State postpones new contract implementing additional accountability measures for Pennsylvania elder abuse agencies.
HARRISBURG — Recent developments from the Shapiro administration indicate a delay in the implementation of new contracts with local agencies responsible for the protection of Pennsylvania’s vulnerable older adults from abuse and neglect. This postponement comes despite earlier assurances from state officials that the newly drafted agreements would incorporate stricter accountability measures for agencies that fail to demonstrate improvement in their protective services.
Earlier this year, Jason Kavulich, Secretary of Aging, emphasized the objective of enhancing clarity and enforceability within renewed contracts with the 52 county agencies involved in elder care. Investigative findings have brought to light significant weaknesses within Pennsylvania’s elder protective services, highlighting cases of neglect that have sometimes culminated in tragic outcomes for older adults.
The existing five-year contracts, which expired in June, have been extended for an additional three months while officials consider revisions. Karen Gray, a spokesperson for the department, cited the need for time to adapt to a new monitoring system known as the Continuous Accountability and Performance Evaluation (CAPE). Launched this year, CAPE is aimed at ensuring compliance with state regulations governing abuse and neglect investigations. Currently, assessments have been completed for only 10 of the 52 county agencies.
Gray monitored the significance of these revised contracts, stating that they will incorporate more comprehensive performance improvement plans compared to the previous agreements. While the intention is to hold agencies accountable, the specifics regarding enforcement mechanisms linked to performance metrics remain undisclosed at this time.
Historical data raises concerns about the efficacy of Pennsylvania’s Department of Aging, which reveals that 10% to over a third of Area Agencies on Aging have failed to meet compliance standards from 2017 to 2022. Alarmingly, during this period, the number of older adults who died while under open investigations rose by more than 90%. Despite these alarming statistics, no punitive action has been taken against agencies failing to comply with state requirements.
Under existing agreements, the department possesses the authority to terminate contracts or withhold funding for agencies underperforming. However, historically, this power has not been exercised. Instead, the agencies are typically required to submit corrective action plans, the details of which have not been made publicly available.
The CAPE system introduces a more frequent assessment schedule, as counties will now be evaluated every 18 months rather than annually. If deficiencies are not addressed over three consecutive evaluations, decertification of an agency could ensue. Kavulich has confirmed that explicit terms regarding decertification will be included in the new contracts once finalized. As the state refocuses its approach toward elder abuse prevention and intervention, the effectiveness of these changes will be closely watched.
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