A responsive, consumer-directed long-term care system that supports older people needing services in the community is a central priority of the Aging Network. Thus goals, objectives, and strategies related to home and community long-term care should be woven into the State Plan.

Goals and objectives describe the issues, conditions, and needs the state expects to focus during the planning cycle. Ideally, goals and objectives will lay out the opportunities and challenges to achieving a balanced long-term care system, and provide assurance that the services provided by the Aging Network are of high quality.

    Defining Goals: What do you hope to achieve? What is the Aging Network's strategic direction?

Goals are broad, visionary statements that describe the strategic direction in which the state is moving. A Comprehensive State Plan on Aging will describe the results hoped to be achieved, for example, in reforming long-term care. To illustrate, the 2006 New Mexico State Plan identified as one of its goals to:

    "Increase the number of older people who have access to an integrated array of health and social supports."

    Defining Objectives: What strategy will you use to achieve your goal?

An objective, as shown in the example below from the 2006 New Mexico Plan, is more specific than a goal. Objectives should be attainable, specific, and measurable. An objective may best be thought of as a step to achieve a goal.

    "Implement a statewide Aging and Disability Resource Center...to improve access to home and community based services."

• The vision and expectations contained in the OAA
• Guidance from the Administration on Aging, gubernatorial and legislative directives.
• Special initiatives
• Expectations set for the programs the SUA administers (including Medicaid waiver programs and programs for younger adults with disabilities)

1. What opportunities in the Plan will support older people and the Aging Network in moving toward a community based long-term care system?
2. What challenges need to be addressed to achieve the goal of re-balancing long-term care in the state?

Older Americans Act

Several key principles are embedded within the Older Americans Act 2006 Amendments, which should guide the development of the State Plan on Aging. These include:

• Choice
• Control
• Full-participation in decision-making
• Community living
• Evidence-based practice
• Comprehensive and coordinated services to support living in the community

AoA's Strategic Action Plan 2007-2012

The set of principles put forth in the Older Americans Act forms the basis for the strategic direction and goals identified in AoA's Strategic Action Plan 2007-2012. State Plans are expected to include implementing objectives for the following four national goals:

Current AoA Focus Areas For State Plans on Aging

Disaster Preparedness Plans

State Plans should address working with state and local emergency preparedness organizations in the development of long-range emergency preparedness plans and coordination with emergency response teams in responding to natural and man-made disaster events. Information should be included about the state director's involvement in the state's Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan.

• Additional Resources: Emergency Preparedness

Coordination Between Title III and Title VI

The OAA emphasizes coordination of Title VI and Title III services that are provided within the Title VI service area. Coordination is key to avoiding duplication of services and maximizing available resources.

Faith-Based and Community Organizations

Faith-based and community organizations offer unique strengths that Federal, state and local governments cannot duplicate. These organizations are well positioned to assist older individuals and their families meet many home and community-based needs.

Elder Rights Programs

States are encouraged to include in their State plans, a description of state and local activities that address the prevention and treatment of elder abuse, neglect, exploitation, and other threats to well-being and financial security. Additional information can be found in the "Elder Rights Programs" section on the Resource Links page.

Health Care System Coordination

States are asked to include in their State plans a description of their strategies to coordinate with the health care system throughout the state on behalf of consumers. Coordiantion is key in avoiding duplication of services and maximazing available resources for everyone.

Other Important Initiatives to Consider in State Plans

Medicaid Long-Term Care Reform

State Plans should include implementing objectives related to how the state agency on aging will be involved in the state's decision-making and implementation efforts related to rebalancing long-term care, including Medicaid reforms derived from the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, such as the Money Follows the Person Rebalancing Demonstration, or amendment of the Medicaid State Plan to offer self-directed personal care services.

Medicare Modernization Act

State Plans should address the state's and the Aging Network's planned activities in support of older consumers, especially elders with limited incomes, who seek to access the benefits available under the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (P.L. 108-173).

State Plan Assurances

The Older Americans Act as amended in 2006 stipulates that all State Plans must address specific assurances and informational requirements. States should carefully review AoA Program Instructions.

    DECISION POINT: Goals & Objectives