Many information and referral programs hear from callers who are lonely or socially isolated. Whether frequent callers or individuals reaching out for the first time, I&R programs are often a point of connection for people experiencing social disconnection. Join this webinar to gain greater insight into key trends on the issues of social isolation and loneliness. Learn about the Systems Approach of Cross-sector Integration and Action across the Lifespan (SOCIAL) Framework and how this model addresses critical intersections that impact social connections. Come away with ideas and possible strategies for your community. This webinar will also highlight a national initiative to leverage collective efforts, resources, and activities to increase social connections in the U.S.

IQ Category: Community Integration

This training provides an overview of key competencies needed for aging and disability I&R/A professionals and provides preparation for the AIRS Certification exam for Community Resource Specialists in Aging/Disabilities (CRS-A/D). The training covers the fundamentals of information and referral (I&R); details of the AIRS certification exam; the I&R/A process; and key communication techniques. Highlights of the AIRS Standards and Quality Indicators for Professional Information and Referral are woven throughout the training. 

1. HCBS Programs and Services Packet
2. Activity 1 - Navigating the I&R Process - Communication Examples
3. Activity 2 - Empathetic Statements
4. Activity 4 - One-page Profile
5. CRS-AD Training VA NWD Summit Presentation
6. Disability for I&R Specialists Programs and Services Packet
7. Handout - In Case of Crisis, and I Don't Know What to Say

Disaster readiness begins with planning, but for professionals and consumers alike, taking steps to be prepared for an emergency or disaster isn’t always easy. The COVID-19 pandemic, recent natural disasters, and other emergency situations have offered many lessons for disaster preparedness and response. In 2022, ADvancing States’ National I&R Support Center held a contest to identify promising practices in the field, recognizing how vital I&R/A services are to communities experiencing disasters. Join this webinar to learn about key themes from contest submissions and hear from the Aging and Disability Resource Center - Hawaii Island. The ADRC developed and implemented a Person-Centered Emergency Planning Program to encourage greater disaster preparedness among older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers and to strengthen people’s connections to community resources and natural supports.

IQ Category: Disaster and Emergency Response

Due to out-of-pocket costs, Medicare beneficiaries with lower incomes and resources may delay or go without needed health care or prescription medication. I&R professionals can help connect clients to programs that help lower-income Medicare beneficiaries with their health and prescription drug costs. Join this webinar to learn about the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA), the federal legislation that authorizes federal grants to states and tribes to provide outreach and assistance to eligible Medicare beneficiaries for benefit programs that help to lower their Medicare costs. Gain insight into the benefit programs that provide financial assistance to eligible beneficiaries: the Medicare Savings Programs (MSP) and the Low-Income Subsidy (LIS, also known as Extra Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Costs). Additionally, representatives from the National Council on Aging (NCOA) and ADvancing States will share highlights from recent research and discuss information and tools from their respective organizations that I&R professionals can use to strengthen their knowledge of MIPPA and these programs as well as provide outreach to their communities.

IQ Category: Medicaid, Medicare and Health Care Coverage

Information and Referral/Assistance (I&R/A) services refer people to aging and disabilities programs every day. How do these programs impact individuals and families? Do they make a difference? While I&R/A follow-up and other quality assurance measures help to tell the story, national quality measurement initiatives are also a resource for assessing and understanding service outcomes. Join this webinar to learn about the National Core Indicators-Aging and Disabilities (NCI-AD™), a voluntary effort by state aging, disability and Medicaid agencies to measure program performance through consumer experience surveys. As with I&R/A data, NCI-AD data is a powerful tool to understand what happens next for service recipients and to inform continual quality improvement. NCI-AD is a collaborative effort between ADvancing States, the Human Services Research Institute (HSRI), and participating states.

IQ Category: Advancing Quality