FR 2021-02091

General Summary

The document is a notice from the Department of Health and Human Services, specifically from the Administration for Community Living (ACL), announcing available funding for Adult Protective Services (APS) under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021. This funding, amounting to $93,880,000, is intended to help APS in states and territories enhance their services in response to challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this initiative is to improve APS programs' capabilities in areas such as remote work, scam response, community outreach, and providing necessary supplies and services to vulnerable adults affected by COVID-19.

To qualify for this funding, states and territories must submit a Letter of Assurance and an Initial Spend Plan by March 3, 2021. These submissions must demonstrate the applicant's capacity to use the funds effectively and comply with the regulation under the Elder Justice Act Section 2042(b). The grants will be distributed according to the population of elderly individuals in each jurisdiction.

Significant Issues or Concerns

One of the major issues with the document is its reliance on terminology and references, such as to the Elder Justice Act and Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, which are not well explained within the text. This could make it difficult for individuals unfamiliar with these acts to fully understand the context and requirements. Additionally, there is a lack of clarity around the requirement for a "D-U-N-S number," as it does not describe why this number is necessary or how it affects the application process.

The document also mentions that there are "no cost-sharing nor match requirements," which may result in insufficient local investment or accountability by the states or territories receiving the funds. Moreover, while the document outlines the need for an Initial Spend Plan, it lacks specific guidance on what constitutes a sufficiently detailed plan, potentially leading to inconsistencies in submissions.

Another notable concern is the absence of details on how fund usage will be monitored or audited post-distribution, which is critical to ensure the funds are used appropriately and effectively. Finally, the submission instruction regarding an electronic timestamp may be unclear, potentially causing confusion for applicants on how to ensure a compliant submission.

Impact on the Public Broadly

The initiative primarily aims to strengthen the ability of state and local governments to respond to the increased needs of the elderly population during the pandemic. It has the potential to significantly impact the quality and effectiveness of services provided to vulnerable adults, particularly in improving the investigation of abuse, neglect, and exploitation cases during a time when traditional methods may be challenged.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

For state and territory agencies responsible for APS, this funding represents an opportunity to expand and enhance their services without the financial burden of cost-sharing. It facilitates investment in technology and processes that can improve remote work and response capabilities. However, these agencies may face challenges in terms of adequately preparing and submitting the required documentation given the specified format and deadline, particularly if they are unclear about the requirements or lack sufficient guidance.

The elderly population, especially those who are victims or at risk of abuse and neglect, stand to benefit from the improved services this funding aims to support. Enhanced APS capabilities can lead to better protection and support for this vulnerable group during COVID-19. However, if funds are not used efficiently or if auditing measures are inadequate, the intended benefits may not fully materialize.

In summary, while this funding presents a valuable opportunity to bolster support for adult protective services during a critical time, the document has certain gaps and ambiguities that could affect the efficacy of its implementation and the realization of its goals.

The document outlines a funding initiative under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021: Grants to Enhance Adult Protective Services to Respond to COVID-19, with a total funding allocation of $93,880,000. The purpose of these funds is to enhance and improve adult protective services (APS) in states and territories to better respond to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding aims to provide the necessary resources to address increased allegations of abuse, neglect, and exploitation during the pandemic.

Financial Summary

The total available funding for this program is $93,880,000, which will be distributed through formula grants as determined by the Elder Justice Act. The formula for allocation is based on the proportion of elders living in each state and territory. Importantly, there are no cost-sharing or match requirements, meaning that the states and territories are not required to contribute any additional funds to receive this financial support.

Relation to Identified Issues

One of the identified issues is the lack of cost-sharing or match requirements. This could potentially lead to a lack of local investment or accountability from the states or territories receiving the funding. Without a financial stake in the program's success, there may be less incentive for recipients to ensure efficient and effective use of these federal funds. The absence of required financial participation from local governments could lead to less scrutiny or priority given to properly managing this allocation.

Additionally, the document does not clearly indicate how the use of these funds will be monitored or audited once distributed. This is a critical aspect to ensure that the funds are used as intended and to prevent misuse or wasteful spending. The reliance solely on federal oversight might not be enough to guarantee accountability without corresponding active contributions from local entities.

The requirement for eligible agencies to submit a Letter of Assurance along with an Initial Spend Plan introduces an aspect of preliminary oversight. However, there is a noted lack of specificity in the guidelines for these submissions, which may result in varied quality among the plans received. This inconsistency could further complicate efforts to monitor the use of funds effectively and ensure that they are being directed toward their intended purposes.

Overall, while the document provides a clear outline of financial resources available and their intended impact, improvements in outlining local accountability measures and detailed guidelines for submission could further enhance the effectiveness of this financial initiative.