Older Americans Act Multi_Funded Services _ .pdf

ARC’s OAA Multi-funded Services – FY2027 & FY2028

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Atlanta Regional Commission

OAA Multi-funded Services

NOFA FY2027 & FY2028*

This NOFA is for the provision of services at either the single county or multi-county/regional level.

ARC’s Older Americans Act Multi-Funded Services –

Notification of Funding Availability (NOFA)

FY2027 & FY2028*

Atlanta Regional Commission Aging and Independence Services 229 Peachtree Street, NE, Suite 100 Atlanta, Georgia 30303

*One year contract, with option to renew

ARC’s OAA Multi-funded Services – FY2027 & FY2028

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ARC’s OAA Funded Services – FY2027 & FY2028

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

NOTIFICATION OF FUNDING AVAILABILITY (NOFA)

1. Important Information

1.1. RESTRICTIONS ON COMMUNICATION WITH ARC

1.2. Pre-Proposal Conference

1.3. Amendments

1.4. Proposal Withdrawal

1.5. Submitting the Proposal

1.6. Rejection of Proposals and Cancellation of NOFA

2. Overview

2.1. Introduction

2.2. Purpose

2.3. Services to be funded

2.4. Program Goals

2.5. Program Funding

3. Award Terms

3.1. Period of Award

3.2. Expectations of Awarded Applicants

3.3. Monitoring Expectations for Sub Contractors

3.4. Renewal Considerations

3.5. Funding Variance

3.6. Certifications, Assurances, and Requirements

4. Proposal Evaluation Criteria

4.1. Proposal Evaluation

5. Proposal Narrative

General Instructions

5.1. ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY

5.2. SERVICE PROPOSAL

5.3. BUDGET PROPOSAL

6. Appendix A

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NOTIFICATION OF FUNDING AVAILABILITY (NOFA)

1. Important Information

The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC), the metro Atlanta Area Agency on Aging (AAA), issues this Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) and is the sole point of contact. This NOFA is for both single county services and multi-county/regional services. The ARC reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, or to award in whole or in part if deemed to be in the best interest of ARC to do so. The Executive Director of the ARC has authority to award contracts or agreements to the Applicants that offer the best proposal, cost and other factors considered.

To be considered for grant funding, applicants must submit a proposal in response to this NOFA and may bid on one or any combination of services listed. Services can be delivered in one county, more than one county and/or regionally. Services can be delivered directly or through subcontractors.

Applicants must electronically submit all items included in the proposal through the portal at:

https://atlantaregional.org/about-arc/procurements/. All data must be uploaded and received by the deadline.

Late proposals will not be accepted.

To be considered for selection, applicants must submit a complete response to this NOFA, including all required attachments. The contents of the proposal submitted by a successful Applicant will become a part of any contract awarded.

CONFIDENTIALITY AND CONFLICT OF INTEREST

ARC is subject to the Georgia Open Records law. All proposals submitted will become public records to be provided upon request. Any information containing trade secrets or proprietary information, as defined by state law, must be marked as confidential to prevent disclosure. Confidential markings must be limited to the protected information. Entire proposals marked confidential will not be honored.

DATE DESCRIPTION

October 6th, 2025 NOFA Open

October 8th, 2025 Pre-Proposal Conference virtually via Microsoft Teams 12:00pm – 2:00pm EST

October 10th, 2025 Questions due by 5:00pm EST to Connie White, cwhite@atlantaregional.org

October 17th, 2025 Questions and answers posted to ARC website by 5:00pm EST

November 17th, 2025 Proposals due by 5:00pm EST, submitted via ARC website

January 9th, 2026 Award Announcement by 5:00pm EST

July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027 Contract Year

July 1, 2027 – June 30, 2028 One-year renewal based on satisfactory performance https://atlantaregional.org/about-arc/procurements/

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Additionally, conflicts of interest are governed by the ARC Standards of Ethical Conduct available here:

Standards of Ethical Conduct. Respondents must disclose any potential conflicts of interest that may arise from the provision of services described herein. Such disclosure should include the name of the individual(s) with whom there is a conflict, any relevant facts to the potential conflict, and a description of the internal controls proposed to mitigate any such conflict. ARC’s Office of General Counsel will determine whether such disclosure presents a potential organizational conflict of interest that should preclude award to the respondent.

Please note that the Atlanta Regional Commission has been the only direct service provider of the Telephone Reassurance service supported with Older Americans Act (OAA) funding. The ARC does intend to apply for this NOFA for the service of Telephone Reassurance. All proposals for Telephone Reassurance will be completed on a separate Proposal Response Template and reviewed by an evaluation team that shall be chaired by an impartial and disinterested party. No ARC staff will participate in the evaluation team. Additionally, the evaluation team shall not be made aware of the identity of any bidders until after the technical and price proposals have been evaluated and ranked. See PAMMS Chapter 3014 Area Agency on Aging Contract Management Requirements 3014 Area Agency on Aging Contract Management Requirements. In FY26, for the service of Telephone Reassurance, ARC anticipates providing 1,320 completed calls at a unit cost of $90.20. This unit cost will be supported by OAA Title IIIB funds allocated to ARC. Please note that all costs associated with the implementation of the service must be included in the applicant’s unit cost through the Financial Components Workbook. There is no option for line-item reimbursement. The selected provider will only be reimbursed for completed units of service.

1.1. RESTRICTIONS ON COMMUNICATION WITH ARC

All questions regarding ARC’s Older American’s Act (OAA) Multi-Funded Services NOFA must be received via email to Connie White at cwhite@atlantaregional.org by the deadline stated in the timeline at the beginning of this NOFA. Any questions asked after this date will not be responded to. All questions received via email and those asked at the Pre-Proposal Conference will be posted with responses on the ARC website by the deadline stated in the timeline at the beginning of this NOFA.

1.2. Pre-Proposal Conference

A Pre-Proposal Conference will be held virtually via Microsoft Teams from 12:00pm – 2:00pm EST on October

8th, 2025. Use the link below to access the meeting at the appropriate time:

Click HERE to join the Teams Meeting Or call in (audio only)

+1 470-419-6063,,191046446# United States, Atlanta

Phone Conference ID: 191 046 446#

Attendance at the Pre-Proposal Conference is voluntary for responding to this Notice. However, any organization which intends to submit a proposal is highly encouraged to attend.

The purpose of the Conference is to provide information regarding the NOFA and to address any questions and concerns regarding the services sought by the ARC through this NOFA.

https://cdn.atlantaregional.org/wp-content/uploads/arc-standards-of-ethical-conduct.pdf https://pamms.dhs.ga.gov/das/administration-5600-manual/3014/ mailto:cwhite https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_MGMwN2M3MzAtMzc3MC00NWFmLThhNzMtOWQ2NjFmODg4ODY1%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%221efd81f5-9e53-4599-9ec3-76e7b5dbdf81%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22abd8f1a1-eb89-47a4-83ea-1c14ee9aa71a%22%7d tel:+14704196063,,191046446

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1.3. Amendments

ARC reserves the right to revise this Notice at any time prior to award. In the event it becomes necessary to revise any part of this Notice, information regarding revisions will be provided to all Applicants via ARC’s website https://atlantaregional.org/about-arc/procurements/

1.4. Proposal Withdrawal

A submitted proposal may be withdrawn prior to the due date by sending a written request to the Issuing Officer, Meghan Murphy at mmurphy@atlantaregional.org. A request to withdraw a proposal must be signed by an authorized agency representative.

1.5. Submitting the Proposal

All proposals are due by the deadline stated in the timeline at the beginning of this NOFA, and are only accepted electronically through the portal at https://atlantaregional.org/about-arc/procurements/. All electronic submissions will be time and date stamped according to when the submission is received by the ARC mail server.

Any proposals received after this appointed time will be considered late and will not be accepted. The proposal due date can be changed only by an addendum to the NOFA posting on the ARC Procurement site.

1.6. Rejection of Proposals and Cancellation of NOFA

ARC reserves the right to reject any and all proposals, to waive any irregularity or informality in a proposal, and to accept or reject any item or combination of items, when to do so would be to the advantage of the ARC. It is also within the right of the ARC to reject proposals that do not contain all elements and information requested in this document. The ARC reserves the right to cancel this Notice at any time. The ARC will not be liable for any cost/losses incurred by the Applicants throughout this process.

2. Overview

2.1. Introduction

The Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS), Division of Aging Services (DAS) has designated ARC as the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) for the 10 county Atlanta region. As such, ARC receives funds through the federal Older Americans Act; the Social Services Block Grant; and state-funded programs for older adults. These multiple fund sources are distributed to the AAA in a single Older Americans Act Multi-Funded Grant which funds the services to be provided through awards in response to this NOFA. The ARC AAA provides a comprehensive and coordinated service delivery system for older adults and their caregivers through a combination of direct services and partnerships with community providers. ARC has the responsibility of developing an Area Plan on Aging which describes the aging service delivery system in detail. The Area Plan, in part, is implemented through contracts negotiated with providers to implement services for the benefit of older adults and/or family caregivers in the 10-county Atlanta region. The 10 counties are Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Dekalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, and Rockdale.

2.2. Purpose

The ARC AAA is soliciting proposals from potential applicants interested in providing services and support for older adults in the following counties: Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Gwinnett, https://atlantaregional.org/about-arc/procurements/ mailto:mmurphy@atlantaregional.org

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Henry, and Rockdale for the period July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027, with an option to renew for one additional year.

2.3. Services to be funded

This NOFA offers options to provide service in a single county or in more than one county.

Multi-Funded/OAA funding: Services available through single county, or multiple counties within the Atlanta Region:

❖ Assistive Technology

❖ *Caregiver Services

❖ *Case Management – could include Kinship Case Management and Caregiver Case Management

❖ *Congregate Meals – option to have Culturally Appropriate Meals

❖ Consumer Directed Care (Support Options)

❖ Culturally Appropriate Information and Referral

❖ Elderly Legal Assistance Program (ELAP) – must be provided regionally

❖ *Home Delivered Meals - option to have Culturally Appropriate Meals

❖ Home Modifications and Repairs

❖ *Homemaker

❖ Kinship Care

a. Community and Public Education

b. Material Aid

c. Support Group

❖ Material Aid

❖ *Personal Care

❖ Senior Recreation

❖ Telephone Reassurance (to be provided with Title IIIB funds)

❖ *Transportation

ARC will ensure that qualifying residents of each county have access to each of these core services marked with (*). If an awardee proposing serving a single county is unable or unwilling to provide all the services listed above, ARC reserves the right to withhold a portion of the funding (minimum of $25,000 per service) which would otherwise be allocated to the awardee.

* Please note that the Atlanta Regional Commission has been the only direct service provider of Telephone Reassurance program supported with Older Americans Act (OAA) funding. The ARC does intend to apply for this NOFA for the service of Telephone Reassurance. For more detailed information, please refer to the Confidentiality and Conflict of Interest section of this NOFA.

Dementia-specific funding: Services available through single county, or multiple counties within the Atlanta Region. Clients served with this funding must have some form of cognitive impairment, either self-reported or formally diagnosed. The term dementia is defined as “any disease from a class of degenerative brain disorders that cause impairment or changes in memory, thinking or behavior that are progressive and irreversible. Such diseases include but are not limited to, Alzheimer’s Disease, Lewy Body dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and vascular dementia” as stated in the Georgia Alzheimer’s and Related

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Dementias (GARD) State plan. Please note that the fund source is officially called Alzheimer’s funding by the state of Georgia Division of Aging Services and is awarded as that, but ARC wants to ensure that all applicants are aware of the wide breadth of conditions it encompasses. To reduce confusion about its appropriate uses, for this NOFA ARC uses the term “Dementia-Specific Funding.” It is allowable to apply to provide services using only the Dementia-Specific funding.

❖ Assistive Technology

❖ Caregiver Services

❖ Home Modifications and Repairs

❖ Homemaker

❖ Material Aid

❖ Personal Care

Please answer all questions on the Proposal Response template that are listed under each service you’re applying for with dementia specific funding. Please indicate in the chart at the top of the Proposal Response template which counties you’re intending to serve.

2.4. Program Goals

In keeping with the intent of the Older Americans Act, the Georgia Division of Aging Services State Plan on Aging

(FY 2024-2027), as well as the strategic goals of the ARC and the ARC Area Plan on Aging (FY 25-FY 28), funds will be awarded to:

• Provide long-term services and supports that enable older Georgians, their families, caregivers, and persons with disabilities to fully engage and participate in their communities for as long as possible.

• Ensure older Georgians, persons with disabilities, caregivers and families have access to information about resources and services that is accurate and reliable.

• Strengthen the aging network to enable partners to become viable and sustainable, and develop a robust network of aging service partners.

• Utilize continuous quality improvement principles to ensure the AAA operates efficiently and effectively.

2.5. Program Funding

The amount of the grant awards under this NOFA are contingent upon receipt of funds from Georgia

Department of Human Services, consisting of Federal Older Americans Act, other Federal, and State funds (i.e.

multi-funded grant). ARC ensures that funds are distributed equitably across all counties in the region.

The available funding detailed in this NOFA are one-year projections based on planning allocations received for Fiscal Year 2026. The projections are subject to change based on the actual Federal and State allocations received by ARC. Appendix A shows the total funding available to serve the residents in each county as well as https://aging.georgia.gov/document/document/das-state-plan-2024-2027/download https://atlantaregional.org/about-arc/arcs-vision-one-great-region/

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3. Award Terms

3.1. Period of Award

This NOFA covers a one-year period beginning on July 1, 2026, and ending on June 30, 2027, with an option to renew for one additional year. All contracts resulting from this NOFA process are contingent on the availability of funds from the Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Aging Services. The terms and conditions of the contract with DHS and any subsequent policy decisions, laws or regulations shall be applied to the Grantees chosen through this process. The Atlanta Regional Commission may terminate the contract due to non-availability of funds, due to default, or for convenience.

3.2. Expectations of Awarded Applicants

If awarded, Grantees will be expected to:

• Attend ARC meetings and trainings designed for the Aging Services Provider Network

• Fully cooperate with ARC’s onsite and/or virtual financial and program monitoring

• Conduct annual independent monitoring of all subcontractors

• Meet all required fiscal and programmatic deadlines

• Comply with Federal and State fingerprint and background check guidelines

• Use the system of record as identified by ARC for recording of all services and invoicing

• Expend all awarded funds for awarded services and by the contract deadline

• Comply with all relevant Federal and State requirements

• Follow subcontractor procurement requirements as outlined in the ARC issued contracts

3.3. Monitoring Expectations for Subcontractors

All awardees are required to monitor their subcontractors using the Department of Human Services’ (DHS) Policy and Manual Management System (PAMMS) review tools. In instances where a current review tool is unavailable in PAMMS for your specific program area, one will be provided by ARC. Awardees will submit completed monitoring tools to ARC for review by the deadline requested. ARC is not required by the state of Georgia to provide any notice of monitoring and must not provide more than 48 hours’ notice for most services.

This includes both programmatic and financial monitoring of services. Monitoring of nutrition and senior center services must take place before December 31st of each fiscal year. All monitoring activities for all other services must be completed before June 30th of each fiscal year.

3.4. Renewal Considerations

Grants will be awarded on a yearly basis with renewal based on satisfactory performance and availability of funds. Budgets, units provided, and unit costs will be reviewed annually and adjustments to contracts will be made based on actual expenditures, units delivered, number of persons served, and allocations received through the Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Aging Services. During this process, one-year budgets for each service the Applicant is proposing will be reviewed in accordance with directives provided by DHS.

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3.5. Funding Variance

If funding to the ARC AAA is reduced and reduction of Grantee award levels is deemed necessary by ARC, ARC will determine a reduction strategy. ARC may reduce funding to each Grantee on a straight percentage basis.

Alternatively, ARC may reduce or eliminate services ARC deems to not be effectively delivered or for other reasons. ARC reserves the right to establish additional strategies and/or new criteria for reductions during the term of the contract.

ARC further reserves the right to amend contracts based on project service levels and/or other performance factors to assure there will be cost effective service provision.

3.6. Certifications, Assurances, and Requirements

Grantees will comply with all applicable Atlanta Regional Commission, Georgia Department of Human Services Division of Aging Services and other relevant Federal and State laws, standards, guidelines, policies, and procedures.

Detailed information concerning the laws, regulations, program standards and guidelines in the delivery of Home and Community Based Services (non-Medicaid) is available at the following:

▪ Georgia: GA DHS/Division of Aging Services Policy and Manual Management System (PAMMS) https://pamms.dhs.ga.gov/das/hcbs-5300-manual/ https://pamms.dhs.ga.gov/das/access-to-services-5200-manual/

Grantees will be required to submit the following documentation prior to contract execution:

• General Financial Requirements and Assurances (most recent Single Audit, or financial statements as applicable);

• Required Certificates of Insurance with ARC as a named party;

• Subcontractor Approval Form;

• Assurance of Compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964;

• Assurance of Compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as Amended, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990;

• Disclosure of Lobbying Activities Form;

• Certifications Regarding Debarment, Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters; Drug-Free Workplace Requirements and Lobbying;

• Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Business Associate Agreement;

• Procurement process and procedures for subcontracting to include notices of such procurement and copy of RFP and/or bidding process;

• Executed contracts with sub-contractors, home care agency licensure certificates and certificates of insurance; and

• Such other documentation as ARC determines is needed to successfully execute the Grantee’s contract.

These forms are not to be submitted as part of the proposal but will be required as a part of the contract documents for successful awardees.

https://pamms.dhs.ga.gov/das/hcbs-5300-manual/ https://pamms.dhs.ga.gov/das/access-to-services-5200-manual/

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Federal requirements, Certifications, and Assurances pass through to third party subcontractors. As such, ARC requires review and prior approval of any Third-Party Contracts to ensure all such requirements are part of Third-Party Contracts. Existing Third-Party Contracts should be included in the proposal submitted in response to this Notice.

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4. Proposal Evaluation Criteria

4.1. Proposal Evaluation

All proposals will be evaluated using the criteria specified below with the relative weights shown in parenthesis. Selection will include an analysis of proposals by an Evaluation Committee composed of ARC personnel and/or outside individuals if deemed necessary, who will review the proposal submittals in accordance with the submittal requirements and the evaluation criteria set forth below. All proposals for

Telephone Reassurance will be completed on a separate Proposal Response Template and reviewed by an evaluation team that shall be chaired by an impartial and disinterested party. No ARC staff will participate in the evaluation team. Additionally, the evaluation team shall not be made aware of the identity of any bidders until after the technical and price proposals have been evaluated and ranked. See PAMMS Chapter 3014 Area

Agency on Aging Contract Management Requirements 3014 Area Agency on Aging Contract Management

Requirements. The committee may request oral interviews and/or site visits. ARC reserves the right to award this contract based on initial proposals received without formal interviews. Awards will not necessarily be based on cost alone. Other factors, as detailed in the Notice, will be considered in determining what proposal will be deemed to best meet the needs of ARC.

Organizational capacity (25): responses will be scored on a scale based on amount of detail and clarity of the topics below:

• Leveraged resources

• Outreach plan to ensure targeting of older populations in greatest socioeconomic need

• Quality assurance process to ensure standards of promptness in service delivery, monitoring of subcontractors and ongoing quality improvements.

• Continuous training and professional development for staff (and volunteers, if applicable)

• Emergency preparedness plan for weather related emergencies, fires, pandemics, and other disasters or emergencies

• Expertise and experience in serving older persons, including the evaluation of services provided under any previous ARC grant (as applicable).

Per Service proposed (50): responses will be scored on a scale based on amount of detail and clarity of the criteria below:

• Responses clearly indicate why the services are needed

• Each response is unique and tailored to the service being proposed

• Response will also clearly indicate applicant’s experience in delivering this service and/or why the applicant would like to begin delivering this service

• Description of how the service will be provided that creates a full overview of the service

• All responses should answer all parts of each question completely

Budget (25): responses will be scored on a scale based on amount of detail and clarity of the topics below:

• The budget provides an accurate assessment of all costs associated with project/program activities as outlined in the Uniform Cost Methodology (UCM) form https://pamms.dhs.ga.gov/das/administration-5600-manual/3014/ https://pamms.dhs.ga.gov/das/administration-5600-manual/3014/

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• The budget corresponds to the descriptions in the narrative and demonstrates the capacity to carry out program activities in a cost-efficient manner comparable to regional rates

• The financial risk assessment tool completed by the applicant is validated by the finance manager at

ARC

• The cost per unit as determined using the UCM is reasonable and customary for the region.

• Review of financial management under any previous ARC grants, including funding left unspent.

5. Proposal Narrative

General Instructions

To be considered for selection, applicants must submit a complete response to this NOFA online via https://atlantaregional.org/about-arc/procurements/. The contents of the proposal submitted by the successful applicant will become a part of any contract awarded. The answers to all questions must be completed using the Proposal Response Template and the Financial Components Workbook. Refer to the online NOFA Directions document for complete instructions. If you intend to apply for Telephone

Reassurance, please use the separate Telephone Reassurance Proposal Response Template for your responses. All financial components must be included on the general Financial Components Workbook.

5.1. ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY

❖ Succinctly describe the services that your organization has provided for the target population age 60-plus, including how many years you have provided that service. Please include the following:

• Do you intend to collaborate with any outside agency or organization in the implementation of this grant? If so, please describe.

• What outreach, in addition to an agency website or social media, will you conduct to ensure that those most in need of this service are made aware of it?

❖ Describe your steps for quality assurance. Include your process for:

• monitoring for standards of promptness from time of referral to start of service

• monitoring of any subcontractors

• continuous quality improvement

❖ All awardees must designate at least one staff person as the point person (master trainer) who will attend all WellSky DAS Data System (DDS) trainings and be responsible for transmitting that learning back to all those who use the system in your organization. Describe how you will ensure all new staff needing access to DDS will be trained internally and monitored to ensure they are recording all data properly.

❖ All awardees must determine the fund source to be used for a client; in particular Dementia-Specific Funding prior to the delivery of that service by a subcontractor. Describe the process you will use to

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❖ Outline the training your staff receives for the function they serve in relation to this contract, including how often re-training occurs and who conducts the training.

❖ Describe how you handle multiple emergencies (i.e., severe weather, pandemics, etc.), and how your staff mobilizes to ensure client safety and continuity of service during the emergency.

5.2. SERVICE PROPOSAL

5.2.1. ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

Assistive Technology is any item, piece of equipment, including durable medical equipment or product system, whether acquired commercially, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of older adults and individuals with disabilities. AT can be low-tech: grab bars, magnifiers, lever handles, shower seats/benches or AT can be high-tech: automated lights, hearing amplifiers, tablets, computers. Prior to writing your proposal, please ensure your complete understanding of the Assistive Technology policy found in PAMMS MAN5300, CH324

See below for a nonexclusive list of assistive technology in three categories to give you an idea of allowable purchases.

Low Tech examples that don’t require much training or have complex or mechanical features

Mildly Complex examples that might have some complex features, may be electronic or battery operated and may require some training to use properly

High Tech examples which are the most complex devises that have digital or electronic components that likely require training and effort to learn to use

• Handheld magnifiers • Talking spell checkers • Digital hearing aids

• Large print text • Manual wheelchairs • Power wheelchairs

• Canes and walker • amplifiers

• computers with specialized software such as voice recognition

• Reachers, grabbers • Alternate mouse or keyboard for computer • Voice activated phones

• Specialized pen or pencil grips • Closed caption televisions CCTV • Communication devised with voices

• Weighted silverware or plates • Portable wheelchair ramps

1. Please share with us how and why you came to the decision to apply for this service as well as the amount of funding that you are requesting. Include in your response:

a. How did you assess the need in the service area?

2. How would you operationalize this service?

https://pamms.dhs.ga.gov/das/hcbs-5300-manual/324/

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3. Explain how you would conduct outreach to ensure you reach those most in need of assistive technology which would enable them to be safer in their current environment and meet their level of need.

4. What is your experience in delivering this service? List any organizations you have or currently partner with to provide this service.

5. Assistive technology can be simple, mildly complex, and/or high-tech requiring training. The unit cost for any piece of assistive technology is $1 per unit so the exact cost of the product equals the number of units. If a piece of equipment requires set up, instruction and follow-up to ensure it is used properly, how do you plan to ensure that takes place?

6. If you plan to provide assistive technology with Dementia-Specific funding, please outline your outreach plan and the total amount of Dementia-Specific funds you forecast being spent.

Please refer to the Dementia-Specific funding definition in NOFA “Section 2.3: Services to be funded” for more detail.

5.2.2. CAREGIVER SERVICES

Caregiver Services: Services which offer temporary, substitute supports or living arrangements for care recipients to provide a brief period of relief or rest for caregivers. Title III E Family Caregiver Support Funding is caregiver-specific funding and requires the caregiver to be the client. Individuals qualify for caregiver funding if they meet any one of the following criteria:

❖ Adult family members or other informal caregivers aged 18 and older providing care to individuals 60 years of age and older

❖ Adult family members or other informal caregivers aged 18 and older providing care to individuals of any age with Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders

❖ Older relatives (not parents) aged 55 and older providing care to children under the age of 18; and

❖ Older relatives, including parents, aged 55 and older providing care to adults ages 18-59 with disabilities.

In providing caregiver services under Title III-E, priority should be given to family caregivers who provide care for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders with neurological and organic brain dysfunction. (Per PAMMS MAN5300, CH 316.5)

Caregiver Services can include support groups, material aid, home delivered meals, Powerful Tools for Caregivers and in-home or out-of-home respite (in home respite can include homemaker, personal care or any other in-home respite). Any in-home respite providers must be a licensed private home care provider and out-of-home respite provided by an adult day center, personal care home or assisted living facility must be licensed by DCH. In light of upcoming state policy changes, ARC may require client choice in the selection of home care providers. All clients will be given the ability to choose between https://dch.georgia.gov/divisionsoffices/healthcare-facility-regulation/facility-licensure

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1. Identify whether you intend to offer material aid, home delivered meals, case management, support groups and/or in-home/out-of-home respite.

2. For each of the services you will provide, please share with us how and why you came to the decision to apply for this service as well as the amount of funding that you are requesting.

Include in your response:

b. What is the cost of the care plan for this service over the course of a year?

3. Describe how you will operationalize your caregiver services program.

4. What has been your experience in providing this service?

5. If you plan to provide In-Home Respite (direct or voucher) or Out-of-Home Respite (direct or voucher), please indicate whether you intend to use Dementia Specific funding. If so, please outline your outreach plan and the total amount of Dementia Specific funds you forecast being spent. Please refer to the Dementia-Specific funding definition in NOFA “Section 2.3: Services to be funded” for more detail.

5.2.3. CASE MANAGEMENT

Case Management provides access for consumers to community resources or assists individuals in identifying and securing resources or services to enhance wellness, including mental and behavioral health, and remain in the community for as long and as safely as possible. It is a person-centric, collaborative process designed to meet an individual’s complex social and health needs. PAMMS

MAN5300, CH210

1. Please share with us how and why you came to the decision for apply for this service as well as

a. How did you assess the need in the service area?

b. What is the average cost of this service per client over the course of the year?

c. What is the average case load per case manager?

2. Describe how you would operationalize this service, including whether or not you plan to offer standalone case management services.

3. Describe how you will serve individuals who experience a crisis requiring immediate response, such as referral from adult protective service (APS), acute health episode, inclement weather events, absence of significant caregiver, etc.

https://pamms.dhs.ga.gov/das/hcbs-5300-manual/316/ https://pamms.dhs.ga.gov/das/hcbs-5300-manual/210/ https://pamms.dhs.ga.gov/das/hcbs-5300-manual/210/

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4. Describe your prior experience in providing this service.

5. Does your organization require more specific touch points with clients for case management beyond what the policy in the PAMMS DAS manual requires, which includes initial assessment, 60 day follow up and annual reassessment?

6. If you are planning to provide case management with Title IIIE (Family Caregiving) dollars, describe how you would deliver this service.

5.2.4. CONGREGATE MEALS

The congregate nutrition program promotes better physical and mental health for older adults through the provision of nutritious meals and opportunities for social contact. Congregate nutrition services shall be part of a system of services that promotes independent living for older adults. This service can be delivered in a traditional senior center, or it can be delivered in a center without walls. The description of each center type can be found here: PAMMS MAN5300, CH206 and CH304

All center models must offer a minimum of:

• One hour of planned wellness activities per day

• 15 minutes of nutrition education per month

• All clients must be assessed using the NSI and FSS

Meal Vouchers: Meal vouchers may be used in conjunction with restaurants within the congregate meal program. All participants offered meal vouchers must be registered senior center members who are up to date with all the required annual assessments.

• There must be at least one meal option that complies with provisions in the Older Americans

Act Section 339, concerning compliance with Dietary Guidelines for Americans, as published in PAMMS and as assessed by a registered dietitian (RD). The dietitian shall certify menus in each cycle as meeting the dietary guidelines and submit a copy of the menu and nutrient analysis signed off on by the RD to the AAA. The AAA shall submit copies of certified menus and nutrition analyses to the Division of Aging Services’ Chief Dietitian on a quarterly basis, at least two weeks before implementation.

• Individuals may choose the meal option that complies with the provisions in the OAA or they may choose another meal option.

• The value of the voucher must be agreed upon by the restaurant and the provider and must be submitted as a separate cost via the Uniform Cost Methodology

• The provider is still obliged to provide one hour of planned wellness activity that day and 15 minutes of nutritional education that month to count the meal as a congregate meal and seek reimbursement under this grant.

https://pamms.dhs.ga.gov/das/hcbs-5300-manual/206/ https://pamms.dhs.ga.gov/das/hcbs-5300-manual/304/

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a. How you assessed the need in the service area.

b. What is the average cost of this service per client over the course of the year?

2. Describe how you would operationalize this service. Be sure to include in your description:

a. How you will assure that at least one meal meets the dietary requirements.

b. How you will provide clients with meal choice.

c. Your reservation system, including your policy for dealing with clients who order a meal and don’t show up.

3. Describe the process in place for clients to express their thoughts on the quality of the food, quality of program offerings or any other issues. Include your process for addressing their concerns; how often and what is the mechanism.

4. As part of your congregate program, do you intend to offer meals to a particular population whose traditional diet does not meet the Western guidelines as established in PAMMS? If so, share the details of how that would operate, including:

a. How you arrived at the need,

b. How you would meet the need; and

c. Partnerships with community organizations

Note: If you propose to deliver culturally appropriate meals that do not meet with the

Western guidelines established in PAMMS, ARC will seek a waiver from the GA DAS to reimburse for such meals.

5.2.5. CONSUMER DIRECTED CARE (SUPPORT OPTIONS)

Consumer Directed Care: Consumer direction embodies both a philosophy and a practice model for service delivery. As a philosophy, it emphasizes consumer choice and control, recognizing that service recipients best know their needs and preferences and should have primary authority and responsibility for making decisions about those services. As a practice, it means that consumers make choices about their care and manage the delivery of their services to the extent that they are willing and able to do so, including becoming “Employers of Service” and having total budget authority.

Regulations for this service can be found in PAMMS, MAN5300, CH. 212.

1. What is your experience with consumer-direction and/or why are you interested in implementing this program?

2. How do you see consumer-direction benefiting your organization and/or your clients?

3. How will you identify clients to serve?

https://pamms.dhs.ga.gov/das/hcbs-5300-manual/212/

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4. What is your plan to secure a Fiscal Intermediary Service?

5. Please describe your program model for implementing this program (service options, client budgets, staffing, population served, etc.)

5.2.6. CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE INFORMATION AND REFERRAL SERVICE:

The delivery of information, assistance, awareness, and access to services and support individuals need to link to appropriate community resources. Activities of information and referral provision include assessing the needs of the inquirer, identifying appropriate resources based on individual need and preference, linking the inquirer to services, and exploring other options when services are not available.

This service will partner with Atlanta’s Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) to provide culturally appropriate information and Referral/Assistance to individuals of limited English proficiency.

This service will support the agency’s goal in strengthening the capacity to serve older adults and people with disabilities who may otherwise have difficulty accessing services due to language and cultural barriers. PAMMS MAN5200 CH5000

1. Indicate what population(s), including any population of limited English speakers, you would serve.

2. Share your organization’s expertise providing information and referral, specifically in the areas of:

o Assessing the needs of callers/inquirers o Identifying and linking people to appropriate resources o Exploring other options when requested service isn’t available o Providing follow-up to individuals who may require additional assistance

3. How would you provide cultural awareness and diversity training to Atlanta’s ADRC team as well as technical support to ADRC Counselors needing guidance and assistance with services to the population(s) that you indicate serving?

4. How would you communicate the availability of your service to the intended service population?

What specific tools (i.e. – benefits sheets, staff training, program overviews, 3-way calls with AAPI, Indian, Hispanic individuals, etc. via interpretation and translation services) will be made available to the population you indicate serving?

5.2.7. ELDERLY LEGAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

The Elderly Legal Assistance Program (ELAP) purpose is to assist individuals in understanding their rights exercising choice, benefitting from services, opportunities, and entitlements, and maintaining rights promised and protected by law. ELAP provides access to the system of justice offering advocacy, advice, and representation to persons 60 and older. The Older Americans Act (OAA) OF 1965 as amended, designates Legal Assistance as a priority service funded under Section Title IIIB. As such, funding of legal assistance by each Area Agency on Aging is mandatory, and services shall be accessible and available https://pamms.dhs.ga.gov/das/access-to-services-5200-manual/5021/

21 | P a g e through the metro Atlanta region. In 2011 a core set of priorities was developed. The Applicant must be capable of providing education and guidance on these priorities in addition to those set in the 2008 revision of the Georgia Elderly Legal Assistance Program Standards. Current ELAP policy can be found in

PAMMS MAN 5200, CH 2000.

1. Describe your experience in the provision of legal assistance to Older Georgians in a defined service area.

2. Address use of attorneys without GA licenses and supervision of those attorneys, if applicable.

3. Describe how staff (or subcontractor) will be supervised and monitored to ensure quality and appropriateness.

4. Describe service delivery including intake process, case acceptance procedures, information related to scheduling, duration, and frequency of services.

5. Identify how client requests are prioritized in accordance with targeted population, greatest economic or social need, and limited English-speaking proficiency and mandated priority areas.

6. Describe capacity and plan for effective outreach and assistance to institutionalized, isolated and homebound individuals to make them aware of services.

7. Describe capacity and plan to reach limited English-speaking populations.

8. Describe Community Education Plan to inform elders of their legal rights in community education forums such as speeches, presentations, radio, or TV shows.

9. Describe case referral process to pro bono or reduced fee assistance programs and follow up process.

10. Describe emergency response procedure in a fee generating case as defined by 45 CFR Section

1321.71(g) (1).

11. Describe coordination with Long Term Care Ombudsman Program, Elder Abuse Prevention and Adult Protective Services.

5.2.8. HOME DELIVERED MEALS

The home delivered meal program promotes better health for older adults and eligible members of their households through the provision of nutritious meals; nutrition screening, education, and counseling; and opportunities for social contact. The ability to provide therapeutic meals when requested is a requirement of this service. PAMMS MAN5300, CH304

1. Please share with us how and why you came to the decision for apply for this service as well as

a. How you assessed the need in the service area.

https://pamms.dhs.ga.gov/das/access-to-services-5200-manual/2010/ https://pamms.dhs.ga.gov/das/hcbs-5300-manual/304/

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b. What is the average numbers of meals individuals get per week and what is the cost of service per client over a period of one year?

2. Describe how you would operationalize this service.

3. How you remove barriers for clients who need a meal but do not live on an established meal route.

4. As part of your home delivered meals program, do you intend to offer meals to a particular population whose traditional diet does not meet the Western guidelines as established in

PAMMS? If so, share the details of how that would operate, including:

a. How you arrived at the need,

b. How you would meet the need; and

c. Partnerships with community organizations

Note: If you propose to deliver culturally appropriate meals that do not meet with the

Western guidelines established in PAMMS, ARC will seek a waiver from the GA DAS to reimburse for such meals.

5.2.9. HOME MODIFICATIONS AND REPAIRS

Home modifications and repairs: Modifications may include the installation of adaptive and assistive devices and structural alterations to improve accessibility and mobility both within and outside the residence. Repair services are designed to reduce or remove structural or environmental hazards by returning the dwelling to as safe a condition as possible, allowing the resident to continue living in the community. Eligible clients are those 60 years of age or older with greatest economic and social need, including but not limited to low income, minority, living alone, frail and/or disabled. The total amount per project without any provisional conditions cannot exceed $5,000. Modifications and repairs of $5,001 up to $10,000 would need prior formal authorization by the state unit on aging director. As of the date this NOFA was written, the PAMMS regulations had not been updated to reference this limit, but the amount has been confirmed in writing by GA DAS. This service requires the completion of the Determination of Needs Revised (DON-R) for all clients. The waitlist for this service will be managed by ARC intake staff. PAMMS

MAN5300, CH314

This service can be provided directly or through a subcontractor.

1. Describe your home modifications or repair program. Describe your previous experience providing this service. How will you communicate the availability of services to persons in need?

2. What kind of backup documentation does your agency collect to ensure the fulfillment of the service?

https://pamms.dhs.ga.gov/das/hcbs-5300-manual/314/ https://pamms.dhs.ga.gov/das/hcbs-5300-manual/314/

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3. How do you assure client satisfaction and document if and how the repairs and/or modifications are impacting the individual’s quality of life?

4. How will you ensure client / caregiver input at the time of assessing specific service requests?

What plan is in place to mitigate client dissatisfaction of services provided?

5. If you plan to provide home modifications or repairs with Dementia Specific funding, please outline your outreach plan and the total amount of Dementia Specific funds you forecast being spent. Please refer to the Dementia-Specific funding definition in NOFA “Section 2.3: Services to be funded” for more detail.

5.2.10. HOMEMAKER

Homemaker: Assistance such as preparing meals, shopping for personal items, managing money, using the telephone, or doing light housework. This service must be provided by a private home care provider licensed by the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH). In light of upcoming state policy changes, ARC may require client choice in the selection of home care providers. All clients will be given the ability to choose between all approved home care providers at all times to ensure client satisfaction. This service can be provided via a voucher program. PAMMS MAN5300, CH208

1. Please share with us how and why you came to the decision to apply for this service as well as the amount of funding that you are requesting. Include in your response:

a. How you assessed the need in the service area.

b. What is the average number of hours per week that a client would receive homemaker service and what is the cost of this service per client per year?

2. Describe how you would operationalize this service.

3. Given the national and local shortage of home care staff, how would you work through the challenges to assure that clients are provided ongoing services and/or add new clients to services?

4. What is the standard of promptness for ensuring that clients are started on service?

5. If you plan to provide homemaker services with Dementia Specific funding, please outline your outreach plan and the total amount of Dementia Specific funds you forecast being spent.