Aging and ADRC integration underway; staff warn funding streams remain separate and volunteer drivers are needed

Donna Richards, who presented the aging and disability integration update, told the committee the county combined Aging and ADRC functions into a single division six months ago to reduce duplication and improve client navigation.

Richards said the division consolidated committees, marketing, and the case management system (now shared), and is aligning assessments to avoid multiple visits for the same client. "We also are using the same case management system," she said, adding that integrated operations have improved coverage and efficiency.

Richards emphasized funding remains separate: ADRC funding flows through Medicaid and the state Office of Resource Development, aging services rely on the Older Americans Act, county levy, donations and Family Care funds, and specialized transportation draws on federal, state, county co-pays and Family Care through the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. "When we talk to legislators or we talk to our board members, we really need people to understand that when they're looking at the ADRC... they assume the ADRCs are funding all of these, and it's not happening that way," she said.

Committee members asked about volunteer drivers for specialized transportation. Richards said the program has only about three regular volunteer drivers and relies on part-time and on-call paid drivers. She described outreach after a recent community event that produced two potential volunteer drivers and said volunteers reduce budget pressure.

The committee received the integration update; no formal policy changes were adopted at the meeting. Richards asked for continued board awareness about how funding streams differ when the county advocates with legislators.