SF 547 (LSB 2238SV (1) 91)

SENATE FILE 547

BY  COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

(SUCCESSOR TO SSB 1170)

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to area agencies on aging, dementia service specialists, and a dementia services coordinator, and providing an appropriation.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  NEW SECTION.  231.33A  Area agencies on aging —— dementia service specialists.
   1.  Each area agency on aging shall provide for the position of a dementia service specialist in an effort to increase access and connections to local supports and services for persons living with dementia, their families, and caregivers, and to increase awareness about dementia within the network of area agency on aging providers as well as in counties, communities, and businesses throughout the state. In addition, the department shall provide for the position of a dementia services coordinator to provide statewide coordination of dementia initiatives and dementia service specialists.
   2.  The duties of a dementia service specialist shall include but are not limited to all of the following:
   a.  Supporting people living with dementia, their families, and caregivers including through conducting education and outreach activities to increase community awareness of dementia and the resources available to support individuals with dementia and their caregivers.
   b.  Providing referrals to support groups, respite care providers, research opportunities, and other community resources.
   c.  Conducting community cognitive screenings, and training area agency on aging staff to conduct cognitive screenings.
   d.  Building dementia-capable area agencies on aging through staff trainings, resources, and support.
   e.  Promoting dementia-capable communities by serving as a supporter for dementia-friendly initiatives, presenting dementia-friendly sessions and trainings to consumers and businesses, and serving as a resource for dementia-friendly community action teams.
   f.  Providing technical assistance for internal and external program planning to enhance relevance and improve access for people living with dementia including through support groups, evidence-based programs, meal sites, and home-delivered meal programs.
   g.  Providing training and technical assistance related to dementia, and how to work effectively with a person who has dementia in a crisis situation, to first responder or public safety agencies including law enforcement, emergency medical service providers, fire and rescue teams, adult protective services workers, and crisis response workers within the service area.
   3.  The duties of a dementia services coordinator shall include but are not limited to the following:
   a.  Coordinating state-funded and privately funded dementia services within the state.
   b.  Coordinating the dementia service specialist program within the area agencies on aging.
   c.  Coordinating the implementation of the Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias state plan.
   d.  Assessing and analyzing dementia-related data collected by the state.
   e.  Evaluating state-funded dementia services.
   f.  Identifying and supporting the development of dementia-specific trainings.
   g.  Performing other duties as may be required to ensure the state is addressing Alzheimer’s and related dementias.
    Sec. 2.  DEMENTIA SERVICE SPECIALISTS —— DEMENTIA SERVICES COORDINATOR —— APPROPRIATION.  There is appropriated from the general fund of the state to the department of health and human services for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2026, the following amount, or so much thereof as is necessary, to be used for the purposes designated:
   ...................................................................... $    750,000

   The funds appropriated in this section shall be used by the area agencies on aging to provide a dementia service specialist in each of the area agencies on aging and to provide for a dementia services coordinator within the department of health and human services as provided in section 231.33A, as enacted in this Act.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill relates to area agencies on aging, dementia service specialists, and a dementia services coordinator.
   The bill requires each area agency on aging to provide for the position of a dementia service specialist (specialist) to increase access and connections to local supports and services for persons living with dementia, their families, and caregivers, and to increase awareness about dementia within the network of area agency on aging providers and in communities and businesses throughout the state. The bill also requires the department of health and human services (HHS) to provide for the position of a dementia services coordinator (coordinator) to provide statewide coordination of dementia initiatives and specialists.
   The bill provides that, at a minimum, the duties of a specialist shall include providing support, providing referrals, conducting cognitive screenings, building dementia-capable area agencies on aging, promoting dementia-capable communities, and providing technical assistance as detailed in the bill.
   The bill provides the duties of a coordinator shall include coordinating dementia services throughout the state, coordinating the specialist program, coordinating the Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias state plan, evaluating state dementia services, identifying trainings, and performing other duties as may be required.
   The bill appropriates $750,000 from the general fund of the state to HHS for FY 2025-2026 to be used by the area agencies on aging to provide a specialist in each of the area agencies on aging and to provide for a coordinator within HHS.