Veterans Directed Home and Community Based Services Program

In 2008, New York was one of first 10 states to be awarded the Veterans Health Administration (VA) component of the Nursing Home Diversion Modernization/Community Living Program Grant funded through the Administration on Aging. The VA has committed at least $10 million for this initiative. New York began serving veterans under this demonstration program in February 2010 through collaboration between the VA and local Area Agencies on Aging (AAA).

  • The VA will purchase consumer directed services, along with other services not currently offered by the VA, from the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) for eligible veterans of all ages.
  • These services may include:
    • Personal care services using veteran identified workers
    • Housekeeping
    • Chore and companion services
    • Social adult day care
    • Home delivered and congregate meals
    • Nutrition education and counseling
    • Caregiver support including training, support groups
    • Respite
    • Evidence based health promotion
    • Dementia specific services
    • Transportation
    • Medication management
    • Home modification (not covered through the VA)
    • Assistive devices/assistive technology, and
    • Durable medical equipment (not covered through the VA).
      **Case management is available to all veteran participants.
  • The VA will determine eligibility for this program and refer eligible and interested veterans to the AAA.
  • The eligible veteran must take part in consumer directed personal care services in order to take advantage of other AAA services. Consumer direction is a necessary component of the program.
  • Payment for services will flow from the local VA Medical Center to the AAA.
  • The VA program will initially take place in three counties – Oneida, Onondaga, and Broome, but the program will eventually be expanded to seven additional counties, including Albany, Cayuga, Dutchess, Orange, Otsego, Tompkins, and Washington.
  • There will be provider agreements in place between participating AAAs and their corresponding local VA Medical Center, which may be one of three VA Medical Centers: Syracuse VA Medical Center, Albany VA Medical Center, or the VA Hudson Valley Healthcare System.
  • The program has been fully implemented in Oneida County and is expected to be fully operational in Broome and Onondaga shortly.
  • Implementation plans are being developed by the New York State Office for Aging (NYSOFA) for the remaining seven counties with input from the counties and the VA.