Ohio Department of Aging

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The Department of Aging is organized into eight divisions, each of which performs or supports a critical function of the agency or the aging network.

• The Communications Division coordinates the public relations and media outreach programs of the department. Staff plans special events and recognitions and creates and distributes educational and informative publications, articles and other resources. The division publishes a monthly newsletter for network professionals (Aging Connection) and produces "Finer With Age," a monthly television talk show, and maintains this Web site.
  Manager: Traci Bell-Thomas
• The Community Long-Term Care Division (CLTCD) manages community-based Medicaid-related programs to provide a cost efficient high-quality alternative to receiving services in a nursing facility. Programs include the PASSPORT Home and Community Based Waiver Program, the self-directed Choices waiver program, the Program of All Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), the Residential State Supplement Program and the Assisted Living Waiver Program that will launch in the summer of 2006. The Preadmission Review program, also overseen by the division, ensures that individuals understand the options available to them and facilitates access to these options.
  Manager: Judy Patterson
• The Elder Rights Division (ERD) safeguards the rights of consumers of long-term care and other services throughout Ohio. The division houses the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, whose mission is to seek resolution of problems and advocate for home care consumers and residents of long-term care facilities, with the goal of enhancing their quality of life and care. The division coordinates legal and benefits assistance, manages the Long-term Care Consumer Guide, which provides information about Ohio nursing homes and residential care facilities, and is the state coordinator for BenefitsCheckUp, a national online database of benefits and supports.
  Manager: Beverley Laubert
• The Employee Services Division (ESD) supports the staff of the Department to ensure the day-to-day operations of the agency. Staff performs all functions of human resources management, including hiring new employees, processing payroll and benefits and staff development. The division also provides facility management, including maintenance of office space, furniture and equipment; and facilitates mail, reception, records retention and telecommunications services.
  Manager: Cate Kolbash
• The Executive Division directs the daily operation of the department, sets goals, guides policy and represents the agency to partners, constituents and decision makers. Staff represents the department in any legal activity and handles all public records requests, labor arbitrations and hearings before administrative forums. The division oversees rule-writing for all program areas, drafts budget concepts, proposes and analyzes legislative language and reviews testimony. Staff also monitors legislation that impacts older Ohioans and their families and provides information to legislators.
  Director: Barbara E. Riley
• The Fiscal Division monitors the programs, services and administrative entities that receive funding through the department. Fiscal staff seeks to ensure compliance with applicable regulations, statutes and policies; processes payments to vendors and subrecipients, and manages the department's administrative resources, purchasing, revenue, travel and inventory. They also track spending, prepare and monitor the biennial budget, manage the grants process for funds passed through the department and conduct annual internal accounting control reviews.
  Manager: Kevin Blade
• The Information Services Division (ISD) provides for the technological needs of the department and the aging network. Staff designs, implements and supports the department's primary network as well as specialized information infrastructures (i.e., databases, applications, T1 communications) for agency programs and entities. They purchase, configure and maintain desktop and network computer equipment and software systems for the department. Staff also provides help desk services and specialized training programs for employees and partners.
  Manager: David Saunders
• The Older Americans Act Programs Division (OAAPD) supports the development and management of a comprehensive and coordinated system of community services. Staff administers and monitors programs supported by Older Americans Act and related state funds, coordinates development of the State Plan on Aging and compiles reliable data for program management, advocacy and reporting. The division also coordinates the department's housing, energy, employment, Golden Buckeye Card, transportation, Aging and Disability Resource Network, care coordination, nutrition, caregiver, health and wellness and emergency preparedness programs and initiatives.
  Manager: Marc Molea