R510-401-6. Program Content

  (1) Each Area Agency on Aging shall provide a multifaceted system of caregiver support services for caregivers and for grandparents or older individuals who are relative caregivers to include:

  (a) information to caregivers about available services;

  (b) individual, one-on-one assistance to caregivers in gaining access to services in the form of information and assistance or case management. Assistance may include but is not limited to such activities as phone contact and home visits;

  (c) individual counseling, support groups, and caregiver training to assist the caregivers in making decisions and solving problems relating to their caregiving roles;

  (d) respite care to enable caregivers to be temporarily relieved from their caregiving responsibilities; and

  (e) Supplemental Services, on a limited basis, to complement the care provided by caregivers.

  (2) The Area Agency on Aging shall use the DAAS-approved Demographic Intake and Risk Screening form and assessment tool to determine eligibility for respite and supplemental services and said tools shall be kept in the client file.

  (3) Prior to receiving respite or supplemental services the Area Agency on Aging shall develop a written service plan for the caregiver, which shall be kept in the client file.

  (4) The Area Agency on Aging shall ensure the provision of the full range of caregiver support services in the community by coordinating its activities with the activities of other community agencies and voluntary organizations providing supportive services to family caregivers and grandparents or older individuals who are relative caregivers of children.

  (5) Older Americans Act information and services shall be provided to family caregivers in a direct and helpful manner. In cases where caregiver support programs already exist within the community, coordination of these programs and the UCSP is essential to maximize the dollars available for family caregivers and avoid duplication of services.

  (6) To assure coordination of caregiver services in the planning and service area, the Area Agency on Aging shall convene a minimum of one joint planning meeting annually with other local providers who currently provide support services to family caregivers. As practical, the Area Agency on Aging shall coordinate the activities under this program with other community agencies and voluntary organizations providing services to caregivers.

  (7) Funds allocated on an annual basis under the UCSP for services provided by an Area Agency on Aging shall be expended as follows:

  (a) Information to caregivers about available services: the Area Agency on Aging may not use less than three percent of the funds allocated under the UCSP to provide these services.

  (b) Assistance to caregivers in gaining access to the services: the Area Agency on Aging may not use less than five percent of the funds allocated under the UCSP to provide these services.

  (c) Individual counseling, organization of support groups, and caregiver training to caregivers to assist the caregivers in the areas of health, nutrition and financial literacy and in making decisions and solving problems relating to their caregiving roles. The Area Agency on Aging may not use less than five percent of the funds allocated under the UCSP to provide these services.

  (d) Respite care to enable caregivers to be temporarily relieved from their caregiving responsibilities: The Area Agency on Aging may not use less than five percent of the funds allocated under the UCSP to provide these services.

  (e) Supplemental Services, on a limited basis, to complement the care provided by caregivers: The Area Agency on Aging may not use more than twenty percent of the funds allocated under the UCSP to provide these services.

  (f) The Area Agency on Aging shall spend no more than ten percent of funds on services provided to grandparents and other individuals who are relative caregivers of a child not more than 18 years of age.

  (8) If a customer discontinues Respite and/or Supplemental Services before the end of the twelve- month period and before the annual established service expenditure limit per client is reached, the case shall be closed.

  (a) If funds are available, the caregiver may be readmitted to the program subsequent to the case closing but shall do so within twelve months from the original date of enrollment.

  (b) If no funds are available, the person will be placed at the top of the list to be the first person to be admitted to the program if the person still has time left on the program.

  (c) If funds become available, but there is no time remaining based on the original admission, then the caregiver needs to reapply and be considered for admission to the program with all other applicants.

  (9) The Area Agency on Aging shall make use of trained volunteers to expand the provision of available resources and, if possible, work in coordination with organizations that have experience in providing training, placement, and stipends for volunteers or participants (such as organizations carrying out Federal service programs administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service), in community settings.