VERMONT
Program

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Task Force Assesses AAA Effectiveness

EVALUATION

The chairperson of Advisory Body to SUA appointed a task
force to study cost and performance effectiveness of the
state's seven AAAS. Conducted as a consequence of
questions raised by the Administration on Aging, the
task force considered four organizational models and
recommended changes for the most efficient model.
Statistical material was supplied by SUA. On-site
interviews were conducted with directors, staff, advisory
council of five AAAS. The final model chosen recommends
significant changes in AAA structure in the state over a
three-year period, with a three person standing committee
to work with SUA on implementation of recommendations.

Task force appointed by advisory body conducted study.
Composed of representatives of social services, state
college, senior centers, Community Services Adminis-
tration, National Council of Senior Citizens and State
Advisory Body. AAA directors and staff interviewed.
SUA supplied materials and provided technical assist-
ance to task force. Final recommendations presented to
overall advisory body and SUA.

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To study cost and performance effectiveness of seven AAAs and recommend most feasible, efficient model. Emphasis on cost of services in rural areas and impact on delivery of services to Vermont's elders.

Study completed 11/76. Submitted to advisory body and SUA 12/76. Approved by advisory body 2/77. Presently underway to reduce seven AAAS to five by 10/77.

No new appropriations.

Vermont Office on Aging, Task Force on AAA's Majority
Report. 11/1/76.

PENNSYLVANIA

Policy

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FUNDING

POOLING SOURCES

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Integrated Funding Cuts Red Tape

Each AAA submits a plan to SUA for funds. SUA reimburses
AAA in one integrated contract. Formerly, SUA issued
over 300 contracts. This is presently reduced to 49,
one to each AAA in state. The SUA envisions this
approach adopted in other state and federal agencies,
as to basis for reliable unit cost indicators for social
services.

Administered by Pennsylvania SUA. Each AAA reimbursed by SUA. Governor's office provided support and technical assistance during development of policy.

Pennsylvania, statewide in all AAAS.

Bolster AAA authority as community based agency under county aegis. Reduces administrative cost and paperwork on state and local levels. Model for state and federal agencies.

Operational since 1975. Hope to add funding streams without complicating documentation. Included Titles V and IX of Older Americans Act (OAA) in 1978.

Integrates four funding streams: Titles III, VII, V and
IX of Older Americans Act, Title XX of Social Security
Act and state appropriations money.

Glen Dunbar, Chief

Bureau of Program Development
State Office for the Aging

P.O. Box 2675

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17120 (717) 783-1345 (SUA)

2/79.

MASSACHUSETTS
Legislation

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FUNDING

ALLOCATION

Legislation to Develop Allocation Formulas
for Planning and Service Areas

These

Senate Bill No. 378 will require the Massachusetts SUA
to establish a formula for the allocation of SUA funds,
state and federal, to planning and service areas.
funds flow to existing Home Care Corporations/AAAS. The
formula shall insure, to the extent possible, the
equitable distribution of funds reflecting population
distributions and other considerations as required by
federal law or regulation. The bill may affect existing
allocation patterns, particularly in those areas where
funding for elder services is greater than a per capita
or population formula might warrant.
As with many
states, Massachusetts has the problem of assuring
equitable resource allocation faced with historical
patterns of funding.

The Human Services and Elderly Affairs Committee has
been instrumental in developing this legislation. A
redraft has been submitted by SUA.

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Statewide.

Institutional impact: 1) support regionalization of
services; 2) coordinate funding available for elder
services.

CONNECTICUT
Program

HOME CARE

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Tracking System Counts Clients, Records Data on Home Care
Services

Client-service tracking system designed to give undupli-
cated counts of clients served under Titles III and VII,
OAA, and that portion of Social Security Act Title XX
(Home Care) controlled by the SUA. A uniform recording
system will log in a centralized data-bank general
statistical data about services and clients, including
type of service, number served, service provider, ethnic
characteristics, income level, and types of services con-
A federal fiscal accounting system including
cost analysis information is in the design stage at
present.

sumed.

The SUA Data Processing Unit is currently working with
the State's Data Processing Center on the new system's
design and implementation.

A statewide system was implemented on October 1, 1978
after being redesigned on the basis of a one-year test
period.

Uniform statistical information on all service consumers in Titles III, VII and Home Care portion of Title XX, with potential for expansion to include other service providers wishing to participate.

Systems have been implemented and special subsystems for
Title XX have been added. The present system is under
modification to contemporary software design. The SUA
is also presently working on a fiscal information component
to be implemented by July, 1980.

The original system is now being funded by the network of
users and the in-house budget of SUA users. The new
fiscal information component is being funded with an
AoA grant. After implementation is achieved, funding

will come from the network of users.

Operational overview and report samples now available.
In 1980, a replication manual will be distributed to all
SUAS'.

Barry White, Data Processing Chief

Lou Goldblatt for Title XX, MIS Information

Connecticut Department on Aging

80 Washington Street
Hartford, Connecticut

06115

(203) 566-7725 (SUA)

MASSACHUSETTS
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INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Management Information System Develops SUA

The SUA is developing a computerized Social Security Act (SSA) Title XX Management Information System (MIS). System specifications developed to date include the following subsystems: forecasting and planning; policy formulation and promulgation; revenue maximization; resource management and performance evaluation; operational support and services; appeals processing; privacy and confidentiality protection; vendor certification and monitoring; rate setting; eligibility determination; needs assessment and service planning; service authorization, service delivery documentation, invoicing and payment.

The SUA is responsible for administering SSA Title XX funds for elder services. Because of the potential for future coordination and integration of funds, the Title XX MIS will have the capacity to handle Older Americans Act funds at a future date.

Massachusetts State Unit on Aging has had primary responsibility for coordinating the design development. Input from other state agencies with computerized or automated data systems was considered.

Statewide.

Institutional impact: develop a fully automated information system which can expand to incorporate non-Title XX funds and program data.

MIS is in the initial implementation stages awaiting clearance from the state attorney general on the issue of sufficient protection from abuse for client data.

Funding for planning and design from state revenues.
Operating costs from SUA administrative funds;
Title XX of Social Security Act and state revenues.

Factors Influencing the Design of the Title XX Management Information System, 1976.

Frank Sperlinga, Director, Administrative Services
Massachusetts Department of Elder Affairs

110 Tremont Street

State Office Building
Boston, Massachusetts

02108 (617) 727-7009 (SUA)

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1/79