More Specific Guidance and Closer Monitoring Needed To Get More From Funds Spent on Social Services for the Elderly
HRD-82-14
Published: Nov 12, 1981. Publicly Released: Nov 12, 1981.
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Highlights
GAO examined the administration of social services subgrants and contracts awarded under the Older Americans Act to determine how well the State and area agencies on aging are coordinating and managing numerous Federal programs which could be used to serve the elderly. Under the Act's social services program, these agencies provide to the elderly a broad array of social services, such as transportation, homemaker services, and information/referral services. The area agencies are responsible for obtaining these services, usually through subgrants and contracts with service providers. Federal funds for the program are distributed to each State on a formula grant basis upon the Administration on Aging's (AOA) approval of the State's or area's plan.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Health and Human Services | The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services should direct the Commissioner of AOA to develop more specific instructions for State agencies' use in assisting area agencies on using title III-B subgrants and contracts as catalysts to attract needed outside resources. |
Please call 202/512-6100 for information.
|
| Administration on Aging | The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services should direct the Commissioner of AOA to develop more specific instructions for State agencies' use in assisting area agencies on using title III-B subgrants and contracts as catalysts to attract needed outside resources. |
Please call 202/512-6100 for information.
|
| Department of Health and Human Services | The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services should direct the Commissioner of AOA to develop more specific instructions for State agencies' use in assisting area agencies in providing performance-based payment provisions, to the extent possible, in subgrants and contracts with service providers. |
Please call 202/512-6100 for information.
|
| Administration on Aging | The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services should direct the Commissioner of AOA to develop more specific instructions for State agencies' use in assisting area agencies in providing performance-based payment provisions, to the extent possible, in subgrants and contracts with service providers. |
Please call 202/512-6100 for information.
|
| Department of Health and Human Services | The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services should direct the Commissioner of AOA to develop more specific instructions for State agencies' use in assisting area agencies on expending title III-B funds for needed services in a timely manner. |
Please call 202/512-6100 for information.
|
| Administration on Aging | The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services should direct the Commissioner of AOA to develop more specific instructions for State agencies' use in assisting area agencies on expending title III-B funds for needed services in a timely manner. |
Please call 202/512-6100 for information.
|
| Administration on Aging | The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services should direct the Commissioner of AOA to work with State agencies to develop a set of instructions that could be used by all the area agencies. |
Please call 202/512-6100 for information.
|
| Administration on Aging | AOA and State agencies should develop instructions which will help determine why an area agency has not spent its available title III-B funds. |
Please call 202/512-6100 for information.
|
| Administration on Aging | AOA and State agencies should develop instructions which will help set a maximum amount or percent of an area agency's allocation that can be carried forward from one program year to the next. |
Please call 202/512-6100 for information.
|
| Department of Health and Human Services | The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services should direct the Commissioner of AOA to require State agencies to effectively monitor area agencies to help insure that program instructions are followed. |
Please call 202/512-6100 for information.
|
| Administration on Aging | The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services should direct the Commissioner of AOA to require State agencies to effectively monitor area agencies to help insure that program instructions are followed. |
Please call 202/512-6100 for information.
|
| Department of Health and Human Services | The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services should direct the Commissioner of AOA to have State agencies develop performance accountability systems for title III-B expenditures. |
Please call 202/512-6100 for information.
|
| Administration on Aging | The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services should direct the Commissioner of AOA to have State agencies develop performance accountability systems for title III-B expenditures. |
Please call 202/512-6100 for information.
|
| Administration on Aging | The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services should direct the Commissioner of AOA to require State agencies to use area plans as intended for setting goals and monitoring results. |
Please call 202/512-6100 for information.
|
| Administration on Aging | The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services should direct the Commissioner of AOA to require State agencies to enforce area agencies' use of statewide standards in setting service objectives, defining provider requirements in subgrants and contracts, and reporting the results of subgrants and contract expenditures. |
Please call 202/512-6100 for information.
|
| Department of Health and Human Services | The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services should direct the Commissioner of AOA to revise its performance reporting system to include data on the levels of commonly provided services to elderly persons. |
Please call 202/512-6100 for information.
|
| Administration on Aging | The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services should direct the Commissioner of AOA to revise its performance reporting system to include data on the levels of commonly provided services to elderly persons. |
GAO has no information on the actions taken in response to this recommendation.
|
| Administration on Aging | The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services should direct the Commissioner of AOA to direct State agencies to verify performance data as part of their required onsite assessments of area agencies to assure that accurate data are being reported under the revised system. |
GAO has no information on the actions taken in response to this recommendation.
|
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Agency missionsElder careElderly personsFederal aid to localitiesFederal aid to statesstate relationsGrant administrationMonitoringProgram managementPerformance monitoring