Older Americans Act Reauthorization Input Opportunitites

Dear Colleagues and Consumers,

Since 1965, the Older Americans Act (OAA) has gained recognition as a unique and highly regarded statute that has stimulated the development of a comprehensive and coordinated service system. This system has contributed greatly to enhancing the lives of older individuals, family caregivers, and persons with disabilities. In 2011 Congress will consider reauthorization and amendments to the Act effective in FY 2012. In anticipation of this process, the Administration on Aging (AoA) is soliciting input concerning the reauthorization through three mechanisms:

(1) AoA-Convened Listening Forums;

(2) OAA Reauthorization Input Events; and

(3) Direct Input via the AoA Website.

AoA-Convened Listening Forums will be held in three cities. The input provided will be recorded, compiled and summarized by Scripps Gerontology Center. The dates and locations of the national listening forums are:


Thursday, February 18, 2010 Dallas, TX
Embassy Suites Hotel Dallas Near the Galleria
14021 Noel Road
Dallas, Texas 75240
(972) 354-3659


Thursday, February 25, 2010 Washington, DC
The Westin Alexandria-DC, Alexandria, VA
400 Courthouse Square
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 253-8628


Wednesday, March 3, 2010 San Francisco, CA
Hyatt Regency San Francisco
5 Embarcadero Center
San Francisco, CA 94111
(415) 981-3638

The forums in Dallas and San Francisco will convene at 9:00 a.m. and conclude at 4:30 p.m. They will begin with morning panel sessions organized to focus on a limited number of national topic areas in the following broad categories:

(1) Elder Rights and Elder Justice;

(2) Prevention & Wellness – Healthy Aging; and

(3) Aging Network Infrastructure for Serving Diverse Needs.

The Washington DC forum will also convene at 9:00 a.m. and conclude at 4:30 p.m. It will include the 3 categories of topics above, as well as a fourth category, Capacity of the Aging Network.

Following the panel sessions, each forum will host a general session to allow participants to present their views on the reauthorization of the OAA. In order to provide as many people as possible the opportunity to offer input, each participant will be limited to three minutes. Persons planning to make presentations during the general session should pre-register with Abbe Lackmeyer, 866-598-0102, linscoae@muohio.edu to reserve a time slot. If all slots are not filled through pre-registration, a limited number of on-site time slots may be available.

OAA Reauthorization Input Events may be held by any national, state, tribal, regional or local organization. These can range from workshops, board meetings, public forums, or conferences designed to solicit public input regarding issues to be considered during the next reauthorization of the OAA. Following the events, summary reports developed by the sponsoring organization(s) may be submitted to AoA at http://survey.muohio.edu/snaponline/siam/surveylanding/interviewer.asp?sid=513ECB3B71D90C84B48CA139C1E34C1D555C4E8E56. So that we may more easily track this important input, please pre-register your events.

Direct Input via the AoA Website will provide an opportunity for any individual or entity to provide input related to reauthorization of the OAA separate from an organized event or listening forum. Submit input via the AoA website at this link.

Please note I will be discussing some of the key program/policy issues likely to be a part of the OAA reauthorization during a Critical Issues session at the NCOA/ASA conference on March 16, 2010. I will be joined by leaders within NCOA, ASA and the National Aging Network. The Critical Issues session will be followed on Wednesday and Thursday by NCOA/ASA convened workshops designed to permit attendees to address and brainstorm additional issues to be considered during reauthorization.

However you choose to present your views on the reauthorization of the OAA, I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,
Kathy Greenlee
Assistant Secretary for Aging