1. A Coordinated Gateway to Community Services
NY Connects:
A Coordinated Gateway to Community Services
Area Agencies on Aging Preparing for the Balancing Incentive Program (BIP)
Association on Aging in New York

3. Balancing Incentive Overview
Federal initiative authorizing grants to States to increase access to non-institutional community-based long-term services and supports.
New York’s BIP grant for $598.7 million requires the state to expand the NY Connects among them. NY Connects programs are currently operational in 54 counties
NY Connects has been designated as the “no wrong door/single point of entry” as part of the restructuring plan.

5. Balancing Incentive Overview (cont.)
New BIP funding will be used to strengthen and expand
the NY Connects Network to be a one-stop shop for long term
services and supports
BIP requires three (3) structural changes:
A no wrong door/single entry point system (NWD/SEP)
Conflict-free case management services
Core standardized assessment instruments

6. Background on NY Connects
NY Connects Current Role
Most located within Area Agencies on Aging
Aging-Long Term Care Services and Supports
Information, Assistance, Screening, and Intake
Resources Listings for consumers and caregivers
Referrals for in home visits, assessments, and care plans
Linkage to community based services and supports such as case management, home delivered meals, in home personal care, and social model day care.

7. Medicaid Restructuring & BIP
Initiatives laying the groundwork for BIP
NYS Medicaid rebalancing
Olmstead
Managed Long Term Care Transition
Systems Integration Project NYSOFA; Oneida County: SUNY Albany Center of Excellence in Aging and Community Wellnesss
Balancing Incentive Program BIP

8. No Wrong Door System
NWD is a single statewide system of access to LTSS for all populations and all payers.
The NWD System functions include:
Public Outreach and Coordination with Key Referral Sources;
Person Centered Counseling;
Streamlined Access to Public LTSS Programs;
State Governance and Administration.

11. NY Connects Expansion & Level 1 Screens
With the expansion, NY Connects staff will…
Be trained to provide consistent information about available services
Operate in accordance with Standards and Operating Protocols
Conduct Level I screens* as appropriate
*A preliminary functional and financial assessment of individuals with Long Term Care

12. NY Connects Expansion & Level 1 Screens (cont.)
Provide application assistance for Medicaid and other publicly funded programs
Provide linkages to available services for individuals not eligible for Medicaid and link those potentially eligible to a Level II assessment

13. Advertising
New York comprehensive advertising strategy is expected to…
Create widespread awareness
Significantly increase in the number of Medicaid recipients and Medicaid eligible individuals with the roll out of a toll free number

14. Long Term Care Councils
An important component of the existing NY Connects design
Charged with assessing the needs of the community, identifying priorities to address and developing an action plan.
Comprised of local governmental partners, community-based organizations and service providers, hospitals and other institutional and community based medical providers, and consumers/caregivers.
Under NWD, will expand to include: mental health and Intellectual Disability and/or Developmental Disability (ID/DD) networks.

15. Sustainability Beyond 9/30/2015
The BIP federal grant ends on September 30, The Governor’s Budget released on January 21, 2015 proposed funding to continue NWD functions from October 1st and into the next State Fiscal Year:
Budget Briefing Book Opportunity Agenda - #8. Health Care, p. 108
New York Connects. NY Connects is a statewide, locally based point of entry system that provides one stop access to free, objective and comprehensive information and assistance on accessing long term care services and supports. The Budget provides additional State funding to maintain ongoing operational support to the New York Connects program and the "No Wrong Door" initiative as Federal Balancing Incentive Payments (BIP) funding is set to expire in October 2015.
The Budget includes funding of $8.2 million in and $18.1 million in

16. AAA’s Preparing for NWD
Three (3) Counties models how area agencies on aging are preparing for the expansion of NY Connects and restructuring their organization for the “No Wrong Door” component of the Balancing Incentive Program
Essex County
Oneida County
Erie County

17. Oneida Erie Essex NY Connects & NWD Implementation:
Three (3) Examples from Counties with Varied Populations and Geography
Three (3) Examples from Counties with Varied Populations and Geography

18. Essex County Population of 39, 370
2nd largest geographically in the State
Three hospital divide the county naturally into 3 catchment areas

19. Essex County Why “No Wrong Door?”
Increasing aging population which will increase need for services
Increase disabled adults & children needing LTC
We know our local resources and our local partners vs regionalizing services
Opportunity to create more cost effective use of programs vs institutionalizing an individual
Consumer satisfaction – Who doesn’t want to remain home?
Opportunity to determine unmet needs

20. Essex County Essex County NY Connects (now) Strong partnerships
DSS, area hospitals’ discharge planners, Mental Health, volunteer programs, local and regional Not-For Profits and other local governmental agencies such as Public Health and Emergency Services.
Taking referrals for varies agencies
Cares Transitions
DSRIP
Medical Home
Long Term Care Council
Understanding of all programs available
Constantly a work in progress

21. Essex County Essex County NY Connects (future)
Continues Intake and referral
All staff are currently crossed trained
Screening
Expand relationships with local agencies
Assist ER staff with discharge planning
Formalize relationships with EMS
Continue the discussion of PARAMedicine
Increase Intake and Screening staff
Continue Case Management

22. Essex County Add additional components
Community Mental Health (subcontract)
Mental Health Workers making home visits w/NYC Connects staff
Transition when appropriate to Clinical Mental Health Services
Volunteer Coordinator
Handyman program
Service dog
Friendly Visitors & Telephone reassurance
Transportation for Social functions
Engage Baby Boomers
Attach to the RHIO

23. Oneida County Goals and Objectives of local implementation
NY Connects will expand to meet the requirements of “No Wrong Door” (NWD) under the Balancing Incentive Program.
Restructuring and reassigning NY Connects; HIICAP to create a fully functioning Aging and Disabilities Center (ADRC).
Retraining and reassigning various provider staff to perform telephone information and assistance, initial intake and screens and enter caller information into client data base at the time of the call instead of entering data completed by case managers from hard copy assessment forms. Designated HIICAP and NY Connects staff will be assigned, trained, and required to complete the Level one screen
Designated NY Connects staff will also be trained to provide, information, assistance, and follow-up assistance for consumers who are enrolled into to MLTC plans.

24. Oneida County Planning and progress to date
Planning sessions with HIICAP/NY Connects staff and supervisors
Laptops for Program Coordinators; Case Managers; Supervisors
Communication system upgrades are under consideration
Care transitions Program is being developed and ready for implementation
Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) is being expanded and available in many areas of Oneida County
On-site training for client data management from PeerPlace Networks

25. Oneida County Implementation Timeline
Laptop training for field staff (6/14 to 3/15)
PeerPlace Training for Case Aide/Data Entry and Supervisors (6/14 to 3/15)
Upgrades to Telephone System to support Enhanced NY Connects/HIICAP Unit (5/15)
Case Managers Begin Using Laptops Infield (3/15)
Provider Revised staffing to include (3) LTC Associates;(1) Program Coordinator (CDSMP); (1) NY Connects Supervisor (1/15)

26. Oneida County Implementation Timeline (cont.)
Implement staff training to provide technical support and guidance during the transition to BIP (6/14-9/15)
Transition (3) Case Aide Positions to perform telephone I&A, Live Screening - Reduce Data entry tasks as case managers begin using laptops in the field (1/15-9/15)
Enhanced NY Connects/ADRC unit becomes fully Operational (12/15)

27. Erie County BIP Innovations Grant Ready, Set, Home
BIP grant separate from NWD - $738,000
Not specifically NWD
Growth opportunity

28. Erie County Ready, Set, Home – An Extroverted ADRC model
Changing the View
Ready, Set, Home – An Extroverted ADRC model
Establish a community presence
Strengthen NY Connects name recognition
NY Connects Staff are working in and with local rehab and nursing facilities
Working to get patients home sooner
Part of the fabric of the facility
Not a place to refer patients

29. Erie County
Building relationships with MLTC plans providing service in Erie and surrounding counties.
Engaging plans on behalf of clients to develop appropriate care plans
Working with caregivers
Establishing and strengthening vendor relationships to facilitate services and home modifications
Starting services early
Relationships with contractors and vendors for home modifications

30. Erie County Challenges Past Changing the view within the facilities
Partner agreements
Purchasing goods
Ahead
Getting to the right clients
Providing adequate modifications- managing expectations

31. Erie County
Successes
First client transitioned home days before Christmas
MLTC plans knowing about RSH. Calling us!
Housing Connections
Relief to Families

32. Erie County Positive Results Administrative Support
Erie County known as a quality provider
Meeting the need
Greater Understanding of LTSS
Pilot Project Medicaid savings estimated at $1,109,724.
Administrative Support

33. QUESTIONS?

34. Patty Bashaw | Director | Essex County Office for the Aging | PO Box 217, Water Street, Elizabethtown, NY | (518) |
Laura Cameron | Executive Director | Association on Aging in New York | 272 Broadway, Albany NY | (518) |
Mike Romano | Director | Oneida County Office for Aging & Continuing Care | 120 Airline Street, Suite 201, Oriskany, NY | (315) |
Dan Szewc | Long Term Care Coordinator | Erie County Department of Senior Services | 95 Franklin St., Room 1329, Buffalo, NY | (716) |