Latest news with #AAAs
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Yahoo
State highlights increased transparency to keep older Pennsylvanians safe
Apr. 20—WILKES-BARRE — Earlier this month, the Pennsylvania Department of Aging (PDA) took action to boost transparency of its oversight of county Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs), allowing the public for the first time to see information that shows how quickly those local agencies are conducting investigations of suspected elder abuse. After launching this latest transparency effort the Department is highlighting AAAs that have made significant progress. Secretary of Aging Jason Kavulich this week praised the improvements, noting that they have led directly to increased compliance rates across Pennsylvania for the time it takes a local agency to complete an investigation. For example, thanks to the Department's increased efforts with AAAs, Delaware County AAA more than doubled its compliance rate for timely determinations in older adult protective services — from 40% in 2024 to 89% in 2025. That means older adults in Delaware County are receiving the assistance and care they need faster and more efficiently than before. "I commend the Delaware AAA leadership and the entire protective services team for their hard work and dedication to improving their performance," Kavulich said. "While working steadily on a much-needed major overhaul of the Department's performance monitoring system, we have also worked closely with AAAs to make sure they have the tools they need to improve. It is evident that our work is leading to real-world results that benefit and protect older Pennsylvanians." Across Pennsylvania, AAAs investigate nearly 40,000 cases of suspected abuse each year. Reports of suspected abuse can be made to a AAA, or to the statewide elder abuse helpline at 1-800-490-8505. The Helpline is answered live 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and all calls are confidential. Property tax/rent rebate program resources A tip sheet for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate (PTRR) program is now available in seven languages to provide eligible Pennsylvanians with information that can help them access this critical program. These languages include: —ENG — English —ARA — Arabic —CHI — Simplified Chinese —CHI — Traditional Chinese —ESP — Spanish —KOR — Korean —VIE — Vietnamese This work by the Department of Revenue (DOR) to provide additional resources for non-English-speaking Pennsylvanians is part of the Shapiro Administration's continued commitment to improve access to government resources — including the PTRR program. This is especially important following Gov. Josh Shapiro's work to secure bipartisan support for a historic expansion of the PTRR program, increasing income limits and the maximum rebate for the first time in nearly 20 years. "As Governor Shapiro has said, hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians speak a language other than English," said Secretary of Revenue Pat Browne. "That's why we are taking steps to break down language barriers so that the PTRR program helps as many eligible residents as possible. The PTRR program has served as a lifeline for more than 50 years, providing more than $8.6 billion in property tax and rent relief to some of Pennsylvania's most vulnerable residents. If you think you or someone you know may qualify for a rebate, please check out our tip sheet or visit our website to check your eligibility." Following the PTRR program's historic expansion last year, it delivered more than 522,000 rebates totaling $319 million to eligible Pennsylvanians who applied for a rebate on property taxes or rent paid in 2024. This included roughly 106,000 first-time filers who received a rebate for the very first time. So far this year, DOR has received more than 300,000 PTRR applications. PTRR filing eligibility, assistance The rebate program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians age 65 and older; widows and widowers age 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older. Eligible applicants of the PTRR program are reminded to submit a new application (PA-1000) each year, as rebates are determined by annual income and property taxes or rent paid during the previous year. Applicants can check their eligibility on the Department of Revenue's website. State opens 3 new electric vehicle charging stations The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced the opening of three new federally-funded Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations — bringing Pennsylvania's total number of stations built using funds from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program to 11. Pennsylvania is tied for second in the nation in stations built using the federal funds. Since the first NEVI-funded station opened in the Commonwealth — the charging stations have delivered more than 13,000 charging sessions, powering over 1.5 million estimated miles driven and reducing CO2 emissions by more 700,000 pounds. "Gov. Josh Shapiro has set a clear directive to get things done for Pennsylvanians, and the PennDOT team is meeting that," said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. "We've been a national leader in the NEVI program, and we will continue to get stuff done for the people of Pennsylvania." The 11 stations represent a federal investment of more than $7.2 million in the state's EV charger network. In total, PennDOT has obligated $70 million of the $171.5 million allotted by the NEVI program, of which at least 90 projects totaling roughly $59 million are under contract and expected to move forward. The new stations are at the following locations: —Kwik Fill in Kylertown, Clearfield County along Interstate 80 (Exit 133), —Pilot Flying J Travel Center in Mill Hall, Clinton County along I-80 (Exit 173), —Love's Travel Stop in Mifflinville, Columbia County along I-80 (Exit 242). While charging, customers will have access to station amenities. NEVI funding supports the expansion of EV charging along the previously designated Alternative Fuel Corridors (AFCs) (see a map of AFCs here). Pennsylvania has over 1,800 miles of AFCs. Per guidance from U.S. DOT, NEVI formula funds must first be used to "build out" designated AFCs (meaning there must be no more than 50 miles between stations and less than 1 mile from an AFC exit) and meet U.S. DOT minimum standards and requirements. The PA NEVI program includes multiple rounds of funding. During Round 1, of which these stations were awarded, the focus was on building out the AFC network along the interstates to meet the NEVI requirements. PennDOT has since announced awards for Round 1A and Round 1B of NEVI funding which were designed to fill the remaining gaps along the AFC network. A list of all NEVI awards is available on PennDOT's website. National data on the status of the NEVI program by state is available at Pennsylvania can compete for billions of dollars in federal funds across a wide range of federal competitive grant programs through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). To help communities and organizations learn about these opportunities, PennDOT created a web page at with details on federal grant opportunities to help municipalities, townships, and other community agencies with understanding the multiple transportation program grants that are available. The page includes grant alerts, guides and links to important resources for local municipalities and organizations interested in pursuing federal funding opportunities. Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Proposed bill would improve transparency, protect Pennsylvania seniors
PENNSYLVANIA (WTAJ) — A bill that has been advanced to the Pennsylvania House is hoping to improve transparency and protect older adults across the Commonwealth. The legislation, House Bill 372, was advanced out of the House Aging and Older Adult Services Committee with bipartisan support. It would require that the Department of Aging list any local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) that is not compliant with regulations and corresponding corrective action plans on its website. Pennsylvania to join 17 states that have 'state pledge' if bill passes According to Representative Lou Schmitt (R-Blair), the Department of Aging had kept non-compliant AAAs from public view, releasing information once a year in a report that is rarely, if ever, seen by the public. Adding that he wants more transparency from the department. 'As representatives, there are many areas where we can make a positive difference. From my perspective, there's nothing more important than keeping our citizens safe and free from abuse and financial exploitation. My legislation will promote transparency and demonstrate areas where more work is needed,' Schmitt said. In a release, he added that as many as one-third of the 52 Pennsylvania AAAs have been out of compliance with state regulations. The legislation is now in the full House for consideration. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Serving seniors
Neil Segotta, director of the Non-Metro Area Agency on Aging in New Mexico, speaks to older New Mexicans at the Roundhouse for Senior Day, Jan. 27, 2025. (Photo by Leah Romero / Source NM) Nearly half of New Mexico's Aging and Long-Term Services Department's proposed $74.3 million budget—which ALTSD Secretary-Designate Emily Kaltenbach discussed with House and Senate committees last week—will benefit what's known as Area Agencies on Aging. Often referred to as AAAs, these nonprofit or public organizations the state designates to serve people aged 60 and over were established through the federal Older Americans Act. While the number of seniors in New Mexico is growing rapidly, the percentage of those who take advantage of available state services remains minuscule, according to Neil Segotta, the director of the state's Non-Metro Area Agency on Aging. For instance, his agency serves nearly 39,000 seniors across the state, which is only 8% of those eligible. Segotta, who doubles as the mayor of the city of Raton, spoke with Source about those services. New Mexico has four AAAs: one serving Albuquerque and Bernalillo County, the Navajo AAA, the Indian AAA and the Non-Metro AAA, which covers 32 of the 33 New Mexico counties and is overseen by the North Central New Mexico Economic Development District. These AAAs oversee senior centers throughout the state, which offer services to seniors to assist them in day-to-day activities and needs such as transportation and meals. According to Segotta, his agency contracts with 56 providers to offer free adult daycare, case management and household work. 'Basically our main service is to try to keep the senior in their home as long as they can,' Segotta said. 'That's what we try to do is just extend the senior's life and let them enjoy it in the comfort of their homes.' Incoming Aging and Long-Term Services leader talks vision, priorities In addition to state funding, Segotta said his AAA receives approximately $9 million annually from the federal government, or 17 to 18% of his budget. Local government and donations from seniors support the remainder of the budget. 'In a way that's kind of sad that we're providing these programs for them and asking them to donate, but also the seniors feel like they're contributing,' Segotta told Source. 'Even though it sounds like we're getting a good boost [from the state], it really doesn't go very far. The legislators are starting to see that now. They're starting to understand that picture.' Connecting to senior services can be as simple as making inquiries at a local senior center, but Segotta said people generally learn about the agencies through word of mouth. 'Someone will hear of a senior getting something and we'll direct them to that local senior center,' he said. 'There's staff there that goes through the assessment process where we ask basic questions: 'How many times a week do you need someone to prepare a meal for you? Are you eating every day?'' The process, conducted at the client's home, takes 30 to 45 minutes. The staff member will determine which services the client would benefit from and connect them. People can also reach out directly to ALTSD at Segotta told Source NM that the services the Non-Metro AAA provides have expanded from basic transportation and meal needs to chores around the house, yard maintenance, casework and more, all with the goal of helping people age in place as long as possible. 'I had nothing to do with senior services before 2012,' Segota noted, 'but I got to say this has probably been one of my most rewarding jobs is working with seniors.' This article was written with the support of a journalism fellowship from The Gerontological Society of America, The Journalists Network on Generations and The NIHCM Foundation. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
