Press Release (6/4/09):
News Release
HHS and VA to Develop a Nationwide Program to Help Older Americans and
Veterans with Disabilities Remain Independent in the Community
Grants Will Continue Collaboration with
VA to Support America’s Veterans
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary
Kathleen Sebelius and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Eric
Shinseki today announced a landmark collaboration to help the families of older
Americans and Veterans with disabilities of all ages care for their loved ones
in the community. This partnership builds on the similar missions of HHS
and the VA with regard to caring for the populations they serve and has as its
ultimate goal a nationwide home and community-based long-term-care support
program to serve older Americans and veterans of all ages.
“This HHS-VA initiative combines the hands-on experience and skills of HHS’ national
network of aging and community-based organizations with the commitment
and resources of VA’s Veterans Health Administration to provide more people,
including our nation’s veterans with additional opportunities to remain
independent,” said HHS Secretary Sebelius.
“Through this collaboration, many adults and veterans who would have
previously been placed in nursing homes will be able to remain with their loved
ones. This is another significant way America can recognize and care for
the individuals who have cared for us.”
HHS and VA are making $10 million in funding available to
bring this initiative to 20 states. This partnership will implement the
Veteran Directed Home & Community Based Service (VDHCBS) program through
HHS’ aging and human services network, in coordination with the Administration
on Aging’s (AoA) Community Living Program (CLP) which helps the family
caregivers of individuals with ongoing need to keep their loved ones at
home. Both programs allow participants to direct their own care,
including having control over the types of services they receive and the
manner=0 Ain which they are p rovided. This includes the option of hiring
their neighbors, friends and even some family members, to provide needed
services.
“This collaboration provides an opportunity to serve our
nation’s veterans by offering more long-term care, more choices and control
over decisions, and by helping veterans to remain in their homes, supported by
family and community,” said VA Secretary Eric Shinseki.
HHS’ national network of aging and community based
organizations will work in close collaboration with the VA Medical Centers
across the country to continue to develop and expand VDHCBS for veterans.
The CLP, led by AoA, will help states and communities to assist individuals who
are at risk of nursing home placement but who are not Medicaid eligible to
remain at home.
Eligible applicants are State Units on Aging. The closing
date for the CLP application is Monday, Aug. 3, 2009. The deadline for
submission of a letter of intent is Wednesday, July 1, 2009. Letters
should be submitted to Joseph Lugo, by e-mail: joseph.lugo@aoa.hhs.gov or call (202)
357-3417.
For more information abo ut this opportunity, visit: http://www.aoa.gov/AoARoot/Grants/Funding/index.aspx
For more information about the Veterans Health
Administration, please contact the VACentral Office, Washington, D.C.,
Geriatrics & Extended Care, Daniel J. Schoeps, director, Long Term
Care Purchasing, Telephone: (202) 461-6763, e-mail: daniel.schoeps@va.gov or Patrick.brady@va.gov.
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