9545. (Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 337, Sec. 29.)

(a) The Legislature finds and declares that the purpose of the Linkages Program shall be to provide care and case management services to at-risk older individuals and adults with functional impairments with priority for enrollment given to low-income individuals, to help prevent or delay placement in nursing facilities. For purposes of this section, “care or case management” means all of the following:

(1) As appropriate, ongoing care or case management to at-risk older adults and adults with functional impairments to help prevent or delay placement in nursing facilities.

(2) Client assessment, in conjunction with the development of a service plan with the participant and other appropriate persons, to provide for needs identified by the assessment.

(3) Authorization and arrangement for the purchase of services, or referral, with followup, to volunteer, informal, or third-party payer services. Contractors shall maximize to the fullest extent possible the use of existing services resources before using program funds to purchase services for clients. Any benefits received as a result of these purchases either shall not be considered income for purposes of programs provided for under Division 9 (commencing with Section 10000) or shall not be considered an alternative resource pursuant to Section 12301.

(4) Service and participant monitoring to determine that the services obtained are appropriate to need, of acceptable quality, and provided in a timely manner.

(5) Followup with clients, including periodic contact and initiation of an interim assessment, if deemed necessary, prior to scheduled reassessment.

(6) Assistance to older individuals entering or returning home from nursing facilities and who need help to make the transition.

(7) Comprehensive and timely information, when necessary, to individuals and their families about the availability of community resources, to assist at-risk older adults and adults with functional impairments to maintain the maximum independence permitted by their functional ability.

(8) Short-term specialized assistance, including timely one-time-only assistance in securing community resources, counseling, and the arrangement of an action plan, when there is a temporary probable threat to the ability of the at-risk older adult or adult with functional impairments to remain in the most independent living arrangement permitted by their functional ability.