Advancing States Inc

ADvancing States hosts two major meetings annually to convene state agencies, federal partners, and key stakeholders:1. Spring Members-Only Meeting - An exclusive gathering for state aging and disability directors and their staff, providing a private forum to discuss emerging policy issues, share challenges, and exchange best practices.2. National Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Conference - Held each August, the HCBS Conference is the premier national event for professionals working in aging, disability, and HCBS policy. This event brings together state and federal policymakers, service providers, managed care organizations, and researchers to discuss policy developments, innovative practices, and key challenges in LTSS. The conference features plenary sessions with federal officials, workshops on emerging trends, and opportunities for peer-to-peer learning to advance HCBS programs nationwide.

Through various resource centers, ADvancing States provides technical assistance, research, and guidance to states and stakeholders on critical policy and programmatic issues. These centers offer tools, publications, and data analysis to support decision-making and improve service delivery. They also facilitate peer learning opportunities and highlight emerging trends in aging and disability services.ADvancing States is the recipient of the Information and Referral (I&R) Resource Center, which provides training, technical assistance, and support to aging and disability information and referral agencies at the state and local levels nationwide. The I&R Resource Center helps agencies strengthen their capacity to provide accurate and timely information to individuals seeking long-term services and supports.In addition to operating the I&R Resource Center, ADvancing States partners with several national and local organizations to support additional technical assistance or resource centers. These partnerships include collaborations with the National Council on Aging (NCOA), USAging, Consumer Voice, New Editions, National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP) and the Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging. The resource centers supported through these partnerships focus on key areas such as:- The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, which advocates for residents in nursing homes, assisted living, and other long-term care settings.- The State Health Insurance Program (SHIP), which provides free, unbiased counseling and assistance for Medicare beneficiaries.- Addressing Elder Mistreatment- The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA) program, which helps low-income Medicare beneficiaries access benefits and services.- The HCBS Technical Assistance Center on Preadmission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR), which supports state efforts to ensure individuals with disabilities receive appropriate services in the least restrictive setting.- Supporting Family Caregivers, providing resources, education, and assistance to states working to enhance caregiver support programs.- Supporting Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) in their efforts to expand business opportunities and contracts between AAAs and health systems.

ADvancing States provides expert technical assistance and training to states under contracts, supporting them in designing, implementing, and improving key programs. This enhanced technical assistance helps states:- Design new initiatives in LTSS to expand access and improve service delivery.- Update and strengthen adult protective services (APS) programs to enhance investigations, interventions, and data collection efforts.- Ensure compliance with Older Americans Act (OAA) regulations, assisting states in meeting federal requirements and improving program administration.- Develop new Medicaid waivers to expand HCBS and integrate services for targeted populations.- Improving state efforts to support individuals who are dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare by assisting in the development of integrated care programs that enhance coordination and improve health outcomes.