About the Center for Innovation and Partnership (CIP)
Kelly Cronin, Deputy Administrator
Caroline Ryan, Deputy Director
The Center for Innovation and Partnership (CIP) serves as the locus within ACL for the administration of programs and initiatives that serve both older adults and persons with disabilities, including consumer access and protection programs. The CIP also manages programs and initiatives that promote the use of self-directed and person-centered service models and advance the development of health and long-term care services and support systems that are responsive to the needs and preferences of older adults, persons with disabilities, caregivers, and families. The CIP carries out programs authorized under Titles II and IV of the OAA, Title XXIX of the PHSA, section 119 of the MIPPA, section 4360 of the OBRA of 1990, and section 4 of the AT Act that focus on helping states make their health care and long-term service and support systems more person-centered, improve access to health care and assistive technology services, and promote the values of self-determination, full participation in community, integration and independence. CIP also implements initiatives at the national, state and local level to strengthen the capacity of ACL's network of state and community-based organizations to play a meaningful role in the transformation of our nation's health and long-term service and support systems.
Office of Healthcare Information and Counseling (OHIC)
Rebecca Kinney, Director
Melissa Simpson, Associate Director
OHIC oversees the operation and administration of the State Health Insurance Assistance Program, authorized under the section 4360 of the OBRA of 1990, and the Senior Medicare Patrol Program, authorized under Title IV of the OAA, that help Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries as well as coming-of-agers navigate the complexities of health and long-term care systems and educate them on how to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse. The office also manages related activities funded under section 119 of the MIPPA that focus on outreach to help beneficiaries understand and apply for their Medicare benefits including the Low Income Subsidy program (LIS), Medicare Savings Program (MSP), and Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D).
Coordinates, implements, monitors, and promotes efforts to provide consumer information and education designed to increase access to, and detect, prevent and report error, fraud and abuse in, the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Works with the ACL Regional Support Centers to provide in-depth expertise, information, leadership and technical assistance to assist the State Health Insurance Assistance Program and Senior Medicare Patrol networks and serves as a reliable clearinghouse of information for older persons, people with disabilities, and their families and caregivers.
Develops funding opportunities and monitors grants to ensure all necessary activities are completed. Manages the full spectrum of contract requirements including identifying contractual needs, developing statements of work and necessary planning documents, and ensuring that contractors are completing assigned tasks. Ensures that grantees and their volunteers have the necessary information and training to carry out program functions. Develops and refines the performance management systems and provides specialized guidance and technical assistance to help grantees improve their performance. Coordinates with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and other national partnerships to advance program objectives.
Office of Interagency Innovation
Lori Gerhard, Director
The Office of Interagency Innovation plans and directs the implementation of programs designed to enhance consumer access to long-term services and supports, including integrated systems of services and person-centered programs and systems at the state and local level that support community living. Supports state and community efforts to improve the provision of assistive technology for individuals with disabilities of all ages through comprehensive, statewide programs that are consumer responsive. Serves as the focal point for the administration of the Assistive Technology state programs authorized under Section 4 of the Assistive Technology Act, the Veteran-Directed Home and Community-Based Services program, and other activities as deemed appropriate.
Promotes initiatives to expand access to services and the development of more responsive service systems, including person-centered planning and self-directed service models. Implements partnerships with external stakeholder organizations to enhance access to integrated systems of services that support both older Americans and persons of all ages with disabilities. Coordinates with the Department of Veterans Affairs on the development and implementation of their long-term services and support programs, including the Veteran-Directed Home and Community-Based Services program and caregiver support programs. Provides technical assistance and support services to programs funded under the Assistive Technology Act to make assistive technology devices and services more available and accessible to individuals with disabilities and their families. Partners with other federal departments on innovative activities, policies and technical assistance, including the Department of Transportation, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Department of Agriculture, among others.
Office of Network Advancement
Kristie Kulinski, Director
The Office of Network Advancement oversees a variety of initiatives to ensure that the interests and needs of older adults and people with disabilities, as well as the state and local organizations that serve these populations, are adequately reflected in the transformations occurring in our nation's health and long-term services and support systems as those systems shift toward the use of managed care, Health Information Technology (IT), and other models and approaches to better integrate the delivery of health and long-term services and supports as well as to make those systems more person-centered. These initiatives involve partnerships with other federal agencies and external stakeholders at the national, state, and local level and the management and execution of technical assistance activities, including the identification and dissemination of best practices and program models.
Administers the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) program authorized under Title II of the OAA, providing leadership and a central strategic focus for ACL's efforts to work with states and communities to develop single entry point/no wrong door systems of access to long-term services and supports for older adults, persons with disabilities, and their families and caregivers, in coordination with CMS and other Federal agencies. Leads ACL's work to help community-based organizations that serve older adults and persons with disabilities to build their business capacity and align their service capabilities in order to work effectively with integrated healthcare entities ( e.g., accountable care organizations, health plans, managed care organizations, hospitals, health systems, etc.) to provide community-based long-term services and supports and/or evidence-based preventive health programs and services. Works with other ACL components to coordinate the various business acumen and related activities across ACL and oversees the provision of the business acumen technical assistance that is delivered through a variety of methods and techniques to state level and community-based aging and disability agencies and organizations. Develops partnerships with external stakeholders at the national, state and local level in both the public and private sectors, including private foundations, to enhance and complement ACL's work in this area.