Illinois Association of Area Agencies on Aging
3100 Montvale Dr
Springfield, IL 62704
Voice: (217)787-9234 Fax: (217)787-6290 
 
Home Advocacy & Legislation Aging Websites Pharmaceutical Assistance Services & Benefits

Home















Illinois AAA Association
Meeting Minutes
Area Agency on Aging for Lincolnland

Call to Order - President Julie Hubbard called the meeting to order at 12:30 p.m.

Roll Call - the following members were present: Leisa Eads (01), Walt Meyers (02), Barb Byrne(03), Joanne Thomas (04), Mike O'Donnell (05), Julie Hubbard (07), Joy Paeth (08), Tracy Barczewski (09), Yvonne DeKnikker and Shana Holmes (10), John Smith (11), and Jon Lavin (13).

Absent: Area 06 and Area 12.

Guests: Terry Steczo and Maureen Mulhull

Minutes of the May 22, 2012 Meeting - Tracy Barczewski moved approval; seconded by Joy Paeth. Motion carried.

Treasurer's Report - The Treasurer submitted a financial report dated August 17, 2012. Discussion followed regarding sending invoices for dues for FY2013. Joy Paeth moved approval; seconded by Walt Meyers. Motion carried.

Sequester Impact - Mike O'Donnell presented an analysis of the potential impact on older adults of a sequester of federal funding for Older Americans Act programs effective January 2, 2013. Discussion followed. I4A expressed concern about the cumulative impact of across-the-board cuts on providers of all human services and local units of government. I4A reached consensus that the impact statement should assume a 10% reduction in funding, be more concise, and demonstrate the impact in terms of service reductions, loss of jobs, and reduced purchasing power.

Mike O'Donnell thanked I4A for their feedback and committed to publishing an I4A Advocacy Alert by 8-24-12.

Legislative Committee Report - Government Strategy Associates Terry Steczo and Maureen Mulhull gave an update on state pension reform, the health benefits exchange, the SMART Act, and the impact of cuts in Medicaid and the termination of the Illinois Cares Rx program. I4A discussed introduced legislation (HB 6178 and SB 3923) to create the Seniors Pharmaceutical Relief Program Act. Terry Steczo recommended that I4A develop a letter that legislators could sign in support of the pharmaceutical relief program act. I4A discussed "mining" data sources to measure the impact since July 1, 2012, including: new LIS applications, Medicaid spend-down applications, enrollments in alternative Medicare Part D plans, and educational and enrollment events. Data sources include: SHAP reports, SHIP program data, and ESP data if applicable, and stories from older adults and persons with disabilities about the impact on their lives.

Managed Care - I4A discussed managed care for seniors and persons with disabilities who are dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare and the role of AAAs in a managed care environment. I4A discussed the possibility of sending a proposal to HFS Director Julie Hamos about the roles that AAAs and ADRCs can play in managed care.

CCPAC Report - Joanne Thomas presented a summary of the most recent CCPAC Meeting. MCOs must follow Medicaid waiver procedures and contract with CCP-certified providers. IDoA projects a shortfall in FY2013 CCP home care appropriations by March 2013. IDoA proposed paying CCP home care providers at 60% of their monthly billings. I4A discussed the prospects for a supplemental appropriation for FY2013. The Colbert consent decree impacts 1,100 LTC facility residents in Cook County. Money Follows the Person transitions must be coordinated by MCOs. I4A discussed "conflict-free" case management and the need for further guidance from CMS about conflict mitigation.

OASAC Report - no report was available.

ADRC Initiative - I4A reviewed an ADRC Readiness Checklist developed by the Northwestern Illinois Area Agency on Aging. I4A discussed ADRC functions including: intake, options counseling, assessment, and eligibility determination. I4A discussed the role of ADRCs relative to managed care. Julie Hubbard appointed an Ad Hoc Committee on ADRC Development including: Jon Lavin (Chairperson), Mike O'Donnell, Walt Meyers, Joy Paeth, and Grant Nyhammer. The Committee was instructed to come up with a vision for ADRCs and report back to I4A at the October 23, 2012 meeting. All AAAs agreed to send their Area Plan Exhibit 1.B Statewide Initiative narratives to the Ad Hoc Committee.

IDoA Response to NGA Question - I4A reviewed replacement language for Notification of Grant Awards with AAAs for FY2013 developed by IDoA regarding the applicability of the Freedom of Information Act to information to AAAs. I4A reviewed alternative language drafted by Grant Nyhammer. Jon Lavin moved that I4A recommend alternative language drafted by Grant Nyhammer to IDoA; seconded by Joanne Thomas. Motion carried.

N4A Conference - AAA staff who attended the 2012 n4a Conference shared their take-away messages.

Social Media and Advocacy - Mike O'Donnell and Jon Lavin shared information from the n4a Conference about the use of social media as a tool for advocacy. Jon Lavin summarized a public information campaign in Ohio which succeeded in asserting client-centered planning and the role of the Aging Network in the evolution of managed care. Julie Hubbard reported that the State Journal Register can assist organizations in setting up a web page, Facebook, etc. I4A agreed to invite a representative from the State Journal Register to give a presentation at a future meeting of I4A.

2-1-1 Report - Joy Paeth presented a report as a member of the 2-1-1 Illinois Board. Discussion followed.

Rural Public Transportation - Julie Hubbard asked AAAs to describe their methods of administering OAA grants and contracts with Section 5311 Rural Public Transit providers.

Sid Granet Award - I4A discussed possible candidates who played a leading role in enacting state legislation requiring financial institutions to train their front-line staff on the prevention of financial fraud of older adults. Mike O'Donnell volunteered to consult with Terry Steczo and report back to I4A.

Nominating Committee - Tracy Barczewski presented the slate of nominees for election as officers: Lynn Niewohner for President (one year term), Barbara Eskildsen for Vice President (two-year term), Mike O'Donnell for Secretary (two-year term), and Joy Paeth for Treasurer (two-year term). Nominations were closed. John Smith moved to approve the slate; seconded by Joanne Thomas. Motion carried. Jon Lavin thanked Julie Hubbard for her leadership as President.

OAS Direct Care Worker Award - Julie Hubbard reported that IDoA is required by state statute to present an award annually to a direct care worker associated with an Older Americans Act program. IDoA asked I4A to take a leading role in selecting the award recipient. I4A declined. Julie Hubbard shared a draft nomination form.

NAPIS Pak - Jon Lavin reported that AgeOptions is seeking alternative software. AgeOptions has identified Harmony Systems as a strong option. Jon Lavin offered to send information about Harmony to the other AAAs.

Next Meeting: October 23, 2012 at the Area Agency on Aging for LincolnLand in Springfield.

Adjournment - The meeting was adjourned at 4:30 p.m.


Home | Advocacy & Legislation | Aging Websites | Pharmaceutical Assistance | Services & Benefits | Other Websites | Members Only | | Copyright

This page was last updated 01/13/2020