§ 6206. Plan for comprehensive and coordinated system of services, supports, and protections

(a) At least once every four years, the Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living shall adopt a State Plan on Aging, as required by the Older Americans Act. The State Plan on Aging shall describe a comprehensive and coordinated system of services, supports, and protections for older Vermonters, including individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders, that is consistent with the principles set forth in section 6202 of this subchapter and sets forth the nature, extent, allocation, anticipated funding, and timing of services for older Vermonters. The State Plan on Aging shall also include the following categories:

(1) priorities for continuation of existing programs and development of new programs;

(2) criteria for receiving services or funding;

(3) types of services provided; and

(4) a process for evaluating and assessing each program’s success.

(b)(1) The Commissioner shall determine priorities for the State Plan on Aging based on:

(A) information obtained from older Vermonters, their families, and their guardians, if applicable, and from senior centers and service providers;

(B) a comprehensive needs assessment that includes:

(i) demographic information about Vermont residents, including older Vermonters, family caregivers, and kinship caregivers;

(ii) information about existing services used by older Vermonters, family caregivers, and kinship caregivers;

(iii) characteristics of unserved and underserved individuals and populations; and

(iv) the reasons for any gaps in service, including identifying variations in community needs and resources;

(C) a comprehensive evaluation of the services available to older Vermonters across the State, including home- and community-based services, residential care homes, assisted living residences, nursing facilities, senior centers, and other settings in which care is or may later be provided; and

(D) identification of the additional needs and concerns of older Vermonters, their families, and their caregivers in the event of a public health crisis, natural disaster, or other emergency situation.

(2) Following the determination of State Plan on Aging priorities, the Commissioner shall consider funds available to the Department in allocating resources.

(c) At least 60 days prior to adopting the proposed plan, the Commissioner shall submit a draft to the Department’s Advisory Board established pursuant to section 505 of this title and the Commission on Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders established pursuant to 3 V.S.A. § 3085b for advice and recommendations. The Advisory Board and Commission shall provide the Commissioner with written comments on the proposed plan.

(d) The Commissioner may make annual revisions to the plan as needed. The Commissioner shall submit any proposed revisions to the Department’s Advisory Board and to the Commission on Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders for comment within the time frames established in subsection (c) of this section.

(e) On or before January 15 of each year, and notwithstanding the provisions of 2 V.S.A. § 20(d), the Department shall report to the House Committee on Human Services, the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare, and the Governor regarding:

(1) implementation of the plan;

(2) the extent to which the system principles set forth in section 6202 of this subchapter are being achieved;

(3) based on both qualitative and quantitative data, the extent to which the system has been successful in targeting services to individuals with the greatest economic and social need;

(4) the sufficiency of the provider network and any workforce challenges affecting providers of care or services for older Vermonters; and

(5) the availability of affordable and accessible opportunities for older Vermonters to engage with their communities, such as social events, educational classes, civic meetings, health and exercise programs, and volunteer opportunities.

(f) With regard to individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders, the State Plan on Aging shall address:

(1) home-based care or placements and hospital and long-term care placements and transitions to and from care in home, hospital, and long-term care settings;

(2) support and education for families and caregivers; and

(3) strategies to promote affordable and accessible long-term care and home- and community-based services to individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders. (Added 2019, No. 156 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. Oct. 5, 2020; amended 2021, No. 113 (Adj. Sess.), § 4, eff. July 1, 2022; 2021, No. 113 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. January 1, 2023.)