IAAAA Policy Position
on
De-Designation of Area Agencies on Aging

Position

The Indiana Association of Area Agencies on Aging (IAAAA) supports that any action to de-designate an Area Agency on Aging must follow the guidelines found in the Older Americans Act.  Further, action to de-designate an Area Agency on Aging would necessarily involve a review of and possible amendment of IAC 12-10-10, the CHOICE statute by the Indiana General Assembly.The IAAAA supports policy that would mandate a thorough study prior to action to de-designate an Indiana Area Agency on Aging. Such a study may include population, demographic trends, local capacity and other factors. Further, the IAAAA believes that action to de-designate must be approved by the Indiana General Assembly.

Background

The Older Americans Act gives States the authority to designate and de-designate Area Agencies on Aging. In Indiana, Area Agencies on Aging are statutory designees for state programs in addition to Federal programs. Therefore, any de-designation process must include State of Indiana mandated guidelines.The Indiana Association of Area Agencies on Aging believes that any effort to de-designate an Area Agency on Aging must be based on empirical data and adhere to due process. The Older Americans Act, Section 305(a) 5 (C) establishes due process for de-designation. States must follow this process which include the involvement of the public and providers as well as an appeal process.IAC 12-10-10 mandates that Area Agencies on Aging are responsible for administering the CHOICE program. The State must seek amendment of the CHOICE statute in order to remove Area Agencies on Aging as the administrators, including case management of the program.

Issues

Whenever the State of Indiana considers de-designation of any of the Area Agencies on Aging, there should be a mandated study of programs, services and client impact in the affected communities.Due to the complexity and variety of programming the sixteen Area Agencies on Aging provide to community members in their area, a thorough analysis of the impact de-designation will have on the clients and communities that rely on these programs should be a factor in the decision of the State.

Current Action Needed

None at this time.

Last Updated April 2010