LeadingAge New York State Budget Review April 2017 | Page 10

Assisted Living Program (ALP) We are awaiting final word on whether our language was included which would change the application process for ALP beds and allow an expedited process for existing ALPs to expand. We also awaiting information on capital funds, and our efforts to ensure that ALPs are eligible applicants for that funding. Lastly, we are awaiting clarification on the trend factor for the ALP; we presume that nearly all Medicaid trend factors continue to be zero until 2019, however the language needs to be clarified. Transitional Adult Homes and Related Issues The below items may be of interest to ACF and assisted living providers that serve the mental health population. The final budget includes all the Executive Budget proposals: • • Transitioning Mentally Ill Individuals Out of Transitional Adult Homes: As was the case last year, $38 million is proposed for services and expenses associated with the provision of education, assessments, training, in-reach, care coordination, supported housing and the services needed by mentally ill residents of adult homes and persons with mental illness who are discharged from adult homes. Mental Health Transitions: Up to $7 million is appropriated to the Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, in contract with the Office of Mental Health, for two demonstration programs. One program would be for a behavioral health care management program for people with serious mental illness. The other program would be for a mental health and health care coordination demonstration program for persons with mental illness who are discharged from impacted (transitional) adult homes in NYC. In addition, up to $15 million would be made available for grants to counties and NYC to provide medication and other services necessary to prescribe and administer medication. This program has been included in the budget at the same funding level for several years. Other ACF Programs The below items may be of interest to ACFs and assisted living facilities, but do not have a direct impact on providers. The final budget includes all the following Executive Budget proposals: • • • • • Adult Home Advocacy Program: This funding is allocated to the Justice Center at $170,000, as it has historically been funded. Through contracted agencies, the program provides legal and non-legal advocacy services and training in residents’ rights and self-advocacy to mentally disabled individuals residing in adult homes in NYC and Long Island. Adult Home Resident Council: The Adult Home Resident Council Support Project, historically operated by the Family Services League on Long Island, is level funded at $60,000. Adult Home Quality Enhancement Account: The final budget includes $500,000 for State operations related to services and expenses to promote programs to improve the quality of care for residents in adult homes. Assisted Living Residence Quality Oversight Account: The budget includes $2.1 million in funding for state operations for services and expenses related to the oversight and licensing activities for assisted living facilities. Coalition for the Institutionalized Agenda and Disabled (CIAD): The budget includes $75,000 for CIAD, which advocates for residents of adult homes in NYC. For more information, contact Diane Darbyshire at [email protected] or 518-867-8828. LeadingAge New York/April 2017 Page 9