Engage in White House Listening Sessions on Nutrition!

• By: USAging
• On: 05/26/2022 16:15:32
• In: Policy & Advocacy

The White House is hosting virtual regional listening sessions over the coming weeks. The listening sessions will include breakout sessions where stakeholders can share local perspectives and identify areas of action for specific topics like food access and affordability, nutrition and health, food security and more.
 
This is an important opportunity to share the knowledge and experience you have on OAA nutrition programs—and the nutrition and hunger issues affecting the older adults in your community. Your feedback is critical for the communities you serve, but also to ensure the Aging Network’s expertise and wisdom are reflected in any resulting policy conversations. 
 
To register for an upcoming listening session, register at this link to select the session that best aligns with your geographical location:

• South: Wednesday, June 1, 2022, 9 – 11 AM MDT
• Midwest and Mountains: Friday, June 3, 2022, 11 AM – 1 PM MDT
• Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands: Tuesday, June 7, 2022, 10 AM – 12 p.m. EDT
• West Coast and Pacific: Thursday, June 9, 2022, 3 – 5 PM PDT
• Spanish-only (all regions): Monday, June 13, 2022, 1 – 3 PM EDT

USAging will also be engaging with the White House on this process and event, so please share your thoughts with policy@usaging.org as you participate in these listening sessions—or even if you don’t! Looking for more dialogue on nutrition issues? We are planning a special session at our 47th Annual Conference and Tradeshow this summer in Austin to generate additional feedback.
 
Find more information on the White House Conference website and subscribe to receive updates.

USAging's Survey on OAA Regulation Updates Is Out! Don't Miss Your Chance to Comment

• By: USAging
• On: 05/18/2022 21:38:37
• In: Policy & Advocacy

This week we released a survey to get your input on Older Americans Act regulations. Specifically, USAging is seeking to compile your feedback to help inform our response to the Administration for Community Living’s Request for Information (RFI) as the agency seeks to update OAA regulations that guide the implementation of Titles III, VI, and VII programs in states, territories, tribes, and local communities across the country. The survey will take approximately 30 minutes to complete. 
 
While the OAA has been reauthorized multiple times, most of the current OAA regulations have not been updated since 1988. Through this RFI, ACL seeks input regarding supportive, nutrition, evidence-based disease prevention and health promotion, caregiver, legal, long-term care ombudsman and other services provided by states, territories, tribes and tribal organizations, Area Agencies on Aging, and local service providers to help ensure that regulations can align with current OAA law—and meet the needs of older adults.
 
Specifically, ACL is seeking feedback on:

1. Challenges faced by older adults, elders and family caregivers in receiving services under the Act.
2. Challenges faced by states, territories, tribes and tribal organizations, Area Agencies on Aging and service providers in delivering services under the Act. 
3. How OAA programs can better advance equity, in alignment with the President’s Executive Order 13985, Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government.

Please respond to this time-sensitive USAging survey. Survey responses are due Monday, May 23. Because of the detailed nature of the survey, please plan to set aside about 30 minutes to complete the survey.

USAging OAA Regulations RFI SURVEY
USAging Survey PDF

If you need to brush up on the target RFI regulations (OAA 45 CFR Part 1321, 1322, 1323, and 1324) you can visit: https://www.govregs.com/regulations/title45_chapterXIII.

ACL Announces USAging’s Lead Role in Commit to Connect—An Initiative Addressing Social Isolation and Loneliness

• By: USAging
• On: 05/12/2022 16:44:28
• In: Program Update

To address social isolation and loneliness—and their impact on public health, ACL established Commit to Connect, a cross-sector initiative, to reach people who are impacted by social isolation and loneliness. Now in its second year, USAging is taking the helm as the Commit to Connect Coordinating Center. 
 
The aim of Commit to Connect is to foster—through technical assistance, learning opportunities and a networking platform—a nationwide network of champions who are committed to addressing social isolation and loneliness among older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers. Commit to Connect Champions are passionate leaders and innovators at the local, state or national level who are dedicated to ending social isolation and loneliness. Read more about Commit to Connect and register to join the Nationwide Network of Champions!

Hot Off the Presses: ACL Seeks Input on OAA Regulations

• By: USAging
• On: 05/06/2022 09:18:02
• In: Policy & Advocacy

The Administration of Community Living (ACL) has just dropped a new Request for Information (RFI) on Older Americans Act (OAA) regulations. The RFI has a tight 30-day turnaround, so stay tuned for more from USAging as we work to gather your input to inform our response. To learn where you can brush up on the target regulations and sign up for ACL’s explanatory webinar.

OAA regulations guide the implementation of Titles III, VI and VII programs in states, territories, tribes and local communities across the country. ACL will hold a webinar on Thursday, May 12 from 1:00-2:00 PM ET on the OAA Regulations Request for Information (RFI). This webinar will provide a brief overview of current OAA regulations, most of which have not been updated since 1988. Through this RFI, ACL seeks input regarding supportive, nutrition, evidence-based disease prevention and health promotion, caregiver, legal, long-term care ombudsman and other services provided by states, territories, tribes and tribal organizations, Area Agencies on Aging, and local service providers under the OAA.
 
If you need to brush up on the target RFI regulations (OAA 45 CFR Part 1321, 1322, 1323, and 1324) visit: https://www.govregs.com/regulations/title45_chapterXIII.

And again, keep your eyes peeled for USAging emails next week, as we will soon be circulating a request that will help us gather your input on what OAA regulations need an update!