Attending: Grant Nyhammer Ellis (01), Lucia West Jones (02), Jan Stille (03), Barbara Eskildsen (03), Joanne Thomas (04), Mike O'Donnell (05), Lynn Niewohner (06), Julie Hubbard (07), Joy Paeth (08), Deb Kuiken (09), Yvonne DeKnikker (10), John Smith (11), Jon Lavin (13).

Meeting called to order by President Julie Hubbard at 12:00 P.M.

The meeting was attended by John M. Smith. The meeting was held at the Area Agency on Aging for Lincolnland in Springfield, IL.

Legislative Committee Report - Mike O'Donnell

State Bills
HB0366 creates one ILCRx benefit program with the higher income eligibility for all beneficiaries. This issue was vetoed by the Governor, but over-ridden by the House and still needs to be over-ridden by the Senate.

Federal Issues
NCOA supports the one-time payment of $250 for Social Security beneficiaries as a band-aid for not receiving a COLA next year. Medicare's Part B premium will not increase for most beneficiaries, but Part D premiums will increase. The I4A decided to support the $250 payment. However, I4A sees this payment as a band-aid for a much larger issue within the COLA / Social Security system that needs to be addressed.

Advocacy Contract (Lobbyist)
The Legislative Committee suggested that the contract with the current firm (Shay, Page, & Rowgal) not be renewed next calendar year, and that it be awarded to the firm of Strategic Governmental Consulting Services. This action was approved by I4A pending the firm's acceptance of I4A's financial /legislative work plan offer.

IAS / ESP Management Team - John Smith & Joy Paeth. We discussed the Annual report, user group meetings, and possible hosting of the Boston College software for the VD-HCBS program at IAS (through Xuma who hosts ESP, or Innovated Data Systems who hosts NAPISPak).

Veterans-Directed HCBS - Lucia Jones. Lucia discussed the documents received from Boston College concerning policies and procedures for the VD-HCBS program. There is a training program in November on consumer-directed care for all AAAs. Addus will be used as the statewide fiscal management agency (FMA). Cash flow is a big issue with the FMA.

This program will be conducted through contracts between the VA Medical Center (VAMC) and each individual AAA, and will most likely be operated differently in each area. Those areas that are referring vets to CCU will serve as a referral agency, provide technical assistance, and assure quality of services.

Ninety percent of the vets are age 65 or older. They usually want to hire a family member as their caregiver / homemaker worker. The worker is paid the going rate under Medicaid for the county in which they live (see rates at www.frronline.com under PPS rates). The average amount of the vets' monthly budget used each month is 84 percent. The vet can put aside a portion of their monthly budget in order to purchase an expensive item later, i.e., power chair, special physical or other therapeutic device, etc.

The VAMC determines eligibility, but the Case Manager (called an Options Manager in this program) determines the care plan under the direction of the approved vet. The Options Manager is hired by the AAA.

ADRC Expansion - Jan Ellis and Mike O'Donnell. NW IL AAA (ADRC in Rockford) and EC IL AAA (ADRC in Decatur) discussed their experiences with their ADRC and working with the disabled population, as well as with seniors. The ADRC in Decatur is positioning itself as the single point of entry for social services in that area.

Nursing Home Diversion Grants - Mike O'Donnell. This is an AoA grant held by the ADRC in Decatur and PSA #2. It is similar to the VD-HCBS program.

2-1-1 Progress in IL - Joy Paeth. A series of meetings were held across IL about the 2-1-1 project. These meetings highlighted what the 2-1-1 project can accomplish if it is fully funded. There are several (three?) pilot projects in IL (quad-cities area, Decatur, and St. Louis).

CCPAC Meeting - John Smith. We discussed the Dept.'s updates on vouchers, possible CCP program changes, AWAQ, Flu Policies, fingerprint background checks, etc.

2010-2013 Area Plan - All discussed. There was a suggestion to ask the Dept. not to have a statewide initiative, but to have just local initiatives for the next three years. Another suggestion was to extend the current plan and initiatives for 1-3 more years. These suggestions were made because of the financial burdens that AAA's need to address.

2010 Year of the Engaged Older Person - Mike O'Donnell. This is a special initiative by the Governor, Dept., Jane Angelis, and others to highlight the importance of engaging older people in civic and other events and committees. The I4A decided to endorse this initiative.

N4A Conference in 2010 - The next N4A conference will be held in St. Louis next summer. The I4A decided to buy an advertisement in the conference booklet that is similar to the ad purchased for their conference the last time it was held in Chicago.

The meeting adjourned at 4:20 pm.