DRCOG Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) Advisory Council – November 17, 2020

Amy Pulley – DRCOG, ADRC Manager – opened the meeting by introducing new DRCOG staff Gina Gentili, Dwaynna Grace, and Lydia Dumam.

ADRC meeting presentations:

Jennifer Reeves – DRCOG, Program Manager for Ombudsman Services – Ombudsman Nursing Home and Assisted Living Update

Here is the website for DRCOG’s Ombudsman Programs: https://drcog.org/programs/area-agency-aging/ombudsman-programs
Feel free to make direct contact with any questions or referrals for individuals in need of Ombudsman assistance: jreeves@drcog.org
You can also reach our Ombudsman of the Day, M-F, during regular business hours: 303-480-6734

Anaya Robinson, Atlantis Community Inc., Associate Director Atlantis Community Inc – Expedited Transitions Pilot

Partnering with Reciprocity Collective – trains unhoused individuals to be live-in caretakers for clients in transition from congregate settings
This program has funding through September 2021
If you have any further questions, referrals, etc., contact anaya@atlantiscommunity.org , and the phone is 303-733-9324 x 1220

Heather Kamper – DRCOG Manager, Transitions and Veterans – Medicaid Transition Services – Update from Options Counseling Program

Kudos to Ashly Johnson, who is running Medicaid transition Services
- pre-pandemic – busy with 50-60 clients per month providing options counseling
- post-pandemic – #s has dropped significantly
- anyone can refer clients to Options Counseling, including Ombudsmen
- Question asked of clients: “would you like to speak to someone about the option to return to the community” – state mandates they be referred to options counseling
Ashly Johnson – referrals from SNFs have dropped
- MDS referrals from HCPF – missing information that makes it challenging to locate clients
  - Causes a 2-month delay at least
  - A lot of cross-checking to find clients that want options counseling
  - Cold calling facilities to find clients
  - Covid has made this a challenging task