FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 9, 2008
Department of Aging Hosts Web-based Meetings to Solicit Input on
Unified Long-term Care Budget Recommendations
Technology Will Create "Virtual" Town Hall Sessions
COLUMBUS - Ohio Department of Aging Director Barbara E. Riley will host three free, Web-based meetings to give Ohioans an advance look at the recommendations of the Unified Long-term Care Budget Workgroup appointed by Governor Ted Strickland. Participants will be able to ask questions and provide feedback on the recommendations. Input from the sessions will help shape the final report of the workgroup, which will be delivered to the Governor and General Assembly on June 1.
"This workgroup has successfully brought together aging network and state agency partners, long-term care service providers, advocates for Ohioans with disabilities and policy makers to create a comprehensive, flexible and transparent budget process that is based on consumer choice and differing levels of need," Riley said. "But our work cannot be called complete until we've heard from the very Ohioans for whom we're doing this. Technology gives us a chance to reach more people and do so in innovative and effective ways."
In order to ensure maximum participation, the meetings will be held on three different days and times:
- Tuesday, April 15, 2008 - 1 to 3 p.m. EDT
- Thursday, April 17, 2008 - 2 to 4 p.m. EDT
- Thursday, April 24, 2008 - 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. EDT
Each session will be live, cover the same topics and be accessible from virtually any computer connected to the Internet. Interested individuals may register for the session of their choice by visiting www.aging.ohio.gov/resources/webinars/. Space is limited and registrations will be handled on a first-come, first-served basis.
In his first biennium budget, Governor Ted Strickland instructed the Department of Aging to lead the charge in determining the steps necessary to establish a unified budget for long-term services and supports, as well as to determine what that budget will look like and how it will be managed. For more information about the Unified Long-term Care Budget planning process, visit www.aging.ohio.gov/information/ultcb/.
About ODA
The Ohio Department of Aging provides leadership for the delivery of services and supports that improve and promote quality of life and personal choice for older Ohioans, adults with disabilities, their families and their caregivers. Working with 12 area agencies on aging and other community partners, the department offers home- and community-based Medicaid waiver programs such as PASSPORT, the long-term care ombudsman program, the Golden Buckeye Card and more.
