Impacting lives by empowering people

Georgia's Aging and Disability Resource Connection

The Vision
To build on existing networks to create an Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) in every community. The ADRC serves as a highly visible and trusted place where people of all incomes and ages can get information on the full range of long-term support options. The ADRC is a single point of entry for access to public long-term support programs and benefits.

ADRCs build consumer trust by using existing entry points to enhance individual choice and support informed decision-making and better access to services.

The Focus

Awareness and Information – information on all options for a seamless system from consumer perspective
Assistance – Counseling, referrals, and future planning
Access – Private pay, eligibility screening, and determination

The Goal

To move from experts working in isolation to partnership, co-location, coordination, and routine communication that includes cross-training.
To move from focus on eligibility and offering set menu of services to a proactive consumer-oriented approach and intensive outreach to individuals of all income levels with comprehensive options counseling.

The Partnerships

The formation of formal and informal partnerships has been an essential element in the success of the ADRC model. The Aging and Disability Resource Connection relies on the collaborative nature of multiple agencies at both the state and local level.
State and local level partnerships include: Governor’s Council on Aging; Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities; Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget; Adult Protective Services; Alzheimer’s Association of Georgia; Brain and Spinal Injury Trust Fund Commission; Department of Community Health; Department of Labor – Tools for Life; Developmental Disabilities and Addictive Diseases; Division of Aging Services; Division of Family & Children Services; Division of Mental Health; Georgia Hospital Association; Service providers and consumers; Shepherd Spinal Center; Atlanta Alliance on Developmental Disabilities; and Walton Options.

Future Needs

Increased coordination among state-level partners to make system changes for the benefit of all individuals seeking information about and access to community-based long-term support options.
Increased funding to support the continuation and expansion of the Aging and Disability Resource Connection.

Our History:
The Administration on Aging and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, both part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, launched the ADRC grant initiative in 2003 to promote the integration of long-term care information and referral services, benefits and options counseling services, and access to publicly and privately financed services and benefits for those in need of long-term supports and their families. Georgia was awarded an ADRC grant in 2004 and began with two sites, one in Augusta and one in Atlanta. Since that time, utilizing both state and federal funding, Georgia has expanded the ADRC effort into twelve regions of the state covering all 159 counties.

Empowerline | Resources in Metro Atlanta Area

Georgia Memory Net | Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias

Benefits Check Up

Disability and Health Promotion

How Do I Get a Georgia State ID Card?

Apply for Assistance

Find Local Assistance

TO DETERMINE BENEFIT ELIGIBILITY IN GEORGIA
To find out if you may be eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); Medicaid; child care; Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC); and other benefits, please visit gateway.ga.gov. It will take you through a set of questions that will assist you in determining if you should proceed with filing an application. To receive benefits, you must apply for each program and be determined eligible.

SEARCH FOR PRIVATE AND PUBLIC BENEFITS
BenefitsCheckUp is a service of the National Council on Aging to assist older adults and people with disabilities find benefits and resources available to them. On this website, you can find and enroll in federal, state, local, and private programs that help pay for prescription drugs, utility bills, meals, health care, and other needs.

MEDICARE VS. MEDICAID
The Medicare Program provides health insurance coverage for approximately 42 million people ages 65 and older and individuals with disabilities nationally. However, many beneficiaries incur substantial out-of-pocket costs for health care even though they have Medicare coverage. The Medicaid program provides protection from some or all of Medicare’s cost sharing for some low-income individuals. Medicaid provides partial financial assistance with Medicare premiums, deductibles, or coinsurance – through the Medicare Savings Program (i.e., Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries, Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiaries, and Qualifying Individuals) – to certain low-income Medicare beneficiaries who are not entitled to the full Medicaid benefit package.

GEORGIA SHIP - BENEFITS COUNSELING
Georgia SHIP, the State Health Insurance Assistance Program, is administered by DHS's Division of Aging Services. It is a volunteer-based program that provides free, unbiased information and assistance to Medicare beneficiaries and their caregivers regarding health and drug plans. To learn about SHIP, go to aging.georgia.gov/georgia-ship.

Georgia's Aging and Disability Resource Connection

Call Us

Message

Mail

Hours

Georgia's Aging and Disability Resource Connection

About ADRC

Mission and Goals

Find Aging Services in Your Local Community

Frequently Asked Questions

ADRC Resources

Apply for Benefits