Rose Coniglio State Disaster Coordinator Illinois Department on Aging

 Congress passed the Older Americans Act (OAA) in 1965 in response to concern by policymakers about a lack of community social services for older persons. The original legislation established authority for grants to States for community planning and social services, research and development projects, and personnel training in the field of aging. The law also established the Administration on Aging (AoA) to administer the newly created grant programs and to serve as the Federal focal point on matters concerning older persons.  Although older individuals may receive services under many other Federal programs, today the OAA is considered to be the major vehicle for the organization and delivery of social and nutrition services to this group and their caregivers. It authorizes a wide array of service programs through a national network of 56 State agencies on aging, 629 area agencies on aging, nearly 20,000 service providers, 244 Tribal organizations, and 2 Native Hawaiian organizations representing 400 Tribes. The OAA also includes community service employment for low-income older Americans; training, research, and demonstration activities in the field of aging; and vulnerable elder rights protection activities.

 Administration on Aging (AoA)  Resources for the Aging Services Network and Other Professionals px  Regional and State Disaster Officers terofficersdirectory.pdf terofficersdirectory.pdf  Eldercare Locator

 Illinois Department on Aging  Area Agencies on Aging  Directory of Illinois Agencies serving seniors  You can contact the Department‘s Senior HelpLine for free publications and additional information about aging services in Illinois: , (TTY).  To report abuse, call the 24-hour, toll–free Adult Protective Services Hotline (formerly Elder Abuse): , (TTY).

 Administration for Community Living (ACL) ◦About ACL (created in 2011) All Americans—including people with disabilities and older adults— should be able to live at home with the supports they need, participating in communities that value their contributions. To help meet these needs, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) created a new organization, the Administration for Community Living (ACL).Administration for Community Living (ACL) ACL brings together the efforts and achievements of the Administration on Aging, the Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, and the HHS Office on Disability to serve as the Federal agency responsible for increasing access to community supports, while focusing attention and resources on the unique needs of older Americans and people with disabilities across the lifespan.

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 July, 2006, Co-Chairman of the Illinois Terrorism Task Force’s Public Information Committee tasked the Illinois Department on Aging (IDoA) and the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) to work together on developing a brochure for emergency preparedness for people with disabilities.  The Special Needs Emergency Preparedness (SNEP) Committee was formed. The SNEP Committee started with five members and grew into a coalition of 17. Illinois Department on AgingOffice of the Attorney General Illinois Department of Human ServicesOffice of the Illinois State Fire Marshal Illinois Deaf and Hard of Hearing CommissionAmerican Red Cross Illinois Public Health AssociationIllinois Council on Developmental Disabilities  On December 3, 2008 in recognition of International Day for Persons with Disabilities, the Governor announced the availability of a new comprehensive preparedness guide for senior citizens, people with physical limitations and those with other special needs.  Emergency Preparedness Tips for Those with Functional Needs is available on the state’s Ready Illinois website

 March, 2007, the Illinois Department of Public Health received a grant from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to address the emergency preparedness, response and recovery needs of the elderly. In order to receive this money, IDPH had to “engage Aging”.  Beginning of workshops within five of IEMA’s Regions  Invitees included: emergency managers, aging network, public health departments, human service provider agencies and American Red Cross Chapters.  September, 2010, presented “Emergency Response and Those Who Need Additional Support – What First Responders Really Need to Know! at the Illinois Emergency Management Conference.  July, 2012, attended and presented a session on Seniors at the Whole Community Conference. ◦Met FEMA’s Disability Integration Specialist for FEMA Region V. ◦Discussed ways we could work together to provide assistance to seniors and people with functional needs during disasters.

 November, 2012, became a State Agency Liaison to the Northeastern Illinois COAD.  April, 2013, Spring Flooding in Illinois – Governor declares 38 counties.  May, 2013, Disaster Recovery Centers open. ◦FEMA’s Disability Integration Specialist contacts IDoA’s Disaster Coordinator to ask for assistance in the DRCs. ◦IDoA’s Disaster Coordinator reaches out to Illinois’ Aging Network, specifically the Area Agencies on Aging  AAAs are receptive to assisting in the DRCs  Collaboration between, local, state and federal partners was crucial in providing services to seniors and people with disabilities during this time.  Each partner has a better understanding of what the other partners are capable of doing during a disaster.  More partnerships have now been formed due to this collaborative effort.

 Continue partnerships  Present together at conferences  Look for new partners to be included  Share resources

State Disaster Coordinator and State Incident Response Center (SIRC) Liaison Rose Coniglio desk cell Emergency Preparedness Tips for Those With Functional Needs