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| Home | Advocacy & Legislation | Area Agencies' Websites | Pharmaceutical Assistance | Aging Services & Benefits |
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Quality Standards and a Qualified Workforce |
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The Older Adult Services Act (P.A. 093-1031) requires the Illinois Department on Aging to establish a core set of uniform quality standards for all providers that focus on outcomes and take into consideration consumer choice and satisfaction. The Act also requires the Department to develop strategies to attract and retain a qualified and stable work force, provide living wages and benefits, and create a work environment that is conducive to long-term employment and career development. To promote the quality in the provision of Information and Assistance Services in conducting client intake through a Coordinated Point of Entry System and a qualified and stable workforce for this system, the Illinois Association of Area Agencies on Aging proposes that all Area Agencies on Aging and provider agencies designated to provide Information and Assistance services as part of a Coordinated Point of Entry System, complete certification of their staff as Information & Referral Specialists in Aging through the Alliance of Information and Referral Systems (AIRS). AIRS has the following eligibility criteria for certification: The candidate must have a minimum of 3 years experience in I&R, and a high school diploma or GED; or a minimum of 2 years experience in I&R and an Associate of Arts degree in a human service related field; or a minimum of one year experience in I&R and 60 hours or more of college credit; or a minimum of one year experience in I&R and a bachelors degree or higher. The candidate must submit an application and take an examination at an accredited AIRS testing location. The cost of initial certification is $65 for AIRS members ($200 for non-members). Certified I&R personnel must be re-certified every 2 years. Recertification of members costs $30 ($165 for non-members). Beginning, January 1, 2007, members of AIRS can pursue certification by taking courses on-line at their own pace and at times most convenient to their agencys workload. I4A proposes to join the Alliance for Information & Referral Systems and negotiate an agreement with AIRS to enable all Area Agencies on Aging and their contractual providers of Information & Assistance to apply for certification as Information & Referral Specialists in Aging as members of AIRS. I4A proposes to coordinate the certification process statewide and provide continuing education and training on public benefits for older adults in Illinois. I4A proposes to certify Information & Referral Specialists in Aging at each of the 13 Area Agencies on Aging and at each contractual provider of Information & Assistance. A survey of Area Agencies on Aging in November, 2006 finds that a total of 229 individuals will need to be certified as Information & Referral Specialists in Aging statewide. I4A requests $572,500 in Illinois General Revenue Funds in FY 2008 to provide 229 scholarships in the amount of $2,500 to Area Agencies on Aging and providers of Information & Assistance for AIRS certification. The scholarships would cover the cost of the initial AIRS certification and staff time needed for training and preparation for the exam. I4A requests an additional allocation of $100,000 GRF in FY 2008 to coordinate the certification process and provide continuing education and training on public benefit programs in Illinois for professionals certified as Information & Referral Specialists in Aging.
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