About us
Washington State’s Community Living Connections (CLC) is a statewide integrated system of functions designed to assist older adults with disabilities, family caregivers and advocates to identify, understand and effectively access resources available to them, including long-term service and support options. Services shall be person-centered, and consumer directed; and shall encourage self-efficacy. The goal is to provide information and the opportunity to access resources; to encourage people to proactively plan to meet their own long-term service and support needs; and to solve their own problems with a sense of confidence and empowerment.
what is washington’s clc network?
Washington state Community Living Connections is a network of state and community organizations that coordinate to provide consumers of all ages and disabilities with seamless access to private pay and/or publicly funded long-term services and supports (LTSS) options in their local community; regardless of what program or organization they may contact or currently utilize. They do this using person-centered concepts and skills.
Home and Community Living Administration (HCLA), under the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), supports the statewide network through the long-standing infrastructure of Area Agencies on Aging.
CLC network partners are highly visible and trusted organizations and places where consumers can learn about and access the full range of LTSS available in the local community, and tailor these options to meet the personal preferences, goals, and health and safety needs of each consumer.
Local CLC networks expand the populations served through collaborative partnerships with organizations that have expertise in providing information and access assistance to those populations. Occasionally, grant funding helps support the network to better serve individuals. As funding and staff resources allow, Area Agencies on Aging continue to build capacity through planning and development, and through the expansion and formalization of community partnerships.
clc background
Washington state Community Living Connections is a network of state and community organizations that coordinate to provide consumers of all ages and disabilities with seamless access to private pay and/or publicly funded long-term services and supports (LTSS) options in their local community; regardless of what program or organization they may contact or currently utilize. They do this using person-centered concepts and skills.
A NWD System provides a coordinated way for people to access services in the community so that you only have to tell your story once.
CLC’s provide four key services to consumers; Information, Referral and Awareness, Options Counseling and Assistance; Streamlined Eligibility Assistance for Public Programs, and Person-Centered Care Transitions Supports.
Information, Referral, and Awareness
ADRCs serve as highly visible and trusted places where people of all ages, disabilities and income levels know they can turn for objective information on the full range of home and community supports and service options.
The ADRC’s information, referral, and awareness services are designed to help consumers navigate the variety of agencies and organizations offering services and supports with differing eligibility criteria, application processes, and cost sharing requirements for public pay, private pay, and local community or faith-based resources.
Options Counseling and Assistance
The CLC Options Counseling and Assistance function provides person-centered counseling and support with decision making, including one-on-one assistance with individuals, caregivers, legal representatives and families to navigate long term services and supports in their local community.
Streamlined Eligibility Assistance for Public Programs
Streamlined Eligibility Assistance for Public Programs begins with screening for eligibility. When someone appears eligible and wants to go forward with the process, CLC staff guide and assist the individual through the eligibility determination process. While the details may be complex, CLC staff endeavor to make the eligibility determination process as seamless as possible, for programs funded by Medicaid, the Older Americans Act, and other state and federal dollars.
Person-Centered Care Transitions Supports
Transitions or movements of individuals between health care settings require some coordination. The Person-Centered Care Transitions component of the CLC assists individuals to coordinate care needs for people transitioning from one setting of care to another.
CLC program standards
Washington CLC has developed standardized program guidelines for network partners to follow. Program Standards can be accessed here: Coming Soon
CLC RESOURCE DIRECTORY INFORMATION
Washington’s CLC Network is implementing a comprehensive, statewide information system to provide Washingtonians with easy access to information about long-term services and supports.
The CLC Resource Directory is a comprehensive database of services and supports geared toward helping people with disabilities and those who are aging, remain in their homes and communities as long as possible, support independent living, and help people understand the full range of long-term services and supports from an objective and consumer education perspective.
Organizations that are already included in the resource directory will find a link within the directory listing where they can provide updated information to the local or state resource directory specialist. Any business or organization wanting to request inclusion in the directory can read about the inclusion/exclusion criteria below; and then fill out and electronically submit the Organization Inclusion Request Form.
