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This
Division is the “Aging” in the Aging and Long-Term
Services Department. Aging Network providers include senior
centers, congregate meal sites, adult day care programs,
volunteer programs, employment program host agencies, Senior
Olympics, the New Mexico Alzheimer’s Association, and
others. Aging Network contract providers help families remain
together, at home, in their own communities. The contract
providers create a safety net for the vast majority of New
Mexico’s elders, those who don't qualify for Medicaid but
whose resources are limited, those whose families are
stretched to capacity caring for loved ones at home.
Employment and volunteer opportunities enable older adults to
remain active, vital members of their communities. Financial
subsidies offered by the employment programs and by some of
the volunteer programs help seniors maintain their economic
independence. The Aging Network is the only resource for many
senior New Mexicans.
Aging
Network Services
New
Mexico’s Older Americans Act funding, and significant state
aging network funding, provides for a comprehensive array of
services and the administrative infrastructure to deliver
those services. The Aging and Long-Term Services Department
receives an annual allotment of funds under Title III of the
Older Americans Act (OAA), as amended, from the Administration
on Aging in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
In New Mexico, these funds are allocated to four of the six
area agencies on aging based on an approved intrastate funding
formula. The Navajo Area Agency on Aging receives Title III
OAA funding through the state of Arizona, and New Mexico’s
Pueblos and Apache Tribes receive Title VI OAA funding
directly from the federal Administration on Aging. New Mexico
provides state funds as appropriated by the New Mexico State
Legislature to all six of its area agencies on aging. Each
area agency plans for, develops, and implements a system of
services for individuals age 60 and older, or age 55 and older
in the Native American Indian communities. All services are
targeted to those with the greatest economic and/or social
needs, with particular emphasis on minority older persons with
low incomes and older persons residing in rural areas.
Goal
Maintain
an aging network structure that is effective and complies with
federal and state requirements, including development of a
state employment plan and review/approval of plans developed
by area agencies on aging.
Objectives
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Work
with area agencies on aging and other contract providers,
to establish service objectives, targeting services to
those with the greatest need and maximizing resources.
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Work
with area agencies, other units of state government, and
local service providers to expand and increase services
and programs as appropriate funding streams are
identified.
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Expand
staffing to facilitate increased liaison capacity to serve
each area agency and contract organization with enhanced
technical assistance and monitoring
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