LONG TERM CARE CABINET DEA Receives $749,000 Federal Grant to Establish Aging & Disability Resource Center; Long Term Care Cabinet to Design Strategy to Coordinate Services Across Departments
Governor Donald L. Carcieri today announced the state’s plans to dramatically increase coordination of benefits to senior citizens throughout Rhode Island. The Department of Elderly Affairs (DEA) will use a $749,000 federal grant to establish the Rhode Island Aging and Disability Resource Center, which will serve as a one-stop shop for seniors and disabled adults to access government services.
The Governor also announced the formation of the Governor’s Cabinet on Chronic and Long Term Care, which will be modeled on the Rhode Island Children’s Cabinet and will help coordinate services across state departments.
Rhode Island Aging and Disability Resource Center
“Today, we have two measures to unveil which will contribute to our collective mission to ensure that our elders and people with disabilities lead fulfilling lives,” Governor Carcieri said. “First, I’m pleased to announce that Rhode Island is one of 12 states throughout the nation to receive a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to establish the Rhode Island Aging and Disability Resource Center.” Carcieri continued, “This $749,000 award will enable the Department of Elderly Affairs and the Department of Human Services to partner together to create a comprehensive system of quality services for our elders and for adults with disabilities. The Resource Center will provide one-stop shopping for those seeking information about a vast array of programs, and it will be centrally located at the John O.Pastore Complex in Cranston. It will be accessible, user-friendly and efficient. Additionally, these funds will enable us to establish approximately 3 mini-centers in communities across our state.”
“The dream has become a reality,” declared Adelita S. Orefice, DEA Director. “Thirty-nine states applied for funding through this initiative. Rhode Island is one of 12 to receive funding. This grant reflects the confidence that federal agencies have in our ability to develop a successful program.”
“Rhode Island is home to more than 190,000 persons age 60 and older. That represents 18 percent of our population. We have 152,000 citizens age 65 and older and rank sixth in the nation in this category,” Orefice continued. “When you add 116,000 adults with disabilities to this total, there is a significant segment of our citizens and their families that will reap the rewards of this innovative proposal.”
“We are very excited to join DEA in developing the Rhode Island Aging and Disability Resource Center,” remarked Jane Hayward, DHS and Mental Health, Retardation, and Hospitals Director. “This project and the resulting partnerships represent the highest and most efficient type of cooperation between agencies that will produce an enhanced network of support services.”
The Department of Human Services (DHS) will join DEA in close partnership to achieve the goals of this new resource for Rhode Island’s seniors and adults with disabilities. The goals of this “one stop” concept are to establish a central resource center and up to three mini-centers across the state, to ensure concise and quality information, develop key partnerships to coordinate and deliver services, and bring about effective and lasting changes in Rhode Island’s long term care system.
The main Rhode Island Aging and Disability Resource Center will be located on the campus of the John O. Pastore Center in Cranston. The campus is the geographic center of Rhode Island and is headquarters to both DEA and DHS. This location is easily accessible by car, public transit, and senior transportation system. Fifty-five percent of the state’s senior population lives within 10 miles of the Pastore Center.
Governor’s Cabinet on Chronic and Long Term Care
“Today, I’m issuing an Executive Order to establish the Governor’s Cabinet on Chronic and Long Term Care, which will recommend ways to effectively coordinate state programs and better meet the needs of elders and adults with disabilities,” Governor Carcieri said. “Rhode Island’s seniors and adults with disabilities receive services through a myriad of different programs being administered by a number of state departments. In order to ensure that we are providing these services effectively and efficiently, its important that we coordinate our efforts. The Long Term Care Cabinet will bring the key department heads together at one table to design a strategy to better meet the needs of Rhode Island’s seniors and adults with disabilities.”
The Governor’s Cabinet on Chronic and Long Term Care will be comprised of directors of the Departments of Administration, Elderly Affairs, Health, Human Services, Labor and Training, and Mental Health, Retardation and Hospitals. The Long Term Care Cabinet will be charged with developing a strategic plan to effectively coordinate state-administered programs supporting the needs of Rhode Island seniors and of adults with disabilities. The cabinet will consider a wide range of issues, including the implications of an increased demand for services, the availability of providers, the quality of care rendered, the effectiveness and efficiency of delivery systems, and the availability of improved processes and new technologies.