ABSTRACT
This chapter provides background on New York State long term care policy directions and an illustration of how policy is being implemented, using one program initiative underway, the Extended In-Home Services for the Elderly Program (EISEP) program. Based on research that documented the important role families play in providing long term care, the key principle in the state policy report was the need to recognize the critical role played by families. EISEP is one of the few home care programs in the country that has a respite care program built into it; this was based on the importance given to the principle to support families. Counties must put together home care plans, which consist of two components: an assessment of the current home care system in their county and a plan whereby the county tells the state how it is going to use the EISEP dollars to build on and complement the existing resources available in the community.
