The Aging and Adult Services Division (AASD) and Disability Services Division (DSD) have dropped some paperwork in favor of streamlining their operations, according to an official statement. In a move indicative of an updated approach, forms DHS-2988 and DHS-2497 are now defunct, effective immediately, as they were reportedly stuffed with out-of-date intel. Minding the change, agency managers and support providers serving the elderly and disabled no longer need to wade through these forms.

Meanwhile, for those in the service of disability and long-term care, the Division hasn't stopped at just paperwork. They've also rolled out a spree of training webinars and events planned throughout 2024. The schedule kicks off with a "245D licensing and disability services roundtable series," set to take place on April 24, with further sessions teed up for August 21 and December 11. Owing to impeccable timing, these virtual roundtables are designed to tackle the practical headaches providers face when dancing with specific requirements.

Additionally, addressing the interplay of disability and aging—a concern as layered as it is pressing—the previously postponed "From Either/Or to Both/And: When Disability and Aging Intersect" webinar has been penned in for May 30. This session, hosted by the Odyssey conference committee, seeks to shed light on the nuanced reality that is servicing an aging population burgeoning with diverse needs.

In the vein of enhancing expertise, AASD announced the launch of "Elderly Waiver (EW) Foundations 1: Administration and Eligibility," a training resource brimming with procedural lore for those navigating home and community-based services for older adults. This self-paced, online primer serves up a generous 45-minute run-time, topped with a hearty side of financial eligibility detail. Those hungering for knowledge can find the course hosted on the state's official website, providing immediate access to materials that have been eagerly anticipated by care coordinators and case managers alike.