To improve the lives of millions of older adults, especially those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged. Integrating an Economic Security

Approach into SCSEP Operations

Ramsey Alwin, Director of the Economic Security Initiative, NCOAChris Windle, Family Service Agency of San Francisco

Helen Grant, NCOA NJ Resource CenterMadell Breedlove, PathStone Corporation

Tools & Tips to Get Started!

July 27, 2011

© 2011. National Council on AgingTo improve the lives of millions of older adults, especially those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged.

Overview

Update on National Initiative

Evidence-based Strategies

Leveraging the Supportive Services Provision

Start-up Handbook for SCSEP

Economic Security Pilot Success and Systems Change: CA, NJ & NY

2

© 2011. National Council on AgingTo improve the lives of millions of older adults, especially those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged.

Build the nonprofit field’s capacity to provide holistic, person-centered economic assistance to low-income mature workers and elders;

Leverage technology to enhance consumer outcomes; Better coordinate traditional and non-traditional community resources,

such as certified, nonprofit debt management, daily money management, and public benefits; and

Empower and assist low-income consumers to draw upon public and private community resources that will increase their economic security.

Goals of the NCOA Economic Security Initiative

NCOA is working with 14 community organizations to provide at least 5,000 older adults with incomes below $27,000 annually a holistic, person-

centered assessment, an economic action plan, assistance navigating public and private community resources, and ongoing follow-up. In

partnership with the local agencies, NCOA is benchmarking the progress of clients against a local measure of economic security such as Wider

Opportunities for Women’s Elder Economic Security Standard™ Index.

© 2011. National Council on AgingTo improve the lives of millions of older adults, especially those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged.

Lessons Learned from the Field In order to ensure the most streamlined, cost-effective

strategy, a holistic, person-centered approach must:• Address a senior’s immediate crisis/need.• Take all of a senior’s financial, housing, health, employment,

and transportation needs into account.• Inform and empower older adults to draw upon the range of

public and private benefits and assistance for which they may be eligible.

• Provide help navigating supports when needed, ideally one-on-one assistance that is culturally appropriate and provided by a trusted source.

• Follow up to ensure that individuals receive the support they need to navigate and follow through in pursing options.

4

© 2011. National Council on AgingTo improve the lives of millions of older adults, especially those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged.

Evidence-based Strategies: Building on what works!

Person-centered – address immediate request, but then assess client/consumer needs, not just program eligibility

Holistic – take a broad look at client/consumer economic well-being

Warm referrals – connect client/consumer with a trusted contact within the partner organization, assist in setting appointments

Bundle – real relief comes when you bundle 2+ services/supports

Leverage technology - optimal use of tools such as BenefitsCheckUp.org 5

© 2011. National Council on AgingTo improve the lives of millions of older adults, especially those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged.

Foreclosure counseling Home repair Housing options

counseling Renters assistance

Eligibility and enrollment assistance

Emergency assistance for housing/fuel/food

Senior Community Service Employment Program

Workforce Investment Act RSVP, Senior Corp, Americorps*,

Americorps* VISTA, Foster Grandparents

Health insurance counseling

Health promotion and disease prevention

Mental health services

Credit counseling Debt relief Daily Money

Management Financial literacy Pre-lender HUD

certified Reverse mortgage counseling

COMMUNITY RESOURCES will

INCREASE the ECONOMIC

SECURITY of OLDER ADULTS

▪ Home and community-based services

▪ Nutrition programs

▪ Transportation, etc.

Debt mitigation Eviction prevention Pension assistance Securing public benefitsWills, trust, and end of life decisions

Adult Protective Services Guardianship Protection against financial

fraud and scams

Jobs & Community

Service

Health

Finances

LegalHousing

Aging Network Services

Public Benefits

Consumer Protections

Empower & Assist the Consumer to Navigate

© 2011. National Council on AgingTo improve the lives of millions of older adults, especially those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged.

Leveraging the Supportive Services ProvisionPublic Law 106.501, Supportive Services provision

Purpose: to assist participant in successfully participating in community service assignments and to help participant gain and keep a job. Supportive services include -

• Counseling• Case management referrals• Transportation – special provisions• Room and board, if necessary, during training• Periodic group meetings• Incidentals, including but not limited to, work shoes, badges,

uniforms, safety glasses, eye glasses, hand tools

SCSEP can provide supportive services during 6-month post-placement period to ensure retention

7

© 2011. National Council on AgingTo improve the lives of millions of older adults, especially those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged.

Economic Security Initiative Start-up Handbook

You can download the handbook here: www.ncoa.org/esi

© 2011. National Council on AgingTo improve the lives of millions of older adults, especially those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged.

PART 1 OVERVIEW OF THE ECONOMIC SECURITY INITIATIVEGLOSSARY OF ECONOMIC SECURITY TERMS

PART 2 WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU START

PART 3 GETTING STARTED

PART 4 DATA COLLECTION

PART 5 WHAT DOES THE ECONOMIC SECURITY INITIATIVE LOOK LIKE?

PART 6 MEETING THE CLIENT/CONSUMER

PART 7 ENSURING A SUCCESSFUL REFERRAL

PART 8 TEMPLATES & FORMS

APPENDIX A: ECONOMIC SECURITY INITIATIVE/SCSEP COACH’S TRAINING

What is in the ESI Start-up Handbook?

© 2011. National Council on AgingTo improve the lives of millions of older adults, especially those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged.

Templates & Forms from Economic Security Centers

Sample Intake Form from Center for Financial Wellness in Milwaukee, WI Sample Privacy Notice from Center for Financial Wellness in Milwaukee, WI Sample SCSEP Release Authorization from NCOA New Jersey Resource Center Sample Referral Partner Contact Information from Family Service Agency of San

Francisco Sample Memorandum of Understanding from United Way of Tucson & Southern AZ Sample Client Work Flow Chart from Baltimore Creating Assets, Savings, and Hope

(CASH) Campaign Sample Client Tracking Log Checklist of What You Need for a BenefitsCheckUp® Sample Letter to a SCSEP Enrollee after Completing a BenefitsCheckUp® Sample Letter to a Client after Completing a BenefitsCheckUp® Sample Follow-up Letter to Client upon Receipt of Services from Referral Sample Letter to Engage a Community Partner in the Economic Security Initiative Sample Job Description for Economic Security Case Manager from Baltimore CASH Sample Job Description for Economic Specialist Volunteer from Baltimore CASH

© 2011. National Council on AgingTo improve the lives of millions of older adults, especially those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged.

Keys to Success

Case Manager Know Your Clients Needs Identify Trusted Partners Make Warm Referrals Follow-up Presence in the Service Community Comprehensive Assessment Form Data Collection System

© 2011. National Council on AgingTo improve the lives of millions of older adults, especially those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged.

Tips from Family Service Agency in San Fran

Two ESI staff for 200 clients/year ESI Staff who can commit to a full year Have ESI as the portal to SCSEP Give ESI clients respect Set follow-up appointments at the initial intake Expect difficulties maintaining client contact Utilize technology – online applications for benefits Prescription Assistance Programs work – BCU links to forms Document supportive services in participant’s file

© 2011. National Council on AgingTo improve the lives of millions of older adults, especially those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged.

Supportive Services Record

© 2011. National Council on AgingTo improve the lives of millions of older adults, especially those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged.

New Jersey Client Flow Process

14

1. SCSEP participants are required to take a Benefits/ESI Check-Up during enrollment. All other residents of Mercer County, New Jersey, 55 years of age and older are encouraged to take the Benefits/ESI Check-Up.

2. The client's name is handed off to the appropriate Benefits Facilitator according to the municipality in which the client lives. Since Trenton has such a large need, we send clients who have transportation to Facilitators in outlying areas.

3. Headquarters team notifies the client of his/her Benefits Facilitator with a letter of introduction, checklist, and worksheet requesting a meeting for performing the Benefits/ESI Check-Up.

4. Client & Benefits Facilitator set an appointment for the initial Benefits/ESI Check-Up at a convenient location for both the client and the Facilitator.

5. The initial Benefits/ESI Check-up is performed to determine the client’s level of necessity. An action plan is developed which includes directives for the participant and the Facilitator. A follow-up appointment is established at which time all past directives should be completed by both parties.

6. At the quarterly review past directives and an updated Benefits/ESI Check-Up are administered. Re-determination of client’s level of necessity and new directives are established. The next follow-up appointment is scheduled.

7. We repeat the quarterly check as many times as necessary to achieve client’s economic security.

© 2011. National Council on AgingTo improve the lives of millions of older adults, especially those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged.

Letter Of Introduction & Client Worksheet

15

Initially, a client is sent a worksheet asking for an average of his/her monthly expenses, both household and medical. The monthly income average, as well as income from assets is also requested. This gives the client a realistic view of his/her financial situation. In turn, we can offer practical directives to achieve the client’s economic security.

Accompanying the worksheet is a letter of introduction requesting a meeting for performing the Benefits/ESI Check-Up.

The client then brings the worksheet to the initial Benefits/ESI Check-Up meeting for a comprehensive screening.

© 2011. National Council on AgingTo improve the lives of millions of older adults, especially those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged.

Data Collected & Accessed In Real Time

16

The data collected in the ESI questionnaire forms cover the wide range of topics concerning New Jersey’s senior population and NCOA. Finances, housing, legal, health, and local issues are all gathered into spreadsheets in real time.

All data is analyzed at New Jersey Headquarters where ESI staff breaks down the information for reporting.

© 2011. National Council on AgingTo improve the lives of millions of older adults, especially those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged.

ESI Success & Systems Change at PathStone-NY SCSEP

PathStone Steps for ESI Success…

Step 1 All clients who walk through the doors of PathStone are enrolled into ESI and have an economic check up done.

Step 2 All clients who are eligible for ESI are also eligible for SCSEP so our first referral for clients is to our SCSEP program… Participant Staff are doing both the ESI and SCSEP screening and enrollment process.

Step 3 Case management and follow-up on second referral are done with in the next 21 days to track progress on their road to Economic Security.

To date we have served 275 clients and counting. Most clients are enrolled into our SCSEP program where they are receiving a cash stipend totally $500.00/month.

We have knit both the ESI program and the SCSEP program together to better serve the Senior communities in the state of New York this has been the key to our success.

We have found the ESI program to be a valuable component to providing serves to seniors; often times the monetary stipend is great and needed; however, the needs of the seniors surpass more than the extra $500 will take them. Through ESI we have been able to ease worry & stress by taking the extra step and extending our hand to assist a little more.

© 2011. National Council on AgingTo improve the lives of millions of older adults, especially those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged.

What can you do?

1) Implement Tested Strategies Holistic, person-centered approach Warm referrals Bundle 2+ Leverage online tools Navigation Ongoing Follow-up Community Partnerships

2) Identify the Right Community Partners3) Get Connected and Familiar with Partner

Services

18

© 2011. National Council on AgingTo improve the lives of millions of older adults, especially those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged.

Get Connected: Key Community PartnersPartners in Aging

• Area Agencies on Aging (AAA)• Councils on Aging• Aging & Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs)• Departments on Aging• State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs)• Daily Money Management • Adult Protective Services • Local AARP state offices• HUD Certified Pre-lender reverse mortgage counselors

Other Important Partners• Community Action Agencies• Faith-based organizations• Consumer Credit Counseling Centers and other non-profit, certified debt managers• Legal services/advocates• Housing Counseling Agencies

19

© 2011. National Council on AgingTo improve the lives of millions of older adults, especially those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged.

Get Familiar and Connected with Resources

Daily Money Management• AARP program - http://aarpmmp.org/

Use Your Home to Stay at Home - http://ncoa.org/independence-dignity/use-your-home-to-stay-at.html

Pre-lender Reverse Mortgage Counselors & Home Equity Advisors

• To schedule a counseling session with a HUD certified NCOA counselor, call toll-free (800) 510-0301

Free up limited income and supplement with benefits - www.BenefitsCheckUp.org

Elder Locator:1-800- 677-111620

© 2011. National Council on AgingTo improve the lives of millions of older adults, especially those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged.

Financial Assistance Foreclosure Mitigation Specialists

• NeighborWorks - http://www.findaforeclosurecounselor.org

Bankruptcy • Local legal advocacy services

Certified Non-profit Debt Management, examples include: National Foundation for Credit Counseling -

http://www.nfcc.org/

National Foundation for Debt Management -http://nfdm.org/

Money Management International -http://www.moneymanagement.org/

GreenPath - http://www.greenpath.com/

21

© 2011. National Council on AgingTo improve the lives of millions of older adults, especially those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged.

Where Can I Find a Handbook?

NCOA Crossroads – SCSEP Project Directors• www.ncoacrossroads.org

Share lessons learned—and referrals to other service providers.• Meet colleagues nationwide who you can call on for help.• Get their advice on your day-to-day challenges.

Economic Security Initiative Resource page• www.ncoa.org/esi

© 2011. National Council on AgingTo improve the lives of millions of older adults, especially those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged.

Thank You! Ramsey Awin, Director of NCOA Economic Security Initiative

• Ramsey.Alwin@ncoa.org

Chris Windle, Family Service Agency of San Fran • cwindle@fsasf.org

Helen Grant, NCOA NJ Resource Center • helen.grant@ncoa.org

Madell Breedlove, PathStone Corporation • mbreedlove@pathstone.org