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Mission
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The mission of FASP is to support and advocate for public and non-profit organizations engaged in the provision of community-based services to Florida’s elders to improve their quality of life.
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Vision
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The vision of FASP is that member organizations will collaborate in the sharing of knowledge and experience maximizing the potential for Florida’s elders to remain independent.
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Philosophy
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The philosophy of FASP is that member organizations speaking with “one voice” collectively can achieve more positive results than individuals acting alone.
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The Historical Perspective
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In the early 1970's, the then Department of Aging began to seek out agencies to serve as "umbrella" agencies that would provide services, primarily using Older Americans Act funds. These agencies would be community-based, generally non-profit, and committed to providing services and raising local funds needed for match. Florida encouraged the development of the non-profit sector as service providers, recognizing that they would be more cost effective and locally responsive than state government.
The system of Lead Agencies in Florida was established as a result of the Community Care for the Elderly (CCE) Act. This cemented the concept that community-based organizations know their consumers, understand their community, generate community support, leverage other funding sources, are responsive to local needs, and are able to adapt to ever changing service delivery environments. Area Agencies on Aging roles were limited to advocacy, planning, and administering contracts/grants. This separation of responsibilities has succeeded far beyond expectations. Most of the local agencies created under the state CCE program have significantly supplemented state dollars with additional funding sources.
These local service providers have also developed many innovative services for elders in need, again supplementing the resources provided through programs such as CCE and OAA. Some examples of these services include: volunteer medical and dental services, agency-funded senior centers, support and advocacy groups, utility discount programs, drug assistance programs, financial services and counseling, guardianship services, intergenerational programs, sliding fee scale programs, and many others.
These agencies formed the basis for what is now called the "aging network" and have established themselves as vital community resources for aging services in Florida. From this network was born the Florida Association of Aging Services Providers (FASP), dedicated to providing support and training, and promoting excellence in service to the aging network.
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Back To Top
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The Future Perspective
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FASP seeks to identify best practices of service delivery as they relate to our consumers and our communities; to increase volunteerism as it affects service provision; to assess new approaches to funding and delivering services; and to create new partnership for service delivery to meet the needs of our state's ever growing elder population. We believe our consumers need to have a major "voice" in what services they receive, and how they receive them. FASP strongly supports values, as articulated by the Governor, of Aging in Place, Aging in an Elder-Friendly Environment, Aging with Security, Aging with Purpose, and Aging with Dignity.
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Back To Top
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Values
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Aging in Place begins with enabling seniors to continue their independence in their communities through volunteerism, senior centers, and employment opportunities. More needs to be done to address the ever growing number of elders waiting to receive vital home and community-based services, such as adult day care, in-home services, and nutrition services. FASP supports increased funding of the state's CCE program and the Medicaid Waiver Program to reduce the waiting list that has plagued our state for so many years. Aging in place also depends heavily on the vital role caregivers play, along with help from home and community-based services. Strengthening and improving existing programs, such as Home Care for the Elderly (HCE) and the R.E.L.I.E.F. programs, can go far in helping to enhance caregiver support.
All clients and, if appropriate, their caregivers should have a direct role in the development and implementation of their plan of care. FASP supports this concept of self-directed care. FASP also recognizes that many clients and their caregivers need assistance in planning that care and learning what options are available. That role is best provided by trained case managers from community-based organizations who understand the local aging network and can assist the client/caregiver in accessing appropriate services.
Perhaps no other federal program, with the exception of Medicare and Social Security, has played such an important role in supporting elders to age in place as the Older Americans Act. FASP strongly supports efforts to address the interstate funding formula that has shortchanged Florida for many years. This effort will require the assistance of the entire aging network as we work with the Department of Elder Affairs and our Congressional Delegation on this issue. Likewise, FASP will continue its efforts to support the reauthorization of the Older Americans Act.
A system that provides access to case management support is also crucial. FASP supports and endorses standardized training for case managers, which currently varies from area to area. Initial case management training should be overseen by the Department of Elder Affairs to ensure statewide continuity in content and quality. FASP would like to work with the Department to strengthen and professionalize this area. FASP also cautions against separation of case management from services solely to eliminate the potential of conflict of interest. This separation may further serve to fragment services and increase administrative costs. The conflict of interest issue is unproven and runs contrary to the "managed care concept." FASP agrees that more needs to be done to reduce bureaucracy and streamline access to services.
Competition can lead to lower costs and improve operational practices among service providers. FASP believes strongly in cost effective services. However, it is important to remember that cheapest is not always best and that non-community based businesses can "low ball" a bid process without concern for service quality or a long-term commitment in the local community. The actual provision of services is best done at the local level by community based agencies that understand the local network.
FASP strongly supports a variety of community based programs, which help prevent loneliness and social isolation among older adults. FASP encourages new funding and cooperative ventures with the mental health system to assure that the mental health needs of elders are being met.
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Florida elders deserve to age with dignity throughout their lives. Ironically, when end of life issues become most important, they are often the least discussed. Our culture resists discussing issues involving death and dying. Many elders are unaware of existing services, programs, and laws that could help them in dealing with end of life issues. Durable power of attorney, medical surrogates, living wills, etc., are terms not often understood by a great number of our clients. Local service providers, in partnership with organizations such as Hospice, Legal Services, the local bar associations, etc., need to educate our elder population and begin the dialogue that will lead to a better understanding of end of life issues. Again, frail homebound elders also need to have access to such information. FASP wants to work with partners in state government and local communities to ensure that these issues are discussed and understood in a compassionate and empathetic manner sensitive to the ethics of different cultures.
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FASP also supports ways to strengthen programs for protecting elders, including those living in institutional facilities. A rating system is needed for Assisted Living Facilities (ALFs) and nursing homes, which will reward superior performance and serve as a guide to the consumer. Likewise, a significant increase in the Optional State Subsidy (OSS) provided to ALFs is urgently needed. Many facilities will not accept OSS residents, thus limiting access for many economically disadvantaged elders. Significantly increasing the state subsidy will encourage more facilities to accept those residents and increase their quality of care.
The aging network must continue to advocate and educate citizens of all ages, stressing the importance of financial planning, especially as it relates to retirement. FASP supports encouraging the private sector to offer retirement planning as a benefit to its employees. Consumer Credit Counseling Services, local community colleges, etc., are among those who could conduct such training at little cost. Additionally, local service providers need to include retirement plans in their staff benefits packages.
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FASP recognizes that every human has a need to feel wanted and that their life has purpose. In some ways, we have become a disposable society, even casting aside people, unless they are considered "productive members of society." It is incumbent upon all members of the aging network to reverse that trend. The sense of belonging that all humans have begins first with the family and then, by extension, the community. Many local service providers offer a myriad of programs that enrich the lives of our elder citizens and give them that sense of belonging and purpose. Senior Centers and other service providers have long been incubators of innovation and in the forefront of this effort. The most vulnerable among us - the frail homebound elders - often do not have access to such enrichment programs. These elders are most often in need of that sense of purpose.
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FASP has long recognized that some of the "systems" for elders are not necessarily "elder-friendly." The bureaucratic maze that must be navigated to receive Medicaid, food stamps, home repairs, housing assistance, etc., can be daunting. Further work needs to be done in partnership with other agencies and local governments to identify and attack barriers to an elder-friendly environment.
Several years ago, Florida initiated the elder helpline concept, where one can call an agency in his/her immediate area that can help provide critical information and assistance. In most cases, this connects the caller to a community-based agency that provides case management and other services. This system can be expanded and refined to serve as a "one stop" local access to service and guide an elder citizen through the process. What is needed, in many cases, is a direct client advocate who could become the actual representative for the elder in need.
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The member agencies and organizations of FASP continue to be pioneers in developing and integrating services to help older adults access the essential programs they need to live with independence and security. The five fundamental goals of Governor Bush's "Golden Choices" blueprint are in harmony with our membership's missions, services, and initiatives. We will continue to pursue cooperative efforts to effectively address the growing needs of older adults and their families. This will require new approaches, new skills, new attitudes, and new ideas. FASP joins with other members of the aging network willing to work together toward a goal of excellence in service to older adults.
Through further empowerment of its current network of local service providers, Florida has the potential to become the national leader in providing elders with effective alternatives to institutional care.
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