Background Information
*Taken from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Administration on Aging Site.

The “Own Your Future” Long-Term Care Public Awareness Campaign is a joint federal-state initiative to increase awareness among both retirees and baby-boomers about planning for long-term care needs. Research shows many persons do not want to think about their future long-term care needs and therefore fail to plan appropriately.

Over the last three years, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has worked with the National Governors Association (NGA) and individual state governors to launch “Own Your Future” campaigns in nine states.

A “Call for Proposals” was released in May 2006 to solicit applications from Governors for participation in Phase III of the “Own Your Future” campaign, which will be supported by the National Clearinghouse for Long-Term Care Information. Core campaign activities in states selected for participation in Phase III are funded by HHS. States are encouraged to provide complementary activities.

• Phase I included: Arkansas, Idaho, Nevada, New Jersey and Virginia
• Phase II included: Kansas, Maryland, Rhode Island and Washington
• Phase III included: Michigan, Nebraska, South Dakota and Texas
• Information related to the “Own Your Future” campaign efforts in SOUTH DAKOTA:
  • First Letter from Governor Rounds
  • Second Letter from Governor Rounds
  • South Dakota's Guide to Long-Term Care Resources
    
  • Long-Term Care Poster
    
  • Federal Long-Term Care Planning Guide
    
  • News Release
    
  • Executive Proclamation

The response by consumers to the “Own Your Future” campaign has exceeded expectations, both in terms of consumer interest and in terms of initiating long-term care planning actions. Based on this success, Congress established the National Clearinghouse for Long-Term Care Information under Section 6021 (d) of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005. The Clearinghouse, located at www.longtermcare.gov, provides education to consumers on long-term care basics, long-term care insurance (including Partnership programs), other private financing options, and Medicaid.

Additional states will be added to the “Own Your Future” Campaign, based on the strength of their applications and availability of funding, over the coming years.

The Need to Plan and Own Your Future
If individuals and families are more aware of their potential need for long-term care support and services as they age, they are more likely to take steps to prepare for their future. From a public policy perspective, increased planning for long-term care will likely increase private financing for services, and may reduce the burden on publicly-funded programs.

South Dakotans can "own their future" by preparing for their future long-term care needs. They can purchase long-term care insurance or engage in other financial planning activities to ensure their ability to purchase needed long-term care services when the time comes.