Establishing an ADRC

The growing number of Californians seeking Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) and the desire to develop coordinated networks to assist older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers in navigating the fragmented/complex system of LTSS often results in local leaders exploring service delivery improvements using the ADRC ("No Wrong Door") partnership model. Local government and non-profit organizations may begin an ADRC partnership by contacting CDA at any time. CDA provides interested partnerships with information bulletins, updates, training opportunities, and announcements for planning a local ADRC partnership.

Partnership benefits include:

• Streamlined Information and Services to Consumers: Consumers of any age, disability, or income level can contact any one ADRC partner organization to access a wide array of Long-Term Services and Support options offered by ADRC partners in the community.
• Community Collaboration: ADRCs have the opportunity to collaborate with local health care systems, veterans’ organizations, independent living organizations, and aging service organizations to enhance access to public and private programs/services for consumers and strengthen resources for each partner organization.
• Maximization of Resources: ADRC partnerships can maximize existing resources and streamline consumers’ access to services through shared program intake, application assistance, service provider information, and staffing and funding resources.
• No Cost Technical Assistance: ADRCs are provided guidance for planning and sustaining ADRC partnerships and services.

Step 1: Submit Letter of Interest

• Submit Letter of Interest (link below in ADRC Designation Resources section) with contact information to receive information, tools, updates, and training opportunities.

Step 2: Apply for Emerging ADRC Status

• Complete the Emerging ADRC Evaluation Tool (link below in ADRC Designation Resources section) demonstrating that your partnership has developed the foundational building blocks to pursue ADRC designation.
• CDA leadership will review your responses and evaluate the development of your foundational building blocks.
• Upon approval, your Emerging ADRC partnership would be able to apply for infrastructure development funds as available, receive one-on-one technical guidance, and be granted approval to be recognized as an Emerging ADRC.
• Continue developing your ADRC partnership to fulfill the ADRC Designation Criteria in establishing a No Wrong Door System and person-centered practices for your consumers.

Step 3: Pursue ADRC Designation

• When partnership has met the California ADRC Designation Criteria (2021) (link below in ADRC Designation Resources section), the ADRC partnership completes and submits the ADRC Designation Evaluation Tool along with any supporting documentation.
• Evaluation of your ADRC Designation responses will go through a desk review, operational review, and interview process to assess whether ADRC Designation Criteria are met and person-centered practices and a No Wrong Door System are in place.

Step 4: ADRC Designation Determination

• An ADRC Designation Review Panel, consisting of representatives from CDA, the Department of Rehabilitation and other allied departments, will review submitted materials, evaluation reports, and staff recommendations to make the determination whether a partnership is granted designation status or needs additional time to meet designation requirements.
• ADRC Designation signifies that CDA has assessed the effectiveness of your partnership and has granted approval to be designated as an ADRC. Partnerships that are granted approval to become a Designated ADRC will receive an acknowledgement and certification from CDA to signify ADRC designation status.
• Upon designation, continue to develop and enhance your ADRC partnership to expand your reach to more consumers and streamline access to services.

Contact ADRC@aging.ca.gov for further information.

CDA supports local partnerships in putting together the building blocks of the ADRC model by supplying information and technical assistance. Resources to support your local partnership are provided below.

Path to ADRC Designation – This document outlines the general steps for local partnerships to achieve ADRC Designation.

Making the most of ADRC Partnership - A planning tool for local partnerships to prepare and discuss with partners to pursue ADRC Designation.

ADRC Self-Assessment Tool - This is a self-administered ADRC readiness review intended to indicate the progress toward building the organizational relationships necessary for the success of an ADRC partnership in California. With this tool, core partners can assess their own level of readiness to finalize details necessary to meet the State's ADRC Designation Criteria.

Letter of Interest Template – Interested Partnerships are requested to submit a Letter of Interest to formally express interest in learning about ADRC. Submission of a Letter of Interest will initiate communications and distribution of information bulletins, updates, training opportunities, and announcements form CDA, as available. Letter of Interest may be submitted at any time.

ADRC Core Partner MOU Sample – This is a sample MOU template that can be used by ADRC Core Partners for outlining partnership expectations and facilitating positive local ADRC partnerships.

ADRC Designation Criteria – California’s ADRC Designation Criteria are based on the federal Administration on Community Living (ACL) No Wrong Door (ADRC) Key Elements and were developed in collaboration with stakeholders. The ADRC Designation Criteria serve as consistent hallmarks of quality for each ADRC partnership.

Emerging ADRC Evaluation Tool – This tool outlines the criteria for becoming an Emerging ADRC. The criteria focuses on eight baseline measures from the California ADRC Designation Criteria (2021) and are seen as the foundational building blocks in developing ADRC core functions, a person centered philosophy, and a No Wrong Door System to better serve consumers in the community.

ADRC Designation/Re-Designation Process (2019) – CDA has updated its designation/re-designation process effective October 2019 to streamline the designation process for ensuring the integrity of the ADRC Partnership model as described in State statute (WIC 9120) and preparing designated and emerging ADRC partnerships for the ADRC Infrastructure Grants Program (WIC 9121).

ADRC Designation Process Update (2023) – This document describes the process to becoming a Designated ADRC; includes updates to the procedures, tools, and submission deadlines for Interested Partnerships, Emerging ADRCs, and Designated ADRCs.

ADRC Designation Evaluation Tool – This tool may be used by applicants and the ADRC Designation Review Panel to evaluate whether applications fulfill the identified ADRC Key Indicators for becoming a State-designated ADRC.

Questions about ADRC topics may be sent to ADRC@aging.ca.gov.