Public hearings to get consumer input for the Division of Aging Services (DAS) 2010 State Plan renewal will be held statewide from October 6 to November 18.

Public hearings are scheduled in Augusta, Atlanta, Savannah, Helena, Gainesville, Columbus, Milledgeville, Athens, Rome, Waycross, LaGrange, and Albany. Below is a listing of the times and locations of public hearings.

“The public hearings are scheduled statewide so customers and stakeholders can provide feedback and input regarding current and future programs and services for older adults, adults with disabilities, and family members and caregivers,” said DAS Director Dr. James Bulot. “People who are unable to attend are invited to send us written comments.”

The State Plan indicates how Georgia plans to meet the requirements of the Older Americans Act and its goals and objectives for service delivery, strategic planning and intrastate funding. The State Plan provides a blueprint for building capacity and modernizing long-term care efforts. The federal Administration on Aging (AoA) requires all states to submit multi-year plans outlining their aging program goals, objectives and activities, and the needs of the aging population.

AoA priorities for the State Plan include increasing the number of older adults who have access to home and community based services; increasing the number of older adults who stay active and healthy; increasing the number of families who are supported in their efforts to care for their loved ones at home and in the community; and increasing the number of older adults who benefit from programs that protect their rights and prevent elder abuse, neglect and exploitation.

DAS, in partnership with the Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs), administers these programs:

• Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) to non-Medicaid customers and the Community Care Services Program (CCSP), which provides home and community-based Medicaid services to help nursing home-eligible consumers remain in their homes;

• Adult Protective Services investigates reports of abuse, neglect or exploitation of disabled adults and older persons living within their home or community;

• Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program works to improve the quality of life for residents of long-term care facilities include nursing homes, personal care homes, and community living arrangements (CLAs) and intermediate care facilities for persons with mental retardation (ICF/MRs).

• Elder Rights and Advocacy programs that include legal services, elder abuse prevention, and health insurance counseling through the GeorgiaCares program and the Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) which provides a single, entry point for citizens needing access to information and services; and the

• Senior Community Service Employee Program, which provides training for unemployed low-income Georgia seniors age 55 and older and helps them obtain paid employment.

If you are not able to attend one of the public hearings, you may send written comments until 5:00 p.m. on November 30, 2010, to [email protected] . For more information, call the Division of Aging Services at 404-657-5281 or your local AAA.

Here is the list of upcoming local public hearings:

Tuesday, October 12, 2010, 1:30pm to 3:30pm (Albany)

SOWEGA Council on Aging Senior Center

311 Pine Avenue, Albany, GA  31701-2532

Co-sponsored by Southwest Georgia Council on Aging