The Vermont Aging Network Consortium (VANC) is proud to announce that its proposal, “Modernizing Vermont’s No Wrong Door (NWD) Older Vermonters Helpline and Information Systems Network Infrastructure,” has been selected as one of twelve national grant recipients by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Community Living (ACL).
Through this two-year, $450,000 project, VANC—working in affiliation with all five of Vermont’s Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs)—will serve as the hub for an enhanced and modernized Information, Assistance, and Referral (IA&R) system. This includes a reimagined “Older Vermonters Helpline” and the development of updated technology infrastructure that enhances accessibility, consistency, and service quality statewide.
“We are so grateful for this tremendous opportunity,” said Cheryl Gilbert, Chief Operating & Financial Officer at VANC. “This investment enables us to build a more connected, efficient, and accessible support system for older Vermonters.”
The project will modernize Vermont’s current “Senior Helpline,” which relies on landline technology expected to become obsolete by 2030. By investing in these upgrades now, VANC will improve access to services for older Vermonters, their families, and caregivers across the state.
The Senior Helpline—1-800-642-5119—connects callers statewide to a wide array of vital support services delivered by friendly, knowledgeable professionals. These services include:
- Meals on Wheels and nutrition support
- Transportation assistance
- Medicare counseling and long-term care planning
- Caregiver support services
- Translation services
- Case management
- Options counseling
- Volunteer services
- And many more aging-related resources
Key project components include:
- Upgrading call and referral technology
- Establishing consistent service delivery protocols across all AAAs
- Standardizing staff training
- Launching unified marketing and communications materials
- Implementing an updated referral database with coordinated protocols
This streamlined approach will improve service quality, increase client satisfaction, and reduce variation in practice. The enhanced system will also generate cost savings at each of the five AAAs, allowing those funds to be reinvested in direct services that benefit older Vermonters.
This project is supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), as part of a financial assistance award totaling $450,000 with 100 percent funding by ACL/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, ACL/HHS or the U.S. Government.
Vermont Area Agencies on Aging Media Contacts
Age Well
Tracey Shamberger, Director of Business Development & Communications
Phone: (802) 662-5271 | Email: [email protected] | www.agewellvt.org
Central Vermont Council on Aging
Leanne Hoppe, Philanthropy and Communications Director
Phone: (802) 476-2662 | Email: [email protected] | www.cvcoa.org
Northeast Kingdom Council on Aging
Melinda Martin, Director of Communications and Development
Phone: (802) 748-1007 | Email: [email protected] | www.nekcouncil.org
Senior Solutions
Renee Woliver, Communications and Outreach Director
Phone: (802) 308-3733 | Email: [email protected] | www.seniorsolutionsvt.org
Southwestern Vermont Council on Aging
Joy Mortelliti, Development and Communications Coordinator
Phone: (802) 772-7824 | Email: [email protected] | www.svcoa.org
Montpelier, VT — The Vermont Aging Network Consortium
From Vermont Business Magazine
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