[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6104144,"mediaKeyId","2791778-b0033037393f28dd17fe23f2ec17f8ef","parentId",2791778,"title","Department on Aging outlines grants, workforce initiatives and online resource hub to senators","audioSeconds",2416,"startMs",72000,"endMs",2488000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2791778-b0033037393f28dd17fe23f2ec17f8ef&start=72&end=2488","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2791778-b0033037393f28dd17fe23f2ec17f8ef/thumbnail_72000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6104144/South-Carolina/Department-on-Aging-outlines-grants-workforce-initiatives-and-online-resource-hub-to-senators","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6104144-0d286327c4bb58aca36b3f548cca0e40/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156112&Signature=GoGlyDXpb9UUggG8K0B1Ux3DYz9JsdNbP~Ehxw5ml6i7xMhLGebEKDMX~AIybZdqTyQf3iizqROlHRCKxgoQ38veAcRI9wKpnj4jAgR4IzDb0Yn32xyIEEWH94zTu58L2eoC1SvmpJQZd1QgDB7ttW7wkRc0zIzfMhggW96CE~fnrKnFz6neHoAvTnKFU6wHioK785FHTe1FCQQHTtKXkinNA8dSew7QDuuMxk4tPLoWeaESLq5nho6dMw5lRP6bBb1ede-7pY2M6aHpcESO1Kv0Gs-7didNgzT6r2TgNpygDOcKXciyTM4fc2YwvTbmp~4RWPBPeZPDP30OXiDbBw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","South Carolina Legislature","date","2025-03-19T00:00:00Z","article","Columbia — The South Carolina Department on Aging presented an overview of its major programs and grant portfolios during an Oct. 12 legislative oversight hearing, highlighting long-running grant initiatives, workforce programs, and an online resource database.

\"Since its inception in 1995 we have awarded over 378 grants,\" the department’s presenter said about the Alzheimer's Resource Coordination Center, which the department said serves as the Dementia Registry Advisory Council and awards competitive grants for education, respite and innovative programming. The department provided a handout listing awards by county and region since 1995. The department said of the 378 grants, 128 were educational programs, 239 were respite care, and 11 were innovative programs.

The department described the Senior Community Service Employment Program (CSEP), a Title V/Department of Labor program for workers age 55 and older. The agency said it hosted a job fair with 83 participants last week, 35 of whom were veterans. The presenter said the program helps older adults maintain income and avoid homelessness by placing them in community work sites.

On capital grants, the department outlined the Senior Center Permanent Improvement Grant program, established by the South Carolina General Assembly in 1991 and amended in 1997. The agency said the program has funded 74 capital projects since 1991, that the fund derives from state bingo and licensing revenues, and that awards may be up to $350,000 (with emergency set-asides for urgent repairs such as leaking roofs).

The department also discussed the Elder Care Trust Fund, created in 1992, which awards grants to nonprofit organizations serving older adults. Officials said the fund has awarded more than $550,000 to over 40 nonprofits since inception and that last year four recipients received $20,000 each (Anderson Interfaith Ministries, Piedmont Agency on Aging, Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, and Senior Resources).

On workforce and clinical care, the department described the geriatric physician loan forgiveness program, established in 2005. The program repays $35,000 toward medical debt in exchange for at least five years of practice in South Carolina; the department said a proviso is being pursued to increase the award to $50,000. The department reported that 27 physicians have received $840,000 in total awards and that those physicians served more than 10,000 South Carolina seniors since the program began.

The department highlighted GetCareSC, an online database and public resource with more than 421 service listings and a calendar of events to connect older adults, caregivers and people with disabilities to state and local services. The presenter said the tool helps avoid the \"maze\" of service navigation and estimated the site had been operating for about 10 years.

The department also described its vulnerable-adult guardian ad litem program, which uses volunteers to represent the interests of abused, neglected or exploited vulnerable adults in protective custody and court proceedings, supported by eight staff members at the department.

Senators asked clarification questions on program eligibility, outreach to faith-based organizations, and how constituents experiencing housing instability are routed to housing authorities and local area agencies on aging. The department said it will coordinate referrals and that Millie Cargill is a named contact for follow-up.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Legislative Oversight Committee -- Legislative Oversight Subcommittee on DoA Wednesday, March 19, 2025 11:00 am ","oneSentenceSummary","At an Oct. 12 legislative oversight hearing, the South Carolina Department on Aging presented an overview of multiple programs — including the Alzheimer's Resource Coordination Center, senior employment supports, capital grants, an Elder Care Trust Fund and an online resource hub — and supplied details on grant counts and eligibility.","taxTitle","Legislative Oversight, Standing, Senate, Committees, Legislative, South Carolina","taxId",17643,"location","South Carolina","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6104145,"State expands home-modification program after HUD grant; department cites $604,000 spent on 30 homes and estimated $13 million saving",140,996000,1136000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2791778-b0033037393f28dd17fe23f2ec17f8ef&start=996&end=1136","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2791778-b0033037393f28dd17fe23f2ec17f8ef/thumbnail_996000.jpg","/articles/6104145/South-Carolina/State-expands-home-modification-program-after-HUD-grant-department-cites-604000-spent-on-30-homes-and-estimated-13-million-saving","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6104145-df2dec0f2a9e196652bb3c26bcc9c754/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156112&Signature=kCe~dcvW-0glUFglyPzh5zVvrcS7HW-ZhDWjS6cmxkiY0U0S9vF69PUEcbUfYR~9O2wfDRcPSnPcOdnV-00RHjlAHZBpmI04hqadi013ChjVr5XsX7JPZjizTFCJG8rYD~plZRrKBvFitCenuhVvFhgkGnAsE39dmmxCH5sH8Bb4lFTRbSUeLMk35A8pBBihmh1Pa~qUzMzND1ku-qiTwHhliS2CHg9Vv8sajsubt83WT-rzq3i7xukoA3Os~w0LmZHqBCvBvQjDEO6m7-rm4dDt2mehNDIA6ohWZj922dLAqyy-usjRYCjkuZtq7t-P8H8IiqCLRqGkEB-GS9~PMg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Columbia — At an oversight hearing on Oct. 12, the South Carolina Department on Aging described a home-stabilization program that began with a HUD minor modification grant and has been expanded statewide using state funding.

\"This award was for a three-year grant in October of 2021,\" the department’s presenter said, describing the HUD program that funded low-cost home repairs and adaptations to keep older adults safe at home. \"We were able to complete 30 homes that cost $604,000.\"

Department staff said occupational therapists assess every home and that modifications are typically low-cost: improving lighting, removing tripping hazards, and installing grab bars. The department said it spends up to $5,000 per home.

Officials explained the HUD grant originally limited eligibility (for example, to homeowners age 62 and older and to certain geographic constraints). Running the program through the state allows the department to serve all 46 counties, set the eligibility at age 60 and older, and to help some residents who do not own their homes but otherwise qualify.

The department told the committee that the completed HUD-funded work on 30 homes cost $604,000 and that, based on the department’s estimates, avoiding a relatively small number of nursing-home placements produced a large cost-avoidance figure. At the hearing the presenter summarized the department’s estimate as an approximate $13,000,000 cost savings to the state compared with potential nursing-home costs for the same group over one year.

Senators asked whether the HUD-funded portion of the program is at risk because of federal grant freezes; the department clarified the HUD award had ended and the state-run continuation is funded locally, so the prior HUD award itself is not at immediate risk from current federal actions.

The committee requested additional documentation on the program’s cost-benefit calculations and on the department’s plan to sustain or scale the state-run home-stabilization program.","The Department on Aging described a home-stabilization program that began with a HUD grant and now runs statewide. Officials said 30 homes received work costing $604,000 (up to $5,000 per home) and that the department estimates substantial nursing-home-cost avoidance.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6104150,"Federal funding uncertainty leaves Meals on Wheels programs short; department explores reallocations",276,1166000,1442000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2791778-b0033037393f28dd17fe23f2ec17f8ef&start=1166&end=1442","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2791778-b0033037393f28dd17fe23f2ec17f8ef/thumbnail_1166000.jpg","/articles/6104150/South-Carolina/Federal-funding-uncertainty-leaves-Meals-on-Wheels-programs-short-department-explores-reallocations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6104150-043ac4e4b7af2ac7428c8441f11c55ea/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156112&Signature=kcthkHgW9U-cby~QqK6x~K0YnZF4rM005f5kUZXT9tZSvM0t54KEjpgL-jtjDSbcMCBdWTUVKJak34iWs-PRpllHy9i4WxLLA9dzeAboumtOqzw-QepY7NRRxTGWSEpDgR6tSglvxjOhoLUIsqtjLJo0p03KRib6JQgSiBXIczWiY2NwB5gOUSIW1TphzlV5WLR~RS1fkxPX0xK6-htOqGHxdABAP3nagdQXusZleFHeJzMhxGIXsBKBBBXQNpogrty1qCar9FcefXfRi9m-EQiZQY9-etuStiRLM9LLQwF4KASbvbU0Be~yk~OfndJWeIcf3mEuw1TauAJEhKKEkA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Columbia — The South Carolina Department on Aging told a legislative oversight subcommittee on Oct. 12 that it has received roughly 50% of its expected federal funding for the year, creating short-term stress on Meals on Wheels and other Older Americans Act services in some regions.

\"So far this year, we've seen about 50% of our federal funds come through,\" Sayeda Galman, finance director for the South Carolina Department on Aging, told the committee. \"Usually, we see about $24,000,000 in funding, and we have about 12 [million] right now.\"

Galman and Director Munn said the department has already sent carry-forward funds to area agencies on aging and that most remaining agency cash balances are restricted for specific purposes. Galman said the department has set aside an agency contingency to sustain operations while federal guidance is uncertain.

The committee raised concerns that several regional councils of governments (COGs) reported running short of funds for meal delivery for the remainder of the fiscal year. Senators asked whether the department could reallocate unused funds from one COG to another or claw back unobligated carry-forward amounts to cover shortfalls.

\"We administer and distribute the money through a funding formula,\" the department said, noting the formula factors include regional population (including those 85 and older) and other demographic considerations. The department said it generally encourages area agencies to recategorize spending within allowable categories as a first short-term response and is researching historical practices—such as limited \"clawback\" redistributions—that have been used in prior years.

Committee members pressed for a rapid solution for regions facing immediate shortages through June 30. The department’s staff said they have been in contact with the federal awarding agency, the Administration for Community Living (ACL), and are awaiting further guidance after a continuing resolution (CR) passed the prior Friday.

Senators also asked whether discretionary grants—such as a prior HUD minor modification grant used for home repairs—are at risk. The department clarified that the HUD grant in question has ended and the state now runs a similar program from state funding, so that prior HUD award is not currently at risk from federal grant freezes.

The subcommittee asked the department to return to a future hearing with (1) an analysis of whether any COGs hold unobligated Meals on Wheels funds that could be temporarily reallocated, (2) a list of carry-forward balances and their legal restrictions, and (3) options and legal limits for short-term redistribution or emergency assistance to cover meal-delivery gaps.

The committee adjourned with members emphasizing the need for a prompt departmental review and follow-up on the 2020 Legislative Audit Council review at a later date.","At a legislative oversight hearing, the South Carolina Department on Aging told senators it has received about half of expected federal funds and that several area agencies face shortfalls for meal delivery; officials described limited carry-forward funds, restrictive uses, and possible short-term reallocation options.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Department on Aging outlines grants, workforce initiatives and online resource hub to senators

State expands home-modification program after HUD grant; department cites $604,000 spent on 30 homes and estimated $13 million saving

Federal funding uncertainty leaves Meals on Wheels programs short; department explores reallocations