Lawmakers wrapped up their last work week of the year by pushing through a number of must-do legislative priorities. A massive measure to fund the federal government through FY 2020—including several increases for Older Americans Act programs—along with funding for several expiring health care programs gained bipartisan approval before heading to the White House for signature. Details on funding levels can be found in n4a’s appropriations chart. At press time, the House has passed the bipartisan measure, the Senate will do so today, and the President is expected to sign before Friday’s midnight deadline.

We're proud to highlight the award-winning work of the 2019 winners of n4a's Aging Innovations and Achievement Awards in this spotlight feature. This month, we are focusing on Central Plains Area Agency on Aging's Mobile Farmers' Market program. The agency was a 2019 Aging Innovations Award winner in the Nutrition category.

With the 2020 Census just around the corner, many n4a members want to take action to ensure that the older adults and caregivers they serve will be counted. Census data is factored into a tremendous number of policy actions and funding formulas, at the federal but also at state and local levels, so it's important that everyone living in the United States on April 1, 2020 is counted.

A recent Capitol Hill briefing held by the National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC), which is operated jointly by n4a and Easterseals, highlighted the work five NADTC grantees are doing to help older adults and people with disabilities address critical issues and stay connected to their communities.

Last month, the Gerontology Institute of the University of Massachusetts Boston released new tools that can help n4a members and other advocates show what it takes to live in economic security in later years. The new Elder Index's easy-to-access data on the costs of living for older adults can be run based on county or state.