Eldercare Development Partnerships

The Eldercare Development Partnerships (EDP) program was created by the Minnesota legislature in 1992 (Minnesota Statutes, section 256B.0917). This legislation began a long-term, statewide strategy to increase the capacity of local long-term care services and resources that support older adults in the community.

EDP programs provide technical assistance and support and bring together partners in the long-term care system to help communities develop or expand home and community-based services (HCBS) for low-income older adults. EDP programs are regional aging experts that focus strategic plans on gaps identified in resources such as:

• Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Gaps Analysis
• Minnesota's LTSS System
• Minnesota Comprehensive Aging Survey
• Multisector Blueprint for Aging led by Age-Friendly Minnesota.

Through identified service gaps, the primary focus of the EDP programs is to expand and strengthen current local provider capacity. 

EDP programs:

• Improve funding and organizational sustainability
• Strengthen or recruit providers
• Build referral and partnership networks
• Assist providers to navigate licensing requirements for services
• Assist with Minnesota Health Care Programs (MHCP) provider enrollment 
• Train HCBS providers
• Develop workforce capacity
• Connect communities with broader aging-system initiatives.
• Provide technical guidance to improve processes and increase sustainable capacity of HCBS options for older adults, their caregivers, and families
• Collaborate with county social service and public health agencies, area agency on aging, local non-profit and for profit HCBS providers, other stakeholders in the long term care system
• Explore new, region-based approaches in housing, HCBS development, falls prevention, local emergency preparedness and financial awareness.