Area Agency on Aging Serving Buncombe, Henderson, Madison & Transylvania Counties
Volume IV, Issue 3
Advocacy, Assistance, Answers on Aging
August - October 2009
Community Resource Connections for Aging and Disabilities
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and-of-Sky and its partners in aging and disability services have been engaged in a $10,000, one-year development grant awarded by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to explore the potential development of a “uniform portal of entry” (entitled Community Resource Connections for Aging and Disabilities, or “CRC” for short) to longterm services and supports throughout the region. During the year, over 75 consumers, families and provider organizations within the four counties that comprise Region B have been participating in interactive information and planning meetings in Buncombe, Henderson, Transylvania and Madison Counties. The goal of these meetings is to explore the possibility of CRC implementation by building on the conceptual model as it has been envisioned by the State of North Carolina (DHHS), but making the model fit for Region B. As one participant remarked at the end of a CRC meeting in Brevard, “I see more honing in on what the CRC model will look like if it’s accepted here. It seems like things are becoming clearer.” No Wrong Door… North Carolina CRCs take the “no wrong door” approach to the “uniform portal of entry” which promotes that consumers will experience seamless access to relevant, needed information about services regardless of how or where they encounter the system. A CRC is one of the primary vehicles to modernize long-term care systems, particularly by supporting individuals of all disabilities and incomes with making informed, cost-effective choices regarding the services they may need. The initiative will build on existing community infrastructure and help to realign systems for more efficient operations. It is important to note that CRCs are not about replacing existing organizations and networks. They’re about building a better, more coordinated service network.
Functions of a CRC include the following: Awareness & Information o Public education o Information about long-term services and supports options Assistance o Benefits counseling o Employment options counseling o Crisis intervention o Planning for future long-term services needs Access o Assistance in gaining access to public and private services o Facilitation of programmatic and financial eligibility determination o Uniform access to all public programs
Active Aging Week 2009 September 21st - 27th
Active Aging Week Kick-Off! Walk and Tai Chi in Buncombe, Henderson, Madison & Transylvania Counties on September 21st at 9:30 am. See the Calendar of Events on page 3 for more details. Sample FREE physical, creative, emotional and intellectual activities throughout the week in your area. For more information contact Rebecca Chaplin at 828-251-7438. Brochures available soon.
Website: www.landofsky.org/aging
Phone: 828-251-6622