ADRC/NWD Functions
Two-thirds of states made progress toward fully functional status with their ADRC/NWD systems—networks of organizations at the state and community levels that help consumers and family caregivers learn about, consider and navigate LTSS options, both public and private. High-performing states must have strong collaborative partnerships between state aging and disability and state Medicaid agencies. The greatest improvements were recorded in providing person-centered counseling and streamlining eligibility for public programs.
Compare State Data
This composite indicator draws from a voluntary, self-reported survey fielded by AARP for each state’s Aging and Disability Resource Center/No Wrong Door (ADRC/NWD) System. Survey asked state administrators to describe their progress toward developing fully operational NWD Systems using 41 criteria across 5 dimensions:
- State Governance and Administration (10 criteria)
- Populations (5 criteria)
- Public Outreach and Coordination with Key Referral Sources (8 criteria)
- Person-Centered Counseling (9 criteria)
- Streamlined Eligibility for Public Programs (9 criteria)
States were awarded a point value on the functional status of each criterion. Each criterion received a maximum of 3 points, ranging from 0 (not in place) to 3 (fully operational statewide). Criteria that were informed by more than one question were scored based on the average of the individual questions. State scores were summed across all criteria to a total of 123 possible points from these functionality criteria. Scores are listed in the LTSS Scorecard as a percentage of total possible points, rounded to the nearest whole percent. List of 41 criteria by function and number of questions for each criterion:
I State Governance and Administration (10 criteria)
- Governor and/or State Legislature’s Support to Develop NWD System (1 question)
- Multistate Agency Coordinating Body (1 question)
- Formal Assessment of Access Programs and Functions (1 question)
- Multiyear Plan to Implement NWD System (1 question)
- External Stakeholder Involvement (1 question)
- State Funding (1 question)
- Designation of Entities (1 question)
- Continuous Quality Improvement (3 questions)
- Staff Capacity (2 questions)
- Information Technology (2 questions)
II Populations (5 criteria)
- Older Adult Population (1 question)
- People with Physical Disabilities (1 question)
- People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (1 question)
- People with Mental Illness and Behavioral Health Needs (1 question)
- Family Caregiver Population (1 question)
III Public Outreach and Coordination with Key Referral Sources (8 criteria)
- Outreach and Marketing Plan (1 question)
- Searchable Website and 1-800 Phone Number (2 questions)
- Information and Referral and State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) (2 questions)
- Section Q – Local Contact Agencies (1 question)
- Transitions – Hospitals or Rehab Facilities to Facilitate Transition to Home (1 question)
- Transitions – Youth (1 question)
- Veterans Administration (VA) Medical Centers to Provide Veteran-Directed HCBS (1 question)
- Statewide Reach (1 question)
IV Person-Centered Counseling (PCC) (9 criteria)
- Standards are Used to Define PCC (1 question)
- Management Supports PCC and Planning (1 question)
- Basic Competencies to Conduct Person-Centered Planning (1 question)
- Specialized Competencies to Conduct Person-Centered Planning (4 questions)
- Established Protocols for Developing Person-Centered Plans (1 question)
- Variety of Organizations to Serve Different LTSS Populations (1 question)
- Future Planning Needs and Private Pay (2 questions)
- Follow-up (1 question)
- Statewide Reach (1 question)
V Streamlined Eligibility for Public Programs (9 criteria)
- Improving Efficiencies (1 question)
- NWD Protocols (1 question)
- Application Assistance (1 question)
- Tracking Procedures (1 question)
- Ease of Access (2 questions)
- Targeting People Who Are High Risk of Institutionalization (1 question)
- Diversion Protocol is in Place (2 questions)
- Presumptive Eligibility (1 question from a different survey source)
- Statewide Reach (1 question)
AARP PPI, ADRC/No Wrong Door state survey conducted in collaboration with The Lewin Group and US Administration for Community Living” (unpublished, Washington, DC: AARP Public Policy Institute, 2022). Reference data are from 2019 and come from the same source.