Independent Provider Definition:   The program applicant that is willing to provide services for the senior at a rate of pay or by volunteering their services.

Overview:  This program is designed specifically for area senior citizens in need of extended care, including homecare, handyman services, shopping, friendly visits, reassurance telephone calls,  yard work, snow shoveling, transportation, moving, hair dressing / haircuts, companion services, etc.  The Oneida County Office for the Aging is responsible for maintaining a list and file of available workers and tasks they are willing to provide.  The Office for the Aging will refer names of individuals to seniors or their representative requesting assistance.  The senior or their representative will be considered the employer.  The senior or representative is responsible to clearly identify the service needs, check references, negotiate rate of pay, and pay the individual directly.  This program is NOT funded by North Utica Senior Center or Oneida County Office for the Aging and Continuing Care.  North Utica Senior Center and Oneida County Office for the Aging are NOT responsible for the job completion or pay of the private C.A.P.S. registrant.  The agreement will be strictly between the senior citizen or their representative and the C.A.P.S. independent provider.  This program is simply an additional resource for seniors to access in home services when funding is not available or qualifying monthly income would put a client at 100% cost share for these services.  Eligible seniors should be alert and oriented or have a family member that is willing to regularly monitor the work being done; similar to the CDPAP program.                

Objective:  The objective of this program is specifically to meet the extended needs of area senior citizens in the area that may not have the ability to find reliable volunteers or employees to meet their needs.  It is intended to gain a trustworthy base of individuals that are willing and able to meet the specific needs of each senior they serve.  The goal is to maintain seniors in their homes by addressing needs that they are no longer able to complete independently.   

Responsibility:  It is the responsibility of the programs liaison to maintain a list of independent providers; these independent providers are NOT employees of North Utica Senior Center or Oneida County Office for the Aging and North Utica Senior Center or Oneida County Office for the Aging does NOT pay for the hire of these individuals.  It is the responsibility of the program liaison to maintain a list of clients as well as program independent providers, and complete a criminal background check through First Advantage NationScan.  The Oneida County Office for the Aging and New York Connects will take referrals for the program and the Case Manager will second the case to the program liaison who will then contact the client to ensure there needs cannot be met through any other program or service with in the county.

For further information contact Office for the Aging 315-798-5456.