GENERAL RELIEF STAFF Lynn Thurston Health Program Associate Josh

GENERAL RELIEF STAFF Lynn Thurston Health Program Associate Josh Welsh Senior Services Technician Senior Services Technician 1

General Relief ALH Program Purpose o Intended to be used in conjunction with Adult Protective Services when an adult experiencing abuse, neglect or exploitation needs a protective placement o Designed as a temporary safety net program for vulnerable adults who need and cannot pay for 24/7 care o Is a program “of last resort” meaning all other payment and program options must first be exhausted before using General Relief, including a person’s private income and informal supports

Income qualifications 06/09/2024 Residents may make no more than 2100 a month in income. Some types of income are excluded, similar to DPA rules. A resident may have no more than 2000 in assets. Some types of assets are excluded, similar to DPA rules. Residents must agree to pay all of their included income for their ALH care except for a 100 monthly spending allowance. 3

rnatives to Assisted Livi Care Assistance to maintain recipient in own home Physically assist with activities of daily living Assist with instrumental activities of daily living Wraparound Mental Health Services In Home Waiver Services 06/09/2024 Personal 4

aiver (Medicaid Program meet nursing facility level of care allows a choice between institutional care & home and community based care Adults Living Independently (Older Alaskans, Alaskans with Disabilities) Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (offers choice between home & community based care and institutional care) 06/09/2024 Must 5

Steps to Become a General Relief Provider Sign a Provider Agreement with Senior and Disabilities Services General Relief Program (SDS). Sign paperwork with the State of Alaska to receive a provider number for payment (SDS). It is not necessary to become certified as a Medicaid provider to receive General Relief payment, but homes can have mixed payment sources. 06/09/2024 Obtain a License to provide Assisted Living Home services in the State of Alaska(Health Care Services). 6

Where to find the GR Provider Agreement 06/09/2024 For the Provider Agreement Application and other General Relief forms please follow this link to the SDS/GR Website: http://dhss.alaska.gov/dsds/Pages/aps/apsrelief.aspx 7

Services to be Provided by ALH licensed assisted living home must provide housing, food service, and all other services that are required to meet the purposes of the General Relief Assisted Living Regulations. Housing, food service, and other services must be provided in a way that promotes each resident's safety, welfare, and independence and that assures protection of each resident's rights. Assisted living care encompasses 248 hour supportive and protective services in the activities of daily 06/09/2024 A

Protective 06/09/2024 Personal Services Assistance Supportive Services Assistance with Activities of Daily Living/Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Organized Program that Encourages Participation in Activities within the home and Community 9

General Awareness of each Resident’s Activities while on the Premises for or providing transportation to and from appointments if a resident is unable to take public transportation, and arranging for or providing an escort, if needed 06/09/2024 Arranging 10

GR GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES 06/09/2024 Care Coordinators, Discharge Planners, Hospital Social Workers, or a responsible person acting on an applicant’s behalf can complete a General Relief/Temporary Assistance Application. *The ALH cannot apply for a resident or potential resident. All Notifications must be received in our office via DSM (Direct Secure Messaging), mailed to Senior and Disabilities Services @ 550 W. 8th Ave Anchorage, AK 99501, or delivered in person within 10 working days of any placement 11 changes for the consumer, such as hospitalization, incarceration, or any other absences that may arise with the consumer.

dhss.alaska.gov/dsds/Pages/aps/apsrelief.aspx 06/09/2024 Notification must be submitted using a state approved Client Activity form (CAF). These forms can be found on our Website at http:// In the event of the death of a consumer, notification must be received within 24 hours. 12

Sample Client Activity Form 06/09/2024 13

A NOTIFICATION SHOULD BE INITIATED: When 06/09/2024 a consumer is admitted or discharged from the assisted living home When a consumer is admitted and/or discharged from the Hospital or API. Consumer is approved for a waiver program. Consumer has Income Changes. If the consumer is deceased. (report within 14 24 hours)

When a consumer has been demonstrating behaviors which do not support Assisted Living Care or otherwise violates house rules. Notify APS/General Relief immediately if you move or have any licensing changes that affect the General Relief Consumers. The General Relief Program does not pay for any absences past 3 days. Absences longer than 3 days need a written request and special approval by the GR Health Program Associate. Consumers have 30 days to apply for other programs. Non-compliance will result in the General Relief Funds to become suspended or terminated 06/09/2024 15

PROCESSING INVOICES The goal is to process invoices in 30 days. We will no longer verify payment prior to 30 days. If you invoice is turned in later than 30 days then a letter of explanation is required for the Director to review. Invoices that are not accurate will be returned for corrections. Your invoice is not considered received until an accurate invoice is turned in. If you have set up direct deposit with the Finance Department, please allow up to 3 business days for the funds to show up in your account. 06/09/2024 16

If you are receiving funds via check, please allow up to 10 business days for mail delivery times. Any notification received regarding a client for the invoice month, will be processed within 3 business days. The Calculation sheet and invoice will be sent on the following Friday. 06/09/2024 17

06/09/2024 Please Allow up to 3 business days for processing of notifications. You will not receive written verification of the notification(s) unless you have delivered it in person to the office of Senior and Disabilities Services @ 550 W. 8th Ave Anchorage, AK 99501 FAILURE TO SUBMIT A CLIENT ACTIVITY REPORT WILL DELAY THE PROCESSING OF YOUR INVOICE AS A RESULT YOU MAY NOT RECEIVE YOUR PAYMENT IN A TIMELY MANNER. 18

SAMPLE GR INVOICE 06/09/2024 19

GR Facts Relief costs the State between 10-11 million dollars each year. Note: Budget has been cut to 7.5 million and scheduled for more cuts in FY 18. 70/day - 93.10/day (Geographical Location) Funded solely through the State of Alaska General Funds. No Federal Funding (Medicaid or Medicare) Statewide there are 324 ALH’s that will care for clients funded through GR, the majority 20 are located in Anchorage. 06/09/2024 General

06/09/2024 In May of 2015: 541 people were approved for the General Relief ALH program 440 - Anchorage Municipality 34 - MatSu Borough 21 - Fairbanks or North Pole 19 - Kenai Peninsula or Kodiak 15 - Southeast Alaska 10 - Dillingham 10 - Tanana 10 - Galena 10 - Delta Junction 21

06/09/2024 Residents are from all over the State of Alaska. The average monthly census is 543 approved people. The average length of stay is 274 days. The average annual payment by SOA is 23,000. In May 2015: 273 residents are under 60 268 are over 60 209 are female 332 are male 22

CONTACTS 06/09/2024 Lynn Thurston 269-3441 [email protected] Josh Welsh 269-3675 [email protected] 23

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