18 Miss. Code. R. 2-1-IV
Mississippi's service delivery system consists of a varied mix of services and programs geared to meet the needs and priorities of Mississippi's age sixty and older population so that they may remain independent and in their own home as long as possible. OAA, CMS, Social Services Block Grant (SSBG), and other sources are used to fund aging programs and services.
Programs and services in Mississippi's Aging Network are categorized in the following three systems:
- Access - Services that link individuals with information, support, and other services in the community;
- Legal Assistance/Advocacy - Services that protect and assist individuals in securing their rights and benefits and ensure quality of care; and
- Home and Community-Based - Services that help individuals maintain their functioning level in their homes and communities and contribute to their dignity and self-worth.
Aging programs and services are provided according to the participants' functioning level and need, ranging from independence to dependence. Although there is a mix of programs and services, not all services and programs are provided by each AAA. Programs and services are provided in the ten AAAs based on the priorities identified. A brief description of available programs and services follow in alphabetical order can be located in Attachment I.
The MDHS DAAS plans to enhance coordination with the Title VI Native American programs in state to strengthen the Title III and VII services and other Aging programs. The Medicare Improvement for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA) for beneficiary outreach and assistance has provided an opportunity for the MDHS DAAS to partner with Native American groups. The MDHS DAAS State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) has recently made great strides in creating partnerships with the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians is located within the East Central Area Agency on Aging planning and service area. ECAAA works closely to provide supportive services to the Pearl River Reservation tribal elders.
The East Central Mississippi Area Agency on Aging through the Mississippi Department of Transportation collaborated with transit providers in their planning and service area to develop a regional transportation system that would improve transportation services for disabled, elderly and low-income individuals throughout their nine counties by ensuring that communities coordinate the transportation resources provided to them through multiple federal programs. East Central Mississippi Area Agency on Aging coordinated with Meridian Transit and Choctaw Transit to provide this service.
The MDHS DAAS is partnering with the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians to expand the Chronic Disease Self Management Program (CDSMP). The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians will train two CDSMP teams for the Mississippi CDSMP intervention to provide the six-week course called "Motivated to Live a Better Life" and "Motivated to Live a Better Life with Diabetes", (known as the Stanford University Chronic Disease Self-Management Program), to an estimated 200 to 225 tribal elders sixty years or older who have at least one chronic disease. Participants will learn how to manage their health and maintain active and fulfilling lives through participation in this highly interactive evidence-based program facilitated by trained community lay and professional people who have chronic disease themselves. The Central Mississippi Area Agency on Aging will provide the lay leader training to the two teams and will provide classroom materials to start a lending library.
18 Miss. Code. R. 2-1-IV