KENTUCKY Program TITLE: DESCRIPTION: ACTORS/ROLES: AREA SERVED: TARGET: STATUS: FUNDING: MATERIALS: CONTACT: LEGISLATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS Elders' Commission Advises Legislature One-hundred volunteer elders serve on the Special Advisory Commission of Senior Citizens and develop policy recommendations for elders' issues. The Special Advisory Commission then directs its findings to the state Legislative Research Commission and its Interim Joint Committees, channeling the elders' recommendations into the legislative process. Six issue areas are handled by the elders' commission: long-term care; transportation; public utilities; tax relief; housing and supportive services. The Commission meets bi-annually to construct recommendations aimed at benefiting elders through specific legislation. The state Legislative Research Commission established and funded the Special Advisory Commission of Senior Citizens. Statewide. Overall population of elders in state. Operational since 8/78. State Legislative Research Commission funds. William Miller, Coordinator Special Advisory Commission of Senior Citizens Capitol Building Frankfort, Kentucky 40601 (502) 564-8100 (Legis) NEW YORK Program TITLE: DESCRIPTION: ACTORS/ROLES: AREA SERVED: TARGET: STATUS: FUNDING: MATERIALS: CONTACT: VERIFIED: NURSING HOME OMBUDSPERSON State Serves Nursing and Adult Home Residents In coordination with the SUA, a state consumer organization developed a statewide model plan for a nursing home ombudsperson program, which was initially operative in two localities. Citizen volunteers participate as ombudspersons to act as advocates for nursing home and adult home residents, including elders. The volunteer ombudspersons educate residents, families and communities about patient rights and nursing home regulations, and interact with residents and staff to resolve problems. Unresolved complaints are referred by the ombudspersons to government agencies for remedy. About 7 elders are employed as advocates and supervisors. The program's case documentation is expected to support improvement in facilities' care through legislative and regulatory change. Noticeable improvement in residents' outlook and quality of care has resulted from the ombudsperson program. SUA established ombudsperson developmental specialist position, provided a uniform training program, and contracted with community council of Greater New York to design a model plan. They developed training manuals and handbooks for community organizers. Limited statewide service. Program provides specially-trained ombudspeople in eleven areas. SUA accepts complaint calls/letters from all over the state. Currently serves 8,000 nursing home and adult home residents per year, including frail and low-income elders, and mentally and physically impaired adults in general. Projected to serve 125,000 residents per year. State-level planning began 1/77; first local program operational since 7/77. Title IX-OAA, $21,000; Title III-OAA, $150,000; Title IV-OAA, $30,000. Training manual for state nursing home patient ombudsperson program; local level operational manual; Model Plan free. Robert L. Popper, Chairperson Advisory Committee to New York State Office for the Aging 240 Rosedale Avenue White Plains, NY 10605 (914) 946-9385 (Adv) Karen Comeaux, State Nursing Home Ombudsman Empire State Plaza, Agency Bldg., #2 SOUTH DAKOTA Program TITLE: DESCRIPTION: ACTORS/ROLES: AREA SERVED: TARGET: STATUS: FUNDING: MATERIALS: CONTACT: VERIFIED: LEGISLATIVE COALITION Elders' Legislative Coalition Influences State Laws The Legislative Coalition on Aging began as a loose coalition of state elders' groups which coordinated legislative priorities and resources. Over the past year, the state advisory body has provided leadership of the coalition which has a 70% success rate in the passage of priority bills in the last session of the state legislature. The coalition has a membership of 2,200 elders from groups such as the state elders association and its political action arm (the "100,000 Club"), aarp, NRTA, NARFE, AAUW, League of Women Voters and senior centers. Lobbying strategies are determined by the coalition; lobbying is performed by the "100,000 Club. Volunteer elders, through the RSVP program, assist in lobbying, staffing, fundraising and local recruitment. In addition to influencing legislation of benefit to elders, the coalition emphasizes advocacy and meets bi-monthly in conjunction with the state Advisory Council on Aging. Advisory body initiated the coalition and coordinated with its own legislative committee. SUA staff and legislative committee chairperson supported its development. Statewide. Over 50,000 elders over 55 per year, including frail, minority, mentally and physically impaired elders, and especially low-income elders. Operational since late 1978. General memberships and volunteer contributions, $2,200. Brochure of "100,000 Club" (political action arm of state elders' association) available in limited quantity except in-state. Vada Thomas, Chairperson Legislative Consultation on Aging Catholic Social Services Minor Seminary Building 3200 W. 41st Street Sioux Falls, SD 57105 (605) 224-1280 (0) For Materials: 100,000 Club P.O. Box 295 Pierre, SD 57501 (0) 6/79. VIRGINIA TITLE: WOMEN DESCRIPTION: ACTORS/ROLES: AREA SERVED: TARGET: STATUS: Retirement Tax Relief Equalized for Widows Legislation in 1975 equalized retirement tax relief This legislation was the idea of the chairperson (and only woman member) of the Commission on the Needs of Elderly Virginians. Only after her insistence did the Commission hold hearings and expand the legislation to include equalization measures. Statewide. Legislation began as equal treatment for women. Signed by governor, March, 1975. Discrimination against women continues to be a problem in the field of inheritance taxes. VERIFIED: Mary Marshall, Chair Legislative Study Committee on the Needs of Elderly State Capitol Richmond, Virginia 23219 (804) 786-6894 (Legis.) 2256 North Wakefield Street (Home) Arlington, Virginia 22207 (703) 528-1710 1/79. |