The Pennsylvania Department of Aging’s (PDA) mission “is to promote independence, purpose and well- being in the lives of older adults through advocacy, service and protection”. The PDA shares this responsibility with 52 local Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) across the Commonwealth. The AAA are the “boots on the ground” for connecting and administrating programs for Pennsylvania seniors which is funded through the Lottery Fund.

The 2024-25 budget allocates $2.95 million from the State Lottery Fund to implement the first year of the Governor’s 10-year Master Plan on aging called “Aging Our Way, PA”. Information received from PDA suggests that the funds would be spent on existing program redesigns and new programs but does not include dollars to address the AAA’s that have been deemed non-compliant.

During the budget hearing, Secretary Kavulich was asked to provide the committee with a list of the AAAs that are non-compliant with respect to protective services, why they are considered out-of-compliance, and where this information is located on PDA’s website. Subsequent to the budget hearing, the PDA website began posting AAA compliance data as it pertains to the required face-to-face visit with older adults after a Report of Need is received. This is a good first step, but the compliance data should be expanded to provide a full picture of how the AAA is providing services to our communities.

Before the Commonwealth spends any more Lottery Funds on expanding new programs or redesigning existing programs, it is imperative that existing programs paid with state dollars are 100% compliant with state regulations or guidance. It is unacceptable that there are entities that continue to receive state dollars to provide protective services to our most vulnerable population and have been found non-compliant.

Providing transparency and accountability is imperative, to not only policymakers, but also our constituents who are the consumers of these services. PDAs own mission is to protect older adults; therefore, providing publicly accessible information to clients regarding consumer protections and safeguards that protect the well-being and interests of older adults. I intend to introduce legislation that will require PDA to annually publish the AAAs compliance report on their public website.

Please join me in co-sponsoring this legislation.