ACL’s COVID-19 Resources: What’s New

Here's what's new on our COVID-19 resource page:

New guidance for ACL grantees:

Centers for Independent Living CARES Act Annual Program Report Instructions and Instrument
FAQ: COVID-19 Response Program Reporting Guidance for OAA Title III Programs Older Americans Act – State Program Report (SPR)
Survival Guide: Navigating ACL Guidance for Administering Title IIIC during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The latest from the CDC: We continue to add new and updated guidance released by the CDC. Recent additions include:

Guidance for direct service professionals and group homes for people with disabilities
Guidance for people with developmental and behavioral disorders and their families and caregivers.
Guidance for caregivers of people living with dementia.

Tool to make hospital visits more person-centered: During the COVID-19 pandemic, people with communication, comprehension, and behavioral challenges may need to visit the hospital without the support of family or friends who would normally accompany them. ACL's National Center on Advancing Person-Centered Practices and Systems has developed a person-centered tool to assist people with disabilities, older adults, and others to communicate their needs and preferences with hospital and other health care staff. The two-page tool includes a sheet for vital health information and a person-centered profile to describe who the person is, what is most important to them, and how they can best be supported.

Free face coverings for the aging and disability networks: To help limit the spread of COVID-19, HHS and FEMA are offering cloth face coverings at no cost to community-based organizations.

“Huddles” explore nursing home transitions: The Institute for Healthcare Improvement, with support from the John A. Hartford Foundation, is continuing its daily 20 minute “huddles” weekdays at noon EDT to support nursing home leadership, staff, residents, families, and communities. Through a partnership with ACL and NCAPPS many of this week’s huddles will focus on transitions from nursing homes. Upcoming topics include Centers for Independent Living (today), Georgia's Developmental Disabilities Network (Wednesday), and New York Mental Health Peer Supports (Thursday).

Last but not least:

The National Assistive Technology Act Technical Assistance and Training (AT3) Center has hurricane preparedness tips for users of assistive technology.
The National Indigenous Elder Justice Initiative has developed a resource for tribal communities with information on preventing the spread of COVID-19, protecting elders and loved ones, and spotting scams.
The American Red Cross has established a Virtual Family Assistance Center to aid people in need during the COVID-19 emergency. Volunteers are available to help you navigate available resources.
The National Center on Law and Elder Rights has developed a document with answers to common questions about stimulus payments and representative payees.