How to Be Listed in the Senior Helpline Database

Agencies and businesses serving seniors and their caregivers in the Florida counties of Pasco and Pinellas are eligible to be listed as resources with the Senior Helpline. For-profit businesses are listed in addition to government funded and non-profit programs in an effort to meet the needs of all seniors and provide options for those who can pay for the services they need.

The Senior Helpline is a federally funded program at the Area Agency On Aging Of Pasco-Pinellas, Inc. The Senior Helpline provides information and referral/assistance services in Pasco and Pinellas Counties. Seniors, adults with mental illness, caregivers, and professionals who call the Senior Helpline are referred to both the charitable/not-for-profit organizations and the for-profit businesses that can meet their needs. The Helpline received over 18,000 calls in 2008.

The Senior Helpline uses the Information and Referral/Assistance database that is used state-wide in Florida. It is a searchable database that includes community resources for Pasco and Pinellas Counties as well as other areas of Florida.

Applying:

There are 3 separate documents that are part of the application package. They are available below as Adobe pdf files that can be printed or they can be obtained by calling the Senior Helpline at 1-800-96ELDER in Pasco and Pinellas and by calling 727-217-8111 from other areas.

Click here if you want to download free Adobe software in order to access the application package.  If you have an older version of the software, you may need to upgrade in order to read the files.

Cover_Letter.pdf

Inclusion_exclusion.pdf

Database_application-Senior_Helpline.pdf

Agencies and businesses that are interested in becoming part of the database must:

* Comply with the eligibility requirements listed in the inclusion/exclusion criteria required by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs, including having been in business for at least one year at the time of application. (See below.)

* Complete and return the application including:

• Agency contact information
• Services that your agency or business is willing to provide as a stand-alone or primary service
• Areas served
• Eligibility requirements
• A paragraph that describes your agency or business, and should include any qualifications or amenities that should be considered in choosing your service.

* Provide copies of any licenses that the agency holds to do business.

* Sign the acknowledgment portion of the application. This signature is required by DOEA.

There is no charge to be listed in the state-wide Information and Referral database.

Return the application to:
Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas, Inc.
9887 4th Street North, Suite 100
St. Petersburg, FL 33702
Attn: Beverly Burton

For more information, call 1-800-96ELDER in Pasco and Pinellas counties or, if calling from other areas, dial 727-217-8111.

Complaints

If complaints are received against an agency or business, then the Senior Helpline has the authority to remove the listing from the Senior Helpline database.

Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria

Integrated Statewide Information & Referral Database

It is the mission of the Department of Elder Affairs to create an environment that provides choices, promotes independence and enables older Floridians to remain in their communities for a lifetime.

To support our mission and pursuant to section 430.2053(4) and (5), Florida Statutes, the Department has set forth inclusion and exclusion guidelines for the integrated statewide information and referral database. This database will serve as a single point of access for information, counseling, referrals, assessment and eligibility functions, which will maximize consumer choice. The database shall include entities that serve both Florida?s elders and their families, and adults suffering from severe and persistent mental illness. These guidelines should be uniformly applied so that staff and the public are aware of the scope and limitations of the database. Inclusion of a resource in the database does not constitute an endorsement by the Department of Elder Affairs or by the Area Agencies on Aging in the State of Florida.

I. The following are minimum requirements for inclusion:

a. Entity must have been conducting business for at least one (1) year.
b. Entities, both private and public, must provide or coordinate health and human services for elders, their caregivers, or for adults with severe and persistent mental illness.
c. Entity must maintain a license, certification, or registration if required by the State of Florida or the federal government.
d. Examples of types of entities that may be included:

• Government agencies.
• For-profit and not-for-profit businesses and organizations.
• Entities contracting with the Department of Elder Affairs, an Area Agency on Aging, a lead agency, or the Department of Children and Families to provided services.
• Medicare and/or Medicaid certified provider agencies or professional practitioners.
• Licensed care facilities (i.e. hospitals, health clinics, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, hospices, adult day care centers, adult family care homes, home health agencies).
• Insurance companies authorized by the Department of Financial Services to transact business in Florida.
• Faith based organizations, social clubs, professional organizations, volunteer organizations, advocacy groups or support groups.
• Entities providing services, support, or information accessible via the Internet or by telephone.
• Age restricted communities registered with the Florida Commission on Human Relations.

II. The following criteria warrants exclusion of otherwise eligible entities:

a. Entities that do not obtain or maintain required governmental licensing, certification, or registration.
b. Entities whose license, certification, or registration is suspended or revoked.
c. Entities that refuse services on the basis of age, color, race, religion, gender, nationality, disability, marital status, or any other basis prohibited by law.
d. Entities that make material misrepresentations or omissions regarding services provided, licensing status, or any other pertinent matters.

The database will be updated, at a minimum, annually to ensure accuracy of resource information. If an entity fails to respond to a request for updated information within the specified time, the entity may be removed from the database.