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Contact: Susan Engels, (360) 725-2527 , susan.engels@dshs.wa.gov
Contact: Kathy Spears, (360) 902-7893, kathleen.spears@dshs.wa.gov
September 25, 2012
Washington state receives $700,000 federal grant to enhance and expand Aging and Disability Resource Centers


Olympia – The Administration for Community Living, in partnership with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and Veterans Health Administration, has announced that Washington is one of eight states to receive The Enhanced Aging and Disability Resource Center Options Counseling Program Grant. 

The grant, totaling $700,000 in the first year, will be administered by Department of Social and Health Services' Aging and Disability Services Administration. The grant will help people access long-term care services in their community by strengthening and expanding the network of Aging and Disability Resource Centers and Options Counseling. Washington currently has four ADRC's serving 16 counties, including Pierce County Community Connections, Northwest Regional Council, Southeast Washington Aging and Long Term Care and Aging and Long Term Care of Eastern Washington.

The resource centers offer older adults and people with disabilities a single point of information for long-term care supports and services. They help people of all ages and economic positions to understand and access long-term care options that best meet their needs.

Jane Beyer, Assistant Secretary, Aging and Disability Services Administration said, "This grant is an excellent opportunity to strengthen and expand services that will assist our aging adults and people with disabilities to remain safe and independent in their own homes."

Funding will be provided for one year and the state will have an additional opportunity to receive up to $2.3 million, as the grant covers a three year period until September 2015. Additional funding will be dependent upon the availability of funds and the state's progress toward ADRC expansion. Other states receiving grants are Oregon, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and Wisconsin.

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