National Policy Update

1. National Policy Update Bill Benson, National Policy Advisor October 29, 2009

2. Today’s Objectives Update re status of the EJA What the EJA means to States and Localities and APS What Needs to be Done

3. Source: Congressional Research Service

4. State & local budget cuts to APS

5. NAPSA 2008 Survey of States’ APS Administrators Almost half of states reportedAPS budget cuts of up to 15% during the current fiscal year. One-third of states reported staff reductions through hiring freezes/ layoffs, and/or reduced hours.

6. NAPSA 2008 Survey of States’ APS Administrators (2) One-quarter of states reportreducing services to victims Because APS has no federal mandates [as does CPS], and because APS clients often cannot speak up on their own behalf, APS can be regarded as “low hanging fruit” by state budget cutters. Similar results from NASUA survey

7. Elder Justice Act – It’s Been Tricky But We’re Still Upright & Going Strong!!

8. Elder Justice Act – 111th Congress • Bi-Partisan • S. 795 – Hatch (R), Lincoln (D), Kohl (D), Snowe(R) • Amends the Social Security Act by adding Elder Justice to an amended Title XX, entitled Block Grants to States for Social Services and Elder Justice and adding a new Subtitle 2 - Elder Justice • H.R. 2006 – King (R), Schakowsky (D), Baldwin(D)

9. Elder Justice Act – Senate • S. 795 Reported out of Senate Finance Committee as part of SFC’s Health Care Reform bill (includes Kohl’s Background Checks bill – Baucus, Snowe • Senate Majority Leader to merge Finance Committee bill with HELP Comm. bill – Kennedy/Dodd • Hope to keep EJA in the Leadership to be considered by the Senate in November

10. Elder Justice Act – House • Three Committees of Jurisdiction for Health Care Reform bills – Rangle (W&M), Waxman (E&C), Miller (E&L) • Kohl’s bill in Waxman’s HCR bill • EJA Options • Get in the Merged Bill • Amend on the House Floor • In “Conference” (if in Senate bill) – least desired option

11. What the EJA means for Adult Protective Services (APS) • First dedicated federal funding for APS • $100 million in new money to states for APS • $25 million in new money for APS demo grants • $3-4 million for HHS for a federal “home” for APS

12. What the EJA means for APS: State Funding Adult Protective Service Grant Program (State Formula Grants) -- Use of Funds • Authorizes $100 million • Funds may be used only by states and local governments to provide adult protective services & may only be used for APS. • State receiving funds would be required to provide these funds to the agency or unit of state government having legal responsibility for providing adult protective services in the state. • Each state would be required to use these funds to supplement and not supplant other federal, state, and local public funds expended to provide adult protective services. • See Chart for approximation of amount your state would receive.

13. What the EJA means for APS: National Demonstration Grants State Adult Protective Service Grants (Demonstration Program) – Authorizes $25 million “Would require the Secretary to establish grants to states for adult protective service demonstration programs. Funds may be used by state and local units of government to conduct demonstration programs that test: training modules developed for the purpose of detecting or preventing elder abuse; methods to detect or prevent financial exploitation and elder abuse; whether training on elder abuse forensics enhances the detection of abuse by employees of state or local government; and other related matters. States would be required to submit applications to the Secretary.”

14. What the EJA means for Adult Protective Services (APS): A Federal “Home” Focal Point for APS Within HHS • Would establish functions with respect to Adult Protective Services (APS) to be administered by the Secretary to provide leadership to the states’ programs. • Functions include providing funding and support to state and local adult protective services offices that investigate reports of abuse, neglect and exploitation of elders and vulnerable adults; collecting and disseminating information on abuse in coordination with the Department of Justice; developing and disseminating information on best practices; conducting research and providing technical assistance to states that provide or fund protective services. • Authorizes $3-4 million per year

15. EJA – Other Considerations • There is of course more to the EJA provisions – but our focus here on APS • Amendment to establish a National APS Training & Data Institute to support State & Local APS programs – Kohl, Lincoln & Hatch • Need Your Support – Signatures will go on Letter to Kohl, Lincoln & Hatch

16. What You Can Do • Add your signature to the letter for the National APS Training & Data • Need House Cosponsors • Need Senators & Representatives to Support elder abuse provisions (EJA) in Health Reform Legislation • Stay Tuned and Please Respond….

17. A Bit More News & Closing Thoughts • SSBG Funding – at least not fighting off further cuts • Kohl/SSCoA GAO request re APS • Further than we’ve been with the EJA – not the closing moments of the Congress • Administration not opposing the EJA

18. Our Vision… “Next year, let’s talk about funding for APS because the EJA is law.”

19. Let’s Get it Done! Thank You!!