Dr. Carrie Rowe, Acting Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Education | Pennsylvania Department Of Education
The Pennsylvania Department of Aging has introduced a new web-based platform, C-Screen, aimed at improving the transparency and accountability of in-home care provider agencies. The tool is currently being piloted by the state's 52 Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs). C-Screen allows these agencies to screen, verify, and rate the hiring practices of providers that contract with Pennsylvania's aging network.
Through this system, local agencies will have the option to publicly share provider ratings on C-Screen. The department says this increased transparency is intended to help families make informed choices about in-home care and protect older adults from potential abuse, neglect, or fraud.
"Older adults deserve to be able to make informed decisions when seeking in-home services. Individuals who provide this level of care often see an older adult during personal or vulnerable tasks such as bathing, dressing and getting out of bed. These interactions require trust, safety and dignity from the care provider," said Secretary Kavulich. "We're proud to partner with C-Screen to further strengthen transparency and accountability of in-home care providers while ensuring older adults in all 67 counties in the Commonwealth are protected by the same high-quality standards they expect and need."
Speakers at the announcement included Secretary Jason Kavulich of the Pennsylvania Department of Aging; JR Reed, Executive Director of Lehigh County Office of Aging and Adult Services; Phil Armstrong, Lehigh County Executive; Geoff Brace, Lehigh County Commissioner; and Louise Hein, a resident at Cedar View Apartments.
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