National History and Background

The Aging and Disability Resource Center Program (ADRC) is a collaborative effort of the Administration for Community Living (ACL),

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and the states designed to streamline access to long-term services and supports (LTSS). ACL brings together the Department of Health and Human Services Office on Disability, the Administration on Aging and the Administration for Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. ACL actively partners with the Veterans Administration as well as the Department of Education. The ADRC initiative is part of a nationwide effort to restructure services and supports for older adults, all persons with disabilities, family caregivers, veterans, and LTSS providers. It also complements LTSS system change activities designed to enhance access by older adults and people with disabilities of all ages to community living, personal choice and independence.

In many communities, multiple agencies administer long-term services and supports and have complex, fragmented and often duplicative intake, assessment and eligibility functions. ADRCs build on the strength of existing community agencies, such as Area Agencies on Aging, Local Authorities and Centers for Independent Living, to provide a single, more coordinated system of information and access for all persons seeking long-term support to minimize confusion, enhance individual choice, and support informed decision-making.