility companies. (For more information on the heating and weatherization programs, visit http://www.ct.gov/dss/cwp/view.asp?a=2353&q=305194.)
Medicaid is a state and federally funded program administered by DSS that provides medical assistance to low-income individuals, families, and seniors. For seniors, Medicaid expenditures primarily cover nursing home costs, but Medicaid also pays medical costs not covered under Medicare for qualified seniors living at home. The eligibility criteria vary depending on the type of care required, but in most cases applicants must pass both an income and asset test.
Medicare Savings Programs. Seniors on Medicare with incomes that are not low enough to qualify for full Medicaid may instead qualify for certain programs that use Medicaid funds to help pay Medicare premiums, deductibles, and some coinsurance. These are: Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries, Special Low Income Medicare Beneficiaries, and Additional Low Income Medicare Beneficiaries. A household's income determines the program for which a person qualifies. (For more information, visit (http://www.ct.gov/dss/cwp/view.asp?A=2345&Q=451390.)
Prescription Coverage for Medicare-Medicaid and Full Medicaid. Seniors and individuals with disabilities covered by both Medicare and Medicaid receive most of their prescription drug coverage through the approved private Medicare Part D prescription plans in which federal and state law require them to enroll. These individuals can get help paying for their premiums and co-payments from the federal Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) program. But, the annual federal premium payment covers only “benchmark” prescription plans ($32.04 per month in 2012). Thus, state law now requires these individuals to enroll in a Part D benchmark plan. (A benchmark plan is one that offers basic Part D coverage with premiums equal to or lower than the regional low-income premium subsidy amount calculated annually.) In addition, these individuals must pay up to $15 per month in co-payments, with DSS paying anything above that amount. Co-payments are subsidized by the LIS program.
Medicaid Administrative Services for the Elderly and Disabled. By law, DSS must contract with one or more entities, either on a risk or non-risk basis, to provide administrative services to elderly and disabled Medicaid recipients, including those (1) dually eligible for Medicare and (2) enrolled in dually eligible special needs plans. Administrative services may include care coordination; utilization, disease, provider network, and quality management; and customer service.
Medicaid for Employed Disabled (MED) Program (MED Connect). This DSS-administered program provides affordable health care coverage to employed individuals with disabilities who earn up to $75,000 annually and whose assets do not exceed $10,000 if single or $15,000 for a married couple. Coverage is free for individuals with income up to 200% FPL. Those whose income exceeds this amount must pay a monthly premium equal to 10% of the excess income. (For more information, visit http://www.ct.gov/dss/cwp/view.asp?a=2353&q=305220.)
DSS offers voluntary Medicaid Special Needs Plans (SNPs) to frail seniors who are eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare. SNPs integrate the full range of Medicaid and Medicare benefits, including primary, acute, behavioral, and long-term health care services.
For over 25 years, the Connecticut Pharmaceutical Contract to the Elderly and Disabled (ConnPACE) program subsidized seniors' prescription drug costs. When Congress added prescription drug coverage to Medicare in 2006 (Part D), ConnPACE became a wrap-around program for seniors eligible for Medicare and helped with co-payments, premium assistance, the Part D coverage gap (“donut hole”), and coverage for drugs that were not in a participant's Part D plan's formulary. As of July 1, 2011, ConnPACE was eliminated for anyone eligible for Medicare, but these individuals can get drug coverage by enrolling in the Medicare Savings Program (MSP).
In 2009, the legislature made most ConnPACE recipients eligible for the MSP by equalizing the program's eligibility limits. Eligibility for MSP not only confers the Medicare Part A and B cost-sharing assistance described above, but makes individuals eligible for the Medicare Part D LIS. The LIS reduces the co-payments seniors must pay and covers the donut hole. And people enrolled in the LIS can move from one Part D plan to another at any time during the year instead of having to wait for the Medicare Part D open enrollment period.
Seniors who do not qualify for Medicare are still able to get drug assistance from the ConnPACE program. (For more information on ConnPACE, visit http://www.connpace.com/.)
The Connecticut Medicare Assignment Program (ConnMAP) prohibits medical providers from billing enrollees for charges beyond what the federal Medicare program determines is a “reasonable and necessary” rate, of which Medicare pays 80% (a practice called “balance billing.”) Thus, any provider accepting Medicare patients may not balance bill ConnMAP enrollees beyond the 20% co-payment for the service. (Patients are also responsible for Medicare Part B premiums and deductibles.) The annual income limits for the program are currently $41,415 for singles and $55,770 for married couples. Applicants must have resided in the state for at least 183 days before applying and be enrolled in Medicare Part B. (For more information, visit http://www.ct.gov/dss/cwp/view.asp?a=2353&q=305218#CONNMAP.)
The CHOICES program is managed by DSS in partnership with the Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) and the Center for Medicare Advocacy. The program provides seniors with health insurance information and counseling; information on Medicare plans, including Medicare Part D plans; and available long-term care options. DSS also administers the MediSave project, which trains and encourages seniors to identify and report Medicare and other types of fraud. (CHOICES stands for Connecticut's programs for Health insurance assistance, Outreach, Information and referral, Counseling and Eligibility Screening.) (For more information on the program, visit http://www.ct.gov/agingservices/cwp/view.asp?a=2513&q=313032.)
DSS funds elderly health screening programs for seniors age 60 and older at various statewide locations. The programs provide health screenings that include tests for cancer, dental disease, and mental health conditions. They also provide health care education, nutritional counseling, and physical activity programs.
DECD provides grants and loans to developers to construct or rehabilitate existing structures to create congregate housing for low-and moderate-income, frail elderly. DECD also provides an operating subsidy to offset the expense of congregate services for lower-income residents. A congregate housing complex contains separate living units for residents and provides some housekeeping, personal care, transportation, and at least one meal a day in a common dining room.
Residents who need more help can receive assisted living services which include “hands on” personal care, assistance with activities of daily living, nursing, and medical services that enable the resident to stay in his or her congregate apartment instead of moving into a nursing home. The state offers two programs that help elderly residents of state-subsidized congregate living facilities who need assisted living service agency (ALSA) services. DSS runs the Connecticut Home Care Program for Elders (CHCPE), and DECD has its own subsidy program. Functional eligibility for the subsidies is the same, but the CHCPE program imposes asset, but not income limits on eligibility, while DECD's imposes income, but not asset, limits. Both allow participants to protect a certain amount of their income when determining how much they must contribute toward their care costs.
Congregate Housing Services Program. This HUD-funded program provides extra services to seniors age 62 or older living in federal housing who need help with activities of daily living. It is administered by DSS and the AAAs at select sites in eastern and western Connecticut. Participants pay 10% of the cost of support services.
In addition to the congregate sites, assisted living services are available to people participating in the assisted living demonstration program for low- and moderate-income seniors living in government-subsidized elderly housing. CHCPE pays for the services of those who qualify financially. The law permits a combination of subsidized and unsubsidized units in the same facility and gives DECD discretion to set the rental subsidy for the pilot at any percentage of the annual aggregate family income and define income and eligibility for these subsidies.
The program operates in four locations (for a total of up to 300 units): Herbert T. Clarke House in Glastonbury, The Retreat in Hartford, Luther Ridge in Middletown, and Smith Street Assisted Living in Seymour.
DECD also created state-funded assisted living demonstration programs in five federally funded elderly housing developments: Tower 1/Tower East in New Haven, Immanuel House in Hartford, Juniper Hill in Mansfield, Wells Country Village in Talcottville, and Horace Bushnell in Hartford. (For more information, visit http://www.ct.gov/dss/cwp/view.asp?a=2353&q=391114.)
DSS operates a private assisted living pilot program that helps pay for assisted living services (but not room and board) for people in private assisted living facilities who have used up their own resources. The pilot has two parts; one is funded through a Medicaid waiver, and the other is state-funded. A new law increased the combined cap from 75 to 125 participants (PA 12-1, June Special Session). Through this pilot, the state pays for assisted living services for seniors who meet all eligibility requirements for CHCPE. According to DSS, there is currently a waiting list for this program. (For more information, visit http://www.ct.gov/dss/cwp/view.asp?a=2353&q=391114.)
Low-income seniors may be eligible for rental assistance under one of two programs. DECD's Elderly RAP provides project-based rental assistance to disabled adults and low-income seniors age 62 and older living in state-funded elderly housing projects. To qualify, seniors must spend more than 30% of their annual income on rent and utilities. The RAP amount is the difference between 30% of their adjusted gross income, less a utility allowance, and the base rent. (For more information, visit http://www.ct.gov/ecd/cwp/view.asp?a=1096&Q=256914&PM=1)
Alternatively, seniors living in the community are eligible for certificates to help them pay for private housing under DSS's RAP program, which helps low-income families without age restriction. In general, the family's income may not exceed 50% of the median income for the county or metropolitan area in which the family lives. Connecticut has adopted the median income levels published by HUD, and these vary by location throughout the state. (For more information, visit http://www.ct.gov/dss/cwp/view.asp?a=2353&q=305206)
By law, the funds from RAMs, in certain circumstances, are not treated as income or assets for determining Medicaid eligibility. Specifically, DSS excludes funds derived from equity in home property through a reverse annuity mortgage loan or other home equity conversion loan if the following criteria are met: (1) the funds are held in an account that does not contain other funds and (2) the Medicaid recipient does not transfer the funds to anyone for less than fair market value. (For more information, visit http://www.chfa.org/Homeownership/for%20Homeowners/ReverseAnnuityMortgageProgram.aspx.)
1. Statewide Legal Services of Connecticut (http://www.slsct.org);
2. Connecticut Legal Services, Inc. (http://connlegalservices.org) serves Eastern, Western and Southwestern Connecticut;
3. Greater Hartford Legal Aid (http://ghla.org/) serves North Central Connecticut; and
4. New Haven Legal Assistance Association (http://nhlegal.org/) serves South Central Connecticut.
Connecticut Legal Services, Inc. offers free legal help to people age 60 and older who have consumer problems through its statewide CLPE telephone hotline. The hotline number is 1-800-296-1467. (For more information, visit http://ctelderlaw.org/Consumer/CLPE_Brochure_English.pdf.)
CHCPE subsidizes the attendance fees for people attending adult day care who qualify financially. In addition, DSS provides funding through the Alzheimer's Respite Program to pay for adult day care program staff for people with Alzheimer's disease. Approximately 29 adult day centers participate.
The Statewide Respite Care program provides respite for caregivers for people with Alzheimer's disease, or related disorders, regardless of age, who are not enrolled in CHCPE. DSS administers the program in partnership with the state's AAAs.
An individual is eligible to receive up to $7,500 of services annually, depending on need, if his or her annual income does not exceed $41,000 and assets do not exceed $109,000. Income and asset limits are annually increased to reflect Social Security cost of living adjustments.
Respite services provided include homemaker services, adult day care, short-term medical facility care, home health care, and personal care assistant and companion services. There is no age requirement for eligibility, but these diseases primarily affect seniors.
Brain Get Your Mind Moving (GYMM) Program
DSS contracts with the GYMM program to provide cognitive training sessions for people with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias and collect data from program clients to study the efficacy of the sessions. The program uses a two-tiered, non-pharmaceutical approach to address the needs of people with Alzheimer's disease. Its two primary interventions, computer exercises that target specific areas of cognition and hands-on cognitive training in a small group environment, are designed to maintain cognitive functioning levels in these individuals.
CHCPE is a Medicaid waiver and state-funded program that provides home and community-based services for eligible individuals age 65 and older who are at risk of institutionalization. Services include care management, adult day care, homemaker services, transportation, meals-on-wheels, minor home modifications, and certain personal care assistant and assisted living services. An “access” agency helps the client and his or her family determine the most appropriate service package for each participant.
Financial eligibility differs for the program's two portions. For the Medicaid-funded portion, the monthly income limit is currently $2,094 for the individual who receives the services. Assets are limited to $1,600 per individual, $3,200 per couple if both receive services, and $22,728 per couple, or higher if the couple undergoes a “community spousal assessment” (CSPA) if only one receives services. The state-funded portion currently has no income limit; asset limits are $34,092 for an individual and $45,456 for a couple, regardless of whether one or both are receiving services.
By law, state-funded participants must contribute to the cost of their care. Those with income up to 200% of the FPL must contribute 7%; those with income over 200% FPL must contribute 7% of the cost of care plus an applied income amount DSS determines. Certain people living in affordable housing under the state's assisted living demonstration program are exempt. (For more information, visit http://www.ct.gov/dss/cwp/view.asp?a=2353&q=305170)
Medicaid PCA Waiver Program
A new law requires Medicaid PCA waiver program participants, once turning 65, to be transitioned to CHCPE to receive these services. The Medicaid PCA Program offers PCA services to adults with severe disabilities age 18 and older who meet the program's eligibility criteria (e. g., income no higher than $ 2,094 per month and assets no higher than $1,600)(PA 12-1, June Special Session, effective July 1, 2012).
Money Follows the Person (MFP) is a federal demonstration program that permits states to move people out of nursing homes or other institutional settings into less-restrictive, community-based settings. The recent federal health care reform act extends the demonstration period to 2016.
To qualify, an individual must have lived in a nursing home or other institution for at least 90 days and, if not for the community-based services provided under the demonstration, would have to remain in the institution. For the first 12 months the participant lives in the community the federal government pays an enhanced federal Medicaid match. (In Connecticut, the normal Medicaid match is 50%, and the enhanced demonstration match is up to 75%).
State law limits the maximum number of program slots to 5,000 (CGS § 17b-369). By July 1, 2012, the DSS commissioner must implement a similar home- and community-based services program for adults who may not meet the MFP institutionalization requirement, often referred to as MFP II (CGS § 17b-370).
The National Family Caregiver Support Act gives grants to states to provide information, referral, training, counseling, respite care, and other supportive services to (1) people caring at home for chronically ill, frail, elderly relatives or relatives with mental retardation or other developmental disabilities and (2) grandparents and other relatives caring for children at home. Although the program's funding is entirely federal, it is distributed through states, which must provide the services through their AAAs.
DSS's Aging Services Division allocates the federal funds it receives to the state's AAAs through the federal Older Americans Act (OAA's) distribution formulas. The AAAs or their contractors provide the services, which include caregiver counseling, information about available services, help in accessing services, respite services, and limited supplemental services not available through other programs. Each AAA must coordinate its activities with community agencies and voluntary organizations providing similar services.
DSS Small-House Nursing Home Pilot
By law, DSS must establish a pilot program, within existing resources, to help develop one small-house nursing home consisting of one or more units designed and modeled as a private home with no more than 14 individuals in each unit and no more than 280 beds overall. The pilot's goals are to improve the quality of life for nursing home residents and provide nursing home care in a “home-like,” rather than institutional, setting (CGS § 17b-372).
Statewide Community Choices Program
A new law requires DSS to administer a statewide Community Choices program to help the elderly, people with disabilities, and their caregivers (PA 12-119). It will provide a single, coordinated information, referral, and access program for people seeking long-term care support such as in-home, community- based, and institutional services. The law designates the state's Aging and Disability Resource Center as the Community Choices program. Three regions of the state (Western, South Central, and North Central) currently operate such programs.
Under federal law, DSS operates 13 elderly nutrition projects that provide nutritionally sound meals to people age 60 and older and their spouses. Programs must provide one meal per day, five days per week. These meals are offered either at congregate sites, known as “senior community cafes,” or delivered to the homes of people too frail to travel to the congregate locations or cook for themselves. Disabled people living in housing facilities that are congregate meal sites can also receive meals. There is no charge for the meals, although voluntary contributions are encouraged. Both federal and state funds are used to pay the program costs. (For more information, visit http://www.ct.gov/agingservices/cwp/view.asp?a=2512&q=313042.)
This Department of Agriculture-administered program provides low-income seniors age 60 or older with $15 vouchers (five $3.00 checks) to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs at authorized farmers' markets. In order to qualify for the program, seniors must participate in a subsidized rental housing or congregate meal program that has applied for and been accepted into the program. (For more information, visit http://www.ct.gov/doag/cwp/view.asp?a=3260&q=399020.)
The Circuit Breaker program entitles seniors and individuals with a total disability to a property tax reduction or rent rebate. An applicant must (1) be age 65 or older, have a spouse who is age 65 or older, or be at least 50 years old and a surviving spouse of someone who at the time of his or her death was eligible for the program; (2) occupy the property as his or her home; and (3) have resided in Connecticut at least one year before applying for benefits The current qualifying income for this program is $39,500 for married couples and $32,300 for singles (CGS § 12-170aa to cc).
2012 legislation extends, from four to six months, the period for submitting applications for the rental rebate program. Applications may now be submitted between April 1 and October 1 instead of between May 15 and September 15 (PA 12-69).
The Freeze Tax Relief program fixes a participant's property tax payment at a reduced level. It generally freezes property taxes for homeowners age 65 and over who have $6,000 or less in annual qualifying income. The program started in 1967, but has not accepted new participants since 1979. Individuals participating in the program when it closed continue to receive benefits (CGS § 12-129b).
In addition to the circuit breaker and tax freeze programs, towns may provide additional “local option” tax relief to elderly and totally disabled homeowners who are at least age 65 and who have been taxpayers in the town for at least a year. Towns may, but are not required to, establish income criteria. The tax relief can take any form, including freezing tax payments at specified levels. But the overall amount of tax relief towns can provide is limited to no more than 10% of the total value of real property in the town in each given year. Tax relief is available to seniors under three main programs described below. But the total value of tax relief a homeowner can receive under this and the tax freeze and circuit breaker programs cannot exceed his or her annual tax. But towns that choose to provide relief receive no state reimbursement for the tax revenue they forgo (CGS § 12-129n).
Towns may also freeze the property taxes on a home whose owner or spouse is at least 70 years old and a state resident of at least one year. The freeze continues for a surviving spouse who is at least age 62 when the homeowner dies. Homeowners must meet the circuit breaker income guidelines. Towns may also impose asset limits for eligibility and put a lien on the property (CGS § 12-170v).
Under the Connecticut Long-Term Care Ombudsman program, an ombudsman's office in DSS represents the interests of residents in nursing and residential care homes and helps them resolve complaints about these facilities. One state and seven regional ombudsmen carry out these duties, assisted by over 60 volunteers.
Under the Protective Services for the Elderly program, DSS staff investigate complaints of abuse, neglect, exploitation, or abandonment of seniors age 60 and older living in the community. And DSS provides any needed protective services. If the investigation confirms the abuse, the case is referred to the state's attorney for investigation and possible prosecution. (For more information, visit http://www.ct.gov/dss/cwp/view.asp?A=2353&Q=305232).
Division of Criminal Justice – Financial Crimes Bureau
The Financial Crimes Bureau is responsible for investigating and prosecuting “white collar” and other financial crimes, including crimes involving financial abuse or exploitation of the elderly.
DSS runs a conservator of the estate or person program for elderly and disabled people with very low income and assets who cannot manage their own finances. The DSS commissioner is designated the client's conservator of the estate, and DSS employees perform financial functions for the client. (For more information, visit http://www.ct.gov/dss/cwp/view.asp?A=2353&Q=305232.)
Doctors, nurses, nursing home administrators, other health care personnel, and other professionals must report suspected elder abuse to DSS within three days or face penalties. DSS must refer substantiated abuse cases involving long-term care residents to prosecutors. Legal remedies are available for anyone subjected to retaliation or discrimination for, in good faith, reporting elder abuse or complaining to DSS about care in a long-term care facility (CGS § 17b-451 and § 17b-407).
By law, a driver age 60 or older is eligible for an automobile insurance premium discount for successfully completing a Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV)-approved accident-prevention course. The premium discount, which is effective at the policy's next renewal, must be at least 5% and apply for at least two years. The driver must complete the course within the year before he or she applies for an initial discount. For any future discount, the driver must complete a course within the year before the current discount expires (CGS § 38a-683).
The municipal demand responsive (dial-a-ride) program for the disabled and seniors age 60 and older allocates matching grants to municipalities based on a formula with two equal factors: the municipality's relative share of the state's elderly population and its size compared to the state's total area. Municipalities must apply for the grants through a regional planning organization or transit district and must collaborate on service design to determine how to use the funding most effectively.
Community-Based Regional Transportation Systems for the Elderly
State law required DSS to provide grants to up to four towns with 25,000 or more people or to nonprofit organizations located in them to plan and develop financially self-sustaining, community-based regional transportation systems that, through a combination of private donations and user fees, provide rides in passenger cars for seniors who can no longer drive. (DSS actually funded seven grant projects.) Before receiving the grant, the town or entity had to secure at least $25,000 in matching private funds.
Grant recipients were required, to the extent practicable, to model their system on the “ITNAmerica” model. ITNAmerica is a national nonprofit organization engaged in planning to replicate in other locations a model first developed by the Independent Transportation Network (ITN) in the Portland, Maine, area. ITN obtains its operating funds through organization memberships; riders' fares; and support from individuals, community businesses, and private foundations. It uses passenger automobiles and operates with a combination of volunteers who drive their own vehicles and paid drivers for vehicles ITN owns.
The Breakthrough to the Aging program recruits volunteers to provide services to the elderly, including telephone reassurance, shopping, banking, and friendly visits. The program also provides training, support, and supervision of volunteers through a cooperative network of agencies, home care personnel, and volunteer coordinators.
This program, which is funded under Title V of the Older Americans Act, helps low-income seniors age 55 and older find employment opportunities. The program matches a person's skills and interests with a position in a community service agency. To be eligible, the person must have an income not more than 125% of the federal poverty level. (For more information, visit http://www.ct.gov/agingservices/cwp/view.asp?a=2513&q=313068.)
This program located in Southeast, Central, and Eastern Connecticut enables senior volunteers to help other seniors remain in the community by providing transportation, shopping, chore services, and companionship. (For more information, visit http://www.seniorshelpingseniors.com/SouthEastCentralCT/and http://www.seniorshelpingseniors.com/easternCT/.)
The state has five AAAs, which are private, nonprofit elderly planning and service agencies that receive state and federal funds to carry out the federal OAA requirements. The AAAs must (1) represent elderly people in their geographic areas, (2) develop and administer an area plan, (3) coordinate and assist local public and nonprofit private agencies in developing programs, (4) receive and distribute federal and state funds for these purposes, and (5) perform additional federally required functions.
The AAAs plan, coordinate, evaluate, and act as brokers for elderly services. They award funds to regional agencies, which in turn provide meals and related social services at local sites. Two of the AAAs also contract with DSS to administer the CHCPE in their regions. Both federal OAA funds and state matching funds are funneled through DSS to the AAAs for their various programs (including elderly nutrition), many of which are discussed elsewhere in this report.
By law DSS must, within available appropriations, establish a fall prevention program targeted at older adults. The program must promote and support fall prevention research; oversee research and demonstration projects; and establish, in consultation with the public health commissioner, a professional education program on fall prevention for healthcare providers (CGS §§ 17b-33 and 38a-48).
Over 40,000 policies have been purchased since 1992 when the program began. The Office of Policy and Management approves the policies, maintains statistics, and engages in program planning, administration, and outreach. (For more information on this program, visit http://www.ct.gov/opm/cwp/view.asp?a=2995&q=383452.)
DCF, in consultation with other agencies, and within available resources, operates a kinship navigator program that provides information and referral services to relative caregivers. The program's information is available through the state's 2-1-1 Infoline.
By law, regional community-technical colleges must waive tuition for any state resident age 62 or older, if at the end of the regular registration period enough other people are enrolled in the course for it to be offered and enough space is left to accommodate the senior citizens (CGS §§ 10a-77(d), -99(d), and -105(e)).