The Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities (DSAAPD) has received formal approval from the Administrator and Assistant Secretary for Aging Lance A. Robertson at the Administration for Community Living for Delaware’s new State Plan on Aging.

In his approval letter, Administrator and Assistant Secretary Robertson noted, “The State Plan outlines a number of significant activities that will serve as a guide for Delaware’s aging service network during the next four years. Of particular note is your commitment to the implementation of the visionary five-pillar priorities including: expanding employment opportunities, supporting families and caregivers, expanding the aging and disability network, protecting rights and preventing abuse, and connecting people to resources. The Administration for Community Living recognizes the ongoing and difficult challenges faced by the Delaware Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities during the current pandemic, and I appreciate your commitment and dedication to ensure the continuity of quality services. I am delighted to see that the Delaware Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities continues to serve as an effective and visible advocate for older adults at a state level.”

The State Plan has been developed to meet the requirements of the Older Americans Act, which provides funding for a variety of programs and services for older Delawareans and their caregivers, including supportive services, nutrition programs, disease prevention and health promotion initiatives, elder rights protection activities, and caregiver support programs. The plan will be effective from October 2020 through September 2024 and will focus on the following goals:

• Promoting excellence in the delivery of core Older Americans Act programs.
• Empowering older adults, persons with disabilities and their caregivers to be active, engaged, and supported in their homes and/or communities of choice.
• Increasing the development and implementation of business-related strategies that promote innovation, collaboration, and sustainability of aging and disability network partners.
• Expanding and leveraging alignments with strategic partners to support integration of discretionary grant programs into Older Americans Act core programs.
• Promoting person-centered planning and participant direction in community-based and long-term care service options.
• Promoting access to and efficiencies of home and community-based services which enable participants to direct their own care.
• Preventing abuse, neglect, and exploitation while protecting the rights of older Delawareans and persons with disabilities.
• Supporting and enhancing multi-disciplinary responses to elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

DSAAPD invites you to download a copy of the approved State Plan on Aging. If you have questions or would like more information about the Plan, please contact the Delaware Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) and ask to speak with a representative of DSAAPD's Planning Unit.