THE HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE ELDERLY AND VETERANS SERVICES DIVISION RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE ACTIONS.
These actions support the Commission's Value: "Approaching human services collaboratively and compassionately, with special emphasis on the most vulnerable," and its Goal to "[E]ffectively advocate for and acquire municipal, state and federal financial support to equitably address health and human services needs of the entire community, through a truly coordinated system of care." This Agreement provides funding for case management services to Broward County veterans to prevent premature institutionalization.
Retroactive approval is sought due to the significant delays in the State of Florida Department of Veterans Affairs' executing its grant with the Areawide Council on Aging of Broward County, Inc. (Areawide Council). The Elderly and Veterans Services Division (EVSD) received the final Referral Agreement from the Areawide Council on November 11, 2018.
EVSD is the lead Broward County provider for veteran benefits acquisition services, working with veterans and veterans' dependents of all ages to coordinate their financial and health care entitlements. Referral Agreement No. VB118-15-2019 sets forth the principles for cooperation and consultation between the Areawide Council and Broward County to implement the Veteran Directed Home and Community Based Services Program (VD-HCBS). EVSD will serve veterans designated by the U.S. Veterans Administration as high-risk for nursing home placement and decrease nursing home utilization through supporting veterans in a consumer-directed care arrangement. Through this initiative, EVSD will provide case management, develop care plans, and authorize in-home services to maintain the veteran in the least restrictive community setting. EVSD will be reimbursed for those services according to rates established in the Agreement.
The performance standards are as follows: initial phone contact to set appointment for assessment within two business days of receipt of referral; initial assessment and care plan development within three business days, following initial phone contact; assessment updated and care plan reviewed at least every six months; complete annual assessment, re-assessment and care-plan by the end of the same calendar month in which it was completed the prior year; enrollment of veteran into VD-HCBS Program within 30 business days following care plan development; and monthly monitoring of time sheets within 15 days after end of the month. All performance measures are currently being met year to date. EVSD is not required to serve a specific number of veterans.
The Areawide Council is acting on behalf of the State of Florida; this Agreement is in the State and Areawide Council’s format and was reviewed and approved as to form by the Office of the County Attorney. The Areawide Council will sign last following Board approval.
|