Sunday, May 18, 2025
5/18/2025
Florida Department of Elder Affairs SHINE Program - The Florida Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA), in collaboration with Florida’s 11 Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs) and key stakeholders, proposes to expand and enhance the statewide SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) volunteer counseling program over the next five years. This initiative will improve access to Medicare counseling, education, and assistance for Medicare-eligible individuals, their families, and caregivers, empowering them to make informed healthcare decisions. By leveraging existing partnerships and resources, we will significantly increase outreach, counseling, and education efforts across Florida. The primary goals of this project include: 1) Providing confidential, accurate, and comprehensive Medicare counseling to beneficiaries; 2) Increasing awareness and visibility of the SHINE program across diverse communities; 3) Recruiting, training, and retaining a highly skilled and diverse volunteer workforce; 4) Strengthening the operational framework of the program to improve efficiency and service delivery; and 5) Implementing adaptable and sustainable practices to respond to changes in Medicare policies and beneficiary needs. Through this grant, we anticipate a 25% increase in key areas: overall beneficiary contacts, outreach efforts, engagement with Medicare beneficiaries under 65, connections with hard-to-reach populations, and enrollment assistance. Additionally, the project will produce enhanced marketing and outreach materials, updated volunteer and beneficiary training programs, an interactive online training platform, a secure counselor portal, and a statewide 24/7 helpline.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).