ANNUAL REPORT

AREA AGENCY ON AGING

OF PASCO-PINELLAS, INC.An Aging and Disability Resource Center

2012

OUR MISSIONDriven by a goal to improve the lives of all older adults, theAAAPP’s mission is to advocate, educate and serve seniors andtheir caregivers in partnership with the community.

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Who We Are

The Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas Inc.(AAAPP) is incorporated as a 501(c) 3, serving thePlanning and Service Area of Pasco and Pinellascounties (PSA 5). We began in 1974 to administersocial service programs for seniors. The AAAPP isbacked by a committed Board of Directors,Advisory Council, staff and volunteers who con-tribute a wealth of experience in diverse areas sup-porting the Agency’s mission. As a designatedAging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) ourservice delivery system has expanded and hasimproved access to information for all personsseeking long-term support in Pasco and Pinellascounties.

We remain committed and dedicated to serviceexcellence through continuous work with ourproviders, vendors, and community partners toimprove the lives of older adults, caregivers andpersons with disabilities. We continue to evolve byconstantly advocating for better services for ourseniors, monitoring and evaluating the effective-ness and efficiency of our service providers, andnetworking and coordinating with community agen-cies to facilitate service delivery and access to theelderly.

Our partners include a community of elder-friendlyvolunteers, service providers, vendors, and organi-zations (both private and government) dedicated tohelping the AAAPP optimize and extend its capabil-ities to better serve the needs of older adults. Oursuccesses attest to the strong ties and activeengagement of our partners and together we con-tinue to refine the delivery of aging services.

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ADVOCACY, COORDINATION AND SERVICE

Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC)The Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas, Inc. (AAAPP) continued to serve as an Aging and DisabilityResource Center (ADRC) in 2012. This is a national model providing access, information, referral, screening,triage and eligibility determination. The Resource Center also provides options counseling, fiscal control andquality assurance. It is designed to increase the visibility and accessibility of services to seniors. In additionto serving seniors, ADRCs also provide access to resources for adults with disabilities. Each ADRC may spe-cialize in serving individuals with a particular disability. In PSA 5 the ADRC provides information and referrals(I&R) to adults age 18 and over who have a mental health disability or a developmental disability and theircaregivers. Staff from the Department of Children and Families (DCF) and the Florida Department of ElderAffairs (DOEA) Comprehensive Assessment Review and Evaluation Services (CARES) Unit are co-located inthe Area Agency offices.

Senior Helpline As the main entry point for the ADRC, the federally fund-ed Senior Helpline provides information andassistance/referral (I&A/R) to seniors, caregivers, andindividuals with a disability. The Helpline provides infor-mation on government funded programs, non-profitagencies, and for-profit businesses serving seniors in thistwo county area. In addition, the ADRC’s access pointsin the community direct callers to local resources. TheAAAPP continues to participate in the state-wide Referinformation and referral database. The system containsresources for the entire state and is able to transfer callsto another area agency during a disaster. The SeniorHelpline provided information and assistance 20,856 times via the telephone and in response to e-mailinquiries from our website during 2012.

Intake DepartmentThe Area Agency on Aging serves as the central intake pointfor state funded programs in Pasco and Pinellas countiesand is part of the “no wrong door” screening process for fed-erally funded services. Intake is a key component of theADRC. The ADRC performs telephone screening to prioritizethose in need of services, conducts triage, and provides longterm care options counseling to seniors and their caregivers.Intake receives referrals from the Senior Helpline, as well asreferrals from the DOEA CARES Unit. Referrals of at-riskseniors from the Adult Protective Services unit of theDepartment of Children and Families are also received by the

Intake Department. During 2012, 3,070 individuals were screened and prioritized for services in Pasco andPinellas counties.

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Access to Financial Assistance ProgramsThe AAAPP has three programs to identify potentially eligible per-sons and assist with the completion and submittal of applicationsfor Medicaid, Food Assistance (formerly Food Stamps) and SocialSecurity Low Income Subsidy (LIS). Outreach is conducted inboth counties to educate the public about the financial assistanceprograms. In order to streamline access, the AAAPP has devel-oped a coordinated process of screening and internal communi-cation that keeps clients from repeating information for each pro-gram. The Medicaid Benefits Counselors screen persons for eligibility, providing direct assistance forMedicaid applications or referring to the other two programs. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program(SNAP) has a SNAP consultant complete the application for food assistance by phone for submission to theDepartment of Children and Families. SNAP is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture throughthe DOEA. This pilot project, initiated in 2010, serves persons age 60 and older. Since the inception of theprogram, the SNAP Operators were able to assist 1,041 PSA 5 residents with Food Assistance applications.The SHINE program assists Medicare beneficiaries of all ages to apply for financial assistance with Medicareprescription drug costs (LIS).

National Family Caregiver Support ProgramThe National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP), funded by thefederal Older Americans Act Title IIIE, helps unpaid caregivers of any agecaring for persons 60 years of age or older. The goal of this program is torelieve the emotional, physical, and financial hardships of providing continu-al care. During 2012 this program provided support to 167 caregivers ofseniors. Caregivers ranged in age from 39 to 92 and the average age of theseniors receiving care was 83 years. The Title IIIE program also serves kin-ship caregivers who are grandparents over the age of 55 providing primarycare to children age 18 or younger or individuals with disabilities. Servicesinclude Caregiver Training and Support through multiple support groups andGerontological Counseling.

Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders (SHINE)The AAAPP administers the DOEA SHINE program at thelocal level. The mission of the program is to provide free,unbiased health insurance counseling through a dedicatednetwork of SHINE volunteers, empowering individuals tomake informed health care choices. In 2011 and again in2012, the Department of Elder Affairs selected the committedgroup of Pasco and Pinellas volunteers for the statewideaward as “Planning and Service Area of the Year.” During2012 the program provided information to over 14,200Medicare beneficiaries, including information about accessand use of Medicare, plan choices, appeals and Medicaid.SHINE volunteers also conducted outreach and education through presentations, health fairs and seminars, inaddition to an array of media contacts. Through community partners, SHINE is able to provide face-to-facemeetings at community locations such as libraries, churches, senior centers, and hospitals. During 2012, over50 volunteers provided SHINE services. The AAAPP also continued to collaborate with the University of FloridaSchool of Pharmacy for the placement of eight doctoral candidates for one month internships with the SHINEprogram. The Area Agency seeks to expand SHINE through the involvement of additional community volun-teers and partners.

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Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) Program This statewide volunteer-based program is administered by the AAAPPand funded by the Administration for Community Living (ACL). AAAPPstaff and consultants recruit and train volunteers to educate consumersto identify and report health care fraud. Additionally, assistance is pro-vided to Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries who report suspectedfraud identified in their individual accounts. The AAAPP has coordinat-ed this program since 1999, and was awarded another three year grantfor the period 2011-2014. During a recent SMP Regional Conference,Florida SMP received national honors for their outreach and educationefforts.

In 2010, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) identified Florida as one of six states with thehighest incidence of health care fraud. As part of the national efforts to fight fraud, waste and abuse, the ACLawarded the Florida SMP Program a one year grant to increase volunteer capacity and expand outreach tohard-to-reach populations. The initial grant period was 9/30/2010 through 9/29/2011. The AAAPP hasreceived this expansion grant every year since. The most recent one year expansion grant of $300,000 wasreceived for 2012 – 2013.

Senior Victim Advocate/Senior Safety Phone ProjectFor the past 17 years the Senior Victim Advocate Program, funded bythe Attorney General’s Office, has provided assistance to senior victimsof crime. Services include crisis counseling, accompaniment to courtrelated activities, criminal justice support, personal advocacy, referral toappropriate community resources, and assistance completing victimcompensation forms. During the one-year period ending September2012, 177 victims received assistance. With funding through the FloridaDepartment of Elder Affairs, this program also provides public educationto prevent elder abuse, neglect and exploitation and identifies andassists victims of abuse. Over 4,200 individuals received information

about elder abuse and 142 professionals received training through this program during 2012.

An outgrowth of the Senior Victim Advocate Program, the Senior Safety Phone Project was created to enhancethe safety and security of senior crime victims, as well as seniors who feel they are at risk. Used cell phonesreceived from donors in the community are refurbished by project volunteers and distributed to seniors for useas emergency (911) cell phones.

Aging on the SuncoastThe AAAPP’s community access television program, Aging onthe Suncoast, celebrated 24 years of broadcasting in 2012.Produced monthly by Pinellas County government’s PCC-TV, theshows are broadcast numerous times each week on the Pinellasand Pasco County Government channels: Bright House Channel622 in both counties, Knology Channel 18 in Pinellas County, andVerizon Channel 42 in Pasco and Channel 44 in Pinellas. Projectsand services of interest to seniors are featured on the show.During 2012, topics included: SHINE Medicare information, con-sumer protection, Alzheimer’s Disease, caregiving, fall preven-tion, Medicare fraud, elder abuse prevention, kinship care and programs for seniors and pets.

Adult Day Care

Chore

Counseling

Emergency Alert Response

Homemaker

Information/Assistance

Legal

Recreation

Transportation

TOTAL

46,003

10,411

1,493

36,667

16,283

20,856

2,970

43,913

50,746

229,342

902

806

428

263

163

20,856

1,576

1,217

1,309

27,520

Title IIIBSupportive Service

Hours/Trips/Days/Episodes

PersonsServed

Congregate Meals

Home Delivered Meals

Nutrition Education

Nutrition Outreach

Nutrition Counseling

TOTAL

168,922

266,736

20,025

4,309

570

460,562

1,960

1,724

9,269

4,309

387

17,649

Title IIIC1 & IIIC2Nutrition Services

Meals/Hours/Sessions/Contacts

PersonsServed

Title III D 1 - Community Outreach and Wellness Coordination

Title III D1 and D 2 - Medication Management

TOTAL

4,552

541

5,093

1,057

377

1,434

Title IIID - Health & WellnessServices

Hours/Episodes

PersonsServed

Funding Source: Older Americans Act (OAA)January 1, 2012 – December 31, 2012

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PROGRAM MANAGEMENTThe AAAPP works diligently to ensure seniors receive quality services in their home and in our communities.The AAAPP administers funding for the following programs.

Screening

Adult Day Care

Respite

Other Services: Chore, Gerontological Counseling, HomeImprovement and Medical Supplies

TOTAL

4,788

4,398

18,780

1,399

29,365

167

16

146

167

167

Title IIIE - CaregiverServices

Hours/Episodes

PersonsServed

Caregiver Training/Support

Counseling

TOTAL

294

382

476

67

73

140

Title IIIEG - GrandparentServices

Hours/Episodes

PersonsServed

Cooling Season (4/1/12 to 9/30/12)

Heating Season (10/01/12 to 3/31/13) through 1/31/13

TOTAL

851

766

1,617

Emergency Home Energy Assistancefor the Elderly Program (EHEAP)

HouseholdsAssisted

Funding Source: Department of Health and Human ServicesApril 1, 2012 – March 31, 2013

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Adult Day CareChoreCounselingEmergency Alert ResponseHomemakerLegalRecreationTransportationCongregate MealsHome Delivered MealsRespitePharmacyPhysical Fitness

TOTAL

8,7121,921

5620,1562,983711963

15,23715,31561,7814,7651,796690

135,086

10421936561223632006466657259421070

3,510

Local Service Program(LSP) Funding

Hours/TripsEpisodes/

Days/Meals

PersonsServed

CCE Services include: Case Management, Adult Day Care, CaseAide, Chore, Companion, Counseling, Emergency Alert Response,Escort, Financial Risk Reduction, Homemaker, Home DeliveredMeals, Home Nursing, Housing Improvement, Material Aide,Nutrition Counseling, Personal Care, Pest Control, PhysicalTherapy, Respite, Specialized Medical Equipment and Supplies,and Transportation

TOTAL 337,580 747

Community Care for theElderly (CCE)

Hours/TripsEpisodes/

Days/Meals

PersonsServed

HCE Services include: Case Management, Adult Day Care, BasicSubsidy, Caregiver Training, Case Aide, Chore, Counseling,Homemaker, Home Delivered Meals, Housing Improvement,Material Aide, Personal Care, Respite, Specialized MedicalEquipment and Supplies, and Transportation

TOTAL 31,617 88

Home Care for the Elderly (HCE)Hours/TripsEpisodes/

Meals

PersonsServed

ADI Services include: Case Management, Case Aide,Consumable Medical Supplies, Facility Based Respite,Gerontological Counseling and Respite

TOTAL 36,212 70

Alzheimer’s DiseaseInitiative (ADI)

Hours/Episodes

PersonsServed

Funding Source: State of Florida General Revenue FundsJuly 1, 2011 – June 30, 2012

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Assisted Living

Home and Community Based Services

TOTAL

797

890

1,687

Medicaid Waiver PersonsServed

Persons/Households Served in All Programs 71,230

Grand Total PersonsServed

Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders (SHINE)

Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)

Senior Victim Advocate Program

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Medicaid Benefits Counseling – ADRC (July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012)

TOTAL

8,612

NA

1,327

348

361

10,648

14,299

320

145

348

1,489

16,601

Hours/Services/

Applications

PersonsServed

Other Programs Offered by the Area Agency on AgingJanuary 1, 2012 – December 31, 2012

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Acronyms Used In The Annual ReportADI . . . . . . . . . . . .Alzheimer’s Disease InitiativeADRC . . . . . . . . .Aging and Disability Resource Center ADRC - DD . . . . .Aging and Disability Resource Center – Developmental DisabilityCCE . . . . . . . . . . .Community Care for the Elderly ProgramEHEAP . . . . . . . . .Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly ProgramHCE . . . . . . . . . . .Home Care for the ElderlyLSP . . . . . . . . . . .Local Service ProgramsMW-AL . . . . . . . . .Medicaid Waiver – Assisted LivingMW-HCBS . . . . . .Medicaid Waiver – Home and Community Based ServicesMWS . . . . . . . . . .Medicaid Waiver SpecialistsNSIP . . . . . . . . . . .Nutrition Services Incentive ProgramOAA . . . . . . . . . . .Older Americans Act, Title III B, C, D, and E and Title VIISHINE . . . . . . . . .Serving Health Insurance Needs of EldersSMP . . . . . . . . . . .Senior Medicare Patrol Program and ExpansionSNAP . . . . . . . . . .Supplemental Nutrition Assistance ProgramVOCA . . . . . . . . . .Victims of Crime Act – Senior Victim Advocate Program

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SMP$577,926

1.82%

HCE$669,306

2.11%

MW-AL$6,128,695

19.28%

PSA 5Funding Distribution % of Administration and Service Funding

For Fiscal Year 2012

State and Federal Funding by ProgramFor Fiscal Year 2012

Services95.52% $30,356,746

AAA Administration4.48% $1,425,293

OAA$6,918,087

21.77%

SHINE/SNAP$173,619

0.55%

CCE$5,769,612

18.15%

EHEAP$399,960

1.26%

LSP$1,242,655

3.91%ADRC $289,586

0.91%

ADRC – DD $90,9920.29%

MW-HCBS$8,237,270

25.92%

VOCA$74,3220.23%

MWS$169,954

0.53%

NSIP$344,102

1.08%

ADI$695,953

2.19%

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS - 2012Officers

Edward Manny –PresidentSallie Parks– Immediate Past President Mayor Camille Hernandez – Vice PresidentC. Christopher Comstock – SecretaryVirginia Rowell – Treasurer

Members

Lounell BrittCommissioner Harriet CrozierCommissioner William L. DennisJudge George JirotkaJ.B. Johnson Deanna KrautnerLinda LeeMartha LendermanPat Malarkey-StallardCommissioner Ken WelchFire Commissioner Julie PelusoJan RauerCharles F. Robinson, Esq.Commissioner Henry Wilson

ADVISORY COUNCIL - 2012David Franklin - ChairLouise Dolsay - Vice-ChairBetty BeelerSue CastonguaySusannah CaumBarbara Epstein, Esq.Nancy Giles Betty HaywardJoAnn HubbardTeresa JacksonOlga MackenrowKerry Kimball MarsalekCarole McLeodLoria MenousekLinda PattersonCouncilwoman Jennifer SalmonLenny Waugh

STAFF - 2013

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Administration

Sally GrondaExecutive Director

Helen KingDeputy Director

Jason MartinoProgram Administrator

Shannon BurtonProgram Manager

Brenda BlackAdministrative Secretary

Kathy ThomleyReceptionist/Office Assistant

Finance and MIS

Kathy GuyChief Financial Officer

Hubert AyersFiscal Services Coordinator

Laura Holder-HurleyAP/Payroll Clerk

Susan CollacchioniSenior Accountant

Margie StaffordLAN Administrator

Tony EscobalesData/IT Support Manager

Clark EvansSenior Accountant

ProgramManagement

Tawnya MartinoDirector

Jennifer NettlesProgram Manager

Lauren BaerMedicaid Waiver Specialist

Peggy HerlacheMedicaid Waiver Specialist

Debra MauloricoMedicaid Waiver Specialist

Chris EgerService Analyst

Celeste JohnsonMedicaid Benefits Counselor

Chrysti ReichertMedicaid Benefits Counselor

Joanne CoxMedicaid Benefits Counselor

Planning

Marilyn RuppDirector

Sue SamsonAssociate Planner

Makeba Huntington-SymonsSMP Program Manager

Nancy RosarioSMP AdministrativeAssistant

Cathy StallingsVictim AdvocateProgram Manager

Kathy CornwellVictim Advocate

Senior AdvocacyServices

Beverly BurtonADRC Director

Tracy BarrowsInformation and AssistanceCoordinator

Cyndi RennickInformation and AssistanceSpecialist

Noelle RobbinsInformation and AssistanceSpecialist

Leah CarrIntake Specialist

Grace CunliffeIntake Specialist

Patricia HansonIntake Specialist

Terry Kinderman PrestonMedicaid Client ServicesSpecialist

Kasey McMahonMedicaid Client ServicesSpecialist

Janet AlexanderCaregiver Specialist

Jody Ferguson HenslerCaregiver Specialist

PASCO COUNTY12417 Clock Tower Parkway, Suite 201

Hudson, FL 34467-2466Phone: 727-861-5230

Fax: 727-861- 5238

PINELLAS COUNTYGadsden Building, Suite 100

9549 Koger Blvd.St. Petersburg, FL 33702-2455

Phone: 727-570-9696Fax: 727-258-9225

SENIOR HELPLINE:1-800-96-ELDER(1-800-963-5337)

www.agingcarefl.org

AREA AGENCY ON AGINGOF PASCO-PINELLAS, INC.

An Aging and Disability Resource Center

This document was prepared with financial assistance fromthe State of Florida Department of Elder Affairs and theU.S. Administration on Aging using funds appropriated

under the Older Americans Act.