The Alamo Service Connection

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The Alamo Service Connection

• Martha Ramirez
• Access Assistance Coordinator, Bexar AAA
• AIRS Conference
• May 19, 2008

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• The Alamo Service Connection is the ADRC for
  Bexar County.

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Bridging the Gap between Aging Disability

• Late 1990s - Special Needs Network for Aging
  Persons (SNNAP)
• 3 yr Grant from the Texas Department on Aging and
  the Texas Planning Council for Developmental
  Disabilities

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Partners working on the project

• SAILS COIL
• AACOG AARP
• Alzheimer Association Bexar County
• Catholic Charities Christian Seniors Services
• Council of Independent Living City of San
  Antonio
• Edwards Residential Mgt. Inc Methodist Family
  Rehab.
• San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind Nix Health
  Care
• Center for Heath Care Services Project Jobs
• Family Services Association Project MEND
• RK Specialized Homes Seniors Citizens Office
• Sisters Care of SA/Caregivers Pro. Social
  Security Admin.
• SUDPS TDHS/SAADA
• VNA Hospice Warm Springs Resources

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Focus

• 1st attempt to talk about and identifying persons
  with disabilities growing older and their aging
  care givers (parents)
• Identifying services for the persons with
  disabilities
• Assisting parents implement a long-term care plan
  for their disabled children

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Regional Access Plan

• In 1999, Senate Bill 374 was passed to improve
  access to long-term services and supports

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Focus

• Create a no wrong door or access to services
• Integrate Eligibility
• Partners resumed working together toward a common
  goal
• SAILS COIL
• Light House for the Blind
• Family Services Association

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Health Human Serviced Reorganization

• Regional Access Plan halted but local interest
  remained intact

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How We Got Here

• In 1999, Senate Bill 374 was passed to improve
  access to long-term services and supports
• The Alamo Service Connection grew out of that
  vision nine years ago

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Closing the Gap

• Increased representation
• 17 Steering Committee Members
• 11 ASC Partner Agencies
• Adaptive Equipment
• Bobbi Compliant Website
• Ongoing Cross Training

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ASC Steering Committee

• Melissa Rasco, Calab Inc.
• Linda Rivas, Alamo Worksource
• Knox M. Pitts II, Disability Consumer
• Steve Saldana, Catholic Charities
• Ernesto Sanchez, Advocacy Inc.
• Pam Stephens, ARC
• Dawn White, Region 20
• Sterling Neuman, Bexar Senior Advisory Committee

• Lonna Ayers, Texas Interpreters
• Colleen Phillips, APS
• Vince Boyd, SA Lighthouse for the Blind
• Maria Elena Cantu, Caregiver
• Linda Ponce, CHCS
• Dr. Paul Furukawa, CAMP CAMP
• Cliff Hall, Seniors 2000
• George Britton, Joint Commission
• Tom McGuire, Kronkosky Foundation

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Federal Objectives

• Establish a single point of entry (one-stop) or
  no wrong doors access system for long-term
  services and supports
• Employ technology to improve access and provide
  services to individuals
• Create change in service delivery system that is
  sustainable

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3 Texas ADRCs

• Bexar County (San Antonio)
• Central Texas (Belton area)
• Tarrant County (Fort Worth)

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Mission

• Easy, friendly, helpful access to services for
  older adults, people with disabilities and their
  families in Bexar County.

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• Vision
• An informed community that promotes personal
  choice and is connected to long-term services and
  supports.

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Goals

• Minimize service fragmentation
• Reduce duplicative paperwork and
• procedures
• Enhance individual choices
• Support informed decision-making

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Points of Access

• www.alamoserviceconnection.org
• Internet Network of Care Site
• Virtual Call Center
• Telephone
• Aging and Disability Providers

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ASC Services Access

• Intake, Referral and Assistance
• Benefits Counseling
• System Navigation and Service Coordination

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S E R V I C E S A C C E S S E D
Non Partner Agencies Private Pay Network
Internet
Phone Call TTY
Fax
Walk in
Mail
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The ASC Model

• Does not change program management
  responsibilities, processes, eligibility
  criteria, or services
• Does not replace existing case management
  activities
• Does not depend on continued grant funding
• Does need community support

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• How is it different than 211?

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• 211 provides information to the general public on
  all social services available in Bexar County

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• The Alamo Service Connection helps seniors and
  persons with disabilities to arrange for what
  they need to stay in the community over the long
  run.

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• [phone]
• www.alamoserviceconnection.org
• Easy, Friendly, helpful access to services.
• Just Ask!

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For More Information

• Martha Ramirez
• Access Assistance Coordinator
• Bexar Area Agency on Aging
• [phone]
• Mramirez_at_aacog.com

• Carol Zernial, Director
• Bexar Area Agency on Aging
• [phone]
• Czernial_at_aacog.com