Aging and Disability Resource Connection program.

Existing law, the Mello-Granlund Older Californians Act, establishes the California Department of Aging and states that the mission of the department is to provide leadership to the area agencies on aging in developing systems of home- and community-based services that maintain individuals in their own homes or least restrictive homelike environments. Existing law vests in the Department of Rehabilitation the responsibility and authority for the encouragement of the planning, development, and funding of independent living centers, which are private, nonprofit organizations that provide specified services to individuals with disabilities, in order to assist those individuals in their attempts to live fuller and freer lives outside institutions. Existing law establishes the Medi-Cal program, administered by the State Department of Health Care Services, under which qualified low-income individuals receive health care services. The Medi-Cal program is, in part, governed and funded by federal Medicaid program provisions. Existing law provides that Medi-Cal long-term services and supports, including In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) , Community-Based Adult Services (CBAS) , Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP) services, and certain skilled nursing facility and subacute care services, shall be covered services by a specified date under managed care health plan contracts for beneficiaries residing in counties participating in the Coordinated Care Initiative. This bill would, contingent upon the appropriation of funds for that purpose by the Legislature, establish the Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) program, to be administered by the California Department of Aging, to provide information to consumers and their families on available long-term services and supports (LTSS) programs and to assist older adults, caregivers, and persons with disabilities in accessing LTSS programs at the local level. The bill would specify the services offered by, and responsibilities of, an ADRC program, including providing short-term service coordination and transition services, as specified.